Could this be an alternative to the Rebel? CF MOTO’s 250CL-C is a highly refined cruiser.

CF MOTO 250CL-C…615,000 yen

A manufacturer called CF MOTO

CF MOTO was founded in Wenzhou, China in 1989. Its official name is ZHEJIANG CF MOTO POWER CO., LTD. It collaborates with KTM to develop and manufacture engines, and also has a technical partnership with Yamaha. In terms of design, it has partnered with KISKA Design of Austria, which handles designs for KTM and Husqvarna, to produce products of high quality and reliability. In addition to motorcycles, the company also manufactures and sells engines, ATVs, luxury yachts, and more. The 250CL-C that I test rode this time is a 250cc cruiser-type machine.

This was my first time seeing a CF MOTO bike up close, and I was amazed at how beautifully it was finished down to the smallest detail. The parts used are of high quality, and no effort has been spared, even down to the bolts and brackets.

The painted areas of the tank are also nicely polished. The seat is well made and the lines flowing from the tank to the seat and tail are beautiful.

The front brake has a radially mounted caliper and is belt driven, so it is maintenance-free, has no chain noise, and is free from oil splash stains. It is very well equipped for a machine of this class.

Smooth and powerful engine

When I pressed the starter button, the engine started to rev with a powerful exhaust sound. Before I even started driving, I noticed that the clutch was very light and the shift feeling was excellent. Many recent Japanese motorcycles use slipper and assist clutches, which make the lever very light, but the 250CL-C is just as light or even lighter. When I put pressure on the shift pedal, the gears shift with a click that feels really nice.

First, I engaged the clutch without increasing the revs too much, and the machine pushed forward powerfully. It had torque at low and mid-range speeds, making it very easy to handle on the street. There was not the slightest bit of roughness in the engine, and it felt very smooth. At the time, I had assumed that the engine’s characteristics were focused on low and mid-range speeds, but I was surprised when I pulled it up to high revs. The power built up in a very pleasant way. The transmission also had just the right amount of crossover, and when accelerating at full throttle, it felt like a sports bike. The loud exhaust sound made it feel very fast.

Although it is a single-cylinder engine, vibrations have been significantly reduced. As the revs increased, there were small vibrations on the footpegs and handlebars, but they were not noticeable. Overall, I felt that it was a very well-rounded engine. The only thing that bothered me was that the exhaust sound was a little too loud.

Overall, the level of completion is high

Due to the weather, I was unable to evaluate the cornering performance and other finer details, but the handling was generally straightforward and not difficult to ride. It has excellent straight-line stability, and despite being a 250cc, it has a solid straight-line stability. The ride is not bad either, but only on roads with relatively good road conditions. The rear shock absorber has a short stroke, so it may not be able to fully absorb bumps. The seat is also a little hard, so your butt may be pushed up, but considering that the rear shock is short due to the cruiser style, this is unavoidable to some extent.

The brakes are effective and easy to control. I tried activating the ABS several times under full braking and found it to be relatively stable without losing its balance. The U-turn radius was large. The handlebar angle is small, likely to prevent interference between the radiator cap and the fork. However, this is not likely to be a problem in normal use.

Overall, it’s extremely well made, and the level of finish is comparable to Japanese-made machines. It’s great for us users to have more options, but on the other hand, it feels like a threat to Chinese manufacturers, who are rapidly improving their performance.

CF MOTO will release a new 250cc sports bike, the 250SR-S, in February. It will be interesting to see how well it performs.

Position & foot reach (height 178cm, weight 75kg)

The footpegs are located forward, so you feel like you’re throwing your legs out. The handlebars are flat. The risers raise the mounting position, so you have to sit upright. It’s a relaxed position, typical of a cruiser.

The seat height is low, so it’s easy to reach the ground with your feet on the ground. The body is also slim, so your knees can bend a lot even when you put both feet on the ground.

detail

Specifications and size

engine

size

Chassis

*CFMOTO models may vary in specifications to comply with specific regional needs and regulations.