Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB - England to Spain return short review of CCM GP450

Hi All,
Firstly, please be gentle, this is my first post.
I just returned from a quick trip down to Spain, 2400 miles on a CCM GP450. I have owned the little Gp for nearly two years in which I have used it very little, so decided enough was enough, use the bike for its intended purpose. I set the Garmin to avoid toll roads and off I went solo loaded with about 20kg of all the normal minimal stuff carried in CCM's own soft luggage, complete with tent, roll mat and sleeping bag mounted externally. The luggage fits reasonably well and the extra weight seemed to improve the stability of this lightweight adventure bike. I used primarily a and b roads, but did a 170 mile motorway stint in the middle of France. camping was wild in suitable woods found en route. Off road, I did Spanish trails and a little more technical at my finca where I have around 50 acres to play on. There has been a lot written about the flaws and faults of this the worlds lightest manufactured adventure bike, so it was with some trepidation that I left my trusty 950 adventure at home and used the "tiddler" as I like to call it. I can confirm it will cruise at 65 mph/100 km an hour quite comfortably with the expected vibration through the pegs and bars, the longest day I did was 15 hours, I did however use an air hawk cruiser seat which for my needs was fantastic. The bike was faultless, needing only chain adjustment and lube. The bike is standard apart from unrestricted by joining the required circuit and removing the secondary throttle butterfly. As it is unrestricted I change the oil(fully synthetic) around 1000 miles with a filter change and screen clean at 3000. The oil change is very easy by the road side, but a little annoying that it takes a little more than 1 liter. I will finish this short tale with a "good, the bad and the ugly"
The Good,
125kg dry weight, it is without doubt without equal off road, but unfortunately this is due to the fact it is really a dirt/rally bike rather, than a true adventure bike, but whatever, it truly is at home on the trails, no matter how difficult. Picking it up is easy, even with luggage.

The frame is a true work off art and CCM should be commended for their inspiration, they even had immediate success in MX1, but with a YZF engine and KTM everything else(why did they stop?)

The fact that the bike comes fully equipped with quality components, long range tanks, fairing, screen etc, stuff that would cost a lot on another bike to equip

The handling, as already stated off road is where this bike really shines, but on road it also is very competent on a and b roads.

Fuel consumption worked out at around 55mpg, not brilliant, but for a competition engine, it is good.

The engine, lifted straight from the G450X. A good progressive spread of power and apart from the gearbox ratios(1st too long, no overdrive 6th) I like it

The Bad,

The headlight is good for a dirt bike, but inadequate for an adventure bike, at times it was positively dangerous at night.

The speedo unit, ok, but again for an adventure bike inadequate as, far superior units are easily available. The lack of a fuel guage, rev counter and temp guage specifically.

Motorway travel, I don't expect a single to be good, but I can't help think that CCM missed a trick with not investing in a wide ratio six speed box, not the close ratio six speed fitted to later models, how many adventure riders have to comment before all the manufacturers listen, pre 2002 Husqvarna had a lovely wr six speed which they inexplicably lost along the way?

The counter sprocket running through the swing arm. I have had a lot of bikes and can feel no advantage for this system, I still had to adjust my chain, so perhaps somebody can explain, otherwise it is an unnecessary complication.
Attachment 22410

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The CCM luggage is definitely not waterproof.The ugly

The fuel system designed without the ability to isolate individual tanks, if you have a problem you could lose all your fuel, surely a simple tap for each tank would be easy to achieve?

The forward fuel tanks are ridiculously difficult for one person to fit after removal, I cannot understand why the holes don't line up, all it would need would be a slot with a movable nut.

The accessory board fitted at the front of the fairing and exposed to the elements, was this designed on a Friday afternoon in Bolton after one too many in the pub?, mine failed half way down causing a lack of power to my gps and phone. How hard would it be to fit a waterproof marine fuse board?, something I will now do!

Fasteners, sorry but overall they are rubbish, it does not cost hardly any more to utilise a decent quality of fasteners.

Conclusion
Is this an adventure bike? I don't think so, rather a rally bike capable of adventure, or a very good dual sport/trail bike. I have no idea whether CCM will produce the new model with the old Husqvarna te 630 motor, but I am keeping this one, but next time , I may sacrilegiously(on this site), stick it in the back of the van .