08-25-2024, 08:37 AM
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#16 | |
Join Date: Jun 2023
Location: Big Piney, WY
Posts: 623
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I don't think I'd want a Vader for anything, not even cruising around camp sites.
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2023 Hawk 250 from XPRO off of Amazon MOUNTAIN MAN RC + MOTO on YouTube "If there were more bloody noses, there would be less wars." - Hagbard Celine John 2:15 So He made a whip out of cords and drove all from the temple area, both sheep and cattle; He scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. |
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08-25-2024, 10:01 AM
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#17 |
Join Date: Feb 2021
Location: Kansas City
Posts: 2,765
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Agreed...
Vader 150 is a low profile motorcycle on the road, shortest seat height at 31", and under 10hp: 31" Vader 150, 12" wheels (about 9 horsepower) 33" Lifan Xpect 200, 19", 17" wheels (~14hp) 35.6" Lifan KPX 250, 21" 18" wheels (~20hp) 36.2" Templar X, 21" 18" wheels (~19hp) Well, these are all not that good for hwy. I think the 450MT would be better. Not sure about off road.
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No matter where you go, there you are Last edited by Thumper; 08-25-2024 at 07:45 PM. |
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08-25-2024, 05:59 PM
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#18 |
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Australia
Posts: 1,453
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None of those options will do motorway speeds comfortably for extended periods of time.
The KPX/Templar X would be the minimum as the 20hp and 6 gears with long ratio sprockets should suffice. There is no question that they're capable of highway speeds, The question is are they an appropriate choice? For me personally the answer is no. Neither of these bikes are available in Australia. Closest option would be a KLX250, XT250 and CRF300L and all of them new are in the same price bracket as the MT450 in my Country...\ New DR650s are no longer OZ available. DRZ400 still are but a just over $10k so more expensive than the the 450MT... Factor in the windshield bigger tank and seat upgrade and the DRZ400 5 speed is a podgy banana As Nathan eluded the 2 closest competitors are the new Himmy452 and the KTM 390. Niether of which tickle my fancy...But are perfectly fine motorcycles if the shoe fits Last edited by XLsior; 08-26-2024 at 02:02 AM. |
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08-26-2024, 10:19 AM
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#19 | |
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Join Date: Jun 2023
Location: Big Piney, WY
Posts: 623
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I think that's the rub. A dual sport/enduro motorcycle is not built for long highway rides. In fact, I'm realizing I've had enough of the long highway rides. That's a big reason I wanted a dual sport. To truly go on adventures...gravel road switchbacks uphill where the only thing you see up ahead is another switchback. Fully focused because your life depends on it. Adrenaline comes in many forms and I think I found my favorite.
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2023 Hawk 250 from XPRO off of Amazon MOUNTAIN MAN RC + MOTO on YouTube "If there were more bloody noses, there would be less wars." - Hagbard Celine John 2:15 So He made a whip out of cords and drove all from the temple area, both sheep and cattle; He scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. |
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08-26-2024, 12:17 PM
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#20 |
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Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Australia
Posts: 1,453
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Where I live there are switchbacks and gravel roads a plenty...
But If I want to visit friends and family multiple hours on highways are inevitable and as unavoidable as I would like them to be, trying to avoid them at 15hp could turn a quick trip into a fatigued slog with the prospect of the same return journey the next day. 1hour is about all the enjoyment I get from the CG250 engine after that my pleasure begins to wane.. So yeah if you never plan to do any motorway then a 250 dualsport is fine... Also there is the possibility of riding 2up...which all the dualsports pretty much fail at... |
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08-26-2024, 12:30 PM
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#21 | |
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Join Date: Feb 2021
Location: Kansas City
Posts: 2,765
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Quote:
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No matter where you go, there you are |
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08-26-2024, 07:27 PM
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#22 |
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Join Date: Jun 2023
Location: Big Piney, WY
Posts: 623
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I basically live on a trail. The quality of my early vids sucks...it was that EK7000 I wasted money on. I gotta do a new "Ride Around The Hood" and show you guys the BLM trail I discovered right off that point where I turn around. I'll admit...I was a bit scared at first because once you're over the ridge line, there are no visible points of reference...like that last house. There are also some cool half pipes along the old highway where you can catch air as you exit. Gonna get some footage of that. Go down the highway heading south about 1/4 mile and there's a river access trail to the left. That's become my favorite ride. Go a little further, 5 or so miles, another river access to the left and more BLM trails to the right. I'm lagging this season...this election year has got my sh*t hot.
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2023 Hawk 250 from XPRO off of Amazon MOUNTAIN MAN RC + MOTO on YouTube "If there were more bloody noses, there would be less wars." - Hagbard Celine John 2:15 So He made a whip out of cords and drove all from the temple area, both sheep and cattle; He scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. |
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08-26-2024, 10:50 PM
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#23 |
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Join Date: Feb 2024
Location: SW Missouri
Posts: 203
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Dang it Dano, you're really making me want to get back out to WY with the Templar!!
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---------- 2023 Templar X 2009 Triumph Bonneville 1976 Yamaha DT175 1974 Honda MT125 |
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08-26-2024, 11:30 PM
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#24 | |
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Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: FL
Posts: 376
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Quote:
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08-27-2024, 07:29 AM
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#25 |
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Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Australia
Posts: 1,453
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you can install a CG250 in a XL185s frame like I did...That's why im looking to upgrade to a mid weight ADV.
Not sure why Dual sports are getting peddled in the ADV section. I'm going to my local CFmoto Dealer tomorrow to get a hands on and probably discus availability and finance...The more 450MT content I research the more I feel compelled to own 1... |
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08-27-2024, 10:18 PM
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#26 | |
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Join Date: Feb 2021
Location: Kansas City
Posts: 2,765
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Quote:
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No matter where you go, there you are |
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08-28-2024, 01:09 AM
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#27 |
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Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Australia
Posts: 1,453
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Took a test Ride
So went down to my Motorcycle Dealership...
Spoke to a bunch of nice blokes and talk about the CFmoto 450MT. The bike is selling a lot...Like 10x more than the Himmy 452. I took a test ride and enjoyed it enough to make a first impression. However I was liable for 2.5k if I binned it so just did quiet back suburban roads. For me power was plenty. yes with a full 17lt tank the was some weight up top but I could flat foot easy so I would consider the heft over my XL185 manageable...Power to weight is fine, if you feel you need more then you have more skill and bigger balls then I do... Engine has a nice whir to it and then romps when you want it...pleasant linear band. Anyway after talking with chaps and explaining my financial position and interest in obtaining a 450MT of my own, and could take delivery before December...Basically there is a current Zephyr Blue bike on the floor that could be mine now...or wait till next consignment... In other words I dropped a small deposit on the books to put myself on the list and the rest of financing will be sorted out tomorrow. Zephyr Blue with UNI pre filter, rear rack and 12months road registration under $10k Australian. Last edited by XLsior; 08-28-2024 at 03:38 AM. |
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08-28-2024, 11:04 AM
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#28 |
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Mooresville NC
Posts: 2,116
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less than $6800 US. that's a good price!
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Dave Bikes I've owned: Suzuki GS450T, Yamaha XS500, Honda V45 Sabre, Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 Classic (2), Suzuki VX800, Kawasaki Ninja 650, Triumph TT600, Honda Superhawk, Kawasaki Concours 1000 (3, including a sidecar rig), Buell XB9R, Kawasaki Nomad 1500, Concours 14, Honda Goldwing (2), Housen Hawk, Suzuki Intruder 1400, Kawasaki KLR650, Victory V92TC. |
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08-28-2024, 01:08 PM
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#29 |
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Join Date: Jun 2023
Location: Big Piney, WY
Posts: 623
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Ah, this is the China spectacle bike. This is THEE one to gauge how much people are willing to spend on a China bike. This bike is not shipped in a crate to your house, is it? This bike is ONLY being sold thru dealerships, right? I think it might be a little too soon for China to make this move because at that price, I'm looking at Suzuki, Kawasaki, Honda, anything OTHER than a China bike.
Well, the truth is I ain't even looking 'cause I can't afford that and not being eligible for a loan makes it impossible.
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2023 Hawk 250 from XPRO off of Amazon MOUNTAIN MAN RC + MOTO on YouTube "If there were more bloody noses, there would be less wars." - Hagbard Celine John 2:15 So He made a whip out of cords and drove all from the temple area, both sheep and cattle; He scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. |
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08-28-2024, 04:07 PM
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#30 |
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Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Australia
Posts: 1,453
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You are not getting anything close from japan for the same price.
It is a similar situation as the XR150L and KPX250... Yes its through a dealership... Yes the Servicing is more expensive. But it does come with a 2 year warranty or 3 with logbook servicing. Accessories are cheaper compared to other brands... CFMoto being a supplier/manufacturer to KTM also means some parts are interchangeable and quality needs to meet a certain standard... Nobody seems to fault build quality... Ride reports over 5000km with no issues... Comparing it my 40year old XL185 frame and CG250 engine... The step up is light years ahead. Could I get a 2nd hand DR650 for half the price sure...I was considering it for a long time. But the 450MT is just better than it... But I have never owned anything like this 'NEW' I've always managed to cobble together crusty bangars and have dealt with their faults and misgivings... I can manage under $50aud week in repayments without fuss. Granted its a lot of spare change. Though when you add it all up in terms of value there is little competition... |
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