2024-on CFMoto 450NK – a bargain A2-legal naked bike, matching rivals on performance and tech!

The 450NK feels like a bike that will open doors for CFMoto. Significantly cheaper than its rivals and matching them on performance and tech, its tempting price tag will certainly catch the eye of younger riders and for racing fans, the CFMoto name is starting to carry weight. Now the firm is represented in Moto2, the CFMoto name feels on its way to being a ‘known brand’ and their range of A2-legal bikes look set to tempt a new wave of younger riders to the brand, paving the way for future growth in their bigger-capacity models.

• Related: Check out MCN's round up of 2024's best A2 legal bikes

The 450NK isn’t as refined as a Japanese middleweight and certainly has a few rough edges, the most noticeable its ABS which responds like a generation-old system and its slightly abrupt fuelling, but for the way the majority of buyers will ride it the 450NK will feel perfectly acceptable. And at around £2000 cheap than a Japanese-brand rival, it is hard to argue against it.

CFMoto have deliberately made the NK a sporty naked bike and with a kerb weight of 165kg (claimed, in reality 175.6kg fully-fuelled) it is light to turn and agile. At a spirited pace the suspension responds well, preventing the bike from feeling at all flighty, and it is only at the very higher ends of its performance boundaries that it starts to feel a bit overwhelmed. But I would question CFMoto’s choice of CST Adreno tyre.

• Related: Get a grip! Check out MCN's latest Sports Touring tyre recommendations

Does an A2-legal middleweight really warrant rubber that lacks so much tread? I’d rather see tyres that look like they can deal with damp conditions a bit better. Also, the ABS system is in need of refinement...

Although lacking a bit in terms of feel with quite a dead initial bite, the J.Juan single piston caliper provides enough stopping power but the ABS system it is linked to isn’t quite up to scratch. The issues occur when you try and brake hard over ripples in the road’s surface, a situation that causes the ABS to rapidly pulse and significantly reduce the stopping efficiency of the brake. If you aren’t prepared for it, this lack of stopping power can be quite concerning. It only happens under fairly extreme braking but there is definitely room for improvement.

The NK’s parallel twin has been developed and built by CFMoto and isn’t a re-hash of an old engine as you may expect. With a claimed 46.3bhp it is touching the A2 power threshold and this poke is backed up by 29ft.lb of torque. Quick to respond, what sets the CFMoto engine aside from its rivals’ parallel twins is how it sounds.

Thanks to a 270-degree crank angle, the NK has a beautiful throaty exhaust note that is most unexpected and really adds to the bike’s character. Able to punch its way up to nearly 100mph, even when revving hard it remains pleasingly smooth and vibe-free (it has twin balancer shafts) and aside from a bit of a jerky throttle when going from closed to open and a touch clunky gearbox, it’s a delightful engine. And one that will record 56mpg (a bit low compared to rivals) even when ridden hard – which is how the NK is likely to be treated...

This is a tricky question to answer as CFMoto’s products are still fairly low volume in the used market and the 450NK has an all-new engine. Considering the size and reputation of CFMoto (they make over 600,000 bikes a year as well as all of KTM’s 790 models) you have to hope all will be well and there are no obvious signs of corners being cut on the 450NK.

As of 2024 there are 45 CFMoto dealerships in the UK but this number is expected to rise to roughly 60 by the end of the year. The majority are solus CFMoto dealerships but a lot of existing KTM franchises are also looking at or have taken on the Chinese firm’s products.

Although the 450NK has an RRP of £4999, there is a £700 discount on it ‘while stocks last’, so in reality you will pay £4299 for one. When you compare this to its mainstream rivals, the CFMoto is incredibly well-priced. The Honda CB500 Hornet is £6199, the Kawasaki Z500 £5838, Yamaha MT-03 £6108 and KTM 390 Duke £5699.

Add to this CFMoto running aggressively low finance rates of 3.9% APR on HP or 4.9% on PCP and there is no denying the CFMoto is very good value to buy. But will it hold its value as well long-term? That’s debatable...

Considering its low price tag, it is great to see a stylish TFT colour dash on the NK. Some may question the extra £342.72 to give it connectivity through the additional T-Box unit but it’s not just connectivity you gain. Alongside a basic turn-by-turn navigation system, the T-Box activates automatic bike software updates over Wi-Fi and, more impressively, a vehicle tracker system with no annual subscription.

Considering the NK is likely to be bought by urban riders who may lack a garage, that’s a very welcome extra layer of security. You also get ABS (not angle-responsive) and traction control as standard, although no option of a quickshifter which rival bikes such as the KTM 390 Duke boast. Arguably CFMoto could have built more adjustability into the suspension but the shock has preload adjustment and that’s all newer riders are likely to want to alter.