Absolutely, who would any of us be to criticise an individual's personal decision?

Contrary to my last post, I have looked back, briefly, at the quoted thread posted elsewhere to remind myself of the writer and his decision to curtail the ride because, at that time of writing, it was the most interesting aspect, to me, of his ride ---- "Will he or won't he continue the trip" -- "hang out for the next episode" kind of interesting aspect, rather as the TV writers of drama achieve.
But, in this case, he was writing from the heart about those psychological aspects and that is far more interesting to me than reading about those who accomplished a plan that "all went swimmingly" and "how good am I?"- that style of script is a big turn off in my case.
Only he really knows his own mindset in total but he does express some of the physical and mental ups and downs of his ride and the frustrations that ensued; perhaps Tommyturtle will turn up on here someday and elaborate.

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Dave

I also went back to the original thread on AdvRider. After finding the axle was broken he took the bike into Gunnison Motor Sports who managed to find an axle off a Husqvarna bike that fitted. Nice bodge.

You see my expression as a pejorative, I don't.

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"For sheer delight there is nothing like altitude; it gives one the thrill of adventure
and enlarges the world in which you live," Irving Mather (1892-1966)

In the context of this thread about the new GP450, certainly.

Here is the bodger sub-forum; I do consider this quite unlike even the workshop fix that you mention, irrespective of whatever it was that CCM did for the bike owner.
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/bodger-fix/

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Dave

I posted this on another thread about selecting a bike for a diminutive lady with off road capability. Several options were listed one of which was a CCM GP450. "Walkabout" asked me to add my reply into this one.
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In your initial post you mentioned the CCM GP450 as a consideration.
Just wanted to let you know that I rode mine from Capetown to Dar Es Salaam between June and August this year.
They do a low seat version and I understand are selling quite a few to lady riders.
I did 10,000 km. It is a very capable off road bike - much better than me - but it does make you feel much safer when away from tarmac. My son was on a BMW G650GS (single cylinder) which I rode when he fancied swapping. In contrast this was heavy unwieldy and ...well.. bloody horrible ...when off road. On tarmac it was much smoother.

The CCM was fine on tarmac. More than fast enough for all roads in Africa. Feels relatively unstressed up to 110Kph. Covers 20/22km per litre which gives it a range up to 400km. The most I did was 320km before getting some black market fuel from a guy selling out of vegetable oil containers in a village.

I had a high output generator fitted but being honest never really connected "stuff" to the bike beyond a GPS and a pair of spotlights. Had no problems with battery performance which was nice because I wasn't too sure about the super light weight and small lithium ion battery fitted as standard.
I did have some problems. The starter motor packed up but they sent a replacement which was easy to fit.
Also you need to understand that the BMW engine is a detuned racing unit. This means that it feels "busy" in comparison to typical dual purpose single pot power plants fitted with a balancer shaft. It gives it an immediacy which is great when you are in the mood. But it does vibrate. This does not really affect the riding experience once you are used to it but you have to be very careful to check all fasteners regularly otherwise bits will fall off!
In theory I could have done the journey without servicing but I did 2 oil changes and one spark plug + air filter. Relatively straightforward to do but the body work is a pain to refit - something to do with it being "stressed" into place during manufacture. I am sure a reasonably competent person (not me!) could sort that out before going on a long journey by aligning the various mounting points.

All in all I think the bike is a very good choice for Africa. Other owners have done South America (following Dakar) and the USA (coast to coast) so it does seem to be robust enough
It is expensive but if you can get a test ride off road I think you will notice the difference in the performance in comparison to normal dual purpose machines.
I hope this information is of some help.

It's the time of year when dealers sell some demonstrator bikes; even the manufacturer, CCM, is doing so:
https://www.facebook.com/ccmmotorcycle/

It was the best stand at the recent UK "NEC" show by the way, IMO.
As can be seen in some of the pics in the link.

It is rumoured that CCM took 30 orders for their production line during the UK show.

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Dave

My new CCM is arriving at the beginning of April, this will be my first Brand new bike since 1974, and my first modern bike......getting quite excited it will be baptised during the South West Peninsular Rally. What attracted me to the CCM? Ultra light weight it's about 80 KGs lighter than my current travelling bike (a 90/6), brilliant suspension and love the bonded frame.

Hopefully it will persuade me to go places that I wouldn't dare take the 90/6, bit worried about shrinking my camping kit to fit the smaller bike.

For those who think that the CCM is expensive, the company has revised their prices over the past few months, producing an S version complete with luggage, Cush drive etc etc and the Lowered bikes (790mm seat height) cost the same as the normal ones (they used to be much more expensive) . I did a price comparison against the Rally Raid CB500 and comparing new for new and roughly the same specs, the bikes are in the same price range, so it comes down to whether or not you want the heavier smoother twin cylinder Honda engine, versus the lighter less refined single cylinderCCM.

Hi Chasbmw,

well I've also placed an order for one.

I've gone for the low chassis but high seat option which allows me to almost flat foot (and that's with a 28in inside leg) but still gives a comfortable angle to my knees.

I went with the S model as well.

Just awaiting for the build date to be confirmed and as I live less than 4 miles from the factory then I'll be using any excuse to return!

I must remember to order one of those new fangled upper chain guard thingies.

Enjoy your purchase.

Have you had the pleasure of a factory tour yet?

Regards

Reggie

Hi There,

they've had their best ever month in February, by selling more than 50 bikes!

Looks like they've got a hit on their hands and that's before they get homologated for the US market.

Regards

Reggie

Reggie, I'm down south so my test ride was on Salisbury plain! I'm on the cusp for frame sizes, gone for standard frame with low seat.

I'll visit the factory when I take it back for its first service.

Great stuff to know that the CCM production line is busy!

From the CCM website, they have a couple of dealers in place for the UK now (one is advertising the SWM brand on UK ebay) and they continue to run test ride events around the UK.

Has anyone part exchanged a machine direct with CCM?

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Dave

My mate Henry pxed his 990/950 KTM adventure with CCM and got what he considered to be a reasonable deal. If you email Darren Soothill with details and photos of your bike he should be able to get you a price. Darren can also be found on Facebook.
Darren is very enthusiastic about the bike and very keen to sell them, so a good person to talk to if you want a test ride.

Generally I have found that everyone I have dealt with the factory is helpful and responsive.
Charles

Hi Folks,

I've had my GP450 for a month or two now.
I'm just back from a week in Devon, a round trip of 1,000 miles from home in Kent.
While I was there, Devon Wheels2Work did my 500 mile service.

I went for the S version, upgraded generator, spot lights, the manual remote adjustable rear shock and the WP front forks.

I'm doing Mini Mondo with Austin Vince in October in the Pyrenees, which was the reason to choose the CCM.

Let's have a CCM meet up at HUBB UK

Charles.

Anyone who has not seen these bikes in the flesh/metal can find 3 photos in the link below, posted in the last 24 hours, that give some idea of the quality of finish etc:-
http://adventurebikerider.com/forum/...t=10&start=320

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Dave

Sounds great Charles!
Can you give us a short review of your new bike? Must be quite a shock coming off a 40 year old R90/6 BMW! You mentioned the CCM will be your first new bike in 40 years ... can we assume you've owned a few "used" bikes in the interim? Ever ridden or owned any other dirt bikes or dual sport bikes?
How does your CCM compare riding ON and OFF road?

I'd love to own a CCM but none sold in USA. Can't afford one either. I'd love to know how it feels riding fast highway at 70 mph after 2 hours or so. Also, how does it do on technical single track?

My Suzuki DRZ400-E was good on single track if not too difficult, but still heavy, bit hard to manage compared to previous 250 two stroke enduros or even former XR250R. (a great bike!)

But the DRZE was not set up to carry luggage ... and your CCM is. This is a very good thing. XR250 was also BAD for luggage (no rear subframe) I had to bodge together a funky system ... not good.


Luggage came off twice, got into rear wheel. PITA on this 3 week Baja Ride.

That assembly area is a right **** tip! How can you build a quality product when you can't tell if the bit on the floor fell off the bike or the pile of bits spread over some other bit of workshop?

Amateur hour in both Stores/production and PR departments and so easy to solve

Andy