In May 2024, CFMOTO launched the 450MT, and to say it’ s been a sale phenomenon wouldn’ t be stretching things, with over 500 units being sold here in NZ. The idea of a CFMOTO Adventure Ride was discussed after the launch, and it was decided that an event 12 months on from the launch would be good. So, it all came together on the weekend of 23-25 May at Lakes Ranch, Rotorua, for the inaugural CFMOTO Adventure Ride. The event is open to any brand of motorcycle, with discounts for those on a CFMOTO. The course used a mix of public roads and roughly 140km of forestry roads( organised by enduro legend Sean Clarke and the Forestlands Motorcycle Club) with some Challenge sections thrown in, as well as the Pukemara Dirt World at Rainbow mountain on SH5 near Rotorua. Riders started trickling in after 2pm, with a vibe of excitement, which as an event organiser is always rewarding. Sign on was remarkably hassle free once we realised I’ d transposed the first 25 entries, so it was a quick job to swap the tee shirts around for the KR support crew and everyone was happy. As always there are some entrants who do not
arrive, and some who let you know they cannot make it. We started the 23rd with an entry list of 71 bikes and five pillions, and by the end of the day we had 70 bikes and five pillions. Not bad. Riders were keen to get started on the day’ s riding, with 25 CFMOTO owners among the varied brands, so at 8am they headed off out of the gate. This event was GPS routing only, which was a first for the KR Crew, and we still prefer the old school route sheets. I was the sweep vehicle driver for the first 80km to the forest entrance off Leslie Rd, and you can imagine my response when I was passed by four riders while on my way to the gate. They’ d all taken a wrong turn at the 4km mark, but realised it quite quickly. All the riders were scanned into and out of the forest with a new system the Forestlands Club has purchased, which, alongside the Life360 app, meant we knew where everyone was during the day, a huge benefit for us if any
24 KIWI RIDER