MCN put me off "....intended as an entry level adventure bike before riders move up to the likes of BMW’s R1200GS". Or maybe they are just clueless idiots!

Looks good to me.

Andy

I'll be waiting for the 650cc version (I'm a big bloke).

But one thing which put me seriously off is: "Suspension: electronically adjustable to account for a pillion or extra loads" .... too much electronics.

Also the fuel cap is just where one would put the stuffbag/drybag.

Price wise it would be comparable to a 690R...

Casper

Yeah thats a comment written by someone who obviously hasnt done any significant adventure riding

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There were also discussions at CCM 450 Adventure and CCM 450 Adventure

In my opinion it's overpriced and I wouldn't touch CCM as a brand with somebody else's bargepole, let alone my own.

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TBS.com

To be fair Chris, I think most manufacturers (including CCM - your local chaps!) are barely making ends meet these days. I personally think they are all basically selling motorcycles too cheap. I wish they were making good money so we would have a lot more choice in models. But I believe most of them are really struggling at present.

Instead they sell bikes below the cost of producing, marketing and distributing them, and then try and make the money back with expensive add-ons and spare parts.

I sure wouldnt want to own shares in a motorcycle manufacturer these days. I am just grateful that someone is coming up with something different in the area of adventure motorcycles.

I guess in the next 5 years or so we are going to be flooded with a lot of cheaper Indian and Chinese motorcycles. The worlds largest motorcycle manufacturer, Hero, has just set up a subsidiary in Europe to distribute its Indian built bikes. Bajaj, Loncin, Kymco ... all coming soon.

When that happens the smaller European manufacturers are really going to have to offer something different and unique or they will go to the wall. And I fear for the future of smaller lighter adventure motorcycles in this future scenario ! :confused1:

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The learner laws may help. When you can't own a 650 until you've taken part 11 of the test and passed your 50th birthday, there will be plenty of choice in 400's!

Europe and Japan are also much more diverse in the mix of bike types than say the US was.

Andy

My problem with this particular CCM is 2-fold: The not exactly glorious record the G450X donor engine had in a race bike ridden by David Knight and the history of lack of sales success of previous CCM offerings like the 404 and 604. CCM went bust in 2004 in the "good old days" of m/c sales.

The 404 was meant to be an improved DRZ sharing the same engine. The DRZ sold by the shedload, the 404 didn't. The 604 had an annoying habit of rivets holding the airbox in place sheering off and heading through the carburettor into the engine with catastrophic consequences.

IMHO, CCM uses the same engineering principles that British Leyland used to have.

As for the price of m/cs, I live in the past. I remember a new Af Twin costing gbp6500. Where are my slippers? :confused1: It's possible to pick up good used adventure bikes for about gpb2500 or 3000. I would never consider buying a new 450 cc bike for 8 grand, especially considering it's dubious parentage.

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TBS.com

So I'm guessing we're not going to see you on a CCM any time soon then?

I don't want to be an apologist for CCM - god knows their bikes have their share of faults, but writing the whole company off like that is a little unfair. Sure, they're not Honda or Yamaha - or even KTM come to that, they're a small, back street, bike company buying in the bits they can't make. The comparison, IMHO also, isn't with Red Robbo's British Leyland but closer to Colin Chapman's Lotus (in the early days anyway) - a company with very dubious finances that makes different, slightly overpriced bikes for a niche market and with their product range determined more by what they can get hold of rather than what they'd like to make.

Like Lotus they can be rough around the edges so they're not going to appeal to everyone - I bought my 604 as the basis of an overlanding bike rather than the finished article and seven years on I don't regret the decision. It's been as reliable and dependable as any bike I've ever owned. It has its niggles - the DellOrto carb is really only good as landfill, but the airbox rivets is a new one on me. I've just had a quick look in mine and can't see any - the airbox is a one piece moulding. Anything like that would still have to get through the airfilter.

I doubt that CCM will turn their finances around with the 450 - it's just too expensive (for me anyway), but like the 604 when I bought it, the spec looks interesting. Maybe if a few city bankers buy them initially I'll be able to take advantage of the fall off a cliff depreciation in a couple of years time. That's how I bought my Elan.

Going back and reading this thread from the start I came upon Colebatch's post ... #9 on page one quoted above. Excellent point and something I'm sure CCM are aware of.

This is a big deal ... and getting bigger. It's sure that some of the "new" companies will focus on producing middle weight Adventure bikes. Suffice it to say two punters going RTW on a Bajaj, Loncin or Hero, won't have the same impact as two film stars on BMW GS's. But how long can that "name brand" cache hold sway with the masses? Eventually the Indian and Chinese bikes will actually get better ... might even get very good? It's already happening.

Remember, KTM are now owned near 49% by Bajaj India. Some interesting bikes coming out of that partnership.

Certain riders will hold fast to the standard bearers ... but many aren't long time dedicated MC travelers. Mostly tourists & local riders. BMW's GS sales aren't in immediate danger from CCM or Indian or Chinese interlopers.
No, the GS mystic (myth?) will continue to hold strong ... and IMO, BMW have earned it. No, I'm not saying the GS is the ideal Adventure bike (Ewan and Charlie proved that) ... but it IS a good bike overall. Much better than 5 or 10 years ago ... but not a bike for everyone.

Looking round the over lander community, easy to see many "new" riders are on a budget, maybe just out of school? More well off riders are usually too old and bent to get much out of a performance bike like the CCM. Many stick to old air heads or KLR's. Sure, they have the money ... but aren't in need of top flight performance. The younger crowd won't be able to afford an 8,000 UKP travel bike. (about $12,000 USD) Maybe in 10 or 15 years?

I wish CCM all the best ... but even on a good day ... their demographic is tiny and shrinking as more well off riders age. Older travelers are going to want to be catered to, many will sign up for guided tours. Can't blame them. The bike ridden will be of less importance I suspect. Look at the BMW crowd that Tiffany Coates led around in S. America. Lots of Gray hair and bald heads there ... and good on them for getting off the couch and doing it. But I'm not sure ANY will be buying a CCM ... unless as a gift for a son/daughter or nephew!

How is it overpriced?
Why would you not touch CCM?

Strange opinion

Guess you ride a BMW

Please read post #11 in this thread for your answer. The bit about me riding a BMW is very funny. Thanks for cheering up my day.

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TBS.com

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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