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KTM 390 Adventure R vs CF Moto 450MT/IBEX: Ultimate Lightweight ADV Showdown

Outback Motortek

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Join Outback Motortek as we pit two of the hottest lightweight adventure bikes head-to-head: the 2025 KTM 390 Adventure R and the CF Moto 450MT/IBEX. In this 12-minute video, we dive deep into their design, performance, and off-road capabilities to help you decide which bike is your perfect adventure companion.

From the KTM’s refined 399cc single-cylinder engine and agile handling to the CF Moto’s torquey 449cc parallel-twin and budget-friendly price, we cover it all. Packed with real-world riding footage, detailed comparisons, and expert insights, this video is your go-to guide for choosing the ultimate entry-level ADV bike.

Timestamps:

0:00 – Intro: KTM 390 Adventure R vs CF Moto 450MT/IBEX
0:40 – On Board Thrill: CF Moto 450 MT/IBEX
3:40 – On Board Thrill: KTM 390 Adventure R
5:56 – Extreme Hill Climb: CF Moto 450 MT/IBEX
6:53 – Extreme Hill Climb: KTM 390 Adventure R
7:08 – Side by Side Comparison
8:40 – Final Verdict: Which ADV bike wins?

Ready to gear up for your next adventure? Check out Outback Motortek’s premium accessories for the KTM 390 Adventure R and CF Moto 450MT/IBEX at https://www.outbackmotortek.com. Follow us for more reviews, installs, and adventure content:

Instagram: Instagram: outbackmotortek
Facebook: Facebook: OutbackMotortekOfficial

#OutbackMotortek #KTM390AdventureR #CFMoto450MT #Ibex450 #AdventureBike #MotorcycleComparison #RideOutback #ADVLife #OffRoadReady

20 Comments

@lukedudgeon 1 year ago

here in Australia, the KTM is actually 13% more expensive than the CFmoto.
KTM is AU$11,300
CF is AU$9,990
Then add the mods to the KTM and the CF starts making more sense, here at least.

@underthedrone2735 8 months ago

I bet 90% of folks who buy the CF Moto 450 plan on riding the more mellow forest and back roads than single track trails but it's good to see it can do both. A lot can be accomplished by getting the right tires for the ride as we all know.

@HartyBiker 1 year ago

Dang, at 6:54 that 390 sounded sick. Sounds like a typical 450 four stroke dirt bike, which makes sense, I guess

@Laura21244 11 months ago

Great review thx!

@lalamotolady 1 year ago

I always look forward to your videos. Thanks for sharing!

@americandualsportrvifeadve3153 1 year ago

This is the shoot out I have been waiting on. Great video guys. Looks like i have to buy both now, lol

@Mr_XYZ123 1 year ago (edited)

Greetings from the Romaniacs Moto Rescue Team ;D Love your videos. Saw a lot of stock Ibex competing this year. Speaks for the capability of this bike.

@wazreba5859 1 year ago

Cfmoto 450MT in Europe. Most of the owners goes for ECU mapping.
Personally, I think to buy KTM390 2025 as second hand in the future. Cruise control, Rekluse clutch. I would be nice workshop ASMR :)

@alexfrench3972 1 year ago

I appreciate the final verdict. It really points out that even though they're in same class they have different focus

@mahmutakc818 9 months ago

Perfect video

@zepp-i6t 1 year ago (edited)

A real and honest review, well done! The MT screen is mulfunctioning :p

@rufusgoldenball 1 year ago

Great video!

@udarajjako 1 year ago

Nice test!

@nishantgurjar7232 1 year ago

There is something weird here , though it doesn't have good bottom end but it didn't die all the time on the contrary it holds a certain rpm and chugs along even on third or fourth gear and sometimes I forget that bike is in 3rd or 4th gear on stoplights cause it doesn't protest and certainly don't die down because GTT keeps engine running and i didn't discover any stalling issue in my or someone else's bike. Could it be that euro spec bikes don't have GTT.

@MoskoMoto 10 months ago

Both bikes seem like solid choices to us! We started to see both bikes pop up at the Dusty Lizard events this year. Can't wait to see more of them at events in 2026!

@LimitedGunnerGM 8 months ago

I’ve ridden the ibex 450 and loved it except for one thing. The cable throttle eliminates to possibility of cruise control. Living in Texas, almost everywhere is at least an hour away.

@NicoVP 1 year ago

I’d love to see the dyno results on the 390 with the new ECU and if it is worth it compared to the coober decat+lm kit

@garethfloweday8030 1 year ago

Thank you for doing this comparative review of these top mid-light adventure bike contenders. Very useful. Interesting that Ian of Big Rock Moto has also selected the KTM to go big on modding for his personal unicorn bike. I'm gonna test ride both bikes soon and likely buy one.

@grahamrowe6278 1 year ago

Thanks guys... this is useful stuff, but perhaps..? - What I'd now love is to see an analysis of the oil, screens and filters to determine how these engines are initially demolishing themselves.