2025 CFMoto Ibex 450 vs KTM 390 Adventure: The 400cc Adventure Bike Clash

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  2025 CFMoto Ibex 450

  CFMoto is ready to take the entry-level adventure bike segment by storm with its new Ibex 450. The motorcycle is armed with likable components all around, whether it’s off-road-oriented suspension or a powerful 449cc engine. It will be part of CFMoto’s 2025 model year lineup in America, with a very competitive price tag.

  Engine

  449cc, twin-cylinder

  Transmission

  Six-speed

  Horsepower

  44 horsepower

  Torque

  32.4 pound-feet

  MSRP

  $6,499

  Pros

  • Standout design
  • Power 449cc engine
  • Off-road-oriented underpinnings

  Cons

  • Not an established product
  • Service network

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  2023 KTM 390 Adventure

  Unveiled in 2019, the 390 Adventure is KTM’s entry-level adventure bike. It’s been a popular name in the segment since, even though there haven’t been any major upgrades. Credit here goes to the powerful engine, loads of features, and a head-turning design. 

  Engine

  373cc, Single-Cylinder

  Transmission

  Six-speed

  Horsepower

  43 horsepower

  Torque

  27.2 LB-FT @ 7,000 RPM

  MSRP

  $7,399

  Pros

  • Likable design
  • Modern features
  • Proven 373cc engine

  Cons

  • High MSRP
  • Lack of major updates since 2020

2023 was an impressive year for Chinese bikemaker CFMoto. It successfully expanded its presence in North America, announced several exciting bikes, and even made solid headlines at the EICMA. For 2024, the plan is more or less unchanged. Continuing to expand its international foothold, the company recently announced the Ibex 450 in America. The ADV competes in the much-populated entry-level segment, which has several established names like Royal Enfield, Honda, Kawasaki, and KTM.

The latter is arguably the most successful out of all these, courtesy of its super-impressive (and proven) 390 Adventure. Powerful engine, loads of features, and a likable design–it offers everything you would want in your new ADV. The question then is: can the Ibex 450 match up (or beat) the 390 in its own game? And does it make more sense in the market right now? That’s precisely what we’re about to discuss here via an in-depth comparison between the two.

All the data you see below has been sourced straight from
CFMoto
and
KTM
. The remarks made are solely based on personal experience and theoretical knowledge based on the specifications.

Design And Technology

The 2024 390 Adventure looks very much like its first iteration from 2019. You get a distinct vertically split LED headlight, flanked by a small windscreen and a chunky fender. Behind this lies a set of sporty tank panels and a large, spacious saddle. The latter end has a short aluminum-finished exhaust, plus a slim tail section. It’s a design that will please most of us, yet turn sufficient heads around the city. The American version also comes with spoke wheels as standard, which adds to the overall ruggedness.

But if you’re looking for something that stands out, the Ibex 450 is your kind of poison. Its fascia has vertically stacked projectors, complete with fork stanchion protectors and a transparent windscreen. A set of tight plastic fairings–inspired by rally bikes–sit in the middle, in addition to a fuel tank that sweeps upward. You also get a handful of rugged tidbits like the 390, such as a luggage plate, handguards, and an aluminum bash plate.

With its standout design, the Ibex also spoils you with more color options. It’s available in Tundra Grey and Zephyr Blue, where the former has a gray base coat and neon green accents, while the latter has blue-white bodywork with pink accents. The KTM only comes in an orange-black livery, complete with an orange trellis frame. It’s nowhere near as punchy as the CFMoto.

Coming to features, both motorcycles hit the spot here. The 390 comes loaded with a TFT instrument cluster, which gives you access to ride modes, switchable ABS, and traction control. Smartphone connectivity is also a standard inclusion. All these (except ride modes) are also present on the CFMoto, along with extras like a USB-C port, adjustable windscreen, dual-tone saddle, and OTA updates. So it comes down to which of these are necessary and skippable for you.

Engine Performance And Capability

KTM and CFMoto might be long-term partners, but the two parties have taken different approaches here. Team Orange has built its ADV around a single-cylinder powerhouse, while the Chinese giant has employed a parallel twin. Both engines come from previously offered motorcycles; the 373cc engine is from the 390 Duke, the 449cc mill is from the 450SS.

Powertrain Comparison

The 390 Adventure produces 43 horsepower and 27 pound-feet of torque from its Duke-derived 373cc single. Whereas, the Ibex 450 churns out 44 horsepower and 32.4 pound-feet, thanks to its 450SS-derived twin-cylinder engine. To make matters worse for the KTM, the CFMoto’s power and torque both kick in much earlier in the rev range. This will not only help with tractability but also promises more fun when you want to kick out the rear in the dirt.

Another key advantage is the Ibex’s considerably bigger fuel tank than the 390. So even if you have 57-60 miles per gallon, you’re looking at over 260 miles of range. KTM claims a range of 250 miles for its ADV, meanwhile. That’s an easy clean sweep for CFMoto!

Ride And Handling

The Ibex 450 is built around a steel double-cradle chassis, suspended on 41 mm USD forks and a monoshock–both adjustable. Whereas, the 390 employs a trellis chassis and bolt-on subframe, paired with 43 mm USD forks and a monoshock. Although the suspension appears identical, the Ibex offers 7.87 inches of travel–considerably higher than the 6.9 inches on the 390. This also gives the 450 a higher ground clearance than its rival.

However, the biggest difference is the wheel size. The CFMoto has a 21/17-inch spoke wheel setup, which is much more off-road-suited than the 390’s 19/17-inch wheels. This would ensure more stability in loose terrain, better impact absorption on big jumps, and most importantly, easier tackling of large bumps/obstacles. That said, the 390 weighs just 385 pounds wet–a lot lower than the 450’s 386-pound dry heft. Phew, at least Team Orange won something, right?

Pricing And Availability

This is where the CFMoto lands its biggest punch. The Ibex 450 starts at just $6,499 in America, which is a sizable $900 less than the 2024 KTM 390 Adventure. So if you pick the CFMoto, you’ll be getting a better-equipped product, with more power and off-road abilities, while still paying less money. Not to mention, $900 is enough for buying some solid riding gears or getting some usable motorcycle accessories to personalize your ADV.

There are two issues, though. First, the 450 has yet to reach American dealerships. The dispatch and arrival are destined for the second half of 2024, so you’ll have to wait a while. Second, CFMoto is nowhere near as well-established and trustworthy as KTM. The latter has more dealerships, an extensive service network, and loads of experience in the States, unlike the Chinese company. So would you trust the newbie or spend more for the trust? The choice is yours.