EICMA: CFMOTO 550MT and 550MT-X
More middleweight adventure fare from a company that continues to offer consumers massive choiceCFMOTO’s adventure range continues to expand, with the 550MT and 550MT-X launched in Milan, powered by a new 527cc parallel twin punching out 39.5kW (53hp) at 8500rpm and 51.5Nm at 6000rpm.
Similar to the classification for the larger-capacity CFMOTO adventure models, the 550MT is the more road-orientated of the pair and carries 19-inch (front) and 17-inch wheels, an adjustable (800-820mm) two-piece seat, cornering ABS and traction control, an electronic clutch, rear radar system, 8.0-inch TFT screen and a whopping 28-litre fuel tank.
It’s also 3kg heavier than the 172kg 550MT-X, which has 21-inch and 18-inch wheels as well as fully adjustable KYB suspension with 220/230mm of travel – a fair margin over the spectacularly successful 450MT, which only has 200mm travel at both ends. Ground clearance is 250mm, which is another impressive metric.
The 550MT-X also has a single-piece seat, manual clutch, a smaller 6.2-inch vertical TFT screen, high-set front mudguard, upswept muffler and an off-road riding mode where traction control and rear ABS can be deactivated.
The 550s both share a two-way quickshifter as well as J.Juan brakes and four-piston radial calipers – but the MT-X only has one disc compared to a twin-disc design for the MT.
Is the 550MT-X destined to replace the 450MT? Not at this stage – or maybe ever – owing to the 450’s massive impact, while the 550MT is an ideal stepping stone to the 700, 800 and 1000MTs.
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