Achtung Spitfire – New bike time…

Welcome to the CCM Spitfire, I was in UK last week collecting it from the CCM factory in Bolton but now it’s in Sweden.
Its been quite an experience buying this bike but I won’t dwell publicly as it’s not quite finished.
Early last year CCM did a mock-up of the spitfire and it was a showstopper and apparently sold out in no time at all!
I put a deposit down after reading an online report with lots of projected numbers, weight etc.
£500 deposit secured my bike followed the full instalment over 2 payments with a June 2017 delivery date.
Sadly, the build was besieged by all manner of issues (As is common with a new / unknown build) with one of the biggest being the fuel tank as the original adverts and publications promised an alloy tank… but this has been almost impossible to achieve with only a handful of bikes coming with metal tanks with the remainder being Italian injected moulded!
(This situation is very much ongoing and that’s about all there is to be said really)


In no particular order, here goes.
Started easy enough but requires a ‘starting lever’ but why is this needed on a modern bike it beyond me?
Even though I let it run for about 10 min, it still hesitated when I was going through the gears and while it didn’t cut out it did give me some concerns.
Up and down the gears without any issues but I couldn’t get it into neutral with the engine running but I'm expecting it to loosen up as the miles increase.
Brakes, front a bit spongy and expected better with the name Brembo attached to them but they might be bedding in of course.
Suspension was very still and bounced over a lot / most bumps, it’s probably better suited to the chunky monkeys as I'm a little over 10 stone.
Handling was very nimble and easy to throw into the bends with confidence but I didn’t go 100% as it’s still a new engine and its new to me.
Changes to be made, reposition / adjust clutch, reposition / adjust gear leave as it’s a bit high for me.
Overall – very pleased with the look, feel and handing on the bike – just over 150km done so far.

Photo's from yesterdays / today's ride.

 

I saw that on a YouTube channel and they are stunning. Lucky man. They seem excellent value for money too. Considering materials used and number being made.

 

Congrats. Big issue in bike mag this month I guess marking the event that they are starting to be delivered you must be one of the first. My best man bought one at the Nov bike show, no sign yet. Let me know if you want a photocopy of the mag article.

 

Thanks Stu,
it would be fun to read what they make of it as the UK press seems to love the rebirth of CCM via the Spitfire series.

 

Nice, not so keen on the exhaust but it's the only thing I don't like so much, hope it treats you well

 

Nice one, looks great - enjoy the running in and getting it all set up to your requirements. Better to get delivery now and be able to ride it than 6mths ago and having to look at it in the garage until the snow melts!

Watch out for 109’s diving out of the sun...!

 

Sure is an outlandish design mate, very striking indeed & I wouldn't fancy going pillion.
Hopefully all those issues you've identified can be addressed with the minimum of hassle.

Or.:
If the problems prove inherent & insurmountable, then at least it will look pretty for the 6 months of the year that are less rideable.

Thanks for the write up, & good luck....

 

There will be no pillions woes for anyone as its a single seater @StMarks

The little niggles are to be expected I guess for a low volume produced bike

 

That is a stunning bike, I hope you enjoy it.

I'm wondering what I could sell to buy one, maybe a kidney

 

IMG_0015 by Stu675 posted May 31, 2018 at 10:39 PM

First page to start with, can do the rest at the w/e.

 

Been slowly putting some miles or KM on the bike and getting to know / feel it's quirks - so far, so good.
Passed the 500km mark yesterday after a couple of steady hours to get an ice cream

I had a mate visit last week and he's quite knowledgeable regarding SM / KTM / Husky, he pointed out that there is a huge amount of KTM parts that will fit my bike. This is good news as I want some short adjustable levers and the CCM options are very costly.
Also the motor is a BMW / Husky and I have a decent Husky dealer nearby that can service the bike for the all important dealer stamp!

 

I

 

Couldn't agree more!

 

Dude I envy you. Saw them at the bike show last year, fell in love, almost spent £10k (which is £10k more than my budget) on the spot.

Shame about the problems - but when something is that beautiful it’s bound to be a headcase!

 

These were a bargain £8k but they did try a number of times to pass on costs to the 150 who paid 100% up front a year in advance - but we did think it was only going to a few months wait.
I'm not up to speed with the numbers but I would imagine that half or two thirds have been released to the buyers.
There is an open facebook group where the surfacing issues are reported by frustrated owners.
CCM are making these under a MSVA scheme which means its proving very difficult for EU buyers to get them registered as they don't have a CofC - which is the major hurdle.
As I said, there still issues to be solved - nuff said...

Yes, it's an amazing looking bike and draws attention wherever I park it but it's a Marmite for sure.

 

NH100 did a piece on this bike on Dirt Quake on itv4 this week
Said the tank got in the way of sliding the back end round when it actually got to do a bit of flat tracking but overall a good review.

Think it looks great myself.

http://dirtquake.com/news/

(The show hasn’t made it across to YouTube yet by the looks of it)

 

Well, honeymoon period has passed and getting a few niggles that's getting right on my nerves with the main one not being able to register it here in Sweden due to a lack of a C of C.
since owning it, the number plate light cable snapped that I had to replace, the clocks developed a clouding issue from within and needed replacing and today I tried starting it but the battery was flat after a month or so sitting in the garage.
Have to remove seat and tank to access the battery, which was fun so I fitted a charging lead while I had it apart.
It run out of fuel some time ago while there still was a few litres in the tank etc etc

First service was completed recently at a local Husky dealer after getting the filter shipped over from CCM to keep the warranty intact.

 

CCM pushed this out earlier today via their various sites and it's going for £12.5k which a lot of money for a bike like this.
It's not my cup of tea but to be honest, my spitfire isn't living up to the wait or the ride.

 

still looks bloody nice though

prefer the look of yours with the underslung exhausts more than the Foggy one with belly pan, but a colour coded Foggy front cowl put on yours would be icing on the cake imho