One of the Best-Looking Approachable Retro-Styled Cruisers Gets Even More Rider Friendly

The stunning style and nimble specs of the bike were already inviting to noobs; now the next-gen tech is too.

Black and silver CLE motorcycle with round headlight and front disc brake against teal background.

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By Steve Mazzucchi

Published April 20, 2026

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Updated April 20, 2026

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Though it started out making luxury yachts, 37-year-old Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China-based CFMoto has made quite a name for itself in the motorcycle industry of late.

While the brand’s roster of touring, street and sport bikes is robust, one of its most attractive rides is the classically styled 450CL-C Cruiser.

Glossy black cruiser motorcycle parked on a paved road with a blurred natural background. — The 2026 CFMoto 450CL-C AMT offers the same classic cruiser style in an easier-to-ride form.

Thanks to some key dimensions such as seat height and curb weight, the bike has always been quite approachable.

However, that superlative just went into overdrive courtesy of one of the hottest trends in moto right now; that’s right, it’s gone automatic.

Auto focus

Once a novelty, motos that shift automatically or semi-automatically are becoming increasingly common, with leading brands including BMW, Honda and Yamaha rolling out easy-riding new bikes.

Enabling folks who are unable to shift for whatever reason to enjoy two-wheeled bliss, the bikes are also beginner-friendly, letting riders focus on steering and speed management without the stress of shifting.

Close-up of a black motorcycle engine with "AMT" embossed on the casing and a circular emblem in the center. — A keen eye will spot the minimal AMT branding; the lack of a clutch or shift peg is a more obvious indicator.

Dubbed automated manual transmission (AMT), CFMoto’s take on the tech has some intriguing qualities, headlined by a few different modes.

There’s D, a more relaxed auto shift; DS, a sharper, more responsive auto shift; and M, a finger-operated manual set-up akin to the paddle shifters you’ll find in some sports cars.

The shift times are lightning fast, as quick as 120 milliseconds, which makes acceleration feel incredibly smooth.

Close-up of a black motorcycle handlebar control panel with buttons, including a red horn button and a fluid reservoir above. — CFMoto says the handlebar buttons have been optimized for more user-friendly operation. Note the D/M and S buttons to the right and the paddle shifter underneath.

The automatic mode offers additional assistance with a low-speed creep function that lets an idling bike move gently during stop-and-go traffic, parking and tight maneuvers.

There’s also a smart manual override that lets you shift with the paddles and hold the gear for five seconds before the system returns to full automatic.

Same difference

Of course, none of this tech affects the core appeal of the CL-C, which retains its liquid-cooled 449cc twin-cylinder inline engine, leaving 40 horsepower at 8,000 rpm and 31 ft-lbs of torque at 6,250 rpm just a twist of the throttle away.

The retro styling also remains, highlighted by the teardrop tank, low-slung seat (27 inches), chopped fenders, single-side dual-exhaust and classically contoured silhouette.

Person sitting sideways on a black motorcycle holding a black helmet with a brick wall background. — The bike comes in other colors, including Teal Green and Ivory White, but it’s tough to beat Nebula Black.

The bike also boasts upside-down forks, a rear monoshock, dual-channel ABS, LED lights, a 3.6-inch round TFT display and a sweet set of round bar-end mirrors.

The AMT bike does depart from its manually shifted brother in a few notable ways, however.

The rear brake disc is upsized from 220mm to 240mm for increased stopping power, the bar buttons and paddles are ergo-optimized and the controls offer, CFMoto says, “clear, precise feedback that makes every input feel more natural and reassuring.”

Two riders wearing helmets and jackets on black motorcycles riding on a city street with white buildings and trees. — AMT makes open-road thrills available to almost everyone, something even curmudgeons like yours truly can’t dispute.

The AMT version also has a slightly heftier curb weight: 408 pounds versus 399 for the manual.

For new riders especially, a nine-pound penalty feels like a small price to pay for a bike that’s otherwise much easier to handle.

Availability and pricing

The 2026 CFMoto 450CL-C AMT is currently only available overseas.

However, its manually operated progenitor, the standard 450CL-C, is available in the US starting at $5,799.

Based on other bikes that have introduced a version incorporating automatic tech, I would estimate that if and when the AMT makes its way stateside, it would cost roughly $500 more.

CFMoto

2026 CFMoto 450CL-C AMT

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About the Author:

Now managing editor, Steve has served in a variety of roles with GP since 2019. Having previously written and edited for such publications as Men’s Health, Men’s Journal, Esquire and ESPN, he enjoys covering a range of topics — but mostly those pertaining to cycling, snow sports, pocket knives and motos — and dreams of a utopian world in which everyone’s bike seat is at the proper height.

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