Which suits you
- Choose the CFMOTO 450MT if low-speed control and picking it up after a drop matter most: it is 21kg lighter wet.
- The CFMOTO 450MT has the lower seat by 25mm, which matters more on a rutted lane than on the road if you are shorter in the leg.
- Both take a 90/90-21 front tyre, so the same front tyre options fit either bike.
- The CFMOTO 450MT goes further on a tank, roughly 275 miles against 250, which helps on lanes where fuel stops are far apart.
Holloway ratings side by side
Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 CFMOTO 450MT
Green lane
Technical off-road
Beginner friendly
Road
Himalayan 450 vs CFMOTO 450MT specs
| Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 | CFMOTO 450MT | |
|---|---|---|
| Green lane score | 6/10 | 8/10 |
| Price | £5,799 | £5,699 |
| Wet weight | 196kg | 175kg |
| Seat height | 825mm | 800mm |
| Ground clearance | 230mm | 220mm |
| Suspension travel (f/r) | 200mm / 200mm | 200mm / 200mm |
| Wheels (f/r) | 21" / 17" | 21" / 18" |
| Tyre sizes (f/r) | 90/90-21 / 140/80-17 | 90/90-21 / 140/70-18 |
| Engine | 452cc | 449cc |
| Power | 40hp | 42hp |
| Fuel tank | 17L | 17.5L |
| Real-world range | ~250 mi | ~275 mi |
| Licence | A2 | A2 |
A tick marks the better figure for green laning. Manufacturer figures; weights are wet unless marked as estimates.
Where they sit against every other bike
Wet weight against ground clearance across the whole Bike Finder. Light and tall, top left, is where the easiest green lane bikes sit.
Our take on each
Royal Enfield Himalayan 450: A genuine step up in capability from the old 411, comfortable and confident on moderate lanes, just heavier than you'd expect to lift back up.
CFMOTO 450MT: Real off-road ability for the money, dubbed the "unicorn bike" for good reason, just heavier than a typical 450 single to muscle around.
Remember: rider ability, tyres and the weather on the day move the real answer more than the bike does. Check each lane's own difficulty and legal status before you ride.
Find where to ride either one
Plan a day of legal green lanes across England and Wales on Holloway's map, with each lane's difficulty and status.
Open the map