First Look: 2018 BMW C400X Scooter
BMW gets into the mid-priced scooter market.
BMW Motorrad raised some eyebrows when it introduced a new middleweight scooter at the 2017 EICMA show in Milan on November 7th. The new scoot, the C400X, is designed to stand apart from its competition with interesting features, higher build quality and high-fashion styling.
The scooter isn’t really that ground-breaking in its basic design, though it is fresh looking with its contrasting colors and sharp angles. Under the plastic, there’s a tube-steel frame and a 350cc, liquid-cooled, four-valve single with a claimed output of 34 horsepower and 25.8 ft.-lbs. of torque. That should be enough to get its claimed bulk of 455 pounds around town at a decent pace, and be fine cruising on freeway jaunts.
The engine/CVT drive unit is the swingarm, keeping price and weight down but also making a lot of unsprung mass below the twin shocks. At least there is an new swingarm bearing to improve chassis stiffness and decrease vibration. Front-end duties are upheld by a telescopic fork, with a 15-inch wheel in front. Dual discs with four-piston, radial-mount calipers look serious. Like all BMWs these days, ABS is standard.
Comfort and luxury features abound. There’s a TFT display, LED lighting, two locking storage compartments in the front and BMW’s cool Flexcase under the seat. That’s a flexible Kevlar false bottom for the storage box that lets you jam extra stuff in there – like a helmet or riding gear – when you’re parked. Optional features include Bluetooth connectivity, fiber-optic accent lights and keyless start.
No word on USA availability or pricing, but we’d expect it to be significantly less than the $10,095 C650 Sport. It’s nice to see more choices in the scooter market, especially in the middleweight segment.
More by Gabe Ets-Hokin
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pass........
Will you guys publish a review?