No Longer Just a Lurker

[mzflorida]

Picked it up today and the first forty miles or so really makes an exceptionally good impression. I knew this going in, but the lack of under-seat storage is really the only little quibble. Thanks to everyone for tolerating all of my questions. Your answers really helped inform me in my decision to purchase this bike.

 

[wspollack]

Congratulations -- ride it in good health!

 

[mzflorida]

Congratulations -- ride it in good health!

Thanks Bill!

Mike

 

[Hornblower]

Good choice! I have one just like yours. I thought I wanted the white one but this color was available so I picked it up. I've received quite a few compliments on it. I have a little over 300 miles on it already, just after a week or so. I'm planning to do the 600 mile service myself.

 

[mzflorida]

Good choice! I have one just like yours. I thought I wanted the white one but this color was available so I picked it up. I've received quite a few compliments on it. I have a little over 300 miles on it already, just after a week or so. I'm planning to do the 600 mile service myself.

Thank you. I think so too. I had a choice of all three but liked this one the best. Plus, I really like the metallic paint on this one. I keep on going out on short rides thinking I'm just exaggerating to myself about how well engineered this bike is and each time i come back with a "Holy sh#$. It is that good." Really happy with the decision. How about you? What are your first impressions of the bike?

 

[Hornblower]

My impressions...well, counting this one, I've had 55 motorcycles. My other ride currently is a '22 R1250GS. I first bought a Yamaha Zuma 125 and it was really fun but a bit small and slow. For a "grocery getter", and quite a bit more, the 400GT is surprisingly good. Build quality is typical BMW and the performance is pretty impressive, especially for a scooter. I do wish it had better suspension though.

The main thing standing in the way of riding a scooter, especially for older, experienced riders like myself, is ego (my opinion, of course). At age 78, I don't much care anymore what others think and I do whatever I like. I know it's not particularly smart but I jump on my scooter with shorts and a t-shirt ( and a short helmet, of course). And, it looks appropriate on a scooter, if one cares about that. I'll tell you this, it sure is nice in hot weather. It would look silly to dress like that for the 1250 GS and it probably wouldn't make a lot of sense due to much higher speeds and more spirited riding. For the big GS, I usually go ATGATT. Anyway, I love the 400GT for short trips and errands and it's just great for jumping on and going for a ride.

 

[mzflorida]

My impressions...well, counting this one, I've had 55 motorcycles. My other ride currently is a '22 R1250GS. I first bought a Yamaha Zuma 125 and it was really fun but a bit small and slow. For a "grocery getter", and quite a bit more, the 400GT is surprisingly good. Build quality is typical BMW and the performance is pretty impressive, especially for a scooter. I do wish it had better suspension though.

The main thing standing in the way of riding a scooter, especially for older, experienced riders like myself, is ego (my opinion, of course). At age 78, I don't much care anymore what others think and I do whatever I like. I know it's not particularly smart but I jump on my scooter with shorts and a t-shirt ( and a short helmet, of course). And, it looks appropriate on a scooter, if one cares about that. I'll tell you this, it sure is nice in hot weather. It would look silly to dress like that for the 1250 GS and it probably wouldn't make a lot of sense due to much higher speeds and more spirited riding. For the big GS, I usually go ATGATT. Anyway, I love the 400GT for short trips and errands and it's just great for jumping on and going for a ride.

It's early for me on the suspension. I don't want to call it bad, but it is definitely different. I've changed the suspension on every bike I've owned and factor that into my ownership. I've already got a quote from EPM Performance for the Hyperpro rear end and front springs. I've looked for, but not found, cartridge emulators for the front and did see that Ohlins makes a very expensive front fork for this bike. I need to give it a bit more time to have the shock-build conversation with them though.

Ego definitely comes into play. When we ride certain categories of bikes we signal our perceived skill, experience level, and also in some cases our economic status. By virtue of owning one bike or another we gain automatic acceptance to a certain club. Here in the USA, those in the "scooter club" are often prejudged to be in the lowest status of all of those elements. Human nature, culture, and psychology contribute to those opinions being formed based on snapshots of a point in time observation. That can make us feel excluded or that we have lost the ability to use non-verbal comms to express our belonging to a club, tribe, skill level, or social status. Like you, I'm over that completely. It's my hindside in the saddle and I just don't care.

I do the same on gear while riding a scooter. But on longer rides I absolutely wear my iteration of ATGATT. There are quite a few scooter riders on advrider who do full gear all of the time on scoots though. To each their own, and like you and me, it is their hindside in the saddle, their choice, and not for me to judge.

 

[Hornblower]

Apparently, like you, I have made many modifications to bikes in the past. Suspension upgrades haven't always been great but always an improvement over stock. As we all know, when it comes time to sell, we almost always lose money that was spent. As a result, I have become more and more reluctant to spend money on upgrades unless it's something that seems really helpful and necessary. Also, I might spend on a "farkle" that is easily removed. On our 400GT scooters, I remind myself that it is a scooter after all and question whether or not suspension upgrades really makes sense. Most likely, I won't be riding this scooter in the twisties with my faster sport bike friends. Sure, it would be nice to have a more supple and compliant ride but for me, it's just not necessary. About the only thing I'm considering for now is a top box and I'm not even sure I need that.

 

[wspollack]

Most likely, I won't be riding this scooter in the twisties with my faster sport bike friends. Sure, it would be nice to have a more supple and compliant ride but for me, it's just not necessary.

Once you finish with the break-in mileage, you might want to take the scoot out by yourself for a run through some twisties, and then maybe you'll reconsider riding with bigger bikes.

I find the bike ('22 C 400 GT) to be a superb-handling twistie machine, with decent power for any long straights in between. Ya know, smallish wheels, low C of G, just really good implementation of rake and trail, or who knows what, regarding technical stuff like that.

Here are some of my solo-riding videos that I think are reasonable examples of this:

Sept. 2022, 11 minutes:

April 2023, 17 minutes:

May 2023, 17 minutes:

 

[mzflorida]

Apparently, like you, I have made many modifications to bikes in the past. Suspension upgrades haven't always been great but always an improvement over stock. As we all know, when it comes time to sell, we almost always lose money that was spent. As a result, I have become more and more reluctant to spend money on upgrades unless it's something that seems really helpful and necessary. Also, I might spend on a "farkle" that is easily removed. On our 400GT scooters, I remind myself that it is a scooter after all and question whether or not suspension upgrades really makes sense. Most likely, I won't be riding this scooter in the twisties with my faster sport bike friends. Sure, it would be nice to have a more supple and compliant ride but for me, it's just not necessary. About the only thing I'm considering for now is a top box and I'm not even sure I need that.

I get your perspective completely. But I actually think suspension and conspicuity improvements are the two areas where money is best spent (for me) in that order. Plus, it is something I enjoy figuring out, installing, and tweaking. Just part of the hobby for me. For the record, I'm not saying you are wrong, I just see it differently; which is what these forums are intended for...different ideas on shared interests.

 

[Hornblower]

My faster road riding (racing) friends are all riding S1000XR's so no, I won't be trying to hang with them on this scooter. If your goal is to ride it like a sport bike, then, by all means, upgrade the suspension. Otherwise, at speed, bumpy, curvy roads will upset the chassis and the result may not be pretty. For sure, that style of riding is not what I'll be doing on this "grocery getter".

 

[mzflorida]

I went out for about a 60-mile ride today with mixed suburban and back roads. Holy cow! Is this ever a superbly designed and performing bike! The handling was great. Suspension was way better than expected, though I do believe the front needs a little work (just on the edge of unsettled on washboard roads, but never actually unsettled). Though it was not a long enough ride to see if this is an all-day saddle, it was exceptionally comfortable, and I really like the seating position. As a taller rider at 6'02" I had plenty of room and the bike really does accommodate my size. Acceleration was really very good. Engine braking was better than I would have expected. The ride by wire performs flawlessly and maintains speed incredibly well. Switchgear is fantastic. No creaks or rattles that I noticed. I'm about 200 miles into ownership so far and keep on thinking "it can't be that good." It really is. Thanks to everyone again for all of the questions, answers, and contributions here in the forum. A new windscreen is definitely getting ordered and installed; the stream hits right at my eyes and is very noisy with either my Arai or my LS2.