CFMoto 650 Adventura

[Fast_Freddy]

I am considering buying a new bike and found a good deal on the 650 Adv. ($5400 OTD). I also really like the new Himalayan 450 but can't find one. I'm looking for advice. I'm 61, 6' 250# and have bad knees. I've had motocross and cruisers previously and have a Templar 250 Enduro now that not a comfortable road bike. TIA

https://www.cfmotousa.com/inventory/unit/650-adventura

[Thumper]

That really sounds like a nice deal, and the specs are great. Nice luggage too! It looks like it would make a good touring bike. Did you notice that monoshock? It looks like the original Yamaha YZ monoshock design from the 70s! No linkage (no progression). But it isn't an off road motocross bike anyway. I think they eliminated the linkage for simplicity and reduced production cost.

480 pounds is claimed curb weight. That will provide some stability in wind gusts and passing trucks (the wave of wind in front of other vehicles, especially trucks). I don't think the Himilayan is much lighter, but frankly, the additional weight will make it more pleasant on the road. Really, we have dual sports and dirt bikes for single track!

[Fast_Freddy]

My reservations are the weight, 17" front wheel and cast wheels. What I really want is a 450MT or Himmy 450 so I might wait it out. I'm also looking at some used Honda NC700X models.

[Thumper]

Originally Posted by Fast_Freddy

My reservations are the weight, 17" front wheel and cast wheels.
...

There are lots of tires available, including front in 17" dual sports. They range from pretty aggressive to road tires.

I hear you on the weight concerns. But it should handle dirt roads and even the occasional jeep trail if not too extreme, and the components are good (Bosch EFI, for instance). Good suspension too. The price is great! You have the Templar for more primitive conditions. 60 hp and 480lbs is not a bad place to be on the road and forest service dirt roads.

[Sport Rider]

if you're gonna be off-road with it, wait for the 21 inch front wheel.

[Fast_Freddy]

Originally Posted by Thumper

There are lots of tires available, including front in 17" dual sports. They range from pretty aggressive to road tires.

I hear you on the weight concerns. But it should handle dirt roads and even the occasional jeep trail if not too extreme, and the components are good (Bosch EFI, for instance). Good suspension too. The price is great! You have the Templar for more primitive conditions. 60 hp and 480lbs is not a bad place to be on the road and forest service dirt roads.

Thanks Thumper. It's also got Shad bags, KYB suspension, DID chain and Pirelli tires. Just to complicate matters I found a 2013 Honda NC700X with 4600 miles in great condition for $4100 OTD. Unfortunately it too has a 17" front wheel.

[Fast_Freddy]

Originally Posted by Sport Rider

if you're gonna be off-road with it, wait for the 21 inch front wheel.

Ugh... how important is the 21" front wheel? I wanted a 19" as a compromise but a 21" will cost me about $2000 more and handicap road manners.

[jeffrey]

How about a Kawasaki 650 Versys.

[Sport Rider]

Originally Posted by Fast_Freddy

Ugh... how important is the 21" front wheel? I wanted a 19" as a compromise but a 21" will cost me about $2000 more and handicap road manners.

depends on the riding you want to do. it traverses larger rocks and branches better. if you're not going to be off-road as much, then certainly not critical.

I have a 21 on the front of my KLR650. I find it fine on the highway at 70. my intentions though are not a lot of highway use. for me it's back roads and forest service roads. Highway only when I HAVE to make time or to get between roads. I try to minimize it though.

Personally, I'm a fan of the Himi. Assuming the price point doesn't take a huge jump since their improvements. I like the T7 as well, but again...price. My KLR is a gen 1, which means old. I would probably buy another gen 1 before I'd buy something new. Price is more attractive, they are built like tanks, and buying used it's likely to have already been customized with all the pieces I want like racks, bars, bash plate, etc.

I don't dislike the Adventura either except the front is a 17. Just really depends on what your needs are. My goal is to do the TAT. for that, the 21 seems to be the proper choice.

[Fast_Freddy]

Originally Posted by jeffrey

How about a Kawasaki 650 Versys.

Great bike but I haven't found one in my price range and area. I've found several Versys 300s but thats a very different animal.

[Sport Rider]

have you thought about waiting for the CFMoto 450MT? or is a 21 inch front not what you're considering?

[jeffrey]

Maybe the CFMoto 650 would be the best buy, it is based off the Kawasaki 650 line of bikes anyway.

[Fast_Freddy]

Originally Posted by Sport Rider

depends on the riding you want to do. it traverses larger rocks and branches better. if you're not going to be off-road as much, then certainly not critical.

I have a 21 on the front of my KLR650. I find it fine on the highway at 70. my intentions though are not a lot of highway use. for me it's back roads and forest service roads. Highway only when I HAVE to make time or to get between roads. I try to minimize it though.

Personally, I'm a fan of the Himi. Assuming the price point doesn't take a huge jump since their improvements. I like the T7 as well, but again...price. My KLR is a gen 1, which means old. I would probably buy another gen 1 before I'd buy something new. Price is more attractive, they are built like tanks, and buying used it's likely to have already been customized with all the pieces I want like racks, bars, bash plate, etc.

I don't dislike the Adventura either except the front is a 17. Just really depends on what your needs are. My goal is to do the TAT. for that, the 21 seems to be the proper choice.

I should've mentioned that I intend to ride about 80/20-90/10 road/dirt. I'd really like a 19" front but with my low budget I have to make some compromise. I'd rather have a 17" front wheel than a 24hp Scram or Himmy that tops out at 75mph. Obviously the new 450 Himmy would be great but I expect them to cost over $6000 OTD when they're available.

I'm currently considering a few used bikes like the Versys 300 and NC700X. I'm also considering the Himalayan 450 and CFM 450MT.Unfortunately being new models it will be years before I can get them for $2000 off like the Adventura. The KLR650 is a bit too dirt focused for me. Thanks for your advice.

[Fast_Freddy]

Originally Posted by Sport Rider

have you thought about waiting for the CFMoto 450MT? or is a 21 inch front not what you're considering?

If I pass on the Adventura my choice will be between the 450MT and Himalayan 450. My first choice would be a 19" front but 21" is fine too.

[Thumper]

Originally Posted by Fast_Freddy

I should've mentioned that I intend to ride about 80/20-90/10 road/dirt. I'd really like a 19" front but with my low budget I have to make some compromise. I'd rather have a 17" front wheel than a 24hp Scram or Himmy that tops out at 75mph. Obviously the new 450 Himmy would be great but I expect them to cost over $6000 OTD when they're available.

I'm currently considering a few used bikes like the Versys 300 and NC700X. I'm also considering the Himalayan 450 and CFM 450MT.Unfortunately being new models it will be years before I can get them for $2000 off like the Adventura. The KLR650 is a bit too dirt focused for me. Thanks for your advice.

The smaller front wheel doesn't prevent you from riding off road, but it means rocky or other uneven trails would be more of a challenge. Some of that can be mitigated with an aggressive tread on the front wheel.

All of these adventure tour bikes will be a handful offroad (maybe the KTM 390 is an exception). As I said, the OTD price you are looking at is pretty nice.