Images of the finalised CFMoto 450SR sportsbike has broken cover bearing traits first previewed on the SR-C21 Concept prototype shown at the 2021 EICMA show.
Of the increasing number of motorcycle brands emerging from China with an express aim at gaining a foothold in the European market, CFMoto has arguably made the most convincing headway in recent years.
Having previously specialised in badge-engineered low capacity models, it made an impression with the launch of its new 700CL-X range, led by the Heritage and soon to be joined by a Sport variant, plus the affordable 800MT.
Now CFMoto is pushing its SR sportsbike range up the engine bracket with the launch of the 450SR, which will slot in about the smartly-designed 300SR that went on sale in the UK last year.
While the translation from concept to production is tenuous at best, the 450SR gains a new, sharper family face design as previewed by the SR-C21 concept [lead image] with a muscular profile that should allow it to cut a dash next to rivals, the KTM RC390 and Yamaha R3.
Under the skin is a 50hp 449cc single-cylinder engine, though this could come down should the model need to pass Euro5 regulations or be made A2 compliant. It is also claiming a 190km/h (118mph) top speed, but we’ll have to see that with our own eyes…
Either way, the CFMoto 450SR compares well next to the R3 with its 41.4bhp and the RC390 with 44bhp, while it comes in at 168kg.
While the 450SR shares traits with the well-received SR-C21 revealed in Milan, it’s unclear whether this is the ‘finished product’ from that design project.
At the time, CFMoto was coy over whether the Italian-penned machine was destined to go into production. There was also no word on what engine it was packing either, raising some hope that a more powerful, dedicated model complete with single-sided swingarm, high-set SC exhaust and Ohlins suspension is in the pipeline.
The 450SR, meanwhile, comes as CFMoto enjoys some success on the international motorcycle racing stage for the first time after its branded-Moto3 effort - otherwise run by the German-flagged Prustel GP - landed its first podium with a third place finish from Carlos Tatay in Indonesia.
