CCM 604 DUAL SPORT (1998 - 2002) Review
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At a glance
Owners' reliability rating: | |
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Annual servicing cost: | £100 |
Power: | 52 bhp |
Seat height: | Tall (33.9 in / 860 mm) |
Weight: | Low (291 lbs / 132 kg) |
Overall rating
Next up: Ride & brakesCCM’S 604 came in a wide variety of styles; from supermoto to green laner to roadster. But mechanically each one was essentially the same hardy Rotax motor and quality suspension propelling an oil-in-the-frame chassis. Although they made way for the Suzuki-engined 644 in 2003 the older 604 is still a good, cheap motorcycle providing you look after it.
Ride quality & brakes
Next up: EngineThe CCM 604's WP shock and 46mm Paioli forks are excellent; supple and sophisticated enough to cope with on and off-road with little need to twiddle. The Dual Sport (DS) has taller suspension than the Supermoto and Roadster variants to facilitate the use of off-road wheels. The Brembo brakes are excellent and have no problems hauling down the 604’s 132 kilos.
Engine
Next up: ReliabilityThe SOHC, oil and air-cooled Rotax motor of the CCM 604 is generally very reliable, with wide service intervals. It’s surprisingly smooth for a single cylinder and servce intervals are an easy 3000 miles apart (more hardcore supermotos often need oil changes after every 150-500 miles of use…). There’s plenty of scope for tuning, too, with over 60bhp easily available.
Reliability & build quality
Next up: ValueAlthough the CCM 604's Rotax motor is intrinsically reliable there have been a few odd issues with the cambelts and cam pulleys, most should have been solved by now, though. A more common fault is the sprag clutch – which identifies itself as knackered with an unpleasant noise when turning over, or mechanical ‘clanks’ when off. Check exhaust lugs for breaks and lock stops for damage.
Value vs rivals
Next up: EquipmentThese days good condition CCM 604s can be bought for well under £2000, making them a good buy, especially if you’re mechanically minded. Find a CCM 604 for sale.
Equipment
The CCM 604 is minimalistic at best. The lights are poor, there’s no tacho, not even any handguards as standard. On the plus side you do get an electric start and all the plastics are cheap to replace should you drop it.
Specs |
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Engine size | 598cc |
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Engine type | 4v single, 5 gears |
Frame type | Tubular steel cradle |
Fuel capacity | 13.5 litres |
Seat height | 860mm |
Bike weight | 132kg |
Front suspension | Preload, compression, rebound |
Rear suspension | Preload, compression, rebound |
Front brake | Single 320mm disc |
Rear brake | 220mm disc |
Front tyre size | 120/60 x 17 |
Rear tyre size | 150/60 x 17 |
Mpg, costs & insurance |
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Average fuel consumption | 40 mpg |
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Annual road tax | £84 |
Annual service cost | £100 |
New price | - |
Used price | - |
Insurance group |
11 of 17 How much to insure? |
Warranty term | Two year unlimited mileage |
Top speed & performance |
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Max power | 52 bhp |
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Max torque | 36 ft-lb |
Top speed | 105 mph |
1/4 mile acceleration | 14.8 secs |
Tank range | 120 miles |
Model history & versions
Model history
1998: CCM 604E DS (Dual Sport) introduced – two sets of wheels, one off-road, plus one pair of 17-inchers to convert it to a supermoto.
2002: CCM 604 discontinued.
Other versions
CCM 604 E Supermoto: Introduced at the same time as the DS and very similar bar lower, dedicated, road suspension.
CCM 604 RS: Mechincally identical to the Supermoto but with strange, swoopy bodywork similar to BMW’s F650CS.
Owners' reviews for the CCM 604 DUAL SPORT (1998 - 2002)
5 owners have reviewed their CCM 604 DUAL SPORT (1998 - 2002) and rated it in a number of areas. Read what they have to say and what they like and dislike about the bike below.
Review your CCM 604 DUAL SPORT (1998 - 2002)
Summary of owners' reviews |
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Overall rating: | |
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Ride quality & brakes: | |
Engine: | |
Reliability & build quality: | |
Value vs rivals: | |
Equipment: | |
Annual servicing cost: | £100 |
Version: Supermoto
Year: 2001
Overall after owning it for a couple of weeks I am very impressed. The suspension and brakes are more than good enough for the bike and the engine for an air-cooled single is very good. Its a little bit viby at higher revs but that's to be expected. The electrics aren't the best though. It is a very fun bike to own and you won't be disappointed.
The WP suspension and brembo brakes are amazing. Can ride the absolute nuts off this thing in the twisties, especially paired with a good set of supermoto tyres!
I bought it in a higher state of tune, so I can't comment on the standard engine. My one has a 40mm flatslide dellorto carburettor with accelerator pump, performance air flow and exhaust system, which has given the bike lots of power and torque through the rev range and will easily keep up with bigger bikes if you change sprockets. The standard gear ratios on the standard sprockets are extremely short. For road use, I recommend going bigger on the front sprocket and dropping to a 40 tooth sprocket on the rear.
The overall quality of the bike is very good. 2001 model with no rust or corrosion. Seems to be very well built. The only downside is the electrics play up but that's down to wear and tear of the wires etc with need soldering up and to be re-wrapped in heatshrink wrap.
Needs regular oil changes, especially if you ride it hard. Check for cambelt and cambelt tensioner wear. Apart from that just the usual items, brakes, chains & sprockets etc.
Minimal.... But the switchgear is easily reachable.
Buying experience: Paid £1800 for mine in August 2022. A lot of fun for the money!
Version: Supermoto
Year: 2001
Annual servicing cost: £100
Best features i would have to say was pure funfactor when it comes to riding it. I grin and giggle in my lid like a school kid sometimes, and I've had supersports and pure dirt bikes but nothing is this fun. People talk about flicking a bike around but this is where it's at and this bike can be pushed very far. The important thing is that it's very forgiving due to its amazing adjustable suspension and adaptable riding position. Terrible on bypass roads over 70 and motorways are death for your back and you will shake apart over distance. Ow and on my third day my cam belt snapped after it had only been on for 2000 miles and bent my valves. Common problem they say, expensive fix top end rebuilds unless you have the skill to DIY. I would recommend this bike absolutely but not to anybody serious about trying to commute on fast roads.
My favorite ride on the twists and turns and short straights it's just pure fun. I've had Ktm, Gixer, Ninja, Husky, Kdx, Klx but this bike is my favourite I bought this bike for the twists so it's rated a 5. On the long straights it's a 1. But you don't buy one for those. Brakes are tight. Standard braided hoses dual pot front Brembo caliper. Modern bikes have got better but this is no slouch.
Power is pure and raw especially in this older rotax version. Front wheel become's light through 1st, 2nd and even 3rd gear at time's when you pin it. And wheelys just happen. The raw judder can get tiresome on straight roads but the pops and bangs and mean feel about the bike more than male up for its imperfections. It takes 1 bolt to unscrew to check your cambelt and I advise anybody who has one to check it every so often and as soon as you see any fray change it. It's super easy even for noobs and apart from that it's a tried, tested and bullet proof engine.
They are very cheap compared to other similar bikes so invest a bit extra in a better one. Tyres are expensive. I find parts quite hard to come by and always days away which is quite harsh as it's my daily. There's not much to the bike though so things are kind of easy to sort or diagnose compared to other bikes I've owned. Running costs arnt excessive and are good compared to other's. Insurance is so cheap it's unreal. I always feel like they got it wrong as if they knew what it was in person they would definitely charge more as it's such an animal haha. Take time every so often to go round all the nuts and bolts as they will come loose. Takes 10 minutes and will save your clutch pedal falling off on the motorway in the rain like me one time.
Spend cash on good tyres. I can't express this enough. There isn't much going on electrically with the bike. No temp gauge, fuel gauge, and has a simple hud. Front light is pretty terrible admittedly, at night you feel quite hopeless about spotting something jumping out in front of you on country lanes and being able to spot it before running into it. I think the suspension and chassis and engine is amazing but it is very basic apart from this. But who needs more, it's just a matter of opinion.
Buying experience: I acquired mine privately bit I see so many going around the 1500 mark. As it's not a common bike they just don't seem to be worth much which is good for us wanting them. Go out and try one.
Year: 2001
Overall a very clean bike. Plastics all in good condition. New clutch fitted.
I bought my 2001 6000mile 604DS as a winter hack. What a laugh. Its so light and really is the best in traffic bike I`ve ever ridden. You can`t help riding like a bit of a loon, and its excellent in the wet. You find grip where no-one else can and show up sports bikes. Downsides are its crap on a straight road and over a long distance. Reliability has been poor. New piston rings at 7000 miles, electrics have failed twice......but do I care! What a laugh, but I`m glad I`ve also got a proper bike.
Always owned big sports bikes...R1, Hayabusa, ZX12r, ZX636r. Got fed up with owning bikes that can only be used when the weather man says so. Sold my R1 and spent half the money made on a CCM 604e in grey. Came fully loaded with all extras. Fairly happy with bike and only changed tyres from O.E dragons for pair of Continental CONTI-TWISTS, much better tyres. Exhaust not the most neighbour freindly, but what the hell, they would moan if I owned a milk float. With a bit of clutch snapping you can wrench the front wheel into the clouds in second gear, and hold it there for hours. Anyone out there thinking of getting a CCM should borrow one, take it out to the most twisty part of the country they can find, and jam the throttle wide open... You will be hooked!!!! Strengths: Looks, funfactor, sheer growl under load, cornering and lifting the front wheel. Weaknesses: Can be bit noisy, tyres can be bit pricy and would not want to travel europe on one.