I wrote Kymco about the AK 575 Premium availability in the US about 8 months ago

[mgg]

I got an email today from Kymco America stating that the AK 550 Premium will start being shipped to the USA immidiatly.
I was interested in the AK 575 but besides the 25cc motor displacment it looks like there is very little difference between the 2. The 550 has more than enough power. I am definetly going to contact my closest dealer and find out when they will get them. I love my C 400gt but this scooter has at least four things that I want that the BMW is not likely to get.
1. Cruise Control.
2. Electronic adjustable windshield.
3. The ability to do over 100 MPH. ( I think I read it will do 110 mph)
4. TPMS
ALL STANDARD.

I hope it is not price prohibitive.
The BMW is so comfortable and easy to ride so I hope the Kymko is competative in those areas as well.
This could be my next and final scooter. ( I've said that before.)

mgg

 

[MeSeaHunt]

the kymco is $2500 more in initial msrp before u even start w/the accy's....

 

[wspollack]

the kymco is $2500 more in initial msrp before u even start w/the accy's....

Well, it's all relative:

- The AK 550 has about 1.5 times the HP of the C 400, and (as @mgg pointed out) a lot more features. It's more in the class of the now-defunct BMW 600/650 scooters (or the now-defunct Burgman 650, and I had two of those), i.e., the maxi-scooters, as opposed to the, um, almost-maxi-scooter class that I'd put the C 400 in.

- Similarly, my C 400 GT has about 1.7 times the HP of my other bike, my Royal Enfield Meteor 350. And the former cost about twice the price of the latter. I enjoy them both.

- You might faint if I told you how much I paid for a huge Victory bagger back in 2012.

It's all in what you want, what you get, what you can afford, and what you're willing to pay. The Kymco seems like a reasonable deal to me.

(Full disclosure: the AK 550 was at the top of my list, back around 2021, when I was in the market to replace a 13-year old Burgman 650. I probably would have bought a 550, except that I couldn't find one to even test-sit on, within hundreds of miles. And then in 2022, my wife and I did a couple of Edelweiss tours on a C 400, she said she liked the ergos, and it was game over: I ordered a C 400 GT the day after we got home.)

 

[MeSeaHunt]

Well, it's all relative:

- The AK 550 has about 1.5 times the HP of the C 400, and (as @mgg pointed out) a lot more features. It's more in the class of the now-defunct BMW 600/650 scooters (or the now-defunct Burgman 650, and I had two of those), i.e., the maxi-scooters, as opposed to the, um, almost-maxi-scooter class that I'd put the C 400 in.

- Similarly, my C 400 GT has about 1.7 times the HP of my other bike, my Royal Enfield Meteor 350. And the former cost about twice the price of the latter. I enjoy them both.

- You might faint if I told you how much I paid for a huge Victory bagger back in 2012.

It's all in what you want, what you get, what you can afford, and what you're willing to pay. The Kymco seems like a reasonable deal to me.

(Full disclosure: the AK 550 was at the top of my list, back around 2021, when I was in the market to replace a 13-year old Burgman 650. I probably would have bought a 550, except that I couldn't find one to even test-sit on, within hundreds of miles. And then in 2022, my wife and I did a couple of Edelweiss tours on a C 400, she said she liked the ergos, and it was game over: I ordered a C 400 GT the day after we got home.)

no fainting for this guy, I have a Vic Vision, can't get rid of it because it is like sitting in a lounge chair not to mention the constant triple digits it consistently sees on the interstate......

called the closest dealer by me to see the Kymco and they just got a blue one(not my choice) so guess I will try to make time to go see it and report back...

 

[wspollack]

no fainting for this guy, I have a Vic Vision, can't get rid of it because it is like sitting in a lounge chair not to mention the constant triple digits it consistently sees on the interstate......

called the closest dealer by me to see the Kymco and they just got a blue one(not my choice) so guess I will try to make time to go see it and report back...

I liked the Vision, but waited for the XCT, primarily because it had larger saddlebags and a larger top case:

2012 Victory Cross Country Tour

billanddot.com

I bought that in early 2012, just as they came out. In 2017, I sold it to "Vinish," a moderator (or at least a major presence on both of the Vic forums; he and his wife have four XCTs, two in NC and two in FL. (The bike was getting a little heavy for me, but mostly my wife had stopped riding pillion very much, as a result of some medical issues.)

 

[MeSeaHunt]

I liked the Vision, but waited for the XCT, primarily because it had larger saddlebags and a larger top case:

2012 Victory Cross Country Tour

billanddot.com

I bought that in early 2012, just as they came out. In 2017, I sold it to "Vinish," a moderator (or at least a major presence on both of the Vic forums; he and his wife have four XCTs, two in NC and two in FL. (The bike was getting a little heavy for me, but mostly my wife had stopped riding pillion very much, as a result of some medical issues.)

when we took our Vision on its test ride my wife kept bumping her helmet on mine? I pulled over to see what was going on and she said she was so comfy that she was going to sleep, so as soon as we got back to the dealer I told them to just let me keep the keys!! On our HD Ultra she is sooo close that she does not get that comfy, it has been a great bike and we had an awesome time at the last rally/manf picnic up in IA before they closed down, great community of riders until Polaris screwed us ALL!!!

 

[mgg]

So far I have called 3 of the dealers on Kymco's list. One is no longer a dealer, one sells used Kymco's they said they have a 550i 2024 it is not a premium because it is gray. The flyer below states there are only 2 colors matte brown and gloss black. And the third one I called said they are a dealer however they do not stock any Kymco's they are special order only. Oh well I'll keep looking. But now I am at over 50 miles from my house to the next dealer.

Kymco USA sent these links in the email

Dealer Locator - Kymco USA

kymcousa.com

AK 550i Premium - Kymco USA

The AK550i Premium provides the comfort and convenience of a scooter with the attitude and performance of a motorcycle.

kymcousa.com

https://kymcousa.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AK550i-PREMIUM.pdf

 

[MeSeaHunt]

So far I have called 3 of the dealers on Kymco's list. One is no longer a dealer, one sells used Kymco's they said they have a 550i 2024 it is not a premium because it is gray. The flyer below states there are only 2 colors matte brown and gloss black. And the third one I called said they are a dealer however they do not stock any Kymco's they are special order only. Oh well I'll keep looking. But now I am at over 50 miles from my house to the next dealer.

Kymco USA sent these links in the email

Dealer Locator - Kymco USA

kymcousa.com

AK 550i Premium - Kymco USA

The AK550i Premium provides the comfort and convenience of a scooter with the attitude and performance of a motorcycle.

kymcousa.com

https://kymcousa.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AK550i-PREMIUM.pdf

There is definitely an issue on the manf website, in one description the 2 colors available are different than if you are on the model specific page? I called a dealer today with questions and the young not so knowledgeable person said he was going to call their representative and would get back to me? Will see if that happens and will update

 

[mgg]

They have different colors in other countries for sure. And they have sold the 550i non Premium in the US for a few years. That is another area of confusion. The Premium has cruise control, and many features that the standard does not have. The standard version looks pretty nice but does not entice me to move off of my C400gt.

At this point what I can do is go look at and ride the 2024 gray 550i at the dealer that is 35 miles from me. If the riding position is comfortable and everything else checks out it might entice me to order a Premium from the Kymco dealer who doesn't stock them but isn't too much farther away.

 

[MeSeaHunt]

They have different colors in other countries for sure. And they have sold the 550i non Premium in the US for a few years. That is another area of confusion. The Premium has cruise control, and many features that the standard does not have. The standard version looks pretty nice but does not entice me to move off of my C400gt.

At this point what I can do is go look at and ride the 2024 gray 550i at the dealer that is 35 miles from me. If the riding position is comfortable and everything else checks out it might entice me to order a Premium from the Kymco dealer who doesn't stock them but isn't too much farther away.

when i asked about a 2025 special order i was told that if kymco has one built already they will ship it, if not than all the dealer will attempt is to find one at another dealer to work a deal and have it delivered, so not building 2025's anymore?? i don't u/s why this is since they are in GA, and there are no 2026's in the system yet.... this is why it pisses me off that these multi brand dealers push you aside when you make them WORK and do their job, if it aint easy for the kid on the floor to sell what someone ordered then they get in a tizzy cause they don't know the brand and how to please a customer... it ain't that frickn difficult!!!

 

[mgg]

I went to a dealer yesterday to sit on, bounce on, and start a used 2024 (1300 miles) Kymco 550i ABS yesterday. (Not the Premium) It was medium gray color and in my opionion a beutiful scooter. (I have to admit in person it looks better than the C400gt to me.) Of course I love that color as well. I did not ask to take it for a ride as I was not actually interested in purchasing this model. I loved it but I know I would be in the same situation wishing I had cruise and the electronic windshield.

I liked just about everything about it. The color, the looks, the sturdy feeling, the switches, the underseat carpeted storage, the dash is amazing and you have to see it in person to know what I mean. I don't think it offers anymore information than the C 400 but it shure looks cooler.
I have to say the glove boxes felt flimsy compared to the C 400 but everything else was very solid.

Where it falls a little short.
I leaned the bike back and forth a few times and I could feel it was heavier than the C 400 and I did not feel like the center of gravity was quite as low. It was good and said to be the lowest in class but the C400 is amazing in this respect.
The seat height is one inch higher 31.1 the C 400 is 30.1.

All in all If I did not already have the BMW I would likely purchase this over it. (Pending a test ride.)
But it does not have quite enough to entice me to change.

mgg

 

[MeSeaHunt]

I went to a dealer yesterday to sit on, bounce on, and start a used 2024 (1300 miles) Kymco 550i ABS yesterday. (Not the Premium) It was medium gray color and in my opionion a beutiful scooter. (I have to admit in person it looks better than the C400gt to me.) Of course I love that color as well. I did not ask to take it for a ride as I was not actually interested in purchasing this model. I loved it but I know I would be in the same situation wishing I had cruise and the electronic windshield.

I liked just about everything about it. The color, the looks, the sturdy feeling, the switches, the underseat carpeted storage, the dash is amazing and you have to see it in person to know what I mean. I don't think it offers anymore information than the C 400 but it shure looks cooler.
I have to say the glove boxes felt flimsy compared to the C 400 but everything else was very solid.

Where it falls a little short.
I leaned the bike back and forth a few times and I could feel it was heavier than the C 400 and I did not feel like the center of gravity was quite as low. It was good and said to be the lowest in class but the C400 is amazing in this respect.
The seat height is one inch higher 31.1 the C 400 is 30.1.

All in all If I did not already have the BMW I would likely purchase this over it. (Pending a test ride.)
But it does not have quite enough to entice me to change.

mgg

wish i had a dealer close to me w/a premium model, sure would like to give it the once over....
for $4k less than the bmw it is appealing.... $ is $, kymco is saying that there are even more improvements coming in 2026 and beyond for the usa market scoots? unfortunately it is the opposite for bmw....

 

[wspollack]

I went to a dealer yesterday to sit on, bounce on, and start a used 2024 (1300 miles) Kymco 550i ABS yesterday. (Not the Premium) It was medium gray color and in my opionion a beutiful scooter. (I have to admit in person it looks better than the C400gt to me.) Of course I love that color as well. I did not ask to take it for a ride as I was not actually interested in purchasing this model. I loved it but I know I would be in the same situation wishing I had cruise and the electronic windshield.

I liked just about everything about it. The color, the looks, the sturdy feeling, the switches, the underseat carpeted storage, the dash is amazing and you have to see it in person to know what I mean. I don't think it offers anymore information than the C 400 but it shure looks cooler.
I have to say the glove boxes felt flimsy compared to the C 400 but everything else was very solid.

Where it falls a little short.
I leaned the bike back and forth a few times and I could feel it was heavier than the C 400 and I did not feel like the center of gravity was quite as low. It was good and said to be the lowest in class but the C400 is amazing in this respect.
The seat height is one inch higher 31.1 the C 400 is 30.1.

All in all If I did not already have the BMW I would likely purchase this over it. (Pending a test ride.)
But it does not have quite enough to entice me to change.

mgg

Nice report.

I hear you, re getting yet another bike without, say, cruise and TPMS. I have the same opinion, e.g., why bother?

Regarding the weight, I bet you're right: it's a center of gravity thing. Kymco's stating that "AK 550 has the lowest center of gravity in its class" is a bit weaselly, that part about "in its class"; they make up whatever "class" means.

On paper, they're about the same, except that Kymco doesn't bother to state the ready-to-ride weight:



(That's from https://kymcousa.com/2023-scooters/2023-ak-550i-abs/ .)

I give BMW for stating the real-world weight:



(That's from https://www.bmwmotorcycles.com/en/m...gt/technicaldata.html#/section-technical-data .)

There's no industry standard that I'm aware of for specifying "dry weight." It may exclude gas, engine oil, fork oil, and even a battery. Much better to compare apples to apples.

Yep, I've seen pics and videos of the Kymco dash. I actually complained to BMW NA in an email once about the lackluster TFT display. I pointed out that most other BMW models -- I've done a fair amount of test rides across their line-up -- use more colors and better graphics, almost as if the TFT code for the C 400 were written for a non-colored LCD.

In any case, I look forward to another report from you, should you ever do a test ride on a 550 Premium.

 

[mgg]

wish i had a dealer close to me w/a premium model, sure would like to give it the once over....
for $4k less than the bmw it is appealing.... $ is $, kymco is saying that there are even more improvements coming in 2026 and beyond for the usa market scoots? unfortunately it is the opposite for bmw....

I'm speculating that we are getting the last of the AK550i Primiums. In 2026 they should be the new AK 575i Premiums. They have a 24cc bigger motor but I can't find any other differences. The AK 575i Premium is already being shipped to the Philippiens. I'm sure this is a marketing thing as the competitor Yamaha in this class has the T-Max 560 .

 

[MeSeaHunt]

I'm speculating that we are getting the last of the AK550i Primiums. In 2026 they should be the new AK 575i Premiums. They have a 24cc bigger motor but I can't find any other differences. The AK 575i Premium is already being shipped to the Philippiens. I'm sure this is a marketing thing as the competitor Yamaha in this class has the T-Max 560 .

its funny u should mention that, we just bought of nephew there a new tmax for his hs graduation and eagle scout inception, i told him to go look at the bmw/yamaha/kymco and let me know which he like and send me all the brochures/info/pricing....
the major issue in that country is the business owners(crooks) really screw the citizens by marking EVERY THING up at least 3x because they can.... but for some odd reason when they know they are dealing with an outsider(me) their attitude/outlook/prices change and they magically become more reasonable??? so he picked the tmax(which i agreed with) and is happy scootin around..... if the tmax was offered here I would jump on it in a heartbeat! when you have a name brand scoot in those countries it is a status symbol and the riders have a constant smile when riding one and they take care of them, the off brands are used for the taxis/commuters/gen purpose/folks w/just a lil less income. so now i have promised him that when he graduates med school i will buy him a bigger class m/c if that is what he still wants? i am looking fwd to my visit next year so i can ride the tmax....

 

[SamKool]

re. center of gravity... from the list of scooters i've owned the italians (aprilia/piaggio) had the highest center of gravity, making the mp3 the hardest to balance. also the tires should be a little beefier on the mp3 500.

the honda's and yamaha's were fine.

the new bmw c400 gt is my favorite, lowest center of gravity i've owned, more solid feeling, well matched wheels/tire size.

 

[wspollack]

its funny u should mention that, we just bought of nephew there a new tmax for his hs graduation and eagle scout inception, i told him to go look at the bmw/yamaha/kymco and let me know which he like and send me all the brochures/info/pricing....
the major issue in that country is the business owners(crooks) really screw the citizens by marking EVERY THING up at least 3x because they can.... but for some odd reason when they know they are dealing with an outsider(me) their attitude/outlook/prices change and they magically become more reasonable??? so he picked the tmax(which i agreed with) and is happy scootin around..... if the tmax was offered here I would jump on it in a heartbeat! when you have a name brand scoot in those countries it is a status symbol and the riders have a constant smile when riding one and they take care of them, the off brands are used for the taxis/commuters/gen purpose/folks w/just a lil less income. so now i have promised him that when he graduates med school i will buy him a bigger class m/c if that is what he still wants? i am looking fwd to my visit next year so i can ride the tmax....

I did a demo ride of the T-Max at Americade one year. I'm guessing, oh, maybe 2010. I felt it was a great ride, a bit sportier than the Burgman 650 (and I think I owned my first one of those at the time), a little less touring-oriented.

(As an aside, just to report on how some folks are like, um, sheep, after my early morning demo ride, I asked them could I take it for a second spin. That is, when we finished, the new folks lined up by their respective bikes, the ones they had signed up for, for the next time slot. No one was by the T-Max, i.e., no one had signed up for it. But I was told, nope, only one ride per particular bike per prospective buyer. I pointed out that it was just going to sit there in the parking lot, while everyone else left on the other bikes for the next demo ride. Didn't phase the people in charge.)

In 2017, I sent Yamaha USA a paper letter, asking them to bring the T-Max back to North America. (I sent them similar but shorter letters once a year for several years after that, and eventually gave up.)

Here's what I wrote to them:

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

To:Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA
6555 Katella Avenue
Cypress, CA 90630

Re:Yamaha TMAX DX to USA for 2018

Yamaha USA Folks:

Here's the executive summary:

- I would be delighted if you would import the TMAX DX scooter into the United States for 2018.

- I would gladly put down a significant deposit on one now.

- You folks would OWN the maxi-scooter market in the USA.

Here's a longer version, going back in time a bit:

2007:

I purchased, new, a Suzuki Burgman 650 Exec scooter. I enjoyed it for five years, trading it in on a Victory Cross Country Tour in 2012.

2012(?):

When BMW had just introduced their pair of 650 scooters into the US, I spoke with a BMW corporate representative at the New York City cycle show. One of the things I asked about concerned their lack of cruise control. He told me that, given the smaller distances traveled in Europe, and the scooters' lack of throttle-by-wire, the scooters would never have cruise control.

He was right about that, so far – they still don't. (As far as cables and cruise, not a show stopper. My Victory had both throttle cables and cruise control. But I digress.)

2016:

I purchased another Burgman 650 Exec (this time a used 2008 one).

2017:

I sold my Victory, after five years, preferring to ride my 2008 Burgman.

That's the backstory, as they say.

Now, a few additional notes:

I added electronic cruise control to my first Burgman, shortly after I bought it in 2007. This was from a company called MC Cruise, and cost me about $600. MC Cruise still makes a Burgman add-on, but the price is about double that now, so I regretfully decided to forgo this on my recently acquired 2008 Burgman.

And as I mentioned, the BMW pair don't offer cruise control, either.

The Silver Wing? Honda seems to have abandoned the maxi-scooter arena four years ago.

Weight? The Burgman 650 comes in at something like 610 lbs. That's almost 300 lighter than my Victory, but still more than 100 lbs. heavier than the TMAX.

And you have belt final drive, and the new TFT display, the smart key fob, and the phone app. And the 15”/15” wheel combination (the Burgman still has 15F/14R).

Put another way, you're way ahead of the competition.

So why you'd want to give away the market in the USA is beyond me. Did I mention that all you have to do is bring in the TMAX DX, and you'd OWN the maxi-scooter here?

If you were paying attention, you'll have noted that I'm riding a nine-year-old scooter now, having just sold a five-year-old bagger. I am your target audience, and I would love to purchase a brand-new, class-leading, maxi-scooter next year.

I would be willing to put a deposit down on the new TMAX DX right now. Heck, if push came to shove, I'd be willing to pay for it outright now.

Didn't you folks pull this stunt – requiring a deposit – a few years back, to verify interest in one of your bikes? Was it an FJR model, or maybe the Super Ténéré? In any case, things worked out well, right? Bring it, and they will buy it, right?

Only with respect to the TMAX DX, it would be a case of “bring it, and you will own the market.”

And then it wouldn't surprise me if I were to write a thorough and honest review of the scoot, same as I did after my first season on the first-year edition of the Cross Country Tour: see my webBikeWorld article http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-reviews/victory-cross-country-tour-review/.

That's all I got. Feel free to get in touch with me if you have any comments or questions.

Regards,

________________________________________________________________________________________________________


As I say, that was back in 2017, and the Burgman 650 is now defunct, too.

Meanwhile, Yamaha has continued to improve and enhance the T-Max every couple of years. And so not surprisingly, it continues to sell very well in Europe and some other parts of the world.

So I'm big fan of that scoot, but my personal letter-writing campaign didn't budge them.

 

[MeSeaHunt]

Imo the mid size line is going to be history in the near future in the states, the baby 50-125’s will be it due to they have no tech and the manf’s don’t have to spend any extra money/engineering???
This is why I am waiting to hear back on the bmw tpms and if it can be done I will get one of the last 2025’s

 

[MeSeaHunt]

this video is TRUE for ALL makes/lines

 

[mgg]

Just an update. I have found 2 dealers within 65 miles of my house that can and will order a Kymco AK550 Premium for me if I want it. It will only take 10 days to get it. Neither will take my BMW in trade but I was given a pretty good OTD price from one of the dealers. I'm doing a pro's and con's list. I'm trying to justify the purchase.

While doing the Pro's & Con's list I was surprised to find that the Kymco does not have auto turn signal ancelation. I know that some people do not like this feature but I find it to be a real safety issue. If your scooters left turn signal is left on, driving into traffic that is also turning left could become a real issue.
You can add aftermarket detectors that work well so it is not a deal breaker. Just interesting that a scooter at this level would not have them.