As a husky guy who stands 6 feet tall and weighs over 200 pounds, I’m not a target buyer of small bikes, but man, I sure love riding them. Do not misunderstand me; I like riding powerful bikes (like the 190 horsepower one KTM 1390 Super Duke R Evo I tested the track in Spain) and big bikes (like Harley-Davidson Glide I recently took a nine-day, 4,200-mile road trip across four states), but they required a level of respect and seriousness that I wasn’t always in the mood for. Sometimes I just want to have fun.
CFMOTO 450NK is written very carefree on it. It weighs just 364 pounds, makes 50 cranking horsepower, and requires no calculations at all – just hop on and go. Saying that doesn’t mean the 450NK is a toy or just a playbike. While it’s certainly svelte between the knees and negotiates tight turns with ease, it doesn’t feel small, nor does it have a cramped cockpit. Perhaps snug but not cramped. The position of the upright handlebars and footpegs are logical, and the sculpted shape of the fuel tank allows the rider to comfortably wrap around it, giving the feeling of being in the bike instead of on it.
Powering the 450NK is a 449cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin engine, featured in CFMOTO’s product line. The same engine is found in the 450SS sports carthe Ibex 450 adventure bike I’ve been testing recently and coming up Cruiser 450CL-C. Dual counterweights help it run smoothly throughout the rev range, and its 270-degree crank gives it an exciting rumble complemented by a spicy exhaust note – not the dull hum that people often hear. one can expect from a bike of this class.
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Except for a little roughness at low speeds, the 450NK’s cable-actuated throttle offers good feedback. A slipper/assist clutch provides light, easy pulling when rowing through the 6-speed transmission, and both the clutch and front brake levers have adjustable reach. The 450NK’s 17-inch cast aluminum wheels and narrow 110/70 front and 140/60 rear tires (manufactured by CST, Maxxis’ parent company) contribute to the vehicle’s agility. Just lightly press on both ends of the steering wheel to start a turn and the 450NK obediently holds the road.
This bike is a great commuter or a playful canyon carver. It sounds smooth at highway speeds and will do the job without much effort. Given my body weight and terrible aerodynamics, not to mention my tendency to throttle when running away, I recorded lackluster fuel economy in this test – just 42.4 mpg, delivers approximately 157 miles from the 3.7-gallon tank. When our gentler and less aggressive editor, Allison Parker, tested the 450SS, she posted a more respectable 63 mpg. Man, maybe it’s time for me to lose a few pounds and reduce my coffee intake.
The 450NK’s suspension and brakes, while quite good, are about what you’d expect for a $5,399 motorcycle. The 37 mm inverted fork is not adjustable, the multi-link rear shock absorber can only adjust spring preload. The shock absorbers are good for general street driving without being too tight or too soft. The J.Juan braking system, with 4-piston front radial calipers gripping 320mm discs and 1-piston rear floating calipers with 220mm discs, provides consistent and consistent stopping power. Standard safety features include ABS and switchable traction control.
Carles Solsona, CFMOTO’s Italy-based motorcycle design director, did a great job with the 450NK’s styling, which resembles that of the 800NK. Both cars have V-shaped headlight housings with large daytime running lights and the top of the front fenders has a unique convex shape. The fuel tank cover, radiator shroud, lower cowl and clear cutouts at the tail give the 450NK a modern, agile look and the Zephyr Blue color scheme is especially eye-catching (the other color option is Nebula White).
Useful amenities include full LED lighting system, USB charging port, 5-inch color TFT dashboard with Bluetooth connection with CFMOTO application that allows displaying navigation and music on the screen. The switches and menus are intuitive, but the app’s navigation functionality needs some improvement.
Like the other bikes in CFMOTO’s lineup, the 450NK offers great value for the money, but its most endearing feature is its accessibility. After a long break from riding, my brother Paul has returned to the fun of motorbike racing, and we recently went for a Saturday morning ride together. He came to appreciate the 450NK, the perfect bike for honing skills that had become dull.
Whether you’re new to riding, returning to racing, or a tired veteran, the smile on your face after riding this bike is priceless.
See more new bikes in Rider’s 2024 Motorcycle Buyer’s Guide
CFMOTO 450NK 2024 technical specifications
- Basic price: $5,399
- Website: CFMOTOusa.com
- Guarantee: 2 years, not yet introduced. mile
- Engine Type: Liquid cooled, horizontal parallel twin, DOHC w/ 4 valves per cylinder.
- Move: 449cc
- Diameter x piston stroke: 72.0 x 55.2mm
- Horse power: 50 horsepower @ 9,500 rpm (factory requirement)
- Torque: 28.8 lb-ft @ 7,600 rpm (factory claim)
- Transmission process: 6-speed wet clutch, cable actuated
- Final drive: Chain
- The standard long: 53.9 inches.
- Rake/Trail: 24.5 degrees/3.7 inches.
- Seat height: 31.3 inches.
- Wet Weight: 364 lb (factory requirement)
- Fuel quantity: 3.7 gal.
- Petroleum consumption: 42.4 mpg
- Estimated range: 157 miles
