In all my 12 years of motorcycle journalism, I’ve seen a fair share of hype around launches, but nothing quite like the excitement surrounding the CF Moto 450MT. Ever since BikeWale dropped its first ride review, the buzz around this Chinese adventure motorcycle has only grown louder. Emails, DMs, YouTube comments—you name it, everyone’s asking one thing: When is the 450MT launching in India?
Here’s the inside scoop.
Background
Let’s rewind to January. CF Moto invited us to ride some mystery bikes in Portugal, but unfortunately, visa issues got in the way. Fast forward a few weeks, and suddenly there’s a call from a company planning to bring CF Moto back to India. The invite? Come to Hyderabad, meet the team, and check out the 450MT. No press junket, no grand launch—just a low-key meeting with some credible journalists to get honest feedback.
Flights were booked. Bags were packed.
The Experience
When we reached the company’s office (name confidential for now), it began with a presentation—one that gave us more questions than answers. But the mood changed when two 450MTs rolled in: one in Zephyr Blue, the other in Tundra Grey. As an adventure bike enthusiast, I won’t lie—I had to fight the urge to make a run for it with the Blue one.
We spent about 30 minutes with the bikes, getting a feel for the build, the detailing, and the overall vibe. Then came the shooting session—photos, videos, the usual. Sadly, this wasn’t a ride event, but just an early look and feedback session. And boy, CF Moto was listening.
India Plans
Now let’s answer the million-rupee question—Is the 450MT coming to India?
Yes, that’s the plan. But is there a date? Not really. The launch timeline is still being worked out. The purpose of this trip wasn’t just to show off the bike but to get serious input on things like pricing, branding, and where exactly the 450MT fits in the Indian adventure motorcycle space.
It’s worth noting this would be CF Moto’s second innings in India. Their first attempt didn’t exactly leave a mark, and that’s why the new partner is treading carefully this time around.
Pricing
This is where things get tricky—and interesting. The 450MT will arrive as a CKD (completely knocked down) unit, meaning a 10% import duty will be added. That puts it at a slight disadvantage compared to its main rivals—the KTM 390 Adventure (Rs. 3.67 lakh) and the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 (Rs. 2.85 lakh). Both are manufactured locally.
So I told them what any enthusiast would—price it aggressively. Don’t go premium, go practical. A price tag of around Rs. 3.9 lakh (ex-showroom) could work wonders. Even pricing it at par with the KTM 390 Adventure initially might give it a major boost in bookings. Once the product gains traction and proves itself, there’s always room to adjust upward.
Future
The buzz around the 450MT isn’t just empty noise—it’s backed by a solid motorcycle that looks, feels, and performs like a proper mid-range ADV. The Indian partner is now working closely with the China team to finalise the relaunch. The 450MT is the first model lined up, with a series of 675cc bikes expected to follow.
But here’s the catch—this bike can only succeed if it nails three things: pricing, after-sales service, and brand trust. CF Moto has the recall, the product, and now, a second shot. If they price the 450MT right—ideally under Rs. 4 lakh—it could shake up the ADV segment and make even the KTM 390 Adventure feel the heat.
FAQs
Is the CF Moto 450MT launching in India?
Yes, plans are in place but there’s no official date yet.
Why isn’t the launch date confirmed yet?
The Indian partner is still finalising the deal with CF Moto.
How will the 450MT be priced?
It may be priced around Rs. 3.9 lakh (ex-showroom).
Will it compete with KTM 390 Adventure?
Yes, it rivals KTM 390 Adventure and RE Himalayan 450.
What are the colour options?
Zephyr Blue and Tundra Grey were shown during preview.
