u/Firestreak_

[OC] I've been looking at buying a new motorcycle for a while, having owned and driven multiple motorcycles I've realized that one of my biggest concern isn't buying/owning the bike. it's the peace of mind that comes while owning it.

Imagine riding out to the city, parking your motorcycle on a random street, and walking away. Could you genuinely enjoy your time without thinking about whether your bike is safe? Because I know I'd be going "Is the bike okay? Did I park it in the right spot? Should I go check on it?"

That made me wonder, owning a premium /sub-premium motorcycle isn't just about being able to afford the purchase price.(Since this is the class of motorcycles I'm looking at). It's about being able to afford the peace of mind that comes with it. The freedom to park it anywhere, walk away, and enjoy the moment without constantly worrying about theft, damage, or unwanted attention.

Maybe the real luxury isn't owning a motorcycle. Maybe it's about effortlessly owning it.

P.S. the photo is from my ride to the Rann of Kutch in 2024.

[OC] If you want to buy a middleweight adventure motorcycle, it's one of the most confusing segments to be in. But the CFMOTO 450MT could have cleared all that confusion.

I got the rare opportunity to take this surprisingly well-built motorcycle for a test ride while I was in South Korea. Since I was in the market for an upgrade, the CFMOTO stood out as the most practical and efficient choice. Let me tell you this: the bike is simply perfect.

The fit and finish are far better than those of most motorcycles we currently have in India. The whole stigma that Chinese-manufactured bikes are bad is long gone. In fact, they are making better motorcycles in this category than many Indian manufacturers. It has amazing weight distribution, good suspension, great brakes, and really comfortable ergonomics.

However, there are some small issues too. The handlebar feels a little too light, and even small rocks or imperfections on the road can unsettle the bike slightly, so a steering stabilizer would be a worthwhile investment. The switches also feel a bit too light. The clutch springs are reportedly the same type used in scooters and may wear out relatively quickly, so upgrading to a stiffer set of clutch springs could be a good idea.Other than that, the motorcycle is absolutely brilliant and has a really strong road presence as well.

We all ended up waiting for this bike for over a year, only to hear from the brand that it has indefinitely halted all plans of re-entering the Indian market. Apparently, they are planning to send a team from China to study the Indian motorcycle industry and then decide on their future strategy.

Thanks to our government's "brilliant" way of making the nation more environmentally friendly through fuel norms that seem to change faster than the mood swings of Gurgaon weather, the brand has struggled to keep up with E20 fuel requirements and the proposed introduction of E30-E35 blends.

As a result, we lost what could have been the most practical and affordable middleweight adventure motorcycle on the market, and arguably the strongest alternative to the BMW F 450 GS. Well, I guess it is what it is.

[OC] Got the opportunity to take this mechanical marvel out for a test drive today. I'm 6'2" and fairly heavy-set, plus I'm sitting on the variant that has the rally seat. I took two test drives (solo and with a pillion), and I must say that the bike is brilliant. Anyone who is thinking of upgrading and wants to take home a pure BMW machine (unlike the 310 GS) should go for this option. Yes, the service costs will be high, and the staff also seem to be very dicey about the prices, telling me it will be between 8k–15k but that is just maintenance costing; parts will cost you extra.

Keeping all the costs and money parts aside, the bike rides really well and is very confidence-inspiring. The ERC is also something that is very interesting, but in my opinion, the Exclusive variant is the practical choice to go for. The engine gives great response and the brakes are great. Watching videos and reviews online does not do justice to this bike; I highly suggest that you take a test drive.