Questions while waiting to test ride C400GT

mzflorida

Active member
Well, if we want to stray just a bit from the intent of the original post of @mzflorida (who wanted to get info on the C 400 GT), in my opinion, for North American riders the AK550 is looking like the maxi-scooter to get.

Here's a nice summary of the maxis available in the UK (and, as I say, never mind the rankings -- it's just a good compendium):


But to get back to reality for those of us in North America, here's a post I wrote just yestereday, on the BurgmanUSA forum. This was my long response to someone who said that the AK550 looked good, but also that his current 650 Burgman was serving him well. If anyone has a few minutes to spare, I mention the Big Burger (no longer manufactured), the C 400, and the AK:


On the one hand, I agree with you, re both "that direction" and "a single thing."

OTOH, I had actually -- sort of, kind of -- started shopping around, for that very 550.

Not that there's anything wrong with the Big Burger -- and SO much right with it -- but It was in the back of my mind that I was riding a 14-year-old scooter, and that if the belt or tranny went south, I'm much too old and much too lacking in equipment (no lift, for example), strength, patience, and talent to fix it.

I had done my usual annual letter and phone call to Yamaha, asking them to bring the TMax to North America. As usual, no hint of any change in that situation.

And then I had done some emailing to Kymco, asking where there was a 550 in stock, so I could at least SIT on the freakin scoot before I ordered one. (There's a Suzuki dealer maybe four miles from me, where I'd get my oil filters and suchlike, who also happens to sell Kymco. But they only have the little ones; the owner offered to order a 550 for me, but I put that off.)

In any case, Kymco never got back to me, after several attempts. And I couldn't locate a showroom model within a thousand miles or so, if at all. Much as @rjs987 has detailed his rides and maintenance and satisfaction with the 550, I refuse to order a bike that I haven't at least sat on, at a dealer's, Americade, the NYC Cycle Show, etc., no matter how much I read about one. (My first sit-down on a Big Burger was at the NYC show in late 2006 or early 2007, as was my first sit-down on a Victory Cross Country Tour, in late 2011; I bought both a few months after each test-sit.)

And then the wife and I did a couple of weeks last May on the 400 Beemer, and she said that she liked the ergos -- top box backrest, feet position, seat, etc. -- so much that she thought I should get one. And that was all the encouragement I needed.

I must say that the Big Burger has more storage, more oomph, and more stretch-out room than the Beemer.

On the third hand, the C 400 GT handles better than any bike I've owned (including, I believe, the most lean angle), is surprisingly (to me, anyway) peppy and smooth for a small thumper, and has modern amenities such as a TFT display, turn-by-turn even without the optional nav, and throttle-by-wire.

And what is perhaps most pleasing to me -- right up there with the handling -- is how much I appreciate the loss of 140 lbs. or so, compared to the Burger (and the Kymco has some of that weight-reduction going for it, too, of course). Maybe it's a geezer thing -- I'll be 75 next month -- but I was surprised at how heavy the BB felt, moving it around the garage, for the month or so that I had both bikes.

And it may cost money, but it's also comforting having an established dealer network around (vs. the Kymco). Part of that is the I'm-getting-too-old for maintenance aspect (even though I still enjoy doing electrical farkles). Also comforting is having a three-year warranty; I've already ponied up, BTW, for a factory extension on that.

So if the BB doesn't happen to outlast you, and BMW is still making the 400, keep it in mind, is my suggestion.
There are a few ways to get a motorcycle sold in Europe to the United States and title it here as long as it conforms with EPA and DOT standards. DOT is more difficult to comply with because of turn signals from what I understand. Obviously, there are expenses involved. There are quite a few expats from Europe here in Florida with their cars and motorcycles. Actually, there was a Honda Xadventure sold by a German expat, her in Lee County, to a guy on ADVrider. I think it made its way to Hawaii now and has been registered here, Texas and Hawaii
 
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Thanks for the tip! Is it the whole package that makes it more fun or just the extra HP and torque?
I owned xmax and tmax before. BMW c650 sport that I have currently is best combination of size to power and sporty look. Xmax felt underpowered in most situations and lacked X factor. Tmax I found to be difficult to get comfortable on but it’s an amazing machine especially 2015+ model. I probably went through nearly 25 bikes in the last 10 years which I didn’t keep longer than 1 year until I got my first bmw c650. I sold my triumph tiger and I’m finally down to only one bike which I’m completely satisfied with for my needs.
 

Carefulwreck

New member
Hello everyone. I'm researching the C400Gt as a replacement for my Xmax 300. Can any taller riders share their experiences with the bike? Are there any others who own or owned an Xmax and also have a C400GT who can share their opinions on the two? They have three coming in here to Gulf Coast BMW, but they don't know when. I understand the stock suspension leaves something to be desired. Other than that, I'm not seeing a lot of concerns. Anyhow, thanks very much!
I have had a C400 GT for one season here in Chicagoland. I am 6 ft 1 in / 240 lbs with a 30 inseam. I find it very comfortable and will be sticking with the bike for awhile. And that's coming from 3 years on a Honda Fury and 9 years on a Triumph Speedmaster before that. I could not be happier. I have taken around Lake Michigan and various 2 day trips throughout the Midwest. I picked the BMW Top Case for it (kinda pricey at about $750) but it works great and looks perfect on the scoot. Grabbed a Givi Tunnel bag as well. No worries on the highways that I didn't have on all previous bikes. The heated seat and grips/ traction control and ABS make it viable here in Chicagoland for at least 9 months a year.
 

mzflorida

Active member
I have had a C400 GT for one season here in Chicagoland. I am 6 ft 1 in / 240 lbs with a 30 inseam. I find it very comfortable and will be sticking with the bike for awhile. And that's coming from 3 years on a Honda Fury and 9 years on a Triumph Speedmaster before that. I could not be happier. I have taken around Lake Michigan and various 2 day trips throughout the Midwest. I picked the BMW Top Case for it (kinda pricey at about $750) but it works great and looks perfect on the scoot. Grabbed a Givi Tunnel bag as well. No worries on the highways that I didn't have on all previous bikes. The heated seat and grips/ traction control and ABS make it viable here in Chicagoland for at least 9 months a year.
Hi Carefulwreck. Thanks for responding. Our height is about the same, but my inseam is a bit longer at 34. Still nothing from the dealer on the bike being added to his inventory and the test ride.
As an aside, I'm from Chicago also though I moved to Florida. I'm from Edison Park. If you know Edison Park, you'd know my house, it was the Greystone behind the Edison Park Fieldhouse, on Oshkosh...the block that has only two houses on it, and on a double lot. Stood out in the neighborhood is why most know the house.
 

mzflorida

Active member
First off, I want to thank everyone for their contributions to this post that I started. A special thanks to @wspollack for sharing his blog. The bike that I had the deposit on came in and I did take it for a test ride. Though it is absolutely an excellent machine, overall it is not the right bike for me at this point.

The fit and finish were both excellent. It is a very well put together machine. The display screen was excellent. The seat is comfortable. The suspension is about par for the course but better than the Xmax stock suspension. The handling is very good, a bit better than my Xmax. Lighting on the BMW is far and away superior to the last gen Xmax (they changed it for 23).

I definitely had more room for my legs on the C400; but handlebar to torso, the Xmax wins for me. However, on stock storage the Xmax wins hands down. Zero comparison in that category. Cubbies on the C400 are about 20% smaller than Yamaha’s and under seat storage is probably at about 30% of what you have on the Xmax.

Engine performance is similar. I think the Xmax performs better at the low end. On the Xmax I kind of wrong it’s neck a bit at 65 or so to get the most out of it. The C400 was better above 65 through the 70s. For the category, both the Xmax and C400 are very refined in their throttle response, each to their own strengths. I went easy on brakes but they were excellent. Auto cancelling turn signals were nice for sure.

Ultimately, there was nothing compelling enough to make me switch to the C400. I was expecting something a little different. I’m going to take an AK550 for a spin next. Maybe I’ll take a C650 for a spin.
Anyhow, I wanted to say thanks to everyone here for their help, sincerely. Ride safe and enjoy it all!
 

wspollack

Active member
There’s a long-time Burgman 650 owner who got an AK550 last year, and seems absolutely thrilled with it. (We both still hang out on a Burgman forum.)

And that’s a good thing, because the 650 Beemers and Burgmen are no longer being made.

Good luck with your quest!
 

mzflorida

Active member
Well, I am going to test ride another one. Though the performance is not much different between the C400 and the Xmax 300, the comfort is; the C400 being better for me ergonomically. I'll just lurk around here and try not to bother anyone too much!
 

mzflorida

Active member
Hello all. Curious if anyone uses a seatbag on top of the pillion seat on a C400GT. If so, would you mind providing the manufacturer's name please? Thanks, MIke
 

wspollack

Active member
Hello all. Curious if anyone uses a seatbag on top of the pillion seat on a C400GT. If so, would you mind providing the manufacturer's name please? Thanks, MIke
Not yet ... but I'm watching the weather this very minute.

I planned on a C 400 GT two-day ride to visit my Asheville daughter last year. I blocked out Aug. and Sept. from doctor appointments and suchlike.

And bought a new pillion seat bag for the trip, after much surfing research. I had a MotoFizz Medium for c. 15 years, and it was starting to get a little ratty, but new ones were backordered. So I got this from Saddleman:


As things turned out, it rained approximately every day in Asheville last Aug, and in early Sept that daughter got covid. So I haven't made the trip yet, but I did test-fit the bag, and it looks as if it will work perfectly, and the construction looks top notch, etc etc.

Three pics and more blather about this bag in my gallery, starting with this one:


So, as I say, I'm watching the weather in a couple of areas, and I may head off with the new bag in a week or two (and will certainly report back afterward).
 

mzflorida

Active member
Not yet ... but I'm watching the weather this very minute.

I planned on a C 400 GT two-day ride to visit my Asheville daughter last year. I blocked out Aug. and Sept. from doctor appointments and suchlike.

And bought a new pillion seat bag for the trip, after much surfing research. I had a MotoFizz Medium for c. 15 years, and it was starting to get a little ratty, but new ones were backordered. So I got this from Saddleman:


As things turned out, it rained approximately every day in Asheville last Aug, and in early Sept that daughter got covid. So I haven't made the trip yet, but I did test-fit the bag, and it looks as if it will work perfectly, and the construction looks top notch, etc etc.

Three pics and more blather about this bag in my gallery, starting with this one:


So, as I say, I'm watching the weather in a couple of areas, and I may head off with the new bag in a week or two (and will certainly report back afterward).
Thanks Bill. That is a very nice bag and I appreciate you sharing the link and photos on your blog. I am looking for something a bit smaller. Enjoy the time with your daughter!
 
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