THE Kymco AK550 Premium straddles the line between maxi-scooter practicality and true sport-touring capability.
When I picked it up in Shah Alam, I wondered if a scooter this large could still slip through rush-hour traffic to my home in Puchong, Selangor, where gridlock is routine.
To my surprise, I managed with ease, needing only about 20 minutes to get acquainted with the size and the torque of this gentle beast.
Up close, the AK550 looks sharp and athletic.
The layered bodywork, low-slung nose and twin LED headlights give it a serious face, more akin to a sport-touring motorcycle than a traditional maxi-scooter.
I particularly like how the front fairing flows cleanly into the sculpted midsection before tapering toward the stepped saddle.
It looks cohesive and contemporary without being loud for the sake of attention.
The practical bits are smartly integrated.
I appreciated the full-colour TFT dashboard, selectable riding modes, under seat storage that fits daily essentials, and an adjustable windscreen that genuinely helps on longer rides.
However, I did notice that some of the panels felt more plasticky than what I’d expect from a scooter competing in a demanding segment.
It doesn’t feel cheap, but the difference is noticeable if you’ve spent time on the class benchmarks.
Once seated, I immediately felt at home.
The riding position is neutral, slightly forward, and the seat height is welcoming even for shorter riders.
The saddle is supportive without being couch-soft and I never felt sore, even after longer rides.
Taller riders will appreciate the generous footwell space that makes it easy to stretch out a little.
The handlebars are positioned naturally and offer good leverage, making the AK550 feel more motorcycle-like when hustling through city traffic or sweeping corners.
Wind protection is decent, especially with the screen raised.
At highway speeds, buffeting is kept under control.
Adjusting it manually isn’t difficult, but I did find myself thinking an electronic system would have been a nicer premium touch.
Passengers get a comfortable pad and well-placed grab handles.
I had no complaints from my friends and family members who sat as pillions.
The braking on the AK550 is surprisingly strong.
The dual front discs deliver powerful stopping force with reassuring progression, and the ABS is tuned well enough that I rarely noticed it intervening.
Lever feel is commendably smooth and predictable, which gave me confidence to brake deeper into corners or shed speed quickly in sticky situations.
The rear brake, however, felt a little weak to me, particularly during low-speed manoeuvring.
It gets the job done, but the feedback could be better for such a sporty-leaning scooter.
The AK550 rides on a nicely balanced suspension setup.
The front fork is compliant enough to soak up potholes and patchy asphalt, yet firm enough not to dive under hard braking.
The rear monoshock is adjustable for preload, which helped when I added a passenger or luggage.
The scooter’s 14.5-litre tank gave me a realistic range of about 260 to 320km depending on city traffic plus highway stretches and how generous I was with the throttle.
On gentler rides, I leaned closer to the higher figure, while spirited rides pulled it toward the lower end.
It’s perfectly adequate for daily use, though interstate touring would require more frequent fuel stops than a larger-tank tourer.
I found the AK550 to be a willing and comfortable city companion.
The power delivery is smooth and friendly from the first twist, letting me squeeze through stop-and-go traffic without drama.
The CVT feels well-calibrated, keeping the engine in the sweet spot without the buzzy flare some scooters suffer from.
At very low speeds, I could feel its weight, but it never felt clumsy.
Once rolling, it became surprisingly nimble.
The U-turns and tight parking techniques require some familiarity, but I did not struggle.
During the interstate ride between Kuala Lumpur and Johor, I really began to appreciate the AK550’s calm, touring character.
Cruising speeds felt effortless and the scooter never felt strained.
Overtaking traffic was just a matter of throttle input; the twin-cylinder responded with a confident surge that made passing lorries feel natural.
Wind protection was good, though not perfect, and while the engine is smooth enough, riders familiar with Japanese twin refinement may detect a slightly coarser note.
Still, over longer rides the AK550 remained composed and comfortable, and I ended journeys without
feeling battered by windblast or vibration.
On narrow B-roads, the AK550 became more entertaining than I expected.
The chassis is eager enough to let you carry decent corner speed, and the suspension shrugged off mid-corner bumps without unsettling the bike.
While it can’t flick like a lightweight sports bike, instead I enjoyed the balanced, predictable feel that encourages confident riding.
Genting Highlands is always a good test of any motorcycle.
Up the hill, the AK550 held its pace without hesitation.
The twin engine had more than enough torque to keep me moving briskly past slower traffic, and chassis stability meant I could lean into switchbacks with trust.
Braking on the downhill felt strong and consistent without fade.
The scooter’s weight appears again on tight hairpins, reminding me to stay intentional with body positioning, but it never felt unwieldy.
After spending time with the AK550, priced at RM65,600, I came away impressed.
On weekdays, it gave me scooter-friendly ease and practicality.
On weekends, it had enough sport-touring character to make me want to keep riding.
It isn’t flawless but the shortcomings never overshadowed the scooter’s capability.
SPECIFICATIONS
Kymco AK550 Premium
Engine: 550.4cc, liquid-cooled, in line twin, DOHC
Maximum power: 50.9hp at 7,500rpm
Maximum torque: 52Nm at 6,000rpm
Suspension: Front USD telescopic forks, non-adjustable; rear horizontal trailing arm
Brakes: Front 270mm twin discs, four-piston radial Brembo callipers; rear 260mm single disc, twin-piston calliper
Fuel capacity: 14.5 litres
Wet weight: 238kg
Price: RM65,600 (excluding insurance and road tax)
