The medium-capacity category is growing in all categories, with new models entering the market. At EICMA 2023, we saw many new models from various manufacturers come onto the scene, particularly in the 400cc to 500cc segment. This time, it’s another historic Italian brand that has been acquired by a Chinese company.
SWM was founded in the 1970s in Italy. Known as Speedy Working Motors, the company focused particularly on enduro and motocross, with a series of sporty, performance-oriented bikes. Today, SWM still exists, but is no longer Italian-owned. Although its headquarters remain in Italy, most of its funding, as well as the development and production of its models, takes place in China, under the leadership of Shineray, an automotive manufacturer operating in the car, motorcycle and heavy vehicle industries.
The brand recently unveiled its premium offering for novice riders on the European market, called the Gran Milano 500, and it’s obviously a big difference from the brand’s off-road-focused machines. It’s a modern-style streetfighter that fits perfectly into the A2 license category and, as is the case with many 500 cc bikes from China, uses a very familiar technical layout.
The SWM Gran Milano 500 has a 494 cc twin-cylinder, liquid-cooled, fuel-injected engine with a 180-degree crankshaft configuration. The same engine can be found in other Chinese motorcycles from Loncin (Voge on the European market). Ultimately, the engine has its roots in none other than Honda, more particularly in its CB500 range, which continue to be in high demand on today’s global market. In the case of the Gran Milano, it delivers 48 hp of power and complies with the Euro 5 standard. As with almost all bikes in this category, power is sent to the rear wheel via a six-speed manual gearbox.
The SWM claims to weigh 188 kg, which is quite affordable for novice riders. It uses a steel frame that uses the engine as a tension element, contributing to the bike’s lightness. It also has a KYB suspension system in the form of an inverted front fork and a rear monoshock with adjustable preload. The result is an incredibly user-friendly seat height of 790 millimeters. The bike has 17-inch cast aluminum wheels at the front and rear and, interestingly, Pirelli Angel GT tires. The double front discs measure 296 millimeters and a single rear disc measures 240 millimeters, are supplied by J.Juan and are equipped with dual channel ABS.