I remember all the doubters when the KTM 950 was released - '' wouldn't touch it with a barge pole'' '' I'm not being the test bed with my money'' - ''lets see what happens a year down the road'' all the usual comments - now the KTM adventure are highly rated for the big tourer adventure bike they are and in my own opinion still bette than almost all the other bikes in that sector of the market I was criticised for buying one of the very first to be imported for two up touring (travelling)( I did not like the BMW offerings and have ethical problems about buying japanese products the KTM was simply excellent and mainly very reliable for a very high mileage as most have proven to be. Now I dont travel two up, nor will i do big mileages and need a small lightweight bike for shorter journeys - maybe around iceland, up to white sea in Russia etcI think the CCM will be just the job to do the job. I like quality bits and bobs and the ccm fits the bill. I do believe they have made massive effort to get the quality - and I think writing them off because off past troubles is to say the least a bit unfair - how many companies even the big ones inc yamaha and honda have and still do offer sub standard stuff with big price tags - just they are big enough to divert attention and pay off the press to get what they want written. CCM on the other hand are small and yes have made mistakes as well as some not so good bikes but also some very good ones - after the effort they have put into building this bike, involving customers and on top of that being more open than any company I have heard of - that need confidence in your product. I think I am more than prepared to put my money on the table as CCM need people to believe in them that will enable them to keep moving in the right direction with this bike so I have decided to go for one these, have placed a deposit and an order. I have spoken to CCM at length and have to say the customer feedback and help has been excellent here are afew bits of what we talked about today
Wiring harness is standard ( ie in my opinion - repairable) not can bus system.
Alternator is 2 phase and adequate to run lights and extra equipment but they are going to offer a higher output sytem as an extra.
Three fuel tanks all independent of each other - in case one should be damaged and all standard fitment not an extra.
Gearing in 5 speed box designed to allow at least 70 mph cruising speed without over stressing engine and a 6 speed box will be available as an extra.
Engine servicing would be fine for on the road / travel - so will be ok away from dealers and the factory are trying to sort out a system so you can arrange spares worldwide as well as pre arranged drop off points if you are on route via a particular area of the world to arrive in accordance with pre arranged dates etc.
Complete engine will be made available as replacement if required the cost at todays price is £1550 plus vat ( very very reasonable I think)

Jake.

Or you could just buy it from BMW for $6300

http://www.bmwmcchattanooga.com/prod...007728926.html

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oops engine price was £1550 sorry not 1350 - still damn cheap compared to a rebuild of most stuff jake

BMw are jesting at that price - surely.

"I....have ethical problems about buying japanese products" [sic]

Detracts from an otherwise interesting post.

Hi Doc I am not trying to make any kind of political point nor trying to put anyone's nose out - I am simply stating something i do not do and why i err towards European made machines and why I do not consider Japanese made bikes when looking at the range of machines available (Japan being the biggest producer of bikes with some very fine engineering may i add). It is not an option i can consider for personal reasons of an ethical nature and that view is by the way not limited to Japan but I am not going into the reasons or any other part of my thinking on this matter - like i say its not an ethnic thing - its ethical.
Tchus jake.

Ha ... sadly no.

I know a replacement engine for my 650 X-Challenge is about 5000 EUR from BMW.

I have no doubt that if I could actually source one from Loncin in China, they would bill me about 500 EUR.

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That's a canny mark up for some postage and taxes.

I have little doubt that you'd find you gotten what you paid for . . . a boat anchor that looked like your old engine. (Not justifying the BMW price.)

Harley makes some much better looking boat anchors, if you like chrome, though they are a bit more expensive.

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Orange, it's the new black.

Loncin make bmw engines

Just like Ural . . . only a more modern copy.

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Orange, it's the new black.

For a complete engine ???? Surely not.

An abs controller costs 1500 from BMW lol.

That does seem far too cheap for a new engine. Amazing if that's true.

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Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

Thats the price they said if I bought the bike from them - I think thats cost price as they will be buying the bikes engines in Bulk - who knows but BMW do have a tendency to up the price of parts to really silly money. Jake.

I'd buy the CCM just to be able to buy engines at that price.

Then I'd sell them to BMW owners for £4000

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Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

It never occured to me that a USP for buying a certain make/model of bike is the (alleged lack of) cost of a replacement engine. I prefer bikes where you never need to replace an entire engine.

I'll stick to the complete bike that cost me the same price as one CCM engine. I wish I had the money to p!ss against the wall for a BMW engine. Or if I had this sort of money I would spend it on petrol and cerveza doing a trip.

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CURRENT RR WITH REGULAR UPDATES: The Wife Takes on Chlamydia: A South American Retrospective

Chris your being a bit snobby this subject are you not - remember if no one buys a bike new - then you would never get your cheap second hand bike. Also they are not always loss makers just because you buy new, keep them long enough you get to ride them for many years then sell them for more than they originally cost. To name a few ( Ducati 900ss bought new 1976 £1800 sold in 1983 £3000 - if i had kept it it would be £15000 now, Laverda Monty bought for £1000 sold for £3000 (about £8000 now), laverda jota bought for £1800 sold for £6000 ( these can bring about £8000 now), 80 gs bought for £2000 sold after 110,000miles and a big restore for £7000 (actually just broke even on that one though - spent to much on the restore as i intended keeping it but sold when I thought I wouldnt ride again). KTM 950 bought new for £6500 had loads of fun for three years and sold it for £3 -£3500 but they are now around £4 to 5000 and rising).

As for the CCM engine debate - point I brought it up is simple - almost every bike I have owned has ended when the engine parts not being available / or getting too expensive etc, I know you buy rats and would throw away and start again but I would prefer to keep the thing going and have owned some of my bikes well over 20 years before they became difficult and simply very very expensive or no longer economic to repair - the chassis suspension etc all last for ever and are easy repaired, so If I am going to spend eight grand on a bike that will see me to the end of my bike riding days - i wanted to know if rather than rebuilding the thing ( ie like my last 80gs ) if it would be more economic to simply slot a new unit in. CCM agreed and have put forward the proposal and costing of replacement engine. So in years to come my one wont be on the market for you to buy for next to nowt to ride down to Africa or where ever and drink your at my expense. . jake.