KATHMANDU: Nepal remains one of the finest destinations for adventure lovers, with its roads, hills, and Himalayan trails drawing riders from every corner. It’s no surprise, then, that the adventure motorcycle segment in the country continues to grow steadily.
Until a few years ago, the local market saw only occasional sales of budget-friendly adventure bikes. Today, the picture looks quite different, with larger and more premium adventure motorcycles finding a growing number of takers. As demand rises, dealers have started bringing in more powerful, feature-rich models to meet rider expectations.
Twin-cylinder engines, once reserved mainly for big-displacement motorcycles, are now making their way into mid-range machines as well.
While Nepali buyers have plenty of options when it comes to twin-cylinder motorcycles in the larger engine categories, choices remain limited in the smaller displacement range. The CFMoto 450MT and Morbidelli T352 X currently stand out as the two smallest-capacity twin-cylinder motorcycles available in Nepal, and both have been generating considerable buzz as attractive options in the premium adventure segment.
Here’s a closer look at how these two twin-cylinder motorcycles compare on power, performance, features, and price.
Design
Both models lean more towards a tourer-based design than a conventional adventure build. While typical adventure motorcycles tend to be taller and lighter, tourer-style adventure bikes usually carry more weight with a relatively lower seat height, a trait shared by both these models. Their overall look is bold and assertive.
Each motorcycle sports a tall front fascia, its own distinct headlight signature, a well-defined tail section, and styling suited to adventure touring. The ergonomic tourer build on both bikes helps them stand out on the road.
Engine and performance
The CFMoto 450MT is powered by a 449cc parallel-twin, liquid-cooled, inline four-stroke engine with DOHC valve architecture, a 270-degree crank, and fuel injection. It produces a maximum of 43.6 horsepower and 44 Nm of torque, with a top speed of 190 km/h.
The Morbidelli T352 X, meanwhile, runs on a 349.2cc parallel-twin, liquid-cooled, DOHC, four-stroke engine with eight valves and EFI. It puts out a maximum of 41 horsepower and 31.5 Nm of torque, reaching a top speed of 140 km/h.
Both bikes come with a 6-speed gearbox, delivering smooth and capable performance across long highway stretches, hilly off-road terrain, and steep climbs.
Mileage
Tourer motorcycles typically carry larger fuel tanks, and these two are no exception, the 450MT has a 17.5-liter tank, while the T352 X holds 18 liters. Both bikes return more than 20 km/l, a solid figure for this category of touring motorcycle.
Suspension, brakes, and dimensions
The 450MT features an adjustable KYB USD fork up front and a multi-link monoshock at the rear, with preload and rebound adjustability. It comes with dual disc brakes, a switchable dual-channel ABS system, and spoke wheels. Built on a tubular steel frame with an aluminum swingarm, it offers 220mm of ground clearance and an 820mm seat height.
The T352 X uses an upside-down telescopic front fork paired with a preload-adjustable multi-link rear shock, along with disc brakes, switchable dual-channel ABS, and spoke wheels. Built on a perimeter frame, it has 180mm of ground clearance and the same 820mm seat height. Both motorcycles weigh in the range of 180-190 kg and come equipped with off-road-ready setups.
Tech features
Both motorcycles pack in a healthy dose of modern technology. The CFMoto 450MT offers a next-gen curved TFT display, connectivity via the CFMoto app, turn-by-turn navigation, dual-stacked LED headlamps, full LED lighting, traction control, a mechanical throttle, slipper clutch, adjustable handlebars, engine guard, bash plate, windscreen, and a USB port.
The Morbidelli T352 X, on the other hand, comes with a TFT display featuring vertical day-and-night screen modes, an LED projector headlamp, full LED lighting, Bluetooth connectivity through a multi-function app, T-Box IoT connectivity, GPS navigation, an SOS panic button, anti-theft remote cutoff, smartphone mirroring, three riding modes, an off-road mode, traction control, dual-cable throttle control, slipper clutch, tire monitoring, and a USB port.
Price
CFMoto’s official dealer in Nepal, Rishi Trade Centre, has priced the 450MT at Rs 1,299,900. Morbidelli, a relatively new entrant to the Nepali market, is officially distributed by Vaidya’s organization, which has priced the T352 X at Rs 1,059,900.
The verdict
Both the CFMoto 450MT and Morbidelli T352 X stand out as strong, twin-cylinder options in the premium adventure touring segment. The 450MT pulls ahead in outright performance, thanks to its larger engine capacity, higher power and torque output, greater ground clearance, and premium hardware.
The Morbidelli T352 X, meanwhile, offers an appealing design, modern features, and the twin-cylinder experience at a comparatively lower price point. In the end, riders chasing more power and stronger off-road capability may lean towards the 450MT, while those looking for a balance between price and features will likely find the T352 X the more sensible pick.
