Phelon & Moore Capetown 5X and 5 Rally: official technical specifications for the 449 cc A2 twin-cylinder bikes unveiled at EICMA 2026

The Capetown 5 brings the Capetown 7 formula to the A2 class

Phelon & Moore built a single platform and turned it into two bikes with different characters, both fully equipped from the factory.

Phelon & Moore is a historic name in British motorcycling, associated with the single-cylinder Panther motorcycles built in Cleckheaton, Yorkshire, throughout the twentieth century. Today, the brand offers the Capetown 7 family, and at EICMA 2026, in Hall 14, it presented its younger sister. On the official page, the Capetown 5 appears with the label “2027 New Model · Presented at EICMA 2026” and a clear message: “one platform, two characters.”

The manufacturer’s summary is that the more compact Capetown retains the everyday features of the 7: the one-hand adjustable windscreen, 7-inch display, and heated grips, paired with a smaller twin and a lower seat. Its stated strength is the equipment: according to Phelon & Moore, everything on the standard-equipment list «comes with the bike», with no extra packages to add.

The 449.5 cc twin produces 34.2 kW: the Capetown 5 is A2-license-ready from the factory

No full-power version to restrict: the claimed power is already below the 35 kW limit.

The engine is a liquid-cooled parallel twin with DOHC, 8 valves, and a 270° crankshaft. Bore and stroke measure 72 × 55.2 mm, the compression ratio is 11.5:1, fuel injection is by Bosch, and it is Euro 5+ certified. The transmission has six gears and the clutch is a slipper clutch.

With 39.1 Nm at 6,500 rpm, the engine is no torque monster: it’s a twin that likes to be kept revving, like most 450s in this class. The claimed top speed is 150 km/h, suitable for highway trips, with limited reserve when the bike is loaded.

The 5X is the road-going Capetown; the 5 Rally has different wheels, suspension travel, and geometry.

The engine, brakes, tank, and electronics are identical. Everything that touches the ground and the seat height are different.

Source: official Capetown 5X and Capetown 5 Rally pages on phelonandmoore.com, accessed 06/11/2026.

The most interesting figure is the trail: 107.3 mm on the 5X and 117.5 mm on the 5 Rally. More trail and the 21-inch wheel make the Rally more stable on straight roads and rough surfaces, at the cost of less immediate turn-in on asphalt. The 5X, with its 19-inch wheel and tighter geometry, is aimed at agility on the road and a wider choice of road tires.

The official specifications are already complete, with just one inconsistency

Unlike many new models at the show, these figures come from the manufacturer. We report them as published.

Almost everything you’d usually buy later comes standard

L’s “standard, straight from the factory” equipment list is the Capetown 5’s real selling point.

• Adjustable suspension: fully adjustable 43 mm upside-down fork and shock with remote preload adjustment, useful for adapting the setup for a passenger and luggage without tools.
• Aerodynamic protection: one-handed adjustable windscreen, derived from the Capetown 7, with side deflectors.
• Ergonomics: two-position seat, adjustable without tools.
• Instrumentation: 7-inch color TFT with navigation and smartphone mirroring.
• Winter comfort: heated grips fitted to every bike.
• Safety: tire pressure sensors on both wheels, dual-channel ABS and traction control.
• Protection: metal skid plate under the engine.

Some items that touring riders immediately look for are missing from the official list: center stand, cruise control, selectable riding modes, crash bars and a luggage rack with plate. The photos show handguards with integrated turn signals and a rear luggage rack, but they aren’t mentioned in the standard equipment list: we’ll check on the production bike.

For touring, the Capetown 5 promises over 300 km of range and comfort like a larger motorcycle

Range, protection and heating are the features that distinguish a touring 450 from a leisure 450.

The adjustable windscreen and heated grips are two features that are optional or unavailable on many rivals, and make a difference on mid-season rides. The TFT with navigation and mirroring means you can do without a separate navigator for touring; for long trips, though, powering your smartphone from a dedicated outlet is still useful.

Phelon & Moore has not yet published the maximum permitted load or a catalogue of dedicated luggage. The remote preload adjustment on the rear shock is the detail that matters: with a passenger and luggage, you can stiffen the rear in seconds without a C-spanner.

Against A2 rivals, the Capetown 5 focuses on equipment and a choice of two versions

Comparing it with adventure twins around 450 cc shows where the Capetown leads and where it is still too early to judge.

Capetown specifications from Phelon & Moore's official pages. Rival specifications from our comparison of 450 cc A2 adventure bikes, based on manufacturer data. Weights are reported using different criteria and should not be compared directly.

On paper, the Capetown 5 has the lowest torque in the group and a relatively high dry weight: the CFMOTO 450MT lists a weight of 173 kg unladen, while the BMW F 450 GS weighs 178 kg ready to ride. The Capetown's advantage lies elsewhere: two versions with different wheels and setups on the same platform, a tool-free adjustable seat, heated grips, pressure sensors and a standard 7-inch TFT display. With its 19/17-inch wheels and 810 mm seat height, the 5X is the group's most accessible option for shorter riders; the 5 Rally takes on the 450MT and Alltrhike on their own turf.

Just above this class is the Benelli TRK 602 X 2027, which produces 56 hp from its 554 cc engine, but must be purchased in the 35 kW version for an A2 licence. Among the new EICMA 2026 models for A2 riders is also the Beta RE 330, a lighter single-cylinder bike.

Price, deliveries and the Italian dealer network are the details still missing

The technical specifications are complete, but the commercial picture is not.

Price will be decisive. In our comparison, the benchmark rivals are priced at around €5,900 to €7,600, and a motorcycle with this standard equipment has room to position itself at the upper end of the range. Until Phelon & Moore publishes its price list, any figure is just a guess.

There are no dedicated accessories for the Capetown 5 yet: start with universal ones

Pannier racks, tank bags and model-specific guards will arrive once the motorcycle is in production. In the meantime, you don't need much, but what you do need should be good.

T10 tubeless tire repair kitSKU T10

Contents

Repair tools, pliers and case

Why on the Capetown 5

Both versions have tubeless spoke wheels

Good to know

Emergency repair, then have it checked by a tire shop

Available Information provided by LOBOO€32.00 · View details

LOBOO CP06 portable compressorSKU CP06

Maximum pressure

150 PSI

Flow rate

35 L/min

Weight

294 g

Why on the Capetown 5

Restore tire pressure after a repair or when switching between gravel and asphalt

Available Information provided by LOBOO€50.00 · View details

50 L Wanderer waterproof rear bagWANDERER Line

Capacity

50 liters

Mounting

Strap-on, on the passenger seat or luggage rack

Why on the Capetown 5

Load up right away, without waiting for specific frames

To be confirmed

Does not obscure the brake light or license plate

Available LOBOO stated specification€221.00 · View product details

To charge multiple devices at once on long trips, there's the 130 W dual USB-C socket; for hand protection, when a kit for the Capetown 5 becomes available, you'll find the full range in the Barkbusters handguards collection. All strap-on bags are in the rear and seat bags collection.

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