New twin released in China ahead of global launch
Back in March we scooped CFMoto’s upcoming 550 CL-C cruiser thanks to the early publication of its type-approval paperwork and now the bike has been given an official reveal in China.
Joining the existing 450 CL-C in the company’s fledgling cruiser range, the 550 CL-C is positioned slightly above it, with a price tag around 20% higher but nearly 30% more power and a 25% hike in torque.
While the bike’s 526cc parallel twin engine is visually similar to the 450’s 449cc unit, CFMoto says its 80% new, with improved combustion efficiency as well as extra capacity to account for the increased performance. A 2mm increase in bore is paired with a 5.9mm longer stroke, resulting in a peak of 39kW at 9000rpm instead of the older bike’s 30kW at 8000rpm, and 51Nm of torque at 6000rpm rather than 42Nm at 6250rpm. The compression ratio is upped from 11.5:1 to 12.5:1 and the valve timing has been revised.
And the engine is just the start. It sits in an updated chassis that stretches the wheelbase from 1485mm to 1520mm, and is wrapped in new bodywork including a larger, 14-litre fuel tank to replace the 450’s 12-litre unit and a redesigned seat and tail. The bigger dimensions result in a 14kg weigh increase, from 181kg to 195kg.
The suspension and brakes are generally unaltered, as are the wheel and tyre sizes, but the circular 3.6-inch TFT dash gains MotoPlay phone connectivity for navigation and screen mirroring, while mimicking the appearance of a conventional analogue speedometer in its normal mode.
If CFMoto’s pricing strategy in China is replicated here, the 550 CL-C is likely to carry a tag just north of AU$10,000.
At the moment there’s no word on a semi-auto version, but since the 450 CL-C is offered with the option of a self-changing, electromechanical box, the same tech is likely to come to the 550 in time. CFMoto has yet to confirm the bike’s future on international markets, but it’s likely to become part of the company’s broader range outside China in 2027.
