CFMoto 450NK
2026 CFMoto 450NK: 47.5 hp A2 naked with a 270° twin, 165 kg, €5,199. Full specs, press reviews and rivals.
At a glance
The CFMoto 450NK is a 449 cc naked bike with a 270° parallel twin, designed for the A2 licence without restriction, with a claimed 47.5 hp and 165 kg wet. Priced at €5,199, it is one of the cheapest in its class, with traction control, a slipper clutch and a 5-inch TFT. Reviewers praise its lively, great-sounding engine and its price (4/5 from MCN and BikeSocial), but criticise its old-generation ABS, brakes lacking bite, mediocre original tyres and a finish less polished than the Japanese bikes'.
World press review
Meta-score
6 sources
Press ratings
Charismatic engine with a throaty sound, competitive power on the dyno and an attractive price: a legitimate option for new and experienced riders alike.
A2 naked group test: lively, great-sounding engine, comfortable position, easy for beginners; fork flexes under hard braking, spongy brakes, overly cautious rider aids and a price advantage judged insufficient.
Test of a pre-production bike (37 kW Chinese version): engine full from 2,000 rpm and very enjoyable, great agility, good comfort; ABS intervenes too early, especially at the rear, and CST tyres best replaced.
Head-to-head with the Honda CB500 Hornet: the CFMoto wins on engine, style, finish and agility; the Honda on comfort, braking, gearbox, fuel consumption and practicality.
Press synthesis
What the world’s press says
Reviews cover the 2024 model year, of the same design as the bike sold in 2026. MCN and BikeSocial both rate it 4/5, an average of 80/100. Cycle World (dyno test), 1000PS (A2 naked group test), Moto.it (pre-production bike, 2023) and Le Repaire des Motards (head-to-head with the Honda CB500 Hornet) tested it without a numeric score.
What reviewers like: a lively, great-sounding and smooth 270° twin, praised by all; an agile bike that is easy for beginners; a good TFT screen; an aggressive price, well below Japanese and European rivals. Le Repaire des Motards rates it ahead of the Honda for engine, style, finish and agility.
What they criticise: old-generation ABS and brakes lacking bite, uncommunicative original CST tyres, a slightly notchy gearbox, slightly abrupt fuelling (MCN) and a fork that flexes under braking (1000PS). Le Repaire des Motards finds the seat and suspension too firm and prefers the Honda for comfort, braking and fuel consumption. For 1000PS, the price gap is not enough against the Kawasaki Z500 SE and Honda CB500 Hornet.
Key quotes
"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."
"CFMoto has produced a bike that can stand shoulder to shoulder with the established competition, and in some areas rise above it, while aggressively undercutting on price."
"A charismatic engine, throaty exhaust note, competitive power figures, and an MSRP of $5,399 make the 2024 CFMoto 450NK a legitimate option for new and experienced riders."
"Overall, the CFMOTO is an accessible and easy-to-ride bike with a lively sound and a good engine. It will satisfy beginners, but experienced riders will have even more fun with a Z 500 SE or a Hornet 500!"
"The writer liked the bike, above all for its really well-judged and highly enjoyable engine, which doesn't leave you missing larger displacements too much."
"In the end, you buy the Honda, because it is more reassuring, more comfortable and uses less fuel than the 450NK. But with an A2 licence in your pocket, the CFMoto is the one you want for fun, because the engine puts a smile on your face!"
Pros
- Lively, great-sounding 270° twin
- Among the lowest prices in its class
- A2 licence compliant without restriction
- Agile and easy to ride
- Comprehensive equipment for the price (5-inch TFT, traction control, slipper clutch)
Cons
- Old-generation ABS and brakes lacking bite
- Uncommunicative original CST tyres
- Slightly notchy gearbox and abrupt fuelling
- Firm seat and suspension, non-adjustable fork
- Real weight above the French claimed figure
- Only a 2-year warranty in France
Our review
Which 450NK in France?
Unveiled at EICMA 2023 and on sale in Europe since 2024, the 450NK is the naked bike of CFMoto’s 450 family, which also includes the 450SR sportbike and the 450CL-C retro, powered by the same engine. CFMoto France offers it in a single version at €5,199 (recommended retail price), in Nebula Black, Nebula White or Galaxy Grey. CFMoto France does not state a model year: this page covers the bike in the 2026 range, with its current colours.
For comparison, it costs £3,999 in the UK and €5,299 to €5,999 in the Benelux countries. In the United States, Cycle World quoted an MSRP of $5,399 at launch.
How good is the engine?
The 449.5 cc parallel twin (72 x 55.2 mm) has a 270° crankshaft, which gives it a V-twin sound, and twin balancer shafts to tame vibration. CFMoto France quotes 47.5 hp (35 kW) at 10,000 rpm and 39 Nm at 7,600 rpm: the 450NK can be ridden on an A2 licence without restriction. Figures vary between official websites: 35 kW at 9,500 rpm in the UK and Benelux, 34.5 kW at 10,000 rpm in Latvia. Outside the European Union, the global spec sheet quotes 38 kW. The throttle is cable-operated, with no ride-by-wire.
This is the bike’s unanimous strong point. MCN praises a great-sounding engine free of vibration, BikeSocial a lively, vocal engine, Moto.it an engine that pulls from 2,000 rpm. MCN however notes slightly abrupt fuelling, and both MCN and BikeSocial a slightly notchy gearbox. CFMoto quotes a slipper clutch, which 1000PS nonetheless says was missing from its test bike.
How does it ride?
The chassis is built around a tubular steel frame, a non-adjustable 37 mm upside-down fork and a preload-adjustable monoshock. Braking relies on a 320 mm front disc with a radial J.Juan caliper and a 220 mm rear disc. ABS is standard but not lean-sensitive. CFMoto’s global website describes a pressed sheet-metal swingarm, whereas Cycle World described a cast-aluminium swingarm in 2024: CFMoto France does not specify.
Reviewers praise its handling and agility. Reservations concern:
- ABS that responds like a generation-old system (MCN), intervening too early at the rear (Moto.it);
- brakes lacking bite (BikeSocial, 1000PS);
- a fork that flexes under hard braking (1000PS);
- uncommunicative CST tyres (MCN, BikeSocial, Moto.it).
What does it really weigh?
CFMoto France claims 165 kg wet, but the official UK, Benelux and global websites give 173 kg. Press weigh-ins back the higher figure: 175.6 kg fully fuelled for MCN, 386 lb (about 175 kg) for Cycle World. The wheelbase also varies between official sources, from 1,365 mm (France) to 1,370 mm.
What equipment does it have?
The 450NK gets a curved 5-inch TFT screen, standard (switchable) traction control, a slipper clutch, full LED lighting and twin USB Type-A and Type-C sockets. It has neither a quickshifter nor cruise control. In the UK, it comes with the T-Box connectivity unit for the CFMOTO RIDE app; CFMoto France does not mention it. The global website also lists tyre pressure monitoring, absent from the French spec sheet.
Who is it for?
The 450NK targets A2 licence holders who want a characterful twin at the lowest price in the class. CFMoto quotes 4.5 L/100 km, giving a range of about 310 km from the 14-litre tank; MCN and BikeSocial recorded about 5 L/100 km. The warranty is 2 years in France, compared with 4 years in the UK and 5 years in the Benelux countries.
Recalls
No recall affects the 450NK in France (RappelConso), the EU (Safety Gate) or the United States (NHTSA). In Canada, Transport Canada recall 2025210 covers 2023 and 2024 450NKs for faulty brake line seals on the ABS pump.
Specifications
| Displacement | 449 cc |
|---|---|
| Power | 47.5 hp (35 kW) @ 10,000 rpm |
| Torque | 39 Nm @ 7,600 rpm |
| Weight | 165 kg (wet, CFMoto France figure; CFMoto's UK, Benelux and global websites quote 173 kg) |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 3.47 |
| Seat height | 795 mm |
| Fuel capacity | 14 L |
| Fuel consumption | 4.5 L/100 km — 105 g/km CO2 (CFMoto France figure, cycle not stated) |
| Engine type | 270° parallel twin, 4-stroke, DOHC, 8 valves, twin balancer shafts, liquid-cooled |
| Cooling | liquide |
| Transmission | 6-speed, chain drive, slipper clutch |
| License | A2 |
| MSRP | €5,199 |
Engine detail
| Bore x stroke | 72 x 55,2 mm |
|---|---|
| Fuel system | Electronic fuel injection, cable-operated throttle |
| Valve train | DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder |
| Max power RPM | 10000 units.rpm |
| Max torque RPM | 7600 units.rpm |
Chassis & running gear
| Frame type | Tubular steel frame |
|---|---|
| Wheelbase | 1365 mm |
| Ground clearance | 155 mm |
| Front suspension | 37 mm upside-down fork, non-adjustable |
| Rear suspension | Linkage monoshock, preload adjustable |
| Front brake | Single 320 mm disc, J.Juan four-piston radial caliper |
| Rear brake | Single 220 mm disc, J.Juan single-piston caliper |
| Front tire | 110/70 R17 |
| Rear tire | 150/60 R17 |
| ABS system | Standard ABS on both wheels (not lean-sensitive) |
Electronics & rider aids
| Traction control | Yes |
|---|---|
| Quickshifter | No |
| Cruise control | No |
| Dashboard | Curved 5-inch TFT |
| Other features | Standard traction control (switchable), Slipper clutch, Gear shift indicator, Twin USB Type-A and Type-C sockets, Full LED lighting with daytime running lights |
Ergonomics & rider fit
| Riding position | Naked bike: upright |
|---|---|
| Wind protection | Minimal (naked) |
The 450NK offers a naked-bike riding position, upright, with a 795 mm seat; CFMoto offers 785 and 815 mm accessory seats. 1000PS finds the position comfortable and the bike easy for beginners. Le Repaire des Motards, however, finds the seat very hard and the suspension too firm compared with the Honda CB500 Hornet, and regrets the lack of a fuel reserve warning light and the heat given off in town.
Ownership & maintenance
5.0 to 5.1 L/100 km (foreign press readings: MCN 56 UK mpg, BikeSocial 55 UK mpg)
L/100km
Real-world consumption
~~310 km (calculated from CFMoto's figure: 14 L tank / 4.5 L/100 km)
km
Estimated range
Average service cost
About £140 a year in the UK (MCN estimate)
Warranty
2 years / Parts and labour; servicing within the CFMoto France network required
CFMoto does not publish the 450NK owner’s manual online: CFMoto France sends the technical documentation by e-mail on request. Manufacturer service intervals are therefore not given here. In the UK, BikeSocial reports a first service at 620 miles (1,000 km), then a service every year or every 3,100 miles (5,000 km), and MCN puts the annual service cost at £140. CFMoto France’s warranty is 2 years parts and labour, provided the bike is serviced within the CFMoto France network; the 450NK does not get the 5-year extension granted to other models in the range.
Direct competitors
Compare →| Model | MSRP | Power | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| CFMoto 450NK | €5,199 | 47.5 hp (35 kW) @ 10,000 rpm | 165 kg (wet, CFMoto France figure; CFMoto's UK, Benelux and global websites quote 173 kg) |
| Honda CB500 Hornet2026 | €6,199 | 47.5 hp | 188 kg (kerb) |
| Kawasaki Z5002027 | €6,099 | 45 hp | 167 kg (wet) |
| KTM 390 Duke2026 | €6,299 | 45 hp | 165 kg (full tank) |
| Yamaha MT-032025 | €6,599 | 42 hp | 167 kg (wet) |
| Triumph Speed 4002027 | €5,945 | 40 hp | 170 kg (wet) |
Available colors
Manufacturer recalls
Canada (2023-2024 450NK): brake line seals on the ABS pump may not have been manufactured properly; air could enter the system and the rear brake pedal may not work properly. Remedy: replacement of the rear brake line washer and bolt. No equivalent recall found in the EU or France.
Voir le rappel →