CCM Spitfire Bobber (2019-on) review
Highlights
- Hand-built British Bobber
- Uses firm's 600cc single engine
- Exciting handling, '40s styling
At a glance
Owners' reliability rating: | |
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Annual servicing cost: | £420 |
Power: | 56 bhp |
Seat height: | Low (29.9 in / 760 mm) |
Weight: | Low (298 lbs / 135 kg) |
Prices
Overall rating
Next up: Ride & brakesWho is the CCM Spitfire Bobber aimed at? Given the trend for ‘authenticity’, CCM’s pure sensations and style have obvious appeal.
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Practical? Not really. Cool? Yes indeed. Simply sit back and enjoy the CCM’s rather unexpected mix of image and dynamics. It can serve assorted moods, and it’s amusing riding a bike that’ll boogie in a way most folk don’t expect, too.
This bike was launched as part of CCM's new model offensive in 2019 following the success of the 2017-2018 CCM Spitfire. Also available is the CCM Spitfire Cafe Racer.
Ride quality & brakes
Next up: EngineWith its footpegs placed further forward and lower down, this latest CCM has the most relaxed ergonomics. Where the others compel you to stick your elbows out and crack on, the Bobber’s stance encourages breezier progress.
With the plugged-in steering and minimal bulk, you’re soon tearing about in a rather un-bobber way. The exhaust bark, sharp response, low weight and firm suspension make for an exciting, engaging ride. One that leaves you wishing the new 'pegs weren’t so low and widely-spaced.
Engine
Next up: ReliabilityPower comes from the 600cc single-cylinder engine used in all Spits. The same as SWM use in their dual-purpose bikes, it’s an ex-Husqvarna design that’s far from shy about its dirt bike roots.
Tossing the front whitewall skywards in the bottom gears, it blats excitedly to the 8000rpm limit and punches out edgy drive through super-close ratios. It might only have 60bhp on tap, but due to the lightness of the bike (135kg dry), it feels like a lot more than that.
Reliability & build quality
Next up: ValueFinish is top-notch and servicing is carried out by a trained CCM technician who comes to your house when work is required.
Our CCM Spitfire Bobber owners' reviews show issues with buying, but not with reliability. The bikes are hand-finished, so worth keeping in mind there may be variation in build standards.
Value vs rivals
Next up: EquipmentCCM are only building 500 of these and they’re ten grand a pop, which sounds like quite a lot for a single.
Then again you’re not buying a run-of-the-mill production bike, and there are plenty of features that demonstrate where your money is going; from the machined aluminium front mudguard stay and hand-welded frame, down to the tiny bracket for the rear brake master cylinder with its Union Flag detail. Given used Spitfires can fetch more than new ones, it should keep hold of its value pretty well, too.
Equipment
The new Bobber goes furthest from the original with 1940s styling, smaller wheels and white-wall tyres, plus a more laid-back riding position. It’s gone a bit cruiser... yet the Bobber still manages to be perhaps the most inspiring Spitfire I’ve ridden.
The other Spitfires we’ve sampled feature 19-inch cast wheels carrying oversize flat track-style tyres; on such light bikes (135kg dry) they make up a large part of the overall weight, and their gyroscopic forces can cancel-out some of the bike’s natural agility. It’s not that Spitfires aren’t nimble, more that you’re aware of the large wheels. It just goes with the territory on a flat track-style bike.
Though the Bobber’s smaller spoked wheels still wear chunky rubber, the reduction in size brings smaller forces. So it’s got the lightest and most accurate steering. And, with the same lovingly-made steel tube frame, steering geometry and sportily-configured suspension set-up as the rest of the Spitfires, it has the lightest handling.
Specs |
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Engine size | 600cc |
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Engine type | Single cylinder |
Frame type | Tubular steel |
Fuel capacity | 14 litres |
Seat height | 760mm |
Bike weight | 135kg |
Front suspension | 43mm inverted Marzocchi forks |
Rear suspension | YSS fully adjustable mono shock |
Front brake | 320mm disc, four-piston Brembo calliper |
Rear brake | 240mm disc, single-piston HEL calliper |
Front tyre size | - |
Rear tyre size | - |
Mpg, costs & insurance |
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Average fuel consumption | 56 mpg |
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Annual road tax | £84 |
Annual service cost | £420 |
New price | £9,995 |
Used price | £8,000 - £8,500 |
Insurance group |
- How much to insure? |
Warranty term | Two years |
Top speed & performance |
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Max power | 56 bhp |
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Max torque | 43 ft-lb |
Top speed | 120 mph |
1/4 mile acceleration | - |
Tank range | 172 miles |
Model history & versions
Model history
- 2017: CCM unveils the first Spitfire, using a 600cc single engine with 55bhp on tap.
Other versions
- Foggy Edition Spitfire: 19in allow wheels, underseat exhaust, twin brake discs up front, flat-track bars, red bellypan, signed Carl Fogarty tank. £11,995
- Foggy S Edition Spitfire: Gold or black 17in allow wheels, under-seat exhaust, twin discs up front, clip-on bars, carbon front fairing, tank signed by Carl Fogarty. £12,495
- Spitfire Six: Base bike for customising. Choice of tank colours and saddle covers. Renthal flat bars, underslung dual exhaust. £9995
- RAF Benevolent Fund Spitfire: Black YSS shock, Avon white-wall tyres, floating single seat, Brembo twin front discs, hand-stitched leather panniers, £1000 goes to RAF Benevolent Fund. £18,000
- Spitfire Bobber: Black YSS shock, Avon white-wall tyres, low-slung exhaust, mid-position footpegs. £9995
Owners' reviews for the CCM SPITFIRE BOBBER (2019 - on)
6 owners have reviewed their CCM SPITFIRE BOBBER (2019 - on) 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 SPITFIRE BOBBER (2019 - on)
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: | £420 |
Version: Stealth
Year: 2023
Just sublime!
Brembo
Best sound for me
So far and still under warranty
Done at home by CCM - how good is that?
Buying experience: Privately and delivered to my door
Version: Stealth
Year: 2023
Annual servicing cost: £350
Sounds sublime, quality quality and quality. Fun to ride.
Mine has twin disc Brembo at front
Responsive and the best sound and some more
Buying experience: Private but o ly three months old
Version: Stealth
Year: 2023
Worst feature is without doubt the side stand. The motorcycle is a work of art whilst the side stand appears to be a poor afterthought. - Just saying!
Mine has twin Brembo brakes which might be considered over the top - but they are tremendous.
So far
Year: 2022
Annual servicing cost: £500
All show little go. Great to look at but just not very good to ride, snatchy fuelling and no ground clearance, seat uncomfortable after 15 miles. Vibes at speed intrusive, really has littel to commend it other than the looks and build quality
bumpy with no ground clearance
old school and out of date
stupid keyless ignition an irritant
you wont ride it far so not really an issue
looks cool
Version: Spitfire SIX
Year: 2020
Annual servicing cost: £400
A super light bike that has ample of torque and grin factor. I particularly like it's simplicity. No overly fancy electronics or gizmos, just a fun quirky engine, speedo and saddle. I dislike its side stand, some one will inevitably drop my bike because of it. It also has a timely run in period (took my gearbox 1500 mile to be right) and relatively expensive service /parts.
This bike wants to be thrashed and the engine let's you know it regularly. The breaks are smashing and could stop a far heavier bike with ease, but the lack of abs will have you locking the rear wheel every now and then. I wouldn't ride this bike for lo ger than 2 hours without giving your behind a small rest, but with the comfort seat it is surprising comfy, more so than my cb650f 2018 and xr125l.
A quirky engine with a character. It wants to go and go and go, but like all of us it dislikes getting out of bed in the morning and wants five mins idling before doing any real work. But this is not a fast bike, do not buy this bike if you want to regularly drive down the motorway or do 100mph+
Only issue I've ever had is a gearbox that didn't want to run in. Since, I've only had a few small niggles. Some screws getting signs of corrosion down by the chain, or the plaque on the handle bars to say "bike x of 300" tarnishing a bit and needing a good sturdy polish.
Could be cheaper if I did it my self, but with ccm needing to put their stamp in the book it gets costly fast.
It's all simple, which I love about it. The side stand however swings up on its own accord which is a pain in the jewels. I'd recommend getting the comfort saddle though, I went for the Chesterfield Red which is pricey but 100% worth it for comfort and style alone. The tyres from manu are good but don't expect 5k miles from them. I'm happy with 3.5-4k miles. Suspension comes hard but is lovely once set up to your weight.
Buying experience: Great. Bought during the peak of covid. Many phone calls and some updates, but some unexpected surprises e.g a custom vrn plate on my bike with my initials.
Year: 2020
Took along time from order, Nov 18 to delivery Feb 20. Bad after sales until some one who could be bothered. Got their money and commission then forgot the customer. Too bothered about the next customer.
Limited use but feels fine.
Can see hand built and nice things but fear for what it is.
Not had it long enough plus Covid 19.
Limited use. Only done 60 miles.
Buying experience: Deposit at bike show. Excitement replaced with frustration with sales person who told the same story at least 5 times about knowing someone in Guernsey. I live in Jersey!!!!! Got a £500 voucher as a good will gesture. Feel ripped off by CCM with shipping box. Nice looking bike but wouldn’t use CCM again.