CFMOTO 450MT (2024+) Maintenance Schedule and Service Intervals
This is the maintenance schedule and service intervals (plus other service information) for the CFMOTO 450MT, a mid-sized adventurer from Chinese manufacturer CFMOTO.
The CFMOTO 450MT is powered by a 449.5 cc liquid-cooled parallel twin engine with dual overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder. It makes 32.5 kW (44 hp) at 8500 rpm and 44 Nm (32 lb-ft) @ 6250 rpm. The engine is the same as that in the CFMOTO 450 SS / SR, with a similar bark from its 270-degree crank, though the 450MT’s motor is tuned for more mid-range torque.
The 450MT has an adventure-ready 21/18 tire combination, full LED lighting, TFT screen, and even a USB C charging port. It’s ready for everything!
The final drive is via a 6-speed box and chain.
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CFMOTO 450MT Service Intervals
Overall, the CFMOTO 450MT has relatively short 3000 mile / 5000 km or six-monthly service intervals at which you’re expected to change the oil and oil filter, clean the coarse oil filter, and inspect and adjust a number of other components.
The major valve clearance adjustment doesn’t come until 24000 miles / 40000 km, thankfully. When it’s due, at least the engine is reasonably accessible, and there are just two cylinders under one cylinder head.
Make sure to regularly attend to the brake fluid and periodically replace the coolant.
The chain final drive will need regular attention, particularly if you’re taking it off-road.
CFMOTO 450MT Maintenance Schedule
Below is the maintenance schedule for the CFMOTO 450MT.
It’s adapted from the manual, but simplified into a basic service schedule of critical items, plus an inspection checklist.
Service Schedule
Below is the major items service scheduled for the CFMOTO 450MT.
Attend to each item at the earlier of the distance or time-based service intervals. For example, do the inspection checklist every 10000 km / 6000 miles or year.
| mi x 1000 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 15 | 18 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km x 1000 | 5 | 10 | 15 | 20 | 25 | 30 | Every |
| Full inspection checklist (see below) — Perform | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year | |||
| Engine oil — Replace SAE 10W-40 Jaso MA2, e.g. Mobil 1 10W-40 Oil drain bolt torque: 25 Nm / 17 lb-ft | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 6 months |
| Oil filter — Replace | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 6 months |
| Coarse oil filter — clean | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 6 months |
| Spark plugs — Inspect and replace if necessary | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||||
| Spark plugs – replace Type BN8RTI Tighten to 15 Nm / 11 ft-lb | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||||
| Valve clearances — Check/adjust | 24000 mi / 40000 km | ||||||
| Throttle — Inspect and adjust if necessary. Clean throttle body (except at break-in) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Air filter — Clean. Replace if necessary More often if riding in dirt, rain, mud etc. | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Air filter — Replace | ✓ | 2 years | |||||
| Battery – check charge state, and recharge if necessary | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 6 months |
| Fuses/circuit breakers – check | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 6 months |
| Suspension system — Inspect and repair/replace as necessary | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 6 months |
| Exhaust gasket — Inspect exhaust connecting parts. Disassemble and replace if necessary | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 6 months |
| Idle speed – check, adjust Target: 1400 rpm, +/-10% | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Suspension system — Inspect and repair / replace as necessary | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Rim spokes — Inspect and tighten as necessary | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Clutch – Inspect, adjust free play, and replace clutch pack if necessary Free play: 10-20mm / 0.4-0.8 in | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Brake fluid – replace (Castrol DOT 4) | 2 years | ||||||
| Windshield — Inspect for shaking If clearance between front and rear (Left and right sides) is more than 5mm /0.19 in, replace the windshield bracket and gear. | ✓ | ||||||
| Frame — Inspect for damage, repair or replace as necessary | ✓ |
Regular inspection checklist
This is the inspection checklist to do per the schedule above.
| CFMOTO 450MT regular inspection checklist |
|---|
| Tyre pressure – Inspect/adjust (See below table) |
| Electrical parts (lights, horn, and switches) — Check function |
| Cables and wires – inspect for damage, bending, and routing |
| Wheel condition — Inspect and repair or replace if necessary |
| Front and rear braking systems — Check the correct function |
| Front and rear brake pads and disc — inspect condition and thickness |
| Brake lever – inspect free play, smooth operation Free play: ~7mm +/-2mm (0.27 in +/0 0.08 in) |
| Brake fluid – inspect level (between upper and lower). Note that the level changes as the brake pads wear out. |
| Brake hoses — Check condition and sealing |
| Brake pedals — Inspect free play |
| Gear shift pedal — Inspect free play. (Range: 5mm) |
| Front fork and rear shock — Inspect for oil leakage and general condition |
| Steering bearings — Inspect for looseness, notchiness |
| Coolant level — Inspect and replenish if necessary |
| Radiator fan function — Inspect |
| Cooling hoses — Check condition |
| Chain, rear sprocket, and engine sprocket — Check wear |
| Chain guard — Inspect and replace if necessary |
| Fault control memory — Check with PDA |
| Movable parts — Lubricate and inspect flexibility |
| Bolts and nuts — Inspect tightness |
| Cables — Check for damage, bending, and seating |
| Pipes, ducts, hoses, and sleeves — Inspect for cracks, seals, and proper placement |
Tightening Torque values
Below are the tightening torque values for the CFMOTO 450MT.
Note that thread locker is required on all of them except the rear wheel shaft nut
| Item | Thread | Number | Torque (Nm) | Torque (lb-ft) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine front LH mounting bolt | M10×1.5×60 | 1 | 50~55 | 37~41 |
| Engine front RH mounting bolt | M10×1.5×30 | 1 | 50~55 | 37~41 |
| Engine middle RH mounting bolt | M10×1.5×30 | 1 | 50~55 | 37~41 |
| Engine middle LH mounting bolt | M10×1.5×60 | 1 | 50~55 | 37~41 |
| Engine rear upper mounting bolt | M10×1.25×155 | 1 | 45~50 | 33~37 |
| Engine rear lower mounting bolt | M10×1.25×170 | 1 | 45~50 | 33~37 |
| Sub-frame mounting bolt | M10×1.25×25 | 4 | 50~55 | 37~41 |
| Front wheel shaft | M16×1.5 | 1 | 80~85 | 59~63 |
| Rear wheel shaft nut No thread locker required | M16×1.5 | 1 | 105~110 | 77~81 |
| Upper triple clamp lock screw | M25×1.5 | 1 | 20~25 | 15~18 |
| Upper triple clamp steering column lock bolt | M8×25 | 1 | 20~25 | 15~18 |
| Upper & lower side triple clamp shock absorber lock screw | M8×30 | 6 | 20~25 | 15~18 |
| Front shock absorber lock front shaft bolt | M8×25 | 2 | 20~25 | 15~18 |
| Rear shock absorber upper side mounting bolt | M10×1.25×50 | 1 | 45~50 | 33~37 |
| Rear shock absorber lower side mounting bolt | M10×1.25×50 | 1 | 45~50 | 33~37 |
| A swing arm lower side mounting bolt | M12×1.25×104 | 1 | 50~55 | 37~41 |
| A swing arm upper side mounting bolt | M12×1.25×110 | 1 | 50~55 | 37~41 |
| Rod assy mounting bolt | M10×1.25×130 | 1 | 45~50 | 33~37 |
| Front brake caliper mounting bolt | M10×1.25×60 | 2 | 45~50 | 33~37 |
| Steering support seat mounting bolt | M10×1.25×60 | 2 | 45~50 | 33~37 |
| Steering block mounting bolt | M8×25 | 4 | 20~25 | 15~18 |
| Rear fork shaft bolt | M12×1.25×35 | 2 | 105~110 | 77~81 |
| Front LH/RH pedal bracket mounting bolt | M8×20 | 2 | 20~25 | 15~18 |
| Rear LH/RH pedal bracket mounting bolt | M8×20 | 4 | 20~25 | 15~18 |
| Rear armrest mounting bolt | M8×20 | 4 | 20~25 | 15~18 |
Drive Chain Checks / Adjustment
CFMOTO recommends regularly checking the drive chain condition and slack, and adjusting the slack as necessary.
To check the slack (tension) on the CFMOTO 450MT, put the motorcycle in neutral, onto its kickstand, and on a level surface.
Check the slack on the lower part of the chain, midway between the sprockets, and check it in multiple places (move the motorcycle forwards and backwards) as chains wear unevenly.
Slack on the CFMOTO 450MT is defined as the free vertical movement of the bottom part of the chain.
Target chain slack for the CFMOTO 450MT: 30-40 mm (1.2-1.6 in)
(The manual specifies 1.18-1.57 in, but given the range, that’s needlessly specific!)
If the chain slack is out of spec, you need to adjust it.
Before you do so, measure chain wear by hanging a 10 kg / 22 lb object on the chain and measuring the length between 20 links. If the length is longer than 320.7 mm / 12.6 in, the chain is too worn and you should replace it.
Adjusting chain slack on the 450MT
To adjust the chain slack on the CFMOTO 450MT, follow the steps below. As with measuring chain slack, make sure that the motorcycle is on a level surface on its kickstand, in neutral, with no weight on it (no saddlebags / luggage / friends / pets).
- Loosen the rear axle and the adjuster locking nuts on either side of the axle.
- Turn the adjuster bolts to tighten (or loosen) the chain. Keep checking the chain tension to see if it has come within spec.
- Watch the alignment marks on either side of the axle. Make sure that the adjustment is to the same point so that the wheel remains aligned and the chain wears evenly
- Tighten the locking nuts.
- Tighten the axle to 105-110 Nm / 77-81 lb-ft.
- Re-check the chain slack again to make sure it’s still within spec.
Tire Sizes and Pressures
The CFMOTO 450MT ships with a 21/18 tire combo. Below are the rim sizes, tire sizes, and recommended baseline tire pressures.
| Wheel | Rim size | Tire size | Tire pressure (cold) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Front | MT2.15×21 | 90/90-21 M/C 54H | 33 psi / 225 kPa |
| Rear | MT3.75×18 | 140/70 R18 M/C 67H | 33 psi / 225 kPa |
Naturally, you’re likely to adjust tire pressures based on your riding style, load, and conditions.
About the CFMOTO 450MT
The CFMOTO 450MT is a new entrant to the quite uncontested market of small-size but high-spec adventure motorcycles.
It shares space with very few other bikes at time of launch, including the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 (the second-gen Himalayan), and the ageing Kawasaki Versys-X 300, which is a fine bike, but whose peers have seen two engine upgrades since (e.g. the 2024 Ninja 500).
The CFMOTO 450MT is powered by a 449.5cc parallel-twin engine, delivering 32.5 kW (43.6 hp) at 8,500 rpm and a torque of 44 Nm (32.5 lb-ft) at 6,250 rpm. This engine is designed with a 270° crankshaft, giving it a distinctive burbling sound — itself an unusual characteristic for a small bike.
The engine has dual balance shafts to help minimize vibrations, ensuring a more comfortable ride, and less phone damage in case you don’t have a vibration dampener!
The CFMOTO 450MT’s power is slightly down on that of its higher-spec siblings (like the 450SS / SR), but this is deliberate, optimising the tune for mid-range performance.
The 450MT has a robust suspension setup with KYB components at both ends. The front sports a 41mm upside-down fork, and the rear uses a rising-rate monoshock, both offering 200mm (7.9 inches) of travel — providing a very good balance between on-road comfort and off-road capability.
The braking system includes a single 320mm disc with a four-piston J.Juan caliper at the front and a 240mm disc with a single-piston caliper at the rear, complemented by Bosch ABS which can be disabled for off-road use. There’s no cornering ABS or other advanced ride aids, but that’s not surprising (they’re not widely adopted features at the low end of the market).
The bike’s frame is a simple steel tube construction, providing durability and stability, though at some cost to weight. The 450MT is lighter than the Yamaha Ténéré 700, for example, but not by a massive amount on paper (some 12 kg / 26 lb, with both bikes relatively full of fuel).
The 450MT has a 5-inch curved TFT display. The TFT units may seem higher-tech and more prone to failure than older gauges, but they’re very reliable (unless you break them!) and cheaper to replace. The LED lighting system is also very long life.
The CFMOTO 450MT is very versatile and can be a lot of bikes to many different people. You can adjust the seat height from 800mm to 870mm, catering to a variety of riders. The wheel size and suspension travel mean it’s good for off-road adventuring as well as highway cruising. And the switchable ABS mean that it’s decent for off-road shenanigans.
On reliability — one elephant in the room is the reliability of Chinese motorcycles. Chinese bikes have been known to be at the “cheaper” end of the spectrum for decades. But CFMOTO, along with other brands, has been making strides in this regard. The CFMOTO 450MT is the latest example of a bike that’s undeniably well-built despite being at the low end of the spectrum. No, it’s not going to knock your socks off with gleaming chrome and heavy steel like a premium Harley-Davidson, but it competes well — favourably, in many cases — with other affordable bikes from premium manufacturers.
While we don’t know how CFMOTO bikes will fare over the long term (decades), the early signs show that they don’t fall apart or immediately rust, and how long they last is more likely to be dependent on how they’re used and how the owners take care of them.
References — Screenshots from the Manual
Below are screenshots from the manual for the CFMOTO 450MT.
You can get manuals for CFMOTO motorcycles for the US market here.
