CCM GP450 Gets Discontinued, New 600cc Model Coming!  New Euro 4 standards kill the GP450 but its successor may be even better.

Since its introduction, the British-made CCM GP450 has been in a class of its own as a performance-oriented, nimble, adventure-ready machine. With its long-travel suspension, 276 lbs dry weight and 21″/18″ wheel combo, the bike has not only been praised for its off-road prowess but also for its cutting-edge engineering that incorporates a ‘Bond-Lite’ frame technology never before used in a production motorcycle.

Now three years after the successful launch of the GP450, and after assurances by CCM of its arrival to the US, the British manufacturer has announced the halt of production of the popular middle-weight adventure tourer. According to CCM, the GP450 will be discontinued due to the replacement of Euro 3 with Euro 4 emission standards. The GP450’s aging 450cc engine, originally sourced from BMW’s discontinued G450X, is not able to meet stricter certification standards and can no longer be used.

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Soon the company will cease production of the model but anyone thinking of snatching up one of the last GP450s should think again. Austin Clews, Head of CCM, recently confirmed to ADV Pulse, “The GP450 will come to an end this year, in fact all of the remaining production is sold for 2017.” But the disappearance of the GP450 from CCM’s lineup isn’t necessarily a bad thing. A wishlist item for many has been an upgrade to the 450cc 5-speed powerplant that would offer smoother cruising on highways and enhance the bike’s abilities as a genuine all-rounder — that wish may soon be granted.

New GP600 Adventure Bike in the Works

CCM has recently secured the supply of a proven lightweight 600cc engine built by SWM (developed originally by BMW and Husqvarna). The new powerplant is just 22 pounds (10kg) heavier than the 450cc engine and provides a boost of 15 horsepower and 11 lb-ft of torque. Better yet, the 600cc engine also boasts a 6-speed transmission.

The new model, called the GP600 Adventure, will have a chassis based on the same cutting-edge bonded aluminum frame of the GP450 with similar suspension and the same 21″/18″ wheel sizes. In addition, new forged carbon fiber frame parts will replace some of the current aluminium structures in the frame to allow further weight reductions. “With this, coupled up with the 600cc engine, CCM will most certainly create the lightest most technically advanced Adventure Bike on the planet; the new CCM GP600 Adventure,” affirms Austin Clews.

The CCM GP600 chassis will be based on the cutting-edge bonded aluminium frame of the GP450 further optimized with new forged carbon fiber frame parts for additional weight savings.

CCM isn’t ready to elaborate with more details at this time but we’d expect the improved power and 6-speed transmission of the GP600 will make for an even better ride on the highway. And hopefully, with only a minimal weight increase, the great off-road performance of the GP450 will be retained. CCM expects to finish development of the new GP600 over the next 18 months.

CCM GP600 Adventure Coming to the US?

With the success of the GP450, CCM gained a sound footing in the Adventure bike sector and has been building strength as a company year-after-year. According to CCM, one frequent question they get is “When will CCM come to the US?” CCM believes the US is probably the largest market for this type of motorcycle, but difficulties in getting the GP450 homologated and building a dealer network was apparently a bigger challenge than expected. With the release of the GP600, that could all change.

Recently, we asked Austin Clews if the GP600 will come to the US. Here is his response:

“We believe demand for this bike will be far in excess of the 450 model and are already registering interest for first deliveries around the world,” says Austin. “We would be looking to take forward orders through 2018 for supply in January 2019 onward and we need to be able to react to the demand in the correct way and provide the best product and customer service we can to the US customer. In order to do that, we need to identify a suitable JV partner who has the financial ability and is able to invest the money and time needed to plan correctly to bring the GP600 and other CCM models to the US in sufficient numbers to make the plan economically viable and is committed to customer service and support and the CCM brand.”

Given the harsh realities of the motorcycle industry, seeing the GP600 on US shores may still be just a dream. But US fans shouldn’t lose hope just yet. The improved financial footing of the company and the expected larger demand for a 600cc adventure bike, may be just the driving force needed for CCM to finally get a foothold in the US market.

CCM GP600 Engine Specs