Journey bikes are undeniably sizzling proper now. Out of greater than 70 new or considerably up to date street-legal bikes introduced for 2024 within the U.S. market, almost half are dual-sport or journey fashions. There are lots of ADVs to select from within the 750cc-and-up displacement class, however there are few beneath 500cc. One of the intriguing additions to the journey class is the 2025 CFMOTO Ibex 450.
Often called the 450MT exterior the U.S., the Ibex 450 is powered by a liquid-cooled 449cc parallel-Twin with DOHC, a 270-degree crank, and twin counterbalancers, and it’s mated to a 6-speed gearbox with a slip/help clutch. Variations of this engine are present in a number of CFMOTO fashions, together with the 450NK bare bike, the 450SS sportbike, and the forthcoming 450CL-C cruiser.
Associated: 2023 CFMOTO 450SS | First Experience Overview
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Associated: 2025 CFMOTO 450CL-C Overview | First Look
Within the Ibex 450, the engine produces a claimed 44 hp at 8,500 rpm and 32.5 lb-ft of torque at 6,250 rpm. When Royal Enfield up to date the Himalayan journey bike for 2024, it was upgraded from an air-cooled 411cc Single to a liquid-cooled 452cc Single that makes a claimed 39.5 hp and 29.5 lb-ft of torque. The Ibex not solely makes extra energy and torque, however its two cylinders and twin counterbalancers additionally ship the products extra easily.
Associated: 2024 Royal Enfield Himalayan Overview | First Experience
CFMOTO got down to produce a light-weight, absolutely succesful journey bike at an affordable value, and it has achieved its aim. The Ibex 450 is claimed to weigh 386 lb dry, so in all probability about 425 lb with its 4.6-gallon tank full. Despite the fact that it’s priced at simply $6,499, it’s brimming with options not discovered on journey bikes that price 1000’s of {dollars} extra. Maybe most interesting is its tubeless spoked wheels, which tremendously simplify roadside or trailside flat repairs. They usually’re in 21-inch entrance and 18-inch rear sizes, which carry out nicely off-road and are suitable with a variety of dual-sport and journey tires.
The Ibex 450 has a chromoly metal body, 8.7 inches of floor clearance, and adjustable KYB suspension with 8 inches of journey. It additionally features a 5-inch TFT show with Bluetooth connectivity ABS that may be disabled on the rear, switchable traction management, an adjustable seat top, a windscreen with on-the-fly top adjustment, handguards, a skid plate, a radiator guard, folding mirrors, a rear rack, LED lighting, and a USB-C charging port.
CFMOTO hosted a world launch for the Ibex 450 in Palawan, Philippines, a province that features a number of tropical islands between the South China and Sulu seas (assume Survivor, Seasons 25-28). Our check journey was round El Nido, which has few paved roads, and people which might be paved are fabricated from tough poured concrete and are buzzing with small scooters and bikes, a lot of that are “tricycles” with enclosed sidecars which might be the native model of a tuk-tuk. Most roads are poorly maintained dust and gravel tracks via the island’s hilly jungle terrain that join small villages and seashores.
We knew we weren’t in Kansas anymore when our first impediment was a water crossing (bypassing a rotted bridge) the place water buffalo saved themselves cool within the shaded water. Despite the fact that it was March, Palawan was oppressively sizzling, with temps and humidity ranges within the 90s. The area was in a extreme drought, so the unpaved roads have been extraordinarily dusty – bikes kicked up clouds of wonderful, powdery silt that hung within the air like smoke. We spaced out our conga line of bikes as greatest as we may, however like a staff of sled canines, until you’re within the lead, the view is at all times the identical.
Since the usual seat top of 32.3 inches is on the low facet for an journey bike and I’ve received a 34-inch inseam, I opted for the accent excessive seat, which will increase seat top to 34.3 inches and offers a a lot flatter seating platform. Even with the excessive seat, there was a good quantity of bend in my knees given the peak of the footpegs, and the seat was plush and comfy.
Inside the first few miles, I felt comfy on the Ibex 450. I’ve been testing a 450NK again residence, and I’ve developed a keenness for the sound and really feel of the 450cc parallel-Twin, which emits a pleasant rumbling exhaust word. The cable-actuated throttle offers predictable response, although small inputs at low speeds felt a tad jerky. (My check bike had solely 65 miles on the odometer, so it was barely damaged in.) The gearbox shifted easily, aided by the sunshine motion of the slip/help clutch.
Given the roughness of the unpaved roads and tracks, I spent a good period of time standing up on the cleated footpegs (I eliminated the rubber inserts). The Ibex 450 feels slim between the knees, and the tank part is easy and unobtrusive. The vast handlebar offered good steering management, and despite the fact that it’s adjustable I might have preferred a better riser to accommodate my tall body (I’m 6 toes tall with lengthy arms).
GEAR UP
The brakes are provided by J.Juan and include a single 4-piston entrance caliper squeezing a 320mm disc and a 1-piston rear caliper squeezing a 240mm disc. Though braking energy was adequate for my wants, particularly since we have been touring at a average tempo given the circumstances, there was restricted really feel on the lever. I preferred the comfort of turning off ABS and TC on the rear wheel by urgent a button on the handlebar (an extended press turns rear ABS/TC off, and a fast faucet turns them again on), however a real off-road ABS mode with much less intervention on the entrance wheel could be a beneficial addition.
The massive-diameter entrance and rear wheels rolled over obstacles with ease, and the CST journey tires (which have a tread sample just like Pirelli Scorpion Rally STRs) offered first rate grip and predictable habits, even in free sand and deep silt.
To attain an aggressive value level, compromises should be made, and on bikes that sometimes means lower-spec brakes and suspension. The Ibex 450’s suspension adjustability (the fork is absolutely adjustable; the shock is adjustable for rebound and preload) is a serious plus on this value vary. With the usual settings used on the launch, the KYB suspension carried out fairly nicely, although it felt a bit of tough at low speeds and extra responsive at greater speeds. I look ahead to an extended check the place I can dial within the fork and shock damping and preload to my dimension and using type.
This was no bunny slope check journey. CFMOTO mapped out a difficult route that required ability and focus. There have been difficult climbs and descents plagued by rocks and ruts, roads and trails with tough embedded stones, unpredictable canines and goats hiding within the shade by the facet of the highway, and even a stretch of singletrack via a mango grove with unforgiving low branches.
On the finish of the day, after we’d sweated via our gear and depleted our vitality reserves, we did laps round an off-road park with more and more troublesome terrain. The Stage 1 loop was simple, very similar to what we’d ridden earlier within the day. Stage 2 was tougher with difficult climbs and descents on a closely silted path with switchbacks and hidden tree roots. Stage 3 was tougher nonetheless, climbing to the highest of a small mountain after which again down the opposite facet.
I’m joyful to report that I made it via all three ranges with out dropping the bike, however the off-road park examined me as a lot because it examined the bike. The Ibex 450’s tractable energy, average weight, long-travel suspension, and large-diameter wheels have been useful all through the day and particularly on these loops across the park. I by no means felt like one thing was lacking or holding me again (besides my 50-year-old physique).
One other helpful characteristic of the Ibex 450 is its 5-inch TFT show, which makes use of daring white-on-black graphics, bike illustrations that present what completely different settings do, and an easy-to-navigate menu system. On both facet of the devices are knobs for adjusting the windscreen top. And above the sprint is a horizontal bar the place a GPS or smartphone may be mounted.
The CFMOTO Ibex 450 proved itself to be not only a good journey bike for the value, however an excellent journey bike interval. It has the options that journey riders need, and it’s out there with helpful equipment just like the excessive seat I examined, higher and decrease crash guards (which have been fitted on our check bikes), a beefier skid plate, a touring windscreen, a centerstand, arduous and comfortable baggage, and extra. At $6,499, it’s an awesome worth, and it’s backed by a 2-year guarantee.
The Ibex 450 will probably be out there at CFMOTO’s 350-plus U.S. bike sellers beginning in September, and I guess it is going to promote like hotcakes.
2025 CFMOTO Ibex 450 Specs
- Base Worth: $6,499
- Web site: CFMOTOusa.com
- Guarantee: 2 yrs., unltd. miles
- Engine Sort: Liquid-cooled, transverse parallel-Twin, DOHC w/ 4 valves per cyl.
- Displacement: 449cc
- Bore x Stroke: 72.0 x 55.2mm
- Horsepower: 44 hp @ 8,500 rpm (manufacturing facility declare)
- Torque: 32.5 lb-ft @ 6,250 rpm (manufacturing facility declare)
- Transmission: 6-speed, cable-actuated slip/help moist clutch
- Closing Drive: Chain
- Wheelbase: 59.3 in.
- Rake/Path: 26 levels/4.1 in.
- Seat Peak: 31.5 or 32.3 in. (by way of shock mount)
- Moist Weight: 425 lb (estimate based mostly on 386 lb dry)
- Gas Capability: 4.6 gal.
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