- Parallel twin with 526 cc and 53 hp (39 kW), top speed 165 km/h
- Longer aluminium swingarm, 1,520 mm wheelbase, 195 kilograms
- New headlight, new tank, new shorter tail
The CFMoto 550CL-C has not been officially presented yet, but its key figures are already out. They appear in the paperwork CFMoto filed for type approval in China, where every new motorcycle has to be registered with technical data and photos before it can go on sale. The new 550 slots in above the 450CL-C, the model with which CFMoto only entered the cruiser segment in 2024.
How much horsepower does the CFMoto 550CL-C have?
According to the approval data, the CFMoto 550CL-C makes 53 hp (39 kW). Its listed top speed is 165 km/h (103 mph).
For comparison, the 450CL-C produces 41 hp (30 kW) and reaches 153 km/h (95 mph). That gives the new version roughly 30 percent more power, while displacement only grows by about 17 percent, from 449 to 526 cc. The documents contain no torque figure. The 450CL-C delivers 42 Nm (31 lb-ft).
The engine is still an inline twin, also known as a parallel twin, and carries the code 274MR-A. It builds on the 449 cc twin of the 450CL-C, which has a 72 mm bore and a 55.2 mm stroke. CFMoto has not yet explained exactly how it found the extra 77 cc.
What changes on the 550CL-C chassis?
The biggest chassis change is the swingarm: on the 550CL-C it is made of aluminium instead of steel, and it is longer. As a result, the wheelbase grows from 1,485 to 1,520 millimetres.
Interestingly, the bike as a whole is barely any longer. At 2,212 millimetres, the 550CL-C measures just seven millimetres more than the 450CL-C at 2,205 millimetres, thanks to a shorter tail. The wheels, tyres and upside-down fork come from the smaller model. Weight goes up, though: 195 kg (430 lbs) instead of 181 kg (399 lbs).
What does the new CFMoto 550CL-C look like?
The 550CL-C gets a largely new look. Only a few parts, such as the front mudguard and the round TFT display, are familiar from the 450CL-C.
The headlight, the seat and the shorter tail mentioned above are new. The tank has a different shape and carries knee pads on its sides. The bike in the approval photos has a conventional gearbox with a foot-operated shift lever. In China, CFMoto also sells the 450CL-C with an automated transmission. Whether that version will also be offered for the 550CL-C remains open.
When will the CFMoto 550CL-C go on sale?
CFMoto has not yet announced a date for the presentation or the sales launch. Prices are also unknown, as is whether and when the model will come to Europe.
With its entry in the Chinese approval listings, an important step before market launch is complete. Until the official presentation, all figures remain provisional.
➜ This article is part of our comprehensive overview: New Motorcycles 2026: All Models, Releases, and Highlights at a Glance. Find all key information on this topic in one place.
➜ More on this topic in our overview: New Motorcycles 2027: All Models, Releases and Highlights at a Glance.
