Getting into Adventure Green

450 was very lightweight, very
under stressed when not ripping
round a motocross track at full
throttle. The concentric swingarm
and sprocket pivot might not have
been ideally suited to motocross, but
potentially had great advantages for
a lightweight adventure bike with
better throttle control, better weight
distribution under acceleration and
hugely increased chain life. During
the development stages we worked
closely with BMW to ensure we
could deliver the 5000 mile service
intervals.
We still did a lot of work on the
ECU and power delivery to smooth
out the low end torque delivery and
produce a ride that was still very
lively, but not quite up-on-the-front
wheel every time the throttle is
opened. Although, if anyone knows
our mad ex TT racer/sales guy
Darren Soothill you might think it
doesn’t even need a front wheel!
Lightness was a crucial factor
of the bike; how does that
requirement impact on the choice
of materials, components and
technologies? Despite our different
motorcycling backgrounds amongst
all the CCM team there is one
common theme that everybody
always agrees on, and that is light
is right. We are all passionate about
making lightweight bikes and I am
very passionate about using new
technologies and materials that
enable us to achieve the impossible.
Everything from the bonded forged
aluminium chassis to the 1mm thick
polymer linkage bearings; every
component was considered when
striving to save weight.
Essentially, how did you make it
so light?
If a component doesn’t have at least
two functions it doesn’t go on the
bike.
And of the final product; what
does the GP450 offer that no other
manufacturer currently does?
What GP450 owners say the most
to us is they love that it is a dream
off-road, lightweight and puts a huge
smile on your face every time you
ride it. I think these the things that
describe most CCMs.
For me (and I may be slightly biased
because I’ve finally built myself one)
the GP450 is the best all round,
everyday, go absolutely anywhere
bike there is. I was an off-road
novice and accident waiting to
happen, but riding the GP450 is so
easy to get on with and just makes
me feel like a hero on the trails or
the tarmac.
What are you most proud of in the
bike?
This is a tricky one. In terms of
physical parts of the bike, I am
very proud of the chassis. But the
best feeling is seeing a GP450 out
on the road or trails in its natural
habitat with someone having a
cracking time. That still gives me
goosebumps!
What are the challenges going
forward in terms of Euro 4 and
engine availability, and what can
we expect on the horizon?
The major changes with Euro 4
are emissions and ABS brakes. We
are able to register new GP450s
in limited numbers during 2017,
but after that we need to comply
Equipped for travel
with Euro 4. So at this stage we are
working behind the scenes on the
best way to update the GP450.
Alongside that we have produced
a UK only limited edition bike, the
Spitfire, which will only go through
MSVA tests, as the time and expense
to go through other full scale type
approvals for a limited run bike
would mean it would probably never
become available, which would be a
great shame. The Spitfire uses a single
cylinder Euro 4 capable 600cc engine
which is well proven. Having the 600
engine in our artillery is obviously a
nice thing to have for future model
considerations. Watch this space.
GUIDED TOURS OF AFRICA
Prices starting from £1495 inclusive of accommodation and bike hire
For more information visit www.kaapstadmat.com
Travel with experienced guide
and safari ranger Alex Jackson,
with almost twenty years
experience travelling Africa
by motorcylce
30 Find out more at www.gettingintoadventure.com