3.5 liters consumption in the test

Riding through the winding roads of Kashedi Ghat, the BMW C 400 X didn’t just perform, it made a statement. As I carved through the steep climbs and tight switchbacks of the Western Ghats, I could feel every bit of the 34 horsepower working smoothly with its lightweight frame. The scooter is powered by a 350cc single-cylinder engine, and though that may not sound intimidating on paper, in real-world riding, it’s more than enough. The torque delivery, 35 Nm, is immediate, responsive, and feels well-matched with the centrifugal clutch and electronic throttle. One thing that truly stood out during this test? Fuel efficiency. Despite pushing the scooter hard through uphill climbs, sharp turns, and occasional bursts of throttle to overtake slow trucks inching their way up the ghat, the BMW C 400 X still averaged 3.5 liters per 100 km. With a tank just shy of 13.5 liters, that gives you a realistic range of over 360 kilometers, more than enough for long urban commutes or weekend getaways into the hills. I didn’t expect a performance scooter to be this frugal, but BMW nailed it. And yes, I was riding briskly. No gentle city cruising, this was full-on mountain assault with hard braking, heavy leaning, and constant elevation shifts. Yet the scooter handled it all with remarkable poise and gave me mileage numbers that a commuter 125cc scooter would be proud of.

Good connectivity thanks to navigation & Bluetooth

Kashedi is known not just for its curves, but also for being a bit of a connectivity black hole in spots. And that’s where the 6.5-inch TFT display of the BMW C 400 X saved me more than once. Navigation was baked right into the dash, and with Bluetooth paired to my helmet, I didn’t need to touch my phone even once. The turn-by-turn arrow navigation system worked flawlessly and never distracted from the ride, BMW’s minimal, purposeful design shines here. There’s a designated phone storage compartment with a USB charging port on the scooter itself. No overthinking, no clunky mounts, just slide your phone in, let it charge, and everything else gets handled through the screen and a multi-controller on the left grip. No tapping, no swiping, no distractions. Music? Crystal clear. Calls? Picked up with a simple tap of the dial. All while keeping both hands on the handlebars and my eyes ahead. That three-hour mountain ride was not just fun, it was connected, smooth, and completely stress-free. I’ve used plenty of scooter “infotainment” setups, but none as intuitive and practical as this. As I parked at one of the scenic viewpoints and finally had time to admire the scooter in peace, the premium build was undeniable. The aggressive front end, angular lines, and LED lighting give it an unmistakable BMW design language. It doesn’t look like a scooter trying to be more, it simply looks like a machine built for urban chaos and open-road joy alike. Under the seat, there’s ample storage space, including BMW’s Flexcase system. The moment the scooter is parked, the seat bottom drops further to accommodate a full-face helmet, something most scooters can’t offer without compromising shape or size. There’s even illumination inside the compartment. Again, thoughtful design. The suspension setup, telescopic fork at the front and dual spring struts at the rear, is tuned beautifully. Even with sharp Kashedi potholes and rough patches, the ride was comfortable yet communicative. I always knew what the front tire was doing, which is rare in a scooter, and it actually allowed me to lean with confidence on tricky bends.

Comparison with Yamaha and Kymco

Let’s talk numbers. The Yamaha XMAX 400 puts out 33.3 hp and weighs 210 kg. The Kymco XCITING S 400i brings 34 hp, but tips the scales at 213 kg. The BMW C 400 X? 34 hp and 206 kg, it may not seem like a big difference, but when you’re on a mountain road, every kilo counts. The BMW feels more agile, more flickable, and just a tad more responsive under hard acceleration. Where Yamaha scores is practicality, it comes with a parking brake. And that’s the one thing the BMW sorely misses. You pull up on a slope, flick the side stand down… and the scooter doesn’t lock itself. Both Yamaha and Kymco have that feature, which adds a layer of safety. Another point? Kymco offers good value and performance, but it lacks the refinement and connected tech that BMW gives. The build quality, electronics, and rider experience on the BMW simply feel a step above. The TFT screen, control dials, smoother throttle feel, and even brake performance all echo the fact that this is a BMW through and through. So yes, while Yamaha and Kymco are solid alternatives, if you’re looking for ride quality, real-world agility, and tech integration, BMW wins hands down, especially if your route includes as many curves as Kashedi Ghat.

Technical data: BMW C 400 X

Manufacturer information	Specification
Motor	1 cylinder, 1-cylinder, 350 cc displacement, 25.0 kW at 7500 rpm, max. torque 35.0 at 5750 rpm, 4 valves/cylinder, injection system, liquid cooling
Assistance systems	n/a
chassis	Bridge frame/steel; 35 mm telescopic fork, 110 mm travel; single-sided cast swingarm at the rear, 112 mm travel;
Mass	Unladen weight approx. 205 kg, permissible total weight 405 kg; length/width/height 2210 / 835 / 1305 mm, seat height 775 mm; fuel tank capacity 12.8 l
Brakes	individually operated, front disc, 265 mm, rear disc, 265 mm
Performance / Consumption	Top speed approx. 140 km/h, 3.5 l/100 km
Price	7400 euros

Conclusion: The mid-range scooter impresses

BMW calls the C 400 X a “mid-range” scooter. That’s true on paper, but on the road, it performs like it’s playing in a higher league. Whether it’s tackling sharp inclines in the Sahyadris or slicing through city traffic with Bluetooth commands and voice navigation, it manages to be fun, functional, and forward-thinking. It’s not perfect, the missing parking brake still bugs me, but if you’re in the market for something that can handle everything from Monday morning commutes to mountain twisties without breaking a sweat, this is it. The BMW C 400 X isn’t trying to be a sportbike. It knows what it is: a premium, powerful, urban-and-beyond machine that makes every ride feel a little more grown-up, a little more smart, and a lot more enjoyable.