CCM Spitfire: The world’s fastest-selling handmade motorcycle?

In among the massive stands of the global manufacturers, a stand showing off hand-made motorcycles from Bolton should not have got a look in. Yet at last year’s show when the original concept was launched and again at the 2017 incarnation of Motorcycle Live, the CCM Spitfire was garnering more interest than anything from Honda, KTM or Ducati.

The bosses in the tiny Northern factory can hardly have dreamt just how popular this bike was going to prove. Although perhaps accidentally, CCM had managed to capture the zeitgeist of a great swathe of the motorcycle buying public, offering a plain, simple and beautiful hand-made bike rather than the technology driven mass-produced models on virtually every other stand. This is a bike where you can see the welds, feel the engineering, sense the love and heritage with which these bikes have been built.

The original Spitfire, originally launched in 2016 as a limited edition of just 150 now has three other stable-mates in the Scrambler, Cafe Racer and Flat tracker. Although few have actually been seen out on the roads, all are proving equally popular and the CCM order books are so full, they are taking on new staff and moving to a bigger factory. And with Euro 4 regulations effectively killing their excellent GP450 Adventure machine, this success couldn’t have happened at a better time

In an industry dominated by corporate lions, CCM is yet again proving to be a mouse that can roar.

CCM Spitfire flat-track style motorcycle with a tan seat and silver tank on a display stand at a show
IN A MARKET OF ADVENTURE CLONES, THE CCM SPITFIRE IS TRULY INDIVIDUAL​

We’re going to be testing the exquisite Spitfire in the New year, but in the meantime, here’s our images from Motorcycle Live. This bike is dripping with bespoke goodness, so here are the bits that made us happy to be alive ….

Close-up of twin round headlights, forks and a silver tank on a CCM motorcycle at a show, with a visitor behind
CRISP AND INDIVIDUAL LIGHTING SETS OFF THE FRONT END
Close-up of the rear wheel, brake caliper and round honeycomb silencers on a CCM motorcycle at a show
WHILE STYLISH CANS FINISH OFF THE REAR
Close-up of the tubular frame, engine and a number plate reading 71 on a CCM motorcycle
THE ENGINE IS DERIVED FROM A BMW ERA HUSQVARNA AND LOOKS GORGEOUS
Close-up of the engine, chain and tubular frame of a CCM motorcycle
NO FRILLS HERE, JUST FINE BRITISH ENGINEERING
Close-up of the silver tank, forks and twin headlights of a CCM motorcycle at a show
BILLET AND STEEL IN EQUAL MEASURE
Close-up of the engine, tubular frame, chain and number plate reading 71 on a CCM Spitfire
FRAME COMES BARE WITH THE WELDS PROUDLY ON SHOW
Front of a CCM Spitfire with a tan seat, tubular frame and an information card beside it at a show
HAND STITCHED SEAT WITH ROUNDEL DETAIL – NICE
Close-up of the front wheel, brake disc and caliper with a Maxxis tyre on a CCM Spitfire
BREMBOS AND COOKIE CUTTER DISCS HANDLE THE STOPPING DUTIES
Close-up of the digital dashboard and handlebar clamp with Spitfire and Renthal lettering
KILL OR FIRE – YOU DECIDE. ONLY CCM WOULD DO A DASHBOARD LIKE THIS

SO WHAT DO YOU RECKON ON THE NEW CCM SPITFIRE?

LET US KNOW YOUR THOUGHTS

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