Jake, the point remains, you can take a bike like the KTM 690, put enough Rally raid stuff on it, up to or below the cost of the CCM and end up with far more bike for your money: same weight class, more power, more range, luggage potential. As far as handling, you would have to ride both. But hard to beat the KTM suspension set up.

The point isn't the CCM is a bad bike, but value for money. I just figure if I spent £8000 I would have a far better custom bike. To try and enter a market at a price range exceeding a fully kitted out rally bike with a known reputation doesn't seem like good marketing. After £8000 you are still left with a bike you must modify to carry fuel and luggage. And how will the 450 motor cope with that?

Kradmelder,I take that point and its constructive - then your left down to choice, my point was that Chris ( who I know and like so its nothing personal by the way just a differing point of view and approach to this bike) does not add particularly constructive criticism just criticism mainly of CCM full stop.
Also here in the UK to add the rally raid gear to a ktm is a bit more expensive than the CCM. I have owned and really rate the KTM series bikes having travelled a reasonable bit on one. However I was not taken at all with the 690 its far to biased as an out an out dirt bike whereas the CCM is a bit more middle of the road than that.
Look at anyone who has ridden one on the dirt - absolute amateurs have found the bike is easy to ride and give a very reassuring feel and degree of competence - the 690 is a bit more of a handful, maybe thats where the CCm is better suited.
The lad who I quoted as having a drz also has a KTM 950 's' and a ktm 640 adventure both of which he has done some major mileage on - he is also a very very competent rider in any environment - he has ridden the CCM on and off road NOT on a guided tour by the factory team. He rates the CCM very highly and at its worst it is as capable as the 640 - something I would never think I would hear him say and believe me that would be very hard earned praise. The CCm wil have no doubt as you point out some limitations and failings you cant cover everything to everyone.going custom may be the best way to achieve certain requirements however many people simply are not willing or are not able to do that. Also the target market here in UK and Europe i would think are maybe quite different to the market and requirements down in your end of the world.

Bye the way I think this - road /off road real world test by minkyhead speaks up a bit for the CCM

CCM 450 Adventure - Page 74 - ADVrider

Jake.

I'm curious what the On The Road price is ... in South Africa ... for a new
KTM 690 Enduro? Here, it's about $10,500 USD, add in tax, lic. dealer prep, close to $12,000 on the road. How does S. Africa compare? :confused1:

Sometimes in technical riding the smaller, lighter bike is easier to handle.
I can go faster on a technical trail on a 250 than a 450.

£8000 is about equal to $12,000 USD. Seems to me, you're starting about at the same price point with either bike. I know guys spend A LOT more than $2000 usd on "customizing" the 690. The rear sub frame kit is an interesting
problem ... since the stock 690 has no subframe.

No question the 690 is a great bike ... and better every year. I rode 1st year model and a 2013, which was better. Even if I could afford these bikes, I'm not sure I'd buy one for a travel bike.

I hope CCM does well with the bike. They are headed in the right direction
but need to, IMO, get costs in line.

KTM 690 Enduro R is R109 K from the dealers floor. That will be on the road costs including all taxes, plates etc. Just ride it home. Roughly £ 5500.

There are 2 Oryx versions. The Rally sport version includes fairing, ergonomics, suspension upgrades, and more power. It is £6500. The Rally replica Oryx version, which is with the Rally Raid option, rally fairing, 27 l tank, upgrade to 68 hp etc. modelled on the Dakar 450 version, is £8000. The upgrade is done here in SA.

Same cost as the CCM but one hell of a lot more bike. This includes all transport and import duties.

The CCM is also £8000 in UK. It would be far higher here after transport and import duties. Hard to estimate how much because you would have to deduct UK taxes, and SA import ones and shipping costs. But Im sure it is much higher as everything more expensive here if it is imported. I don't know why you yanks pay so much for a 690. Maybe the Austrians don't like you for always bombing people's countries . Or perhaps Obama is slapping on massive duties to pay for his bomb and spend campaigns lol!

Again, the 690 is far cheaper, even with the Oryx upgrade to full brown Rally Raid edition. It is a no brainer as to which would sell. CCM has somehow lost the plot, not in what they try to achieve, but the cost level at which they enter the market with a new product. And the bike still needs modification to come near what you get with the Oryx.

Nice bike, but meh, value for money?