In 2018, Kymco celebrated their 50th anniversary with the launch of the flagship AK (Anniversary Kymco) 550. The bike wears a subtle ‘Super Touring’ badge on each of its flanks. To discover what the scoot is about Dave Cilliers, Chief Road Tester at ZA Bikers, took it on a day trip to Barberton in Mpumalanga and back, with the hopes that riding 750km’s on a highway, secondary road and a mountain pass or two; should reveal the scoot’s riding strength.

Dave reported that the AK 550 with a low centre of gravity, 50/50 weight distribution and proper suspension provides top class handling and a quality ride. Thrust is from a parallel twin, DOHC, liquid-cooled motor delivering 52, 7 horses @ 7,500 rpm and 55, 6 Nm of torque @ 5,500 rpm, which is where the motor spins most of the time.

The Chief Road Tester further commended the AK 550 for its sleek, modern good looks, complimented by snazzy LED lighting gushing that it looks long, low and purposeful. He further maintained that in keeping with the modern trend, the bike is bristling with electronic trickery. This owed to its large key fob that activates the functions of the bike via a centrally located circular switch.

“The dial looks for the entire world like that on a hi-tech washing machine. Keep turning it after pressing the power button engraved on the periphery of the switch and it lights up, turning on the dash display. At this point, you can press the starter whilst holding a brake and the AK 550 fires up. As long as the side stand is up, that is.”

While playing around with the start button, Dave felt the engine come alive, stating that the exhaust note is delightfully fruity at start up, with a “grumbly rumble,” suggesting a 270-degree crank.

The dash consists of three screens, with a rev counter and information display on the left. Information being the odometer, trip meters, battery voltage, tyre pressure monitors and a drive belt service counter.

Average and current fuel consumption numbers are also displayed. These functions are accessed via a rocker switch on the right handlebar. Values are reset via an orange button on the same switchgear. He trusts that the functionality is reasonably intuitive as well.

The central display has a choice of three screens. One is a conventional speedo, the second is a large clock face, and the third is the interface for ‘Noodoe’, Kymco’s connectivity app. Wondering what’s next, Dave was blown away by the built in weather app. The right hand consists of a digital speed display with ABS as well as a heated handgrip display.

During Dave’s ride out of Pretoria at sunrise, in what he deemed as a sunny yet crisp and still cool weather, his experience with the screen provided great wind protection, with minimal windblast. His experience with the foot positioning was a choice between a typical feet forward, almost cruiser posture, or closer towards one in the typical sit-up-and-beg scooter-seating position. With this being common to most scooters, the Road Tester considered the mechanism comfortable for the short-haul. This is due to long trips putting strain on a person’s lower back due to the foot forward position tending to bow, rather than straightening one’s lower spine.

He also found that putting his feet on the passenger pegs for a while rocked his pelvis forward, relieving the bowed back, as a result of leaning of his upper body forward into an almost sporty riding position. With the seat reportedly all-day comfortable.

Dave found the AK 550 to be smooth at the best of times, while getting even smoother at highway cruising speeds. The CVT gearbox kept it in power all the time, while it reportedly felt especially pokey in the low and mid-range. At the speed of over 140 kph, Dave experienced the power somewhat tailing off, which gave an effective top whack of around 150 kph. Effective, because although Dave saw over 160 on the odd downhill, the scoot is reportedly happiest at typical touring speeds of 120.

Fuel consumption is reportedly decent with Dave’s first tank seeing 21, 66 km/L. The second, on what he dubbed the mountainous ‘fun’ part of the ride, 20,65 km/L, and then, cruising back with a bit of a tailwind, 24,12 km/L. An average of 22, 14 km/L overall, giving a range of over 300 kilometres on the 15L tank. The fuel reserve light is reportedly rather conservative and starts blinking at around the 220 k mark.

Dave experienced riding pleasure on the mountains while on the bike and experienced the suspension as the stand out feature on the AK 550, no choppiness, which is reportedly a common scooter trait. The almost cantilever rear shock and USD 41 mm front forks did an incredible job, both comfort-wise, as well as keeping things tidy through the bends. This scooter is, truly endowed with proper sports touring handling.

Ground clearance is no issue while the low centre of gravity and neutral weight distribution are apparent when one goes through bends and high-speed sweeps, reported Dave. Comparing the scoot to PlayStation as one sits in scooter style, Dave tilted the horizon at crazy angles with total confidence. With nothing, seemingly deviating the AK 550 from its line, the Road Tester was wowed at the spring rates and damping, claiming that these were absolutely spot on.

Dave attributes the punchy power to the superb Brembo brakes, which lends its confidence to the Super Tourer badging. While he states that, the two 270 mm discs up front and the 260 mm rear haul play a big part in this equation too, as the scoot speeds down with aplomb. The seat height of 785 mm, allied to all the heavy bits being located low down; make the bike feel significantly lighter than its 226 kg dry weight.

The frame is alloy and the mag wheels are die-cast and hollow, all aimed at keeping the weight down. The wheelbase is a long 1580 mm. By comparison, a Yamaha Tracer has a 1530 mm wheelbase. This endows the AK 550 with excellent, high-speed stability, yet it still turns properly, probably courtesy of its mass centralisation and low COG (centre of gravity).

In the bottom line: Dave reports that he did a 750 k round trip and confirms that the Kymco AK 550 is without a doubt a super touring package. He further stated that the under-seat storage and the two cubbyholes make for typical scooter convenience. With decent weather protection, the performance is good. The handling and ride are class leading and good, even compared against any motorcycle out there. The fit and finish is generally decent too, he reported.

With the AK 550 normal retail price at R154, 950, the Road Tester considers it is a steal at the current ‘March Madness’ KYMCO offer at R134, 950.

 “The AK 550 makes a really compelling statement at this price, so if you are serious about economical, fun-filled commuting and holiday touring, then look no further.”

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