SWM It is not exactly a new brand, although for many Spanish motorcyclists it may seem that way. Its acronym corresponds to “Speedy Working Motors”, a brand born in Milan in 1971 that had an important career in the world of trials, enduro and motocross before disappearing in the 80s. Decades later, SWM returned to the market under the support of the Chinese group Shineray and now it is attracting attention again with a medium-displacement trail bike that seeks to gain a foothold in one of the most competitive segments of the market: that of trail motorcycles for the A2 license.
The protagonist this time is the SWM Versante 550a 494 cc trail bike equipped with a liquid-cooled parallel twin engine, with 47.6 hp and 45 Nm of maximum torque at 7,000 revolutions, so it fits directly within the limits of the A2 card. The engine is associated with a 6-speed gearbox and chain final drive. The maximum advertised speed is around 160 km/h, enough to handle both secondary roads and highway travel with ease. In addition, it has approval Euro5+.
It is not intended to be a highly performance trail or a machine designed to take on the large maxi trails. Its approach is much simpler: offer a motorcycle with the ability to travel, a comfortable position and an engine that does not intimidate those who have just arrived in the world of medium-displacement motorcycles. A crossover in capital letters.
SWM Versante 550: a part cycle without complications
The Versante 550 uses a tubular steel chassis and uses an inverted fork KYB adjustable in the front axle, accompanied by a rear monoshock of the same brand that is also adjustable. The spoked wheels with tubeless tires maintain a combination already common in this segment: 19 inches at the front and 17 at the rear. The measurements are 110/80-19 and 150/70-17, a configuration that seeks to balance stability on the road and a certain ability to leave the asphalt.
In the brakes section there are 2 front discs with calipers J. Juan with ABS. The system can be disconnected, an especially interesting detail if you want to ride on tracks from time to time. The seat height is 810 mm and the wheelbase reaches 1,450 mm. The dry weight is 210 kg, a figure that does not exactly make it a “featherweight”, but that is not unreasonable for a trail designed for riding.
SWM Versante 550: much more equipped than its price suggests
And here appears one of the most interesting arguments of the SWM Versante 550. Because if this trail tries to stand out for something, it is because of the equipment. It has a TFT color screen with connectivity and navigation through mirroringUSB socket, tire pressure monitoring, traction control and front camera. The latter is combined with a collision warning system, a solution that is still unusual for motorcycles of this price. It also includes Full LED lighting, windshield, hand guards and other elements intended to improve your ability to travel.
It is precisely this combination that makes the Versante 550 It is striking: it does not try to win the battle of performance, but rather to offer a considerable amount of equipment for every euro it costs. Another detail that clearly plays in favor of its touring approach is the 19-liter tank. On a trail with “almost 48 hp”, this capacity allows you to think about long days without refueling becoming a constant worry.
And that really seems to be the natural territory of the SWM. Secondary roads, mountain passes, weekend trips and getaways where it is more important to enjoy the journey than to seek maximum performance. In fact, the name itself Versantrefers in Italian to a mountain slope or slope. A rather appropriate name for a motorcycle whose habitat seems to be closer to a curvy road than an endless highway.
The big surprise comes when we look at the price of this crossover of medium displacement. The SWM Versante 550 It is currently priced at 5,590 euros in Spain, where it is already sold through the network of official dealers of SWM. This puts it in an especially aggressive position compared to some of the best-known trail A2s.
