CCM tease ‘Project X’ adventure retro at Motorcycle Live ahead of 2025 launch

CCM have confirmed they are moving into the retro adventure segment for 2025, teasing a mystery ‘Project X’ prototype at the Motorcycle Live show in Birmingham powered by the brand’s favoured 600cc single cylinder engine.

Although full details are yet to be confirmed on the adventure bike, we’re told the finished item will be delivered in the summer of next year – with orders being taken throughout the nine-day Birmingham event.

“We’ve been listening to our customers, and they’ve been asking for a bike that truly captures our legacy,” Managing Director of CCM Motorcycles, Jason Broome said. “With “Project X”, we’ve created a machine that’s lightweight, capable, and as fun to ride on the road as it is off the beaten path.”

As seen on their show stand, the prototype bike features a minimalist front screen, bulbous endurance-style fuel tank, and number boards on the rear end to create a look reminiscent of ’80s Dakar rally bikes.

Such a look has already been used on larger adventure motorcycles on the market, including the Ducati Desert X, and Moto Guzzi V85TT.

“We’re incredibly excited to bring this bike to market and see it become the next great chapter in CCM’s history, we will be accepting pre-orders at Motorcycle Live,” Broome continued. “We also look forward to revealing the project’s official name in the near future.”

Alongside sharing the same engine as the rest of the brand’s Spitfire models, the X appears to use a variation of the same tried and tested tig-welded steel trellis frame, too – with a new subframe to support the retro Dakar Rally looks.

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For additional off-road ability CCM have equipped the bike with a 21in front and 18in rear wire wheel and knobbly tyres. A mono shock and upside-down forks are also said to provide additional travel to tackle the rough terrain.

Hiding in plain sight

Although teasing Project X at Motorcycle Live, this is not the first time CCM have delved into the idea of a retro adventure bike in recent years.

Back in 2022, the Bolton firm rocked up to the Adventure Bike Rider (ABR) Festival with a similarly styled build to assess public opinion before considering a potential production model. Dubbed the ‘Retro Trailie’ it’s possible this was the catalyst for the new model.

Much like the incoming road bike, the concept used CCM’s 600cc liquid-cooled single, with a bulky single exit exhaust reminiscent of rally bikes of yesteryear.

In place of the usual Marzocchi forks of the time, sat long-travel, inverted Öhlins at the front along with old-school Öhlins twin shocks at the rear – with a striking yellow Camel Trophy livery completing the look.

Exactly how the finished model will look remains to be seen. Contact hello@ccm-motorcycles.net to register your interest.