BMW's decision to enter the mid-size scooter market this year was based on performance. Around the world, about 35,000-40,000 units are sold annually in this sector, i.e. it is a stable market. However, in order to attract attention, BMW engineers had to develop an entirely new 350cc single-cylinder scooter. But its price is quite competitive, because the car is assembled at a plant in the Chinese city of Longchin.
Test drive BMW C400X
Engine and fuel consumption of the BMW C400X
The heart of the BMW C400X is a four-valve, single-cylinder, water-cooled engine with a displacement of 350 cm3. The energy it generates is transmitted using a CVT transmission. The CVT was designed specifically for acceleration - the BMW C400X is very nimble when starting off. The transmission produces excellent torque, virtually no vibration (the mirrors don't bounce at any speed) and propels the bike smoothly at speeds of around 140 km/h. The fuel consumption of the BMW C400X is less than 3 liters per 100 km, and one tank is enough for more than 350 km. Such news will especially please those who often travel out of town. Traction control (ASC) is standard and proves very useful when accelerating on gravel or simply wet roads. Although, to be honest, with 33 hp of braking power and 35 Nm of torque, there is no need to worry about the grip of the Pirelli Angel tire.
In the mid-size scooter segment
Unlike rivals in the midsize scooter segment (such as Yamaha's XMAX 400, the Suzuki Burgman 400 and the Kymco Xciting 400i), BMW engineers have given the bike a sportier stance (the rider doesn't adopt the traditional legs-out position to enhance handling). But this had a negative impact on the amount of free luggage space. The scooter is equipped with two lockable glove compartments, and the right one has a 12 V socket. There is enough space under the seat for an open helmet, but still this compartment is not that spacious. However, if you use the stationary BMW Flexcase System, the luggage compartment can be enlarged so that an integral helmet can also fit there next to an open helmet. And on top you can install a box with a volume of 30 liters. The question arises: was it worth sacrificing luggage space for the sake of handling? BMW designed the C400X to be a mid-size sports scooter, albeit without the traditional leg-forward riding position. This was the necessary compromise: yes, there is not enough space for luggage, but the bike remained short and maneuverable. And it worked.
The scooter's excellent turning radius allows the C400X to turn around on city streets, and its dimensions (the bike is very light and narrow) allow it to squeeze between cars. It may seem that the brakes feel bad, but they are quite strong, and even the ABS is intrusive.
On public roads, the BMW corners easily and quickly, yet is very stable in a straight line at speed. The suspension is a bit unstable, especially the shock absorbers. But overall, the scooter offers a very comfortable riding position. Although it would be worth installing a higher windshield so that you can drive safely on the side of the road.
The BMW C400X comes standard with ABS and traction control. Some competitors have richer equipment for the same money, so this BMW device can be classified as premium. Especially if you add additional equipment. But it's the undisputed leader when it comes to handling and fun. The main disadvantage of the C400X is its small size and lacks practicality.
When I was returning the big Goose after the ride, a rather rare event happened to me in the parking lot of the BMW dealership. While idly staggering between vehicles, in some corner I noticed a very interesting specimen, and, with great surprise to myself, I coveted it. This is extremely uncharacteristic for me, I’ve never been a fan of scooters, but the inner “I want” is what it is. So, having overcome pleasantly short negotiations, after about a week I experienced with my own eyes what the wild little head so wanted.
And the realization that something had gone wrong began to creep in from the very beginning. To be honest, when I noticed this “stool” in the parking lot from a distance, I thought with a blue eye that this was a new incarnation of the BMW C 650, and although I had not driven it, according to the reviews of some colleagues, this representative of two-wheeled vehicles promised to be very good. They say even much better than the Yamaha T-Max. But, firstly, I haven’t driven the C 650 and won’t undertake to compare, and secondly, you never know what they say there. All these, in fact, are idle thoughts, because in front of me stood the C 400 GT, and 400 and 650 are, as they say in Odessa, two big differences, especially in the context of a hippo with a mass of more than a hundredweight. So, having remembered with unkind words all the gods of the warp and in anticipation of the circus act “an elephant on a children’s bicycle,” I went on a “tour” around the mother throne.
Let's dot all the i's right away. I have climbed completely out of my category of technology, and therefore I cannot at least more or less objectively judge the dynamic characteristics of this motorcycle. But I will still try to be objective to the best of my humble judgment. But, subjectively, this scooter, of course, does not move and does not shine at all with its dimensions, but damn it, how beautiful it is. I guess I'll start with this.
It was the appearance that attracted me to this, so to speak, motorcycle. Aggressive four-eyed front optics, looking as if from under the brows, and even well-inscribed LED edging for these same headlights. Even in daylight, from its front part, the motorcycle looks very cool, and even at night... And what is not entirely typical for BMW, the face of this motorcycle is completely devoid of “asymmetrical delights”, just remember the S1000R (of older generations) or Goose, or the F series Has BMW finally fired its drug-addicted designer? I sincerely hope that this is so.
Optics isn't everything. The headlight itself fits perfectly into the overall concept of the entire motorcycle. I was extremely surprised when they told me that it was only 400; according to all the dimensional data, it is visually similar to 500 or even 600 cc, and this is its huge advantage. And moreover, as I said above, this is a very aggressive 400, at least externally. The Yamaha T-Max looks calm and restrained, one might even say boring (may its fans forgive me). BMW against its background looks like a bulldog, a slightly flattened, brutal and very angry face, a kind of jungle predator. No, it certainly doesn’t reach the level of the insecticidal Kawasaki Z1000 or the “Optimus Prime at minimum” Yamaha MT-10, but it still looks cool. An urban predator - no matter what. Apparently, this is what hooked me at first glance.
Ergonomics and interior, in general, match the appearance. A large display and an ignition button that migrated almost from the big Goose. There are an abundance of buttons and the classic BMW “rolling joystick” on the left handle - nothing stands out and is in its usual place. It’s just that these same buttons are not enough compared to large motorcycles, which is understandable, there will be fewer functions. There is no electronic suspension, no navigator (or its controls), no engine modes, even cruise control - and that was not delivered. However, on a scooter intended for intra-city use, all these functions are not particularly necessary. By the way, I got the version with the “winter package” - a heated steering wheel and a heated seat. I don’t know who and where operates such equipment in winter, but my warm greetings to BMW marketers. And yes, if you are planning to buy, remember - heating is an option.
The seat is surprisingly spacious, with very comfortable backrest. It feels like it was designed for a much more dynamic motorcycle (more on dynamics a little later). One way or another, moving around the city in any aggressive manner, within the framework of its dynamic characteristics, is very convenient. The passenger part is also surprisingly spacious, at least in appearance; unfortunately, it was not possible to check it with the help of a passenger. The windshield does not look very large and is not adjustable in any way. But with my height of 186 cm, I didn’t feel any discomfort behind the wheel from the oncoming flow, so I think they didn’t forget about aerodynamics during development.
As for the trunk, a second unpleasant surprise awaited me. Since the time of the Yamaha T-Max, I’ve gotten used to the fact that you can hide a bald man in the space under the seat of a large scooter and still have room left for a woman’s storage unit. In any case, two full-fledged integral helmets fit in there without any difficulty. Imagine my surprise when not even one helmet fit into the space under the seat of the C 400 GT. It didn’t fit in at all, no way. The point is that there is not much space under the seat at all. You can still put one helmet in there. To do this, when parking, this is important, the motorcycle must be lowered into a special compartment, which occupies the space that is used during movement for the movement of the rear suspension. When the compartment is lowered, the rear suspension will be locked and you will no longer be able to move away; the motorcycle will not even start. And one full-size helmet fits neatly into this compartment. All. Translated into Russian, it won’t work to ride with one helmet and carry a second one for the passenger under the seat. And even if you and a passenger arrive somewhere, you won’t be able to hide two helmets either. This is a fiasco.
And since we're talking about problems, let's be honest. 350 cc, not 400, despite the name, and its 34 horsepower is damn low. Yes, even the Kawasaki Xanthus, on which I began to conquer the Mother Throne in the mid-2000s, despite its already venerable age, was much, that is, MUCH more dynamic. Yes, this device fully develops its honest 110-120 km/h, even with a hippopotamus at the wheel. And it picks up the first 60 km/h quite briskly, here I must say thanks to the good old CVT, without any of these newfangled robotic gearboxes and other nanotechnologies. But after 60-70 km/h the dynamics leave much to be desired. Although biting brakes and competent suspension allow you to maneuver quite cheerfully in city traffic.
And here you need to make a cool curtsy. We must remember that the author of these lines is no longer a young man, is not slender, and does not even wear glasses. And the “check” scooter from him is located at the other end of geography. A 17-year-old kid driving an HD Electric Train will look just as ridiculous. So let's try to look at the situation from the completely opposite side. And then everything turns upside down. If I were 18 years old (oh, how long ago it was), and I had such a “maped”, I would go nuts (there is, of course, a different epithet, but censorship, you understand) to the extreme from such happiness. Yes, all the chicks in the area would be mine. This is not Dio or Beavis, this is a futuristic, brutal, huge, for my size at that time, stylish motorcycle. Life is good, bring the champagne. And what’s more, in city mode, those on Ninja 300 and similar units, although they won’t feel any problems when overtaking you, will not be able to go far. And the seating comfort, suspension and brakes will even give you some head start on maneuverability, and in the city this is extremely important.
So if you have an awesome offspring (regardless of gender) of the student race, and you want to make his life much happier, then I advise you to consider this option. As a bonus, you won’t have to worry that your idiot will move on the third space one, which is not enough power. And in this context, this is suddenly a plus. Here I also remembered about all kinds of couriers, and that for their work a scooter in the city is like manna from heaven, but the small trunk and the high price of the scooter itself in comparison with the same SYM do not allow me to do this. Well, or your couriers will idolize you)))
That's all.
Peace be with you, ride more often, further and harder)
