CFMoto 450MT Still Delayed; 250CL-C Can be a Cool Addition to India Line-up

• Annoyingly, no communication on 450MT delay yet
• 250CL-C gets 249cc single; 24.5bhp 20.5Nm

The 450MT story shows a crucial side of CFMoto’s India problem. Globally, the 450MT is already established as part of the company’s adventure-touring range as a light-handling, comfort-focused machine for longer rides. We too did a road test of this cracking machine a year ago and were genuinely impressed with its performance.

Why is it getting delayed? There is no public statement out yet, but we’ve been reading around that India’s tax policies, ethanol blending policies, positioning in the company’s current line-up and even the current market uncertainties based on the US-Israel-Iran conflict are all compounding against its India release. Any precise explanation would be guesswork. The company’s global launch communication around the 450MT showed strong emphasis on Europe and global distribution, not on India-specific timing. It does suggest India has not been at the front of CFMoto’s current rollout sequence.

The CFMoto 250CL-C may just be a very sensible placement for the Indian cruiser market. This British-style cruiser inherits the DNA of the 450CL-C, but is better suited to beginners entering the world of motorcycling with its easier-to-manage single. India is not short of riders who want an accessible, visually distinctive motorcycle without stepping straight into larger twin-cylinder territory.

This compact cruiser gets a water-cooled 249cc single able to push out 24.5bhp at 9,800rpm and 20.5Nm at 7,000rpm. There’s slipper clutch, ABS, traction control, TFT instrument display, a low 690mm seat height and 165kg kerb weight. Other details include a polished fuel tank cap, classic round headlight, integrated rear light and belt drive, all available in Teal Green, Nebula Black and Bordeaux Red colourways. So definitely very approachable and packed with a decent set of features.

250CL-C sits below the 350cc mark, which will place it in the more price-sensitive and tax-sensitive end of the Indian market, where smaller-capacity machines are easier to package, easier to position and often easier to justify.