CCM flies flag at British bike showby Harriet Ridley

[totalmotorcycle]

CCM flies flag at British bike showby Harriet Ridley
October 31 2006 - Trinity Mirror North West & North Wales - /icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/motors/



THE Italians have thrown a spanner in the motorcycle show season works.

Since opting last year to host an annual November show at their posh new Milan pavilions, our International Motorcycle and Scooter Show has had to be brought forward a week or two, with not a single Italian manufacturer turning up.

There is also a distinct lack of Chinese manufacturers at the NEC in Birmingham even after they had hogged most of the hall space in Germany two weeks earlier.

Precious few new bikes were unveiled too, with our very own Triumph opting to join the Japanese crowd in launching their new models at Cologne.

However, a resurrected CCM bucked the trend to unveil its new machines at the NEC.

But to understand its new models, first we need to uncover a bit of CCM’s history.


British manufacturer CCM was formed in 1971 from BSA's off-road competition department and began building bikes from spares before manufacturing complete machines. Former works rider Alan Clews headed the Clews Competition Motorcycles (CCM) business.


During much of the 1980s CCM was in the control of Armstrong, when production peaked at about 3,500 machines a year.


The numbers then fell in the 1990s, although off-road successes continued. By 2000 the Blackburn factory was making only 200 machines a year, so Clews decided to replace the ageing Rotax engines and called for outside help.


The subsequent alliance with Suzuki led to the 644 Dual Sport and R30 Supermoto models, powered by air-cooled Suzuki engines.


Then in 2003, CCM introduced the 404, a dirt bike and its Supermoto equivalent that used the liquid-cooled and ultra-light Suzuki engine.


In 2004 CCM went bust, but Alan and Austin Clews quickly brought it back to life. Its production line is now healthy again and to prove the point, CCM unveiled five new bikes for 2007.


These are the CR40 cafe racer, which comes in naked and unfaired versions; and the SR40 Street Scrambler, which harks back to the CCM motocross bikes of the 1970s and 1980s.


The retro theme continues with the new FT35RS Flat Track model. And finally, the modern-day CXR230S supermoto and CXR230E off-road models are produced in conjunction with one of China’s biggest motorcycle manufacturer.


And in good old Chinese tradition, the CRX230 looks like a carbon copy of Honda’s CRF230…


Royal Enfield also chose the NEC to unveil its new Bullet Electra XS and Clubman. These Indian-built British singles take their cue from the 1960s cafe racer – currently a popular style with many manufacturers.


Meanwhile, the Harley-Davidson stand was buzzing with its range of Softail, Glide and Dyna V-twins all sporting the new Twin Cam 96/B engine, as well as the latest V-Rod derivatives.


And for the first time in its long history, H-D displayed a prototype: the XR1200, inspired from the XR750 American long-track racer.


If the response is positive, expect to see it in production soon.


Of course, most of the new scooters unveiled at Cologne are present at Birmingham too, including the Giggle – Yamaha’s first four-stroke scooter that looks like a cool-box on wheels.


Like the Honda Zoomer, the Giggle trades on its quirky looks: its neo-retro styling includes chromed handlebars and a big, rounded headlamp sitting on the fender.


But while the Zoomer has no storage capacity, you have 33 litres of space under the Giggle’s seat. That’s a picnic big enough to feed an entire football team and their Wags (not that the Wags would eat much).


The long, comfortable seat is just 747mm high and there’s ample space for a pillion. Despite the air-cooled engine, the Giggle is technologically advanced with its super-modern, fuel injected, three-valve motor that’s bound to be outrageously clean and efficient.


Suzuki also displayed its stylish new Bergman 125, which gets the same sturdy, solid look as the 400cc maxi-scooter version.


This baby Bergman looks much bigger than its 125cc capacity, which should make it safe and protective on longer commutes.


Honda chose instead to up the capacity of its popular SH scooter to 300cc.


This new fuel-injected SH 300 may not be a huge hit in the UK; unlike our continental brethren, we haven’t really taken to big scoots. But it’s bound to sell like hot cakes in Italy.


Despite the show’s shortcomings, there’s still plenty to do.


An outdoor space lets visitors test ride bikes such as the latest offerings from Buell, and there were stunning displays of Freestyle Motocross and Trials in the indoor arena.


Many famous names in motorcycle racing including Chris Walker, James Toseland, Leon Haslam and Ryuichi Kiyonari could be seen mixing with the crowds.


Next stop is the Milan Show – and then we’ll find out what the Italians are up to.


*The British bike show runs at the NEC until November 5.


Tickets on the door are priced at £15 for adults, £13 for students, and £5 for senior citizens and children. For more information go to www.motorcycleshow.co.uk