2025 Models in the USA? (and maybe a slight rant...)

[wspollack]

I just watched this review of the Kymco AK 550i Premium and it said that the speed is regulated at 130 KPH which is a little over 80 MPH. After re-watching I discovered that is only when you are using the cruiz control. Other wise it will do 160 kph which is 99 mph. I also saw a review where they achived 119 mph. So I assume there is no regulator and that is 119 mph. Again I do not think the Premium model is sold in the US.

That's correct:

- The regular AK 550 is currently the only version sold in the USA, and it does not have cruise control. See https://kymcousa.com/2024-models/2024-ak-550i-abs/

- The AK 550 Premium does have cruise, and is sold, for instance, in the UK (and I believe the rest of Europe and Asia). See https://www.kymco.co.uk/finance

- The one and only version of the CV3 is sold worldwide, and since it uses the Premium AK 550 as its "donor bike" it has cruise control.

EDIT ADDITION:

And, by the way, did you see my thread from last week:

Thread 'C 400 GT/X: A Little Help With A Cruise-Control Letter-Writing Campaign, Please'

Dec 27, 2024

400 Owners:

I recently learned of a Canadian company, Veridian, that makes after-market cruise controls for bikes:

https://veridiancruise.com/

Previously, I was only aware of MC Cruise, https://mccruise.com/ . That's a long-established Australian company, but they don't deal with the C 400, they concentrate on bikes with actual throttle cables, and their products are relatively expensive. Actually, back in 2007, I bought and installed an MC Cruise for my then-new Burgman 650. I have checked in with them in the last few years via a couple of emails, but it looks as if their...

• wspollack
• Replies: 15
• Forum: C400X - C400GT Modifications

• 

 

[mgg]

I would much rather have the 2 wheel premium than the CV3. But maybe someday who knows. I'm feeling prety healthy at 70 years old rt now. But that can always change.

 

[mgg]

So, I'm watching Youtube and this comes up.

So I watch it and notice the new Kymco AK 575. It has all the lights and whistles so I look it up to see if it actually offers cruise control (It shows cruise in the video.) and would't you know it, cruise is only on the Preimium version. I assume the Premium is not available in the US but I do a search anyway and the results are that the 2025 AK 575 Premium is or will be offered in the US?
This could be a game changer for me. I am definitly going to call one of the dealers Monday to verify and get more info. If it is all true I will definitely do a test ride next spring and if all is good this may be my next bike in search of the perfect scooter. I'm 70, don't speend my money on much and you only live once. I have to try if for fit and see what I think. I might keep the C400gt for my niece if she wants it. Living close to Chicago has it's advantages. There are 3 dealers within 50 miles of my house. I'm kind of excited for the first time today.

Just did another search and there is no pricing on it yet.

 

[wspollack]

...
I assume the Premium is not available in the US but I do a search anyway and the results are that the 2025 AK 575 Premium is or will be offered in the US?
...

I watched that chunk of the video, and read this short blurb -- https://www.eicma.it/en/kymco-ak-575-premium-2025-my/ -- and did some other browsing and searching, and couldn't find anything about the prospective sale of the 575 in North America. (I did find one AI-generated answer to my query about the 575 vis-a-vis North American sales, but AI bots often generate nonsense, don't cite any references, are subject to "hallucinations" as they're called, etc.)

So I sent this off to Kymco USA, via their contact web form (https://kymcousa.com/contact/):

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Can you tell me whether the new AK 575 Premium will be sold in the USA and, if so, its anticipated arrival date in dealer showrooms here?

Currently, there is a dearth of maxi-scooters sold in North America in general, and your CV3 and Piaggio's MP3 530 hpe Exclusive are, to my knowledge, the only maxi-scooters sold in the USA that include cruise-control (along with other rare features, such as TPMS and, on the AK 550 and AK 575, single rear shock absorbers, for instance). Many prospective North American riders are already disappointed, by the way, that the current AK 550 Premium is not sold here.

Thank you for your assistance and for your time.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

I'll report back here, of course, if someone responds to me. In the meantime, good luck on your dealer-contact mission.

 

[mgg]

I plan to call them tomorrow. So when I did my search it brought me to an AI Overview. Dam it, I did not realize these were BS. The ones I have seen in the past were pretty acurate.

So I'm guessing they are not going to import it as it is made in China and the terrifs may be so high that it is just not practicle.

 

[wspollack]

I plan to call them tomorrow. So when I did my search it brought me to an AI Overview. Dam it, I did not realize these were BS. The ones I have seen in the past were pretty acurate.

So I'm guessing they are not going to import it as it is made in China and the terrifs may be so high that it is just not practicle.

Kymco is a Taiwanese company, so there may be hope yet.

 

[mgg]

Kymco is a Taiwanese company, so there may be hope yet.

That is good news! Being made in Taiwan is the key. I bought a Vissani refregirator at Home Depot about 5 years ago, that was made in Taiwan. It was a few hundred dolloars less than those made in China. I assumed that was because of the terrifs? It's a beutiful fridge that so far has worked well.
You have given me new hope. (Just a little.) I think it would be wise of them to import it as I believe there is a market here for that scoot. Especially since BMW does not make the 650 any more.
The Powersports dealers around here are mostly closed on Mondays. Arlington Motor Sports might be open for calls as they have Monday listed, by appointment only. I'll give them a call and see what I can find out later.
We got 3 inches of snow last night so that will be my first order of business.

 

[moto-cavallo]

Hey Gents, hope all is well -

I have two Kymco dealers (according to Kymco's website) that are pretty 'close' by me. One's about 25 miles away, and the other is 35 miles - both about an hour. Been calling both for past 4-5 weeks, sent emails as well, inquiring on the Kymco AK 550 stock if any in the showroom that I could sit on, and whether the 575 is coming here - no response... until one of the two dealers finally picked up the phone last Friday.

Very short convo, as the gentleman I spoke to was very nice and to the point - no AK 550s available and none on order, and according to him Kymco's inventory in the USA has been much less in the past 2 years than what they supplied previously. He also mentioned ordering the parts from them has been a challenge in the last couple of years and described their operation as chaotic and amateur. He said he had no idea if the 575 is coming - but if so, he'd be happy to order one if I was interested. I think, effectively saying that he doesn't plan to have any in the showroom in the future, but can order - similar to what they told Bill by his dealer.

Anyway, that's about as much as I got - curious to hear what feedback MGG gets from his dealer, and I'll still try the other dealership in LIC - but there's doubts if they're even still in business anymore.

 

[mgg]

Hey Gents, hope all is well -

I have two Kymco dealers (according to Kymco's website) that are pretty 'close' by me. One's about 25 miles away, and the other is 35 miles - both about an hour. Been calling both for past 4-5 weeks, sent emails as well, inquiring on the Kymco AK 550 stock if any in the showroom that I could sit on, and whether the 575 is coming here - no response... until one of the two dealers finally picked up the phone last Friday.

Very short convo, as the gentleman I spoke to was very nice and to the point - no AK 550s available and none on order, and according to him Kymco's inventory in the USA has been much less in the past 2 years than what they supplied previously. He also mentioned ordering the parts from them has been a challenge in the last couple of years and described their operation as chaotic and amateur. He said he had no idea if the 575 is coming - but if so, he'd be happy to order one if I was interested. I think, effectively saying that he doesn't plan to have any in the showroom in the future, but can order - similar to what they told Bill by his dealer.

Anyway, that's about as much as I got - curious to hear what feedback MGG gets from his dealer, and I'll still try the other dealership in LIC - but there's doubts if they're even still in business anymore.

I called all of the three dealers that are within 50 miles of where I live. Two of them are closed until tomorrow. The third one said they are no longer a Kymco dealer. He said they are really good scooters but they had a hard time getting them. They stopped selling them 2 years ago. I'll try the other 2 tomorrow.

 

[moto-cavallo]

I called all of the three dealers that are within 50 miles of where I live. Two of them are closed until tomorrow. The third one said they are no longer a Kymco dealer. He said they are really good scooters but they had a hard time getting them. They stopped selling them 2 years ago. I'll try the other 2 tomorrow.

Not surprised, very similar message I got from the dealer I spoke to. He stopped short of saying they're no longer be dealing them, but said it was very difficult in the last 2 years. Said they were excellent scooters, though.

 

[mgg]

Well I got my answer back from Kymco USA today. They left me a voice mail that said the AK 575 would be available in Europe. He also tried to stear me to the CV3 to get all the features I want. I may not have understood everything he said on the voice mail he left but they also sent the following email.

They also left an email:
Thank you for reaching out to us about the KYMCO AK 575 Premium. These impressive new scooters will be making their way to the US but the timeline is currently unknown. It would be worth your time to look at the KYMCO CV3 as they are going to have the creature comforts that you’ve become accustomed to with your Indian and still the performance of the AK 575. The lean angle it’s capable of is more than impressive when you consider you also get the bonus of stability in low-speed maneuvers and ability to stop without ever putting a foot down.

So they are coming (maybe) but no one knows when. I will wait for the AK 575 unless something goes bad with my legs.

 

[DrCohen]

I don't have a scoot here yet - but have a rebel 500 - but I more enjoy being on the scooter, honestly. So no C 400gt yet, I almost bit the bullet and bought one in October, but have a lot going on at the time and now I figured I might as well wait a bit longer since I'm undecided. I've rode the C400gt in Italy in the summer, renting one when I was staying at my parents and really enjoyed it. I also rode my friend's Honda sh300i while I was there, which i enjoyed as well.

But I live in the USA, and in NJ, and I was originally thinking of the BV400, but the seat height and comfortability for me wasn't there - probably more to do with my inseam. Doable, but I felt more comfortable on the c400. So I'm more torn between the C400gt and AK550 - and my brain is telling me I get more bang for the buck with the AK, while I seem to lean toward the c400 - even though the price for what it is bothers me. But I have a BMW motorrad 15 mins from me, with service, which I really like - whereas I feel with the AK, the service aspect is an unknown and I'm not handy and would rely on the pros for maintenance service. I like your note about power - as here that is a big consideration when riding around here.

Sadly, Kymco dealers are scarce in the USA. If I needed to replace my C650GT and wanted a 550 instead of a 350, I'd have a serious talk with my local BMW shop about servicing a Kymco.

 

[wspollack]

For anyone interested, here's a screen grab from the Feb. 2025 issue of Rider magazine (which I get on-line). It covers the option packaging of the '25 C 400 GT (at least in North America, I presume):

 

[moto-cavallo]

For anyone interested, here's a screen grab from the Feb. 2025 issue of Rider magazine (which I get on-line). It covers the option packaging of the '25 C 400 GT (at least in North America, I presume):

View attachment 5433

they should mention that 80mph speed limiter.

 

[KeithQ]

Did I read correctly that in order to get an adjustable windhield one needs to purchase the 'Style Exclusive' package? Sheesh.

 

[wspollack]

Did I read correctly that in order to get an adjustable windhield one needs to purchase the 'Style Exclusive' package? Sheesh.

It's difficult to say. Someone may have to check with an actual BMW dealer to solve this question, and even then the answer may not be correct.

If you look at the Rider magazine page that I scanned -- post #33, above -- it says, "The Style Exclusive option includes an adjustable tinted windscreen ..." yada yada. But it's unclear (at least to me) whether the "adjustable" part is because of the Style Exclusive or whether it means merely that the "tinted" windscreen is automatically included.

That is, a possible interpretation is that ALL the '25 windscreens are adjustable, but that the tinted variant is the one that comes standard with the Style Exclusive. Follow me?

To try to get a handle on the question, I just spent about 10 minutes fiddling around with the BUILD YOUR OWN options at https://www.bmwmotorcycles.com/en/models/urban_mobility/c400gt.html .

And I got nowhere. There is no mention of the word "adjustable" anywhere, in any permutation that I could come up with (Premium Package, Style Exclusive, neither of those, individual lesser options, etc.).

So I give up, and assert that it's just not clear.

PS: I was surprised to see "Electronic Immobilizer" as Standard Equipment, i.e., with no extra-cost item(s) chosen. I could be wrong, of course, but I don't believe that's been an option in North America in prior model years, and I don't recall seeing that mentioned in any article about the '25 models to be sent here.

 

[Reguam]

The answer might be somewhere in the middle.

2025 BMW C400GT Totalmotorcycle.com Key Features​

• 350 cc water-cooled single-cylinder 34 hp motor with electronic throttle.
• New EU5+ emissions compliance.
• CVT transmission.
• New standard ABS Pro with BDC Dynamic Brake Control.
• New standard DTC Dynamic Traction Control and EBC Engine Brake Control.
• New two-position manually adjustable windscreen.
• New, reshaped seat, now 0.4-inches lower.
• New, increased under seat storage, now 7.1-liters larger.
• New, larger right-front storage compartment, now 3.2-liters larger.
• New USB-C charging port(s), replaces previous USB-A.
• New Style Exclusive in Diamond White Metallic.
• New Ultimate Care Break-In Service included.

 

[Reguam]

Did I read correctly that in order to get an adjustable windhield one needs to purchase the 'Style Exclusive' package? Sheesh.

I do not think so. You can chose between the floor light or floor boards with chrome highlights, and the tinted windshield.

 

[wspollack]

Yeah, I think what @Reguam said.

The actual relevant page at Total Motorcycle is this one:

2025 BMW C400GT Review • Total Motorcycle

Commuters and short-trip-takers will be particularly pleased with the increased storage space following the model update. After the update, its exclusive design in particular makes the BMW C 400 GT the gold standard for the [...]

www.totalmotorcycle.com

In there, they assert what I suggested as a possibility, i.e., that the adjustable windscreen comes with all the '25 C 400 GTs, but that that adjustable windscreen is also tinted when you get the fanciest version.

I'm basing this on these two lists there, if that link becomes obsolete, first the standard features, and then the list with the extra-cost options.

'25 standard features:



Extra-cost list:



Anyway, that's what it looks like from their lists. That assumes that Total Motorcycle got their facts correct, of course, which we really won't know until these bikes start shipping to Europe and the rest of the world, eventually including North America.

 

[KeithQ]

It's difficult to say. Someone may have to check with an actual BMW dealer to solve this question, and even then the answer may not be correct.

If you look at the Rider magazine page that I scanned -- post #33, above -- it says, "The Style Exclusive option includes an adjustable tinted windscreen ..." yada yada. But it's unclear (at least to me) whether the "adjustable" part is because of the Style Exclusive or whether it means merely that the "tinted" windscreen is automatically included.

That is, a possible interpretation is that ALL the '25 windscreens are adjustable, but that the tinted variant is the one that comes standard with the Style Exclusive. Follow me?

To try to get a handle on the question, I just spent about 10 minutes fiddling around with the BUILD YOUR OWN options at https://www.bmwmotorcycles.com/en/models/urban_mobility/c400gt.html .

And I got nowhere. There is no mention of the word "adjustable" anywhere, in any permutation that I could come up with (Premium Package, Style Exclusive, neither of those, individual lesser options, etc.).

So I give up, and assert that it's just not clear.

PS: I was surprised to see "Electronic Immobilizer" as Standard Equipment, i.e., with no extra-cost item(s) chosen. I could be wrong, of course, but I don't believe that's been an option in North America in prior model years, and I don't recall seeing that mentioned in any article about the '25 models to be sent here.

We also have a Yamaha scooter, a 300cc Xmax that had listed an 'adjustable' screen which turns out to be, remove the plastic covers, take out the screws and you can reposition the screen up one notch or down. The C650GT however has a true adjustable screen like my previous FJRs and ST1300s, controlled with a left-hand switch.

And I wonder if the "Electronic Immobilizer" is just the side stand parking brake?

Keith Quigley
2020 C650GT