I got this bike a couple of month ago. It gets better every day. Suspension is now super comfortable compared to the first days. The engine revs "lighter" and the feel of the throthle is now more precise. Proper break in is a must to get the full potential. I've had every engine size in my life, from 50cc to 1.300cc, and this bike's equilibrium between price, specs and weight is just perfect. I've also purchased a 450MT that will be delivered to me in the coming days. I hope the experience is a lit as with the CLC. Great review!
Hi! Thanks for the detailed review. I wanted to ask, how much fuel does your bike consume per 100 km? Thanks in advance! And how much in total it costs you to ride it for the fiorst time haha 🫡
Love your reports, just today I was checking internet for cruisers between 300 and approx. 500 cc. Had this one on the radar as well. It´s a fine bike and due to health issues I may need to go to a lower bike soon.Thanks Mark and best reg. from Germany
Looks good. Would be better with side bags and smoked wind shield/fly catcher. Very happy to see a belt drive on a smaller capacity bike! If there's one thing no rider enjoys it's chain maintenance.
Leather side bags comes as an optional accesory. Got mine with those for free for being one of the first sales in my country. It give a little more "muscle" to the looks of the bike. I've been thinking about a short windshield (cafe racer style), but not convinced yet. There's a very good quality manufacturer that offers official after market for CFMoto in Aliexpress named Crafted Accesories.
Good review Mark, this was exactly what I was waiting and hoping for, as soon as they arrive in Sweden I will do a test ride on them, stunning bike just what I’m looking for 👍👍👍
Yesterday I did a test ride on the clc 450 and the mt 450. I have to say they both are amazing bikes. Even though they have the same engine, they do ride very differently. The clc 450 is noticably louder though. A very nice exhaust sound but very loud. Doesn't need an aftermarket exhaust imo 😁 I'm 6ft tall and fit perfectly on both. The mt 450 that comes with a windscreen does provide some protection of the wind in the tallest setting, but it hits to just about my collar bone. The Clc obviously has no wind protection but it has a charm on its own. 😄
Another great review Mark. I saw one a few weeks ago at Destination Christchurch. They look even better in the flesh. If I hadn't just got the clx700 adventure I'd be seriously considering one of these. The only concern I'd have is that the ignition key looks very exposed should you drop the bike, so I think crash bars would be a definite must have.
great review, CFMoto are a fantastic brand, people can not believe my 650nk was only £3999 on the road, the KTM connection even stops some of the Chinese bike haters from being sick when they realise it is not Japanese or European 🤣 i always look to your reviews as a reference point as we get all the relevant information as well as decent quality video, keep up the good work
Put some hazn and vines,,,and a Harley bage,,,and ask 9 grand plus,,,,really makes you wonder, y Harley havn't done something similar,,,great review again mark,.
I own the Honda Rebel 500se, cause I only got 27 inch inside leg. Like the belt drive. TFT looks nice too. Personally I ain’t a lover of that Black colour. Red looks nice. Think if I bought one, I would get the tyres changed. ( am a snob, prefer brand known tyres) Certainly got a lovely note Wee fly screen and heated grips and good to go.😊 Nice review Mark. Cheers.😊
@@whitbythegoth can’t at mo. Awaiting to get driveway tared, and rear garden dug out and walled and slabbed, then I got my eye on a mini log cabin, for the bikes. Very happy with Rebelene too, at mo. But, the 1100 be the logical upgrade, at some point. Hopefully your well. Moto Morini got a 650 cruiser coming also.
Well done, I really enjoyed your review of the CFMoto 450 clc. At 62 years of age and only 5'5" I'm a bit of an "old short-arse" and in the market for a light cruiser. Was tossing up between Super Meteor, Eliminator or Vulcan, but until seeing a review of this relatively unknown bike down here in Oz is a bit of a revelation. Kind of fits the bill and will now have to check this CFMoto clc out. I reckon there's a mob across town that sells these bikes, ATV's and other stuff. Particularly like the 270-degree crank and belt drive. Why don't others do this more often? As some of the other posts indicated, am very wary of reliability, parts, supply and support, hence the usually Japanese solution. Mind you, I'm starting to get the impression that they're getting a touch too conservative. Might just have to "bite the bullet" and go Chinese (or Indian if RE) and that ride away price of this motorcycle is a big, big incentive. Anyway, thanks for the review, mate. Is much appreciated.
Well you certainly produced this review in a timely manner! Thoroughly enjoyed your take on what I am quite sure will be a decent selling machine. I suspect a lot of vertically challenged riders will find the 450CL-C of particular interest. I did struggle a bit with the 'sawn-off double-barreled shotgun exhaust' but not enough to put me off, especially as a lot of people replace the original exhausts anyway. At £5k it also represents a very affordable way into the 'bigger bike' market.
Guess all they need is a 450 scrambler and they'll have a 450 for everybody. Cruiser style looks great, not my cuppa cocoa though to ride, but a nice looking bike. The belt drive is superb , I'd have that.
I checked the price on a belt for a B M W scarver 650 £ 496 so there is a downside to belt drive ....on the whole ..and if the price is reasonable belt drive would be a good idea
Same money would get you a fairly new Kawasaki Vulcan 650 s, belt drive is a bonus. Parts/accessories would be my concern, not enough dealerships yet. A screen and some bags and away you go, anywhere.
In my search for a small cruiser, I test drove the CLC, the 500 Rebel and the new Eliminator from Kawasaki and to be honest, the cheaper CF Moto had the best feel and quality impression. The Chinese motorcycles will put the established brands under enormous pressure, the days when we laughed at their motorcycles are over. I was able to ride a friend's RE Shotgun, a great motorcycle but with the high weight of 240kg, it's really too much for the engine.
I really wish they’d come out with a scrambler version - I’ve ridden the cruiser, the MT and the NK here in China; I ended up with the Honda NX400 (only bummer is that they don’t have Bluetooth on the Chinese version - strange…).
Belt drive at last 🤗👍👏 Like the round clock and minimal bodywork. Styling on other 450s is just a bit out there. Guess I'm getting old. Definitely having a closer look at these machines.😊
Mark, did you find snatchiness in low RPM / while starting or stopping , &/or at any time ?? Some other reviewers of the 450 MT found snitchiness in low RPM. THANKS.
Hi for me very little in both bikes ...as long as you aren't heavy handed with the throttle and move it from off to on gently...no worse than any other fuel injected bike Best wishes mark
One feature I like is the belt. Two features I don't like tho: ignition key placement seems very odd. Secondly: the indicators being brake lights aswell. The safety of those depends partly on other driver's familiarity with them. If not a rider could get rear ended before making a turn or something like that.
Cruiser type motorcycles are quite rare in Ireland and the UK so I think safety worries about the combined indicators and tail/stop light function are valid for now. I like the use of belts rather than chains for convenience sake and also because they are cleaner. If they work on big American vee twins, they will be fine on a modern engine.
@@inked-96 hi my bikes change all the time because of what I do 😂 I just sold my triumph speed triple 1050 rs Currently have a fire blade 2010 and a multistrada 2012 Cheers mark
Hi both very different bikes... single cylinder plodder or zippy twin Id definitely go for the cfmoto ....it's more Polished with 40 hp rather than the Enfields 20 hp Cheers mark
curious to know how the bike performs at motorway speeds is the power there for overtaking @ '70 plus mph and estimated top speed as i can't find this information
Hi I love the looks of the Benelli...it's a physically big bike ...rides well But I preferred the cfmoto...the engine is nicer with the 270 crank ...and just feels that bit better to ride 😊 Cheers mark
Not a bike for me, much too low for my long legs, but one thing I like about the Chinese manufacturers is that they are not afraid to use belt drive. All other non-American manufacturers would rather walk barefoot over glowing coal than offer a bike with belt drive. Perhaps the Chinese can make them reconsider their obsession with those miserable chains.
Ex Rebel 500 S owner here. Got my 450 clc 3 weeks ago, it's better than the rebel in every aspect except for fuel economy. It also comes with Traction Control.
The problem with all these bikes is future warranty issues and spare parts availability as these Chinese companies are not known for their aftermarket care, the old adage still holds, if it’s too good to be true it usually is….. but if you wanna take a gamble with your hard earned cash go for it….
They have great back up.. but of cause you can close ya eyes, block ya ears and stay in that mindset but it won't stop this company from evolving and getting better and better 🙂
@@richardorosso7377 it has nothing to do with keeping my eyes closed or ears blocked but everything to do with a company based in a communist regime not abiding by uk and or euro laws and rules, they already flout copyright rules so just wait until you have to make a legal consumer claim and see how that holds up……
No disrespect intended Mark as I enjoy your reviews, however they are becoming very 'samey' in their delivery. I could close my eyes and not know what bike you're actually on, as all your reviews sound the same.
I think you're correct, because poor motorcycles are few and far between nowadays? All the modern bikes are pretty damn good, we choose our bikes based on style, cost, gut feeling. Marks allows us to go for a test ride with realistic expectations.
To be honest all bikes today are made far better now than years ago so picking holes not so easy now it’s all about your personal choices in bikes..to be fair to mark his findings are genuine..🥂
The outstanding engine is the KTM engine that was intended for the new 490 Adv. and Duke. KTM boss Pierer then scrapped the already fully developed project and cooperation partner CF Moto took over the engine with reduced performance for its own motorcycles.