Ccm 604

CCM 604 Return of the forgotten Thumper

QUICK RIDE

WANT TO DROP A familiar name on the deafened ears of old four-stroke fans? Say "Clews Competition Machine," and memories of hulking Brit rider John Banks putting it to the two-strokes will bring wide, knowing smiles.

Well, guess what? After more than a decade's absence, CCM is back. Not with a BSA-based bike as in years past, but with an upto-date Rotax-powered Thumper that works just as well on the trail as it does on the MX track.

Cycle World got to turn some laps on CCM’s C-20 racebike, the same machine former 125 and 250cc World Motocross Champion Donny Schmit used successfully in last year’s Sound of Thunder series. Aside from some detail changes, the racer is strikingly similar to the production CCM C-25 now on sale in the U.S.

First impressions hinted trailbike-disguised-as-a-raceweapon, thanks to a dinky, 1.2gallon fuel tank (this has been upped to 2.2 gallons on the C25) that yields a 125-like narrowness. The scales say otherwise, though; thanks to its bulky, 604cc Rotax motor, the CCM weighs-in at 249 pounds dry. Still, that’s as light as a Husaberg 501, the Thumperclass featherweight.

One amazing feature of the British-built bike is its plush suspension, which smothers small imperfections in the terrain and dispatches mid-sized bumps with ease-surely, it has to be waaay undersprung for motocross-style jumps. Not a bit: Bottoming simply isn’t a problem. Two big thumbs-up to the centrally mounted, non-link WP shock and the Marzocchi Magnum fork. All dirtbikes should have suspension this versatile.

CCM’s iteration of the venerable air-cooled, four-valve, sohc Rotax is about as run-of-themill as Thumpers get. It puts out good, usable power, though, over a wide band. No, it’s not flashy, but it gets the job done: Remember, this is the same motor that has been taking wins at national-caliber four-stroke motocross races against factory mounts from Husaberg, KTM, ATK and Honda.

Comfort is the next thing that comes to mind while on the CCM. Every thing seems to fall into place and work well.

The Brembo brakes are strong, though you need to give them a firm pull. Ditto for the clutch and shift action of the five-speed wide-ratio transmission. Factor in the aforementioned friendly power and plush suspension, and the CCM becomes a bike test riders don’t want to give up-a few laps turns into a 30minute moto, and then they only return for more gas. Our only ergonomic gripe? A subframe bulge behind the rider’s right leg to make room for the exhaust pipe-and this has reportedly been changed for the C-25’s production run.

With an asking price of $6950 at current exchange rates, the CCM isn’t cheap, but is a viable alternative for riders looking for a unique, multi-purpose Thumper. Think of it as a Honda XR600 that has lost about 50 pounds, trail-ridable and motocross-able with little more than simple suspension adjustment. If the CCM C-25 or a planned electric-start version tempt you, contact CCM America, 304 W. Main St., Grand Junction, CO 81505; 800/259-5037.

-Jimmy Lewis