CFMoto SR-C21 sportsbike spotted in development… but what is it packing?

The CFMoto SR-C21 has been spotted undergoing the first stages of development following its world premiere in concept form at the EICMA show in Milan.

Having been previewed in shots a month earlier, the sportsbike was rolled out for the public at the Italian motorcycle show and certainly cut a dash with its rakish looks and intricate detailing.

Now it appears the model is indeed heading towards production after a prototype was spotted undergoing testing in China, with snaps emerging in local publication XCar.

Referring back to the concept, beyond what we could see there remained a fair amount of mystery around this particular model, not least what it might be packing under the smart exterior with the size indicating it could potentially be anything up to 800cc.

However, sources are now reporting it will have a 450cc parallel-twin engine, which would pitch it directly against the Honda CBR500R and Kawasaki Ninja 400.

Going by the camouflaged prototype, the (working title) ‘SR-21’ appears to have lost a number of the more striking features present on the concept as well, namely its SC Project exhaust system, Brembo brakes and ‘dustbin lid’ wheel coverings. 

It’s harder to tell how much of the basic design has been brought over, but since the SR-C21 looked like a plusher version of the firm’s already handsome SR 300 sportsbike, expect the front-end and fairing to have a familiar appearance.

Whatever the outcome, the CFMoto SR-C21 was intended as a statement of the Chinese firm’s ambition to develop more attractive, premium motorcycles, an image it perpetuated at EICMA judging by the positive feedback… it just remains to be seen how daring it will be when it comes to completing the final thing.