That CCM has some oddball engineering. As much as I like oddball engineering, here are a couple of things that may be "interesting":
- The frame is made from bonded (glued) CNC machined and forged aluminium members. I have no problem with either aluminium alloys or modern adhesives from a strength or durability point of view, but how do you fix crash damage when you are in the middle of nowhere?
- There appears to be no structure around the radiator. Most enduro bikes are the same but radiator guards are commonly used to reinforce them.
- It looks like it has the concentric sprocket/swingarm arrangement. I wonder how easy it will be to change front sprockets in the field...
- Regarding the optional 6 speed transmission, the only way to fit an extra ratio inside the case is to reduce the width (and strength) of the other 5 gears. I think a wider ratio 5 speed would be a better option.
- The engine uses titanium valves, just like the BMW. Titanium has a tendency to gall, in other words it's not great for sliding parts. Titanium valves tend to wear seats and guides faster than stainless valves, which usually means more frequent valve clearance adjustment and cylinder head overhauls. Titanium valves are only used in race engines because they are lighter than stainless steel valves and so have less inertia, and less load on the valve springs at high rpm. If CCM did indeed re-spec the engine with a lower redline, then they would be retarded to continue with titanium valves as stainless ones are cheaper...
- According to the CCM brochure it makes 40.23 hp @ 7000 rpm and 31.6 ft-lbs at 6500 rpm. According to BMW G450X the BMW G450X makes 41 hp @ 7000 rpm and 32 ft-lbs at 6500 rpm. Hrrrmmm not much engine detuning has been done...
- Compression ratio of both engines is 12.0:1 and I suspect they would both need at least 96 RON fuel.
- The fact that they both have the same compression ratio leads me to believe they are both using the same piston. If CCM re-specced the engine components then it would be easy to select a new piston to drop the CR a little. This is standard practice when detuning race engines. The G450X piston has a very short skirt and only 2 piston rings (to reduce friction). This style of piston is common with enduro race engines, and one of the reasons they have to be overhauled so frequently.

To me it seems more like a Dakar race bike than a continent crossing adventure bike.