In 2021, CFMoto made big headlines with its mesmerizing SR-C21 concept that spawned the equally headline-worthy 450SR sports bike in 2022. Now, several daydreams later, the Chinese bike maker has brought its flagship sport bike to America intending to take on the dominant Kawasaki Ninja 400. It’s called the 450SS in America instead of the 450SR, probably because of trademark problems, and seems quite promising on paper.
The 450SS Has An Aggressive Design
The CFMoto 450SS has an exciting design. It flaunts an edgy fascia with sleek LED headlights up top, flanked by sporty fairings and faux carbon fiber aerodynamic winglets. This is complemented by an equally splendid tail end featuring a unique tail lamp paired with aerodynamic spoilers. Another small but notable detail is the set of frame sliders which flaunt color-matched accents depending on your pick between the Nebula White or Zircon Black liveries. It’s safe to say all this makes the 450SS a handsome motorcycle, especially compared to its contemporaries.
Meanwhile, the motorcycle’s cockpit consists of a 5-inch TFT instrument cluster with smartphone connectivity, turn-by-turn navigation, and a USB type-C charging port. There’s no traction control, rider modes, or quickshifter though. But hey, many of you will argue there’s no need for electronics on a motorcycle of this caliber, so this shouldn’t be a deal-breaker.
CFMoto Promises 50 Horsepower
Under the skin, the CFMoto 450SS flexes a 449cc, twin-cylinder engine that gushes out 50 horsepower and 28.8 pound-feet of torque. The power output is one pony more than the Kawasaki Ninja 400 and is claimed to propel the sports bike to 60mph in under five seconds. All this power is sent to the rear wheel via a slipper-clutch-equipped six-speed transmission.
As for underpinnings, the 450SS benefits from upside-down telescopic forks and monoshock, both paired with 17-inch alloy wheels. These wheels house single discs at each end, clamped by the premium Brembo M4.32 caliper. Rounding this off is a low 370 pound curb weight and an accessible 31-inch seat height for swift riding dynamics, suited to all riders.
The 2023 CFMoto 450SS Is Priced At $5,499
CFMoto has priced the 450SS at $5,499 in the States. At this price, the motorcycle costs $200 more and $400 less than its arch-rivals, the Kawasaki Ninja 400 and KTM RC 390, respectively. This makes it a solid deal in the segment, given the 450SR outperforms the Ninja 400 in several aspects and only loses to the KTM in terms of features. In case you want an in-depth explanation, check out our detailed comparison between the 450SR, Ninja 400, and RC 390.