The CFMOTO CL-C 450 – Equipped to Cruise

With the CL-C 450, CFMOTO continues to challenge the norms of the neo-retro segment. This mid-size motorcycle, with its bold styling and modern mechanics, promises a riding experience that’s as accessible as it is exciting.

With its café racer-inspired look, dynamic twin-cylinder engine, and well-designed technology, the CL-C 450 seems built to appeal to both new riders and enthusiasts looking for a two-wheeler with a strong character.

But how does it really perform on the road?

That’s what I wanted to discover aboard this surprising machine.

The Riding Experience

The CFMOTO CL-C 450 offers a pleasant and easy-to-handle ride. Its twin-cylinder engine is both smooth and responsive, allowing for comfortable city riding while still providing enough power for fun on country roads. The riding position is natural, and the bike is stable when cornering.

The wide tires — 130 mm at the front and 150 mm at the rear — ensure good grip, even on imperfect roads.

This means that the ride is smoother when encountering imperfections in the road surface. Also, thanks to a well-tuned suspension and effective brakes, you feel confident from the very first kilometers. It’s a motorcycle that combines style, comfort, and riding pleasure. I would also add that it’s an ideal bike for beginners and shorter riders. The CFMOTO 450 CL-C is compact, low, and very easy to handle.

Technical Performance

Under its neo-retro look lies a modern and well-designed engine. It is powered by a 449cc parallel-twin engine with a 270° crankshaft, which gives it a distinctive sound and linear throttle response. This engine develops approximately 41 horsepower.

Liquid cooling ensures efficient thermal management, even during sustained driving. On the braking side, it is equipped with J.Juan discs with ABS at the front and rear, guaranteeing reliable stopping power.

The Gates belt drive adds a touch of refinement, reducing vibrations and maintenance. Finally, the suspension, with an inverted fork at the front and an adjustable monoshock at the rear, offers a good compromise between comfort and sportiness. I should also add that it has a 12-liter fuel tank, which provides approximately 270 km of range.

Its appearance

The 2025 CFMOTO CL-C 450 offers a style that skillfully blends retro elegance with modern touches, creating a motorcycle with a strong visual character. At first glance, its round LED headlight, round bar-end mirrors, and clean lines evoke the spirit of classic café racers, while incorporating contemporary elements like a round 3.6-inch TFT display, with a vintage look but packed with technology.

The sculpted fuel tank, available in Nebula Black (like the test model), reinforces the bike’s muscular and refined look. The brushed aluminum side panels, the leather seat with retro stitching, and the stacked exhausts with a matte ceramic finish add a touch of sophistication rarely seen in this displacement class.

The design isn’t just aesthetically pleasing: it’s also designed for comfort and ergonomics. The wide, raised handlebars, combined with an upright riding position and low seat height (approximately 685 mm), ensure easy handling and a relaxed posture, ideal for urban rides as well as longer excursions.

The chunky 16-inch tires mounted on black alloy wheels complete the rugged look and ensure a strong road presence. Every detail, from the polished fuel cap to the tubular frame finishes, demonstrates a careful design that aims to appeal to both style lovers and riders seeking authenticity.

In short, the 2025 CL-C 450 successfully captures the essence of vintage while firmly anchoring itself in modernity.

Additionally, it stands out for its bold design, belt drive, and excellent value for money, positioning it as a serious alternative to Japanese and European brands, especially for young riders or those looking for a stylish motorcycle without breaking the bank.

Strengths

The CFMOTO CL-C 450 boasts a range of qualities that make it a particularly attractive motorcycle in its category. Its sleek neo-retro design immediately catches the eye, with elegant finishes, a compact silhouette, and details like the round LED headlight and vintage seat that reinforce its character.

Mechanically, its 449cc twin-cylinder engine with a 270° crankshaft delivers lively response and a pleasant sound, ideal for a dynamic but not intimidating ride.

The belt drive, rare in this range, adds a touch of refinement while reducing maintenance. The bike is also well-equipped for its price, with a TFT instrument cluster, dual-channel ABS, inverted front suspension, and powerful J.Juan brakes.

Its comfortable riding position, maneuverability in the city, and stability on the road make it an excellent companion for both daily commutes and weekend rides. Finally, its value for money is one of its greatest strengths: it offers a level of finish and equipment often reserved for more expensive models, making it a very competitive option for riders looking for a stylish, reliable, and affordable two-wheeler.

Things to improve

Despite its many strengths, the CFMOTO CL-C 450 has some areas for improvement.

First, while its engine is pleasant and powerful enough for everyday riding, some experienced riders might find it a little lacking in high-speed acceleration, especially when overtaking on the highway.

Next, the rear suspension, while adequate for mixed use, can be a little firm on rough roads, which affects comfort on long rides.

The dashboard, while aesthetically pleasing, sometimes lacks readability in direct sunlight.

These are minor imperfections, but they deserve to be noted for a motorcycle that aims to compete with well-established brands in the neo-retro segment.

In Conclusion

The 2025 CFMOTO CL-C 450 is a motorcycle with a strong style, well-equipped, and pleasant to ride, while remaining affordable. It appeals to both new riders and enthusiasts looking for a two-wheeler with a retro look, without compromising on technology.

Of course, a few details still need to be refined, such as the comfort of the rear suspension or the readability of the screen in direct sunlight, but these points are more than compensated for by its many strengths: a lively engine, belt drive, sleek design, and generous equipment.

With this CL-C 450, CFMOTO confirms its ambition to compete in the big leagues and offers a serious alternative to Japanese and European brands. A motorcycle with style, character, and, above all, excellent value for money. I personally really enjoyed this bike.

Thank you and see you soon

Caro