Kymco AK 550 Premium scooter arrives

The top model in Kymco’s scooter range, the AK 550 Premium, has landed in Australia, replacing the AK 550 in the locally-available lineup and bringing a bunch of refinements and technical updates that make this maxi scooter safer, smoother and more comfortable to ride.

Standard features include a ride-by-wire throttle, cruise control, traction control, cornering ABS, two riding modes, a power windshield and three-stage adjustable heated grips.

While some AK 550 features remain, like keyless ignition and full LED lighting, the Premium adds to or upgrades these, including improved DRLs and the addition of an ignition button as part of a new centre console that combines the most commonly used functions, like seat release, fuel cap release and steering lock. A tripmeter is also included in this group of buttons that are laid out like piano keys.

The AK 550 Premium’s three-dial LED colour instrument display houses the interactive and smartphone-activated Noodoe entertainment and navigation system in the middle screen. When navigation isn’t required, this screen can be configured as an analogue speedometer or clock. In the left-hand screen, there’s a revcounter, odometer, tripmeter and various advisories for things like traction control and tyre pressure monitoring.

The right-hand screen contains a large digital speedometer, temp and fuel gauges, plus more advisory and warning lights for things like the heated grips, ABS, parking brake and a service reminder.

Overall, instrumentation on the AK 550 Premium is said to be brighter and with much higher definition than the AK 550.

Powering the AK 550 Premium is a 550cc parallel twin engine. At 37.5kW and 52Nm, both power and torque are down slightly compared to the AK 550’s maximums of 39.3kW and 55.6Nm, but this may be the result of the engine now being Euro5 compliant.

LAMS legality remains at the new maximums, while the exhaust is described as delivering an intoxicating sound. Performance can be adjusted using the selectable power modes of Standard and Rain that alter engine output and throttle response, as well as the traction control and ABS intervention.

The liquid-cooled twin is matched to a wet clutch and CVT transmission with belt final drive, all of which are unchanged from the AK 550, but fuel capacity has been reduced 500ml to 14.5 litres, which in turn has contributed to a 3kg weight reduction to 223kg.

Other features of note include ventilated disc brakes front and rear (with Brembo calipers on the dual 270mm front discs), 15-inch wheels, 41mm USD front suspension and horizontal trailing arm rear suspension with preload adjustability.

Abundant underseat storage that's illuminated and can take a full-face helmet is unchanged from the AK 550, as are the front storage lockers, 785mm seat height, two USB ports, span-adjustable levers and both a side and centre stand.

Styling changes introduced to the AK 550 for 2022 carry over mostly unchanged to the AK 550 Premium and include revised side plastics, pillion grab handles, a reshaped seat and front-end changes.

The Kymco AK 500 Premium maxi scooter is available in a choice of two colours – Black or Calm Blue – and is priced from $14,490 (+ ORCs), backed by a 3-year factory warranty.

For more details, go to kymco.com.au or see your Kymco dealer.