The CFMoto 450MT is unlikely to launch in the Indian market in near future as the Chinese brand is apparently realigning its strategy
CFMoto, the Chinese two-wheeler brand, will not launch the 450MT adventure bike anytime soon in the Indian market. An AutoCar India report states that the company has put its India launch plans on hold with reasons best known to it. CFMoto 450MT was originally supposed to go on sale in mid 2025 but it kept getting postponed and now there is no assurance on whether it will be launched at all or not in our country. The initial reasons behind delaying the launch are said to be issues related to the E20 fuel compliance.
The local distributor of CFMoto in India, on the condition of anonymity, said, “At the moment, planning and operational activities for CFMOTO are on hold. This phase is being utilized by the global team to gain deeper insights into the Indian market while also aligning with the higher new GST rates for more than 350cc bikes implemented in India and E20 compliance requirements.”
Furthermore, it has been learnt that the China-based company is contemplating dispatching a team to India from its global headquarters for market evaluation before making a final decision. It is not a hidden fact anymore that CFMoto requires a local partner in India to start sales operations. The earlier plan was to present the 450MT via the CKD route.
CFMoto 450MT is one of the best adventure motorcycles in the middleweight segment with proven off-road capabilities. It comes equipped with a 449cc twin-cylinder engine which generates maximum power of 44 bhp and peak torque of 44 Nm. It could be a great rival to the likes of Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 and KTM 390 Adventure, despite the fact that both of these are single-cylinder models.
Tipping the weighing scale at 195 kg, CFMoto 450MT sits on a trellis frame which is suspended by KYB-sourced adjustable units. Some of the notable features onboard the ADV bike are Rally-style adjustable windscreen, Bosch dual-channel ABS (switchable for rear wheel), Traction control system, 21-inch front and 18-inch spoked alloy wheels with tubeless tyres, and 18W Type-C/Type-A charging port.
If the CFMoto 450MT would have been brought to the Indian shores via the CKD route as per original plans, the pricing would have been in the ballpark of Rs 3-3.5 lakh (ex-showroom). Having said that, if it is launched in the Indian market in the future, it will have a higher pricing due to GST 2.0 as bikes with engine capacity beyond 350cc are taxed at 40 percent from the earlier 28 percent.
