2025 CFMOTO 450 CL-C – First Look
Small-displacement cruiser starts at $5,799
It’s no secret that cruisers account for a large share of the U.S. market, but it always seems strange that there are very few small displacement offerings. CFMOTO is hoping to address that with its new 450 CL-C.
Priced at $5,799 the CFMOTO 450CL-C slots in right between the 300 and 500 Rebels, while offering more of a traditional cruiser look than the Hondas.
The 450CL-C has the same 28° rake, 4.25-inch trail and 130/90-16 front and 150/80-16 tire combination as the Rebels, but the 3.2-gallon fuel tank (available in Nebula Black or a two-toned Bordeaux Red paint schemes) gives the 450CL-C a more classic silhouette, with a single round headlight, fenders, and pull-back handlebars adding to the look. A circular instrument cluster further provides a vintage touch, even if it contains a 3.6-inch TFT display and Bluetooth connectivity.
The riding posture is upright with the feet slightly forward, with a low 27-inch seat height making for an easy reach to the ground.
The CFMOTO is powered by a 449cc liquid-cooled DOHC Parallel-Twin with a 270° double counterbalanced crankshaft. The bore and stroke are identical to the 450SS sportike and naked 450NK, but the engine casings are unique with cylinder fins and more classical badging. The engine is tuned for torque, with CFMOTO claiming a low-vibration ride, with peak performance figures of 40 hp at 8,000 rpm and 30 lb-ft. at 6,250 rpm (compared to 50 hp at 9,500 rpm and 28.8 lb-ft. at 7,600 rpm on the sportier 450s). The header pipes run straight down and under the engine, ending in two dual stacked mufflers, with a dark matte ceramic coating and heat shield that does its best to hide its bulbous size.
The engine is matched with a six-speed transmission and wet multi-plate slipper clutch, with power delivered to the rear wheel via a Gates drive belt. Surrounding the engine is a three-part cradle chassis, with separate main frame, subframe and bottom bracket pieces.
Up front, the 450CL-C sports a non-adjustable 37mm inverted fork, while the single rear shock offers preload adjustability. J.Juan provides a four-piston radial-mount caliper and 320mm front disc and single-piston caliper with a 220mm disc for the rear wheel. A dual-channel ABS comes standard, as does traction control.
Other highlights include full LED lighting, bar-end mirrors, a charging port, anti-theft system and a claimed curb weight of 399 pounds.
2025 CFMOTO 450CL-C Specifications | |
|---|---|
Engine Type | Parallel-Twin, liquid-cooled, DOHC, 270° crankshaft |
Displacement | 449cc |
Bore x Stroke | 72mm x 55.2mm |
Max Power | 40 hp at 8000 rpm |
Max Torque | 30 lb-ft. at 6250 rpm |
Fuel System | Bosch EFI |
Transmission | 6-speed, wet multi-plate, CF-SC slipper clutch |
Front Suspension | Upside-down telescopic fork |
Rear Suspension | Central monoshock |
Front Brake | J.Juan 320mm single disc, 4-piston caliper |
Rear Brake | J.Juan 220mm single disc, single-piston caliper |
ABS | ABS, dual channel |
Front Wheel | 3.0 × 16 MT |
Rear Wheel | 3.5 × 16 MT |
Front Tire | CST 130/90-R16 |
Rear Tire | CST 150/80-R16 |
Length | 86.8 inches |
Width | 31.7 inches |
Height | 43.7 inches |
Wheelbase | 58.5 inches |
Rake / Trail | 28° / 4.25 inches |
Seat Height | 27 inches |
Fuel Capacity | 3.2 gallons |
Curb Weight | 399 pounds (claimed) |
Additional Features | LED headlights, taillights, and signal lights, integrated taillights and signal lights, 3.6" round TFT display with Bluetooth and CFMOTO RideSync connectivity, bar-end mirrors, traction control |
Colors | Bordeaux Red, Nebula Black |
2025 CFMOTO 450 CL-C Gallery
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Dennis has been a part of the Motorcycle.com team since 2008, and through his tenure, has developed a firm grasp of industry trends, and a solid sense of what's to come. A bloodhound when it comes to tracking information on new motorcycles, if there's a new model on the horizon, you'll probably hear about it from him first.
More by Dennis Chung
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I’m not sure why we keep promoting Chinese goods when China is doing everything to destroy America. Recent attempt to subvert the US dollar, Threats against Taiwan, naval involvement in US waters, spy balloons, etc. Not to mention the blatant disregard for intellectual property and the theft of motorcycle and automotive designs.China is a world threat. Boycott ALL Chinese products STARTING WITH MOTORCYCLES!
China bad, blah,blah,blah. Patriotism, blah,blah,blah. Throw away your cell phone and your TV.
Jason , the Taiwanese don’t. So whom are you or China loving Biden (and Walz) to say otherwise ?