The Rise of the Middleweight Segment
The middleweight segment is experiencing significant growth in all categories, with numerous new models entering the market. At EICMA 2023, various manufacturers showcased their latest offerings, particularly in the 400cc to 500cc range. This time, a renowned Italian brand that was acquired by a Chinese company took the spotlight.
SWM, originally founded in Italy in the 70s as Speedy Working Motors, focused on producing lightweight and performance-oriented dual-sport motorcycles for enduro and motocross. While SWM still exists today, it is no longer under Italian ownership. Although its headquarters remain in Italy, most of its funding, development, and production now take place in China under the leadership of Shineray, an automotive manufacturer operating in the car, motorcycle, and heavy vehicle industries.
The brand recently introduced its premium beginner-friendly motorcycle, the Gran Milano 500, to the European market. This model represents a significant departure from SWM's off-road-focused machines, featuring a modern streetfighter design that fits into the A2 licensing category. Like many 500cc motorcycles from China, the Gran Milano 500 utilizes a familiar technical blueprint.
Powering the SWM Gran Milano 500 is a 494cc liquid-cooled, fuel-injected, parallel-twin engine with a 180-degree crankshaft configuration. This engine can also be found in other Chinese bikes from Loncin (Voge in the European market) and has its roots in Honda's CB500 range of street bikes, which remain popular globally. The Gran Milano produces 48 horsepower and is Euro 5 compliant, with power transmitted to the rear wheel through a six-speed manual gearbox.
SWM claims a wet weight of 188 kilograms, making it approachable for beginner riders. The motorcycle features a steel backbone frame that utilizes the engine as a stressed member, contributing to its lightweight design. It is equipped with KYB-sourced suspension, including an inverted front fork and a preload-adjustable rear monoshock, resulting in a comfortable seat height of 790 millimeters (31 inches). The bike rides on 17-inch cast-aluminum wheels and is fitted with Pirelli Angel GT tires. The braking system consists of dual front discs measuring 296 millimeters and a single rear rotor measuring 240 millimeters, both equipped with dual-channel ABS sourced from J.Juan.
In terms of pricing and availability, the SWM Gran Milano is priced at 5,990 euros (approximately $6,531 USD), slightly cheaper than the Honda CB500F, which is considered the benchmark for 500cc naked bikes and has a retail price of around 6,300 euros (about $6,869 USD at the time of writing).
