rongrimes
Active member
Hopefully, it'll all be a moot point as I'm hoping they eventually come out with a CE-06 with even more power and range. Although it wouldn't surprise me if Honda doesn't beat BMW to the punch and for less money.
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Long-term review of the BMW CE 04 (The Suit & Tie Rocket Ship)
- Thread starter triangletom
- Start date
ghostrider4
Active member
Yes indeed…just like bmw was asleep at the wheel and honda came out with the first goldwing
ventisoychailatte
New member
Hello, new CE 04 owner here. this is my first electric motorcycle, we have two i3s and a Tesla and follow the EV market closely. I also ride a couple of ICE BMWs, an MP3 and a Vespa.
IMHO by the time we get around replacing the battery on the CE there will be a 100 KwH option for 1/10th of the price that you will be able to fit inside the cell phone flap. Kind of Back to the Future 2 moment when you drop some trash into your DeLorean to travel in time and no longer need a lightning strike to make it work. The pace of improvement for batteries is ridiculous, just watch some Tony Seba predictions. This motorcycle will outlive all of us if we want to.
IMHO by the time we get around replacing the battery on the CE there will be a 100 KwH option for 1/10th of the price that you will be able to fit inside the cell phone flap. Kind of Back to the Future 2 moment when you drop some trash into your DeLorean to travel in time and no longer need a lightning strike to make it work. The pace of improvement for batteries is ridiculous, just watch some Tony Seba predictions. This motorcycle will outlive all of us if we want to.
XMET
New member
That’s a very comprehensive review. I, too, love my CE04, but at a little over 6,000 miles I had the red screen of death appear. It went into the dealer for the 6,000 mile service (and the red screen) and they updated the software and cleared all the codes. On the ride home, the screen reappeared, so back to the dealer. More updates, got it delivered in a van and a few days later: another red screen! I have it back now and this last time, they said the 12v battery was defective, so this was replaced. I have ridden it a couple of times, but due to the freezing temperatures I have not ridden it as much as I should have wished. Hopefully, the fault has been rectified. If not, I’ll be having a conversation with the dealer about a certain citrus fruit! I cannot fault them as they have been exemplary so far.
I went through the front tyre very quickly, and the rear was ruined by a blade that it picked up on the road. Thankfully, I have the wheel insurance, which paid for itself in one go. I had Michelins instead of the OEM Tyres. I found the front wore unevenly. Michelin make good Tyres and these are holding the pad very nicely.
I have the standard vario box fitted and carry a Tesla Tap (40 amp) which increases my options when range anxiety strikes. The POI feature on the connector Ted ride app has loads of charging locations, but unfortunately it likes to send one to an Amazon warehouse or similar, which are not public. I have the Blink and Chargepoint cards and apps as some won’t work from the app. PlugShare is a good resource. Public chargers are abused, sadly, so the chances of finding a Tesla parked but not plugged in, or some junker 1980s Toyota blocking the space are some issues I have run across. I haven’t run out of juice yet, but it is a good plan to do some research prior to going on an expedition to places unknown.
My planned additions are the police side case and frame. I have also added lots of SOLAS and school bus reflective tape to the vario box but left the scooter’s paint unblemished. I do have a transponder on the front light, for the HOV/Toll Lane and a “LOUD PIPES SAVE LIVES” on the vario box as well.
The CE04 has a very rapid take off and I have surprised a few Ford Mustangs who were revving their engines at my “moped” at traffic lights. No need to speed on this thing, but it is deceptively quick up to the speed limit (limit, not target). I have an Aerostitch courier bag with a large reflective stripe on it. Visibility is important, since this thing is very stealthy.
Provided I have no further red screens, I intend to use this as my commuter/town vehicle. Any more and I shall take advantage of the citrus fruit and swap it for a new one, as I think I have just been unlucky. This is a new technology and the dealer has one person who can work on these; plus he has to follow BMWs instructions. I am fortunate that I also have a big bike for trips and a car for freezing weather or storms. I am not a fair weather rider, but turning up at work and having to disrobe and find somewhere to hang a wet motorcycle jacket is a total pain. I have the option to drive, so will. Days off are different and so I will ride in the rain.
I mentioned the Tesla Tap earlier and can highly recommend that. I did not buy the “mini” version and have no experience with that. The full size one works great and I have been able to successfully charge at a Tesla charger (several hotels have these). Many car dealerships will allow me to plug in at their free chargers, so I have used Honda and Kia dealers to obtain a free boost charge. Some are pay to use, but that’s fine. Harley Davidson have chargers also, but these are DC, so no good for the CE04. The range also drops off considerably in cold weather. Understandable, since chemical reactions are slowed by temperature. I can travel to work and back and stop off a couple of times on the way home and still have a free miles in reserve, so that’s fine. I do wish the range were greater, say 150 miles, but the 80 in summer and 60 in winter provides what I require.
I went through the front tyre very quickly, and the rear was ruined by a blade that it picked up on the road. Thankfully, I have the wheel insurance, which paid for itself in one go. I had Michelins instead of the OEM Tyres. I found the front wore unevenly. Michelin make good Tyres and these are holding the pad very nicely.
I have the standard vario box fitted and carry a Tesla Tap (40 amp) which increases my options when range anxiety strikes. The POI feature on the connector Ted ride app has loads of charging locations, but unfortunately it likes to send one to an Amazon warehouse or similar, which are not public. I have the Blink and Chargepoint cards and apps as some won’t work from the app. PlugShare is a good resource. Public chargers are abused, sadly, so the chances of finding a Tesla parked but not plugged in, or some junker 1980s Toyota blocking the space are some issues I have run across. I haven’t run out of juice yet, but it is a good plan to do some research prior to going on an expedition to places unknown.
My planned additions are the police side case and frame. I have also added lots of SOLAS and school bus reflective tape to the vario box but left the scooter’s paint unblemished. I do have a transponder on the front light, for the HOV/Toll Lane and a “LOUD PIPES SAVE LIVES” on the vario box as well.
The CE04 has a very rapid take off and I have surprised a few Ford Mustangs who were revving their engines at my “moped” at traffic lights. No need to speed on this thing, but it is deceptively quick up to the speed limit (limit, not target). I have an Aerostitch courier bag with a large reflective stripe on it. Visibility is important, since this thing is very stealthy.
Provided I have no further red screens, I intend to use this as my commuter/town vehicle. Any more and I shall take advantage of the citrus fruit and swap it for a new one, as I think I have just been unlucky. This is a new technology and the dealer has one person who can work on these; plus he has to follow BMWs instructions. I am fortunate that I also have a big bike for trips and a car for freezing weather or storms. I am not a fair weather rider, but turning up at work and having to disrobe and find somewhere to hang a wet motorcycle jacket is a total pain. I have the option to drive, so will. Days off are different and so I will ride in the rain.
I mentioned the Tesla Tap earlier and can highly recommend that. I did not buy the “mini” version and have no experience with that. The full size one works great and I have been able to successfully charge at a Tesla charger (several hotels have these). Many car dealerships will allow me to plug in at their free chargers, so I have used Honda and Kia dealers to obtain a free boost charge. Some are pay to use, but that’s fine. Harley Davidson have chargers also, but these are DC, so no good for the CE04. The range also drops off considerably in cold weather. Understandable, since chemical reactions are slowed by temperature. I can travel to work and back and stop off a couple of times on the way home and still have a free miles in reserve, so that’s fine. I do wish the range were greater, say 150 miles, but the 80 in summer and 60 in winter provides what I require.
Attachments
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wspollack
Well-known member
@XMET :
Sorry about your troubles. Hopefully the 12V swap will do the trick.
Nice full report. Have you met up with @triangletom yet?
Oh, and one last thing, if I may make a suggestion, hopefully without coming off as a jerk: to make life a little easier for us readers, don't forget that paragraphs are your friends.
Sorry about your troubles. Hopefully the 12V swap will do the trick.
Nice full report. Have you met up with @triangletom yet?
Oh, and one last thing, if I may make a suggestion, hopefully without coming off as a jerk: to make life a little easier for us readers, don't forget that paragraphs are your friends.
XMET
New member
I have not met @triangletom yet, but I do reside in NC and have been to Pik ‘n’ Pig, in Carthage, but that was on my GS Adventure. I heard that they had a fire, but have now reopened and take credit cards (previously, they were cash only).
You are correct regarding paragraphs and I have edited my post to include some! You did not come off as a jerk. Constructive criticism is always welcome. Some of these forums have limiting features and I think this was my third post so I am still learning the ropes, as it were.
I certainly love my CE04 and hope that the red screen issue is finally behind me. It took many weeks to get to the bottom of this and I have only ridden about 200 miles since this problem first surfaced at the end of September. It is now too cold for me and I am recovering from surgery so will not be riding for a few weeks. Hopefully, the weather will be much warmer then.
Have a very Merry Christmas and again, thank you for your comments, which I received in the manner I am sure they were intended
wspollack
Well-known member
In days of yore, I wrote about a dozen articles for webBikeWorld. The late founder/owner/editor of that site, Rick Korchak, harped on me not only to keep those paragraphs coming, but to keep them short, as well. He noted that was especially important to those who read the articles on the small screen, i.e., smart phones.I have not met @triangletom yet, but I do reside in NC and have been to Pik ‘n’ Pig, in Carthage, but that was on my GS Adventure. I heard that they had a fire, but have now reopened and take credit cards (previously, they were cash only).
You are correct regarding paragraphs and I have edited my post to include some! You did not come off as a jerk. Constructive criticism is always welcome. Some of these forums have limiting features and I think this was my third post so I am still learning the ropes, as it were.
I certainly love my CE04 and hope that the red screen issue is finally behind me. It took many weeks to get to the bottom of this and I have only ridden about 200 miles since this problem first surfaced at the end of September. It is now too cold for me and I am recovering from surgery so will not be riding for a few weeks. Hopefully, the weather will be much warmer then.
Have a very Merry Christmas and again, thank you for your comments, which I received in the manner I am sure they were intended
Good luck on your recovery. I have a surgery coming up myself, and hope to be over that when riding season starts, up north here. I have a daughter in Asheville, and maybe next visit I'll take the long way -- I sometimes turn right at Norfolk, instead of down at Johnson City -- and meet up with both of you.
Merry Christmas to you, too!
ghostrider4
Active member
Which bag please? Photo of bag on bike if possible...thank you
Velcroed to the space under the dash, holds my camera, first aid kit, and TeslaTap Mini.
Maintenance
Unsurprisingly, the maintenance requirements of the BMW CE 04 are minimal. There is no engine oil that needs changing, and with the regenerative motor braking, the brake pads are, for the most part, relegated to emergency stops. I am not a mechanic, but this is the rough maintenance schedule I am going by:
- 750 miles: Initial “break-in” service (final drive fluid change, belt tension check)
- Every 4500 miles: replace the front tire
- Every 6200 miles: replace the rear tire, final drive fluid change, belt tension check
- Every 20000 miles: replace the belt
- Every 50000 miles: replace brake pads
- Every 10000 miles: replace brake rotors
- Every 2 years: replace brake fluid
As with their gas-burning bikes, BMW wants you to stop by a dealer every 6000 miles for maintenance. IMHO, that's excessive for an electric vehicle, especially given that the mechanics in the USA are not trained to work on the CE 04. If you ever find yourself wanting to turn off the giant “MAINTENANCE DUE” pop-up on the console, it's quickly done with an ODB2 dongle and the MotoScan phone app.
One unexpected quirk about the CE 04 is that it burns through front tires more quickly than the rear, opposite of most two-wheeled vehicles and 4-wheeled EVs.
Room for Improvement
Roughly in priority order:
- A long-range version, like the BMW C-Evolution
- Support for DC charging (NACS) to broaden charger compatibility
- Automatic routing to chargers in navigation mode
- Touring-friendly seats
- Reinforced indicators
Conclusion
It isn't for everyone, but for me, the BMW CE 04 is a nearly perfect vehicle. It's great for errands, such as pizza pickups and school drop-offs, and fun outings, such as lunch with friends and exploring the countryside.
I'd buy the CE 04 again in a heartbeat. If BMW released a version with 20mi/30km more range, I'd buy it too.
View attachment 4002
lowstar
New member
Thank you very much for such a great article. It must’ve taken you quite a long time to put it all together. My 2023 CE 04 is my fourth BMW machine. I enjoy it very much just cruising around our beaches and parks here and beautiful Vancouver British Columbia.Maintenance
Unsurprisingly, the maintenance requirements of the BMW CE 04 are minimal. There is no engine oil that needs changing, and with the regenerative motor braking, the brake pads are, for the most part, relegated to emergency stops. I am not a mechanic, but this is the rough maintenance schedule I am going by:
- 750 miles: Initial “break-in” service (final drive fluid change, belt tension check)
- Every 4500 miles: replace the front tire
- Every 6200 miles: replace the rear tire, final drive fluid change, belt tension check
- Every 20000 miles: replace the belt
- Every 50000 miles: replace brake pads
- Every 10000 miles: replace brake rotors
- Every 2 years: replace brake fluid
As with their gas-burning bikes, BMW wants you to stop by a dealer every 6000 miles for maintenance. IMHO, that's excessive for an electric vehicle, especially given that the mechanics in the USA are not trained to work on the CE 04. If you ever find yourself wanting to turn off the giant “MAINTENANCE DUE” pop-up on the console, it's quickly done with an ODB2 dongle and the MotoScan phone app.
One unexpected quirk about the CE 04 is that it burns through front tires more quickly than the rear, opposite of most two-wheeled vehicles and 4-wheeled EVs.
Room for Improvement
Roughly in priority order:
- A long-range version, like the BMW C-Evolution
- Support for DC charging (NACS) to broaden charger compatibility
- Automatic routing to chargers in navigation mode
- Touring-friendly seats
- Reinforced indicators
Conclusion
It isn't for everyone, but for me, the BMW CE 04 is a nearly perfect vehicle. It's great for errands, such as pizza pickups and school drop-offs, and fun outings, such as lunch with friends and exploring the countryside.
I'd buy the CE 04 again in a heartbeat. If BMW released a version with 20mi/30km more range, I'd buy it too.
View attachment 4002
I find, though I must wear some ear protection otherwise that nasty low speed sound is really not the nicest thing in the world. I don’t know there’s a seat for you a seat for you.
wspollack
Well-known member
Two Comments:
1) I think that @triangletom is an invaluable resource here. He's probably the forum member -- or non-forum member, for that matter -- who has put a CE-04 through its paces the most of anyone in North America, who has determined its capabilities and limitations the most. And his thorough reports about charging, maintenance, and trips are unparalleled and superbly useful.
Period.
2) Perhaps for the rest of you, a word or two of potential caution: if I owned a CE-04, I would be very leery of not complying with BMW's maintenance schedule -- either via a dealership or by yourself (with sufficient documentation, such as receipts, logs, and dated photos) -- however ridiculous that schedule may be.
I speak as someone who has had a '22 C 400 GT replaced -- free -- with a new '23 C 400 GT by BMW, because of an engine failure ... and because the bike was under warranty, and was serviced by my local BMW dealership (which consisted of the break-in service and the first 6,000-mile service, done a wee bit early).
That is, I would not want to risk voiding that factory warranty. That's me, and if you disagree that's certainly your prerogative.
1) I think that @triangletom is an invaluable resource here. He's probably the forum member -- or non-forum member, for that matter -- who has put a CE-04 through its paces the most of anyone in North America, who has determined its capabilities and limitations the most. And his thorough reports about charging, maintenance, and trips are unparalleled and superbly useful.
Period.
2) Perhaps for the rest of you, a word or two of potential caution: if I owned a CE-04, I would be very leery of not complying with BMW's maintenance schedule -- either via a dealership or by yourself (with sufficient documentation, such as receipts, logs, and dated photos) -- however ridiculous that schedule may be.
I speak as someone who has had a '22 C 400 GT replaced -- free -- with a new '23 C 400 GT by BMW, because of an engine failure ... and because the bike was under warranty, and was serviced by my local BMW dealership (which consisted of the break-in service and the first 6,000-mile service, done a wee bit early).
That is, I would not want to risk voiding that factory warranty. That's me, and if you disagree that's certainly your prerogative.
ghostrider4
Active member
Wish the rear shock had more travel. Someone said it only have adjustment for preload, not rebound.
subcyclist
New member
I just joined the forum, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading this review; as well as the replies. Thank you @triangletom for sharing your experience and perspective with us, regarding your CE04.
I am also a Triangle resident, and I have also done some touring on my CE04; an impromptu trip to Hickory in October 2024 to work at the emergency operation center for the hurricane recovery. I did not have time to rent a car, so I planned my route to include ChargePoint stops along the way. I sold my last car (an EV) in 2022, and I have been living the car-free life on my two eBikes; until I bought my scooter last June. For this trip, I used my two Ortlieb panniers (used with my bicycles), strapped together with belts, and slung over the seat behind me. I was surprised by how much gear I could fit in the mrunk (middle trunk), also. I have found that I do not experience range anxiety, but I instead enjoy the challenge of planning routes with chargers where I need them - and alternate locations, just in case.
Thanks again for your review. I hope I see you and other CE04 owners out on the roads in our region. Ride safe!
I am also a Triangle resident, and I have also done some touring on my CE04; an impromptu trip to Hickory in October 2024 to work at the emergency operation center for the hurricane recovery. I did not have time to rent a car, so I planned my route to include ChargePoint stops along the way. I sold my last car (an EV) in 2022, and I have been living the car-free life on my two eBikes; until I bought my scooter last June. For this trip, I used my two Ortlieb panniers (used with my bicycles), strapped together with belts, and slung over the seat behind me. I was surprised by how much gear I could fit in the mrunk (middle trunk), also. I have found that I do not experience range anxiety, but I instead enjoy the challenge of planning routes with chargers where I need them - and alternate locations, just in case.
Thanks again for your review. I hope I see you and other CE04 owners out on the roads in our region. Ride safe!
nzbmwc400x
New member
Hi, not sure if I got the right thread for this but this is the first one I’ve posted I’m looking at either buying a 2024 triple black C400 GT new with 3 year warranty or a CE04 2023 model registered in 2024 that’s got 6500 Km on the Clock with remaining warranty . They’re very similar prices just trying to find out what people thoughts are which one you guys would recommend ? I basically use it to go to work and back three times a week , round trips about 40 Km.“The good news for prospective EV buyers is threefold. First, in contrast with most consumer electronics makers, automakers have a vested interest in ensuring battery life. The average EV battery should outlast not just its warranty but also the rest of the car. Second, there is a lot you can do as an EV owner to protect the health of your battery. Third, the resilience of a well cared-for lithium battery gives you real options after your warranty runs out.
Although EVs are still relatively new and the battery repair and resale markets are still fledgling, you can bet that the surge in EVs and EV mandates will feed a significant servicing and recycling economy. That means falling battery prices, cost-effective repair alternatives, and your ability to recoup some resale value after your years of good battery hygiene.”
Above is an interesting quote from this Road and Track article published just yesterday:
How Long Do EV Batteries Last?
With proper care and good habits, an EV's battery should hold up for a long long time.
How Long Do EV Batteries Last?
With proper care and good habits, an EV's battery should hold up for a long long time.www.roadandtrack.com
This is an excellent comprehensive article about EV car batteries, but could be easily applied to our BMW electric scooter Lithium batteries.
ghostrider4
Active member
Truth...how hard would it have been for Bmw to take the boxer engine and double it. Sad indeed.
ghostrider4
Active member
I am not the right person to answer other than to say I find the rear shock on a ce04 of limited value (not very comfortable at all to me). 40Km (24ish miles) round trip though would not be an issue at all.
See if the ce04 has the built in level 2 charger option on the scooter (I find that of value as you can charge faster if you have a Level 2 station nearby). Though too, home charging even in a wall plug should not be an issue overnight to recoup power lost (I infer...as I have not never done so as yet since I have a free Bank Level 2 charger I can use just down the street from my house). Maybe in your country they call Level 2 something else.
Since the ce04 battery is small it charges in something like 1hr 15minutes if down to say 20% when you start the charge at a Level 2 charger (this infers you have the onboard charger option the the one you are looking at). If that option was not on the one you are looking at charging will take a lot longer (though I do not know off hand what the time entails).
I don't ride mine lots and am at the point where I will remove the wall charger cord from the side storage holder as I only use my nearby Level 2 bank charger (they have like a total of 3 of that banks branches I can access in my travels if needed). Though mostly I just plan out my trips so I have enough charge to get there and get back home. If a long trip I stop along the way to 'fuel up'
say for 30 minutes maybe on one of my Bank locations.Good luck in your search
Ride them both and see how you feel.
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nzbmwc400x
New member
Thanks for the info. I have riden a ce04 and loved the performance, I have a c400x that I bought from bmw , a 2019 model that had only 700km. It’s been not a great experience! full of issues , keeps stalling, it had a terrible vibration at 3-4000 rpm, bmw replaced the engine mounts which resolved the issue but they can’t seem to resolve the stalling so have offeredI am not the right person to answer other than to say I find the rear shock on a ce04 of limited value (not very comfortable at all to me). 40Km (24ish miles) round trip though would not be an issue at all.
See if the ce04 has the built in level 2 charger option on the scooter (I find that of value as you can charge faster if you have a Level 2 station nearby). Though too, home charging even in a wall plug should not be an issue overnight to recoup power lost (I infer...as I have not never done so as yet since I have a free Bank Level 2 charger I can use just down the street from my house). Maybe in your country they call Level 2 something else.
Since the ce04 battery is small it charges in something like 1hr 15minutes if down to say 20% when you start the charge at a Level 2 charger (this infers you have the onboard charger option the the one you are looking at). If that option was not on the one you are looking at charging will take a lot longer (though I do not know off hand what the time entails).
I don't ride mine lots and am at the point where I will remove the wall charger cord from the side storage holder as I only use my nearby Level 2 bank charger (they have like a total of 3 of that banks branches I can access in my travels if needed). Though mostly I just plan out my trips so I have enough charge to get there and get back home. If a long trip I stop along the way to 'fuel up'
Good luck in your search
Ride them both and see how you feel.
awesome thanks for the info! I have ridden the ce04 and thought the acceleration was great and really enjoyed it but was too much money. I ended up buying a c400x 2019 with 700km on the clock. Bought from Motorad, it turned out the bike was terrible, wouldn’t idle , had terrible vibration at 3I am not the right person to answer other than to say I find the rear shock on a ce04 of limited value (not very comfortable at all to me). 40Km (24ish miles) round trip though would not be an issue at all.
See if the ce04 has the built in level 2 charger option on the scooter (I find that of value as you can charge faster if you have a Level 2 station nearby). Though too, home charging even in a wall plug should not be an issue overnight to recoup power lost (I infer...as I have not never done so as yet since I have a free Bank Level 2 charger I can use just down the street from my house). Maybe in your country they call Level 2 something else.
Since the ce04 battery is small it charges in something like 1hr 15minutes if down to say 20% when you start the charge at a Level 2 charger (this infers you have the onboard charger option the the one you are looking at). If that option was not on the one you are looking at charging will take a lot longer (though I do not know off hand what the time entails).
I don't ride mine lots and am at the point where I will remove the wall charger cord from the side storage holder as I only use my nearby Level 2 bank charger (they have like a total of 3 of that banks branches I can access in my travels if needed). Though mostly I just plan out my trips so I have enough charge to get there and get back home. If a long trip I stop along the way to 'fuel up'
Good luck in your search
Ride them both and see how you feel.
ghostrider4
Active member
Darn, that sucks. Hate to spend $ on a ride then found out it is not good. I don’t seem to ride any of my bikes much anymore…curse of a one ‘car’ garage…which only has bikes in it presently. Always have to move things around to get bikes out it seems. Plus heat in Florida though presently amazed we still have cool weather in Tampabay this far into the new year makes me a happy happy guy.
Did take the ce04 out for a short 14 mile round trip ride with 26 mile range left on her. Got back with 9 miles left
Sadly rode her down to like 12 or 15% charge left per the ‘warning’ message to find a charge station lol.
Glad for the heated grips and seat though only 3 settings for each. Wish it was more as 3 makes those bars why warm. Did not notice the seat heat that much actually but guess anything is better than nothing. Was 58 degrees during ride home and missed what I am certain was a great sunset on the bay…just a drop of disappearing after glow at time of ride home.
Wish the ce04 came with cruise control…a rumor I read was due to COVID BMW could not source the parts maybe when they released the ride but thinking the design was baked before COVID.
Darn things is so zippy (fast) it is way too easy to be going faster then you realize on streets and have to watch the speedo a lot to match how fast you are going. Those fancy bmw glasses would fix that issue but cost way too much for what you get is my guess.
Did take the ce04 out for a short 14 mile round trip ride with 26 mile range left on her. Got back with 9 miles left
Sadly rode her down to like 12 or 15% charge left per the ‘warning’ message to find a charge station lol.
Glad for the heated grips and seat though only 3 settings for each. Wish it was more as 3 makes those bars why warm. Did not notice the seat heat that much actually but guess anything is better than nothing. Was 58 degrees during ride home and missed what I am certain was a great sunset on the bay…just a drop of disappearing after glow at time of ride home.
Wish the ce04 came with cruise control…a rumor I read was due to COVID BMW could not source the parts maybe when they released the ride but thinking the design was baked before COVID.
Darn things is so zippy (fast) it is way too easy to be going faster then you realize on streets and have to watch the speedo a lot to match how fast you are going. Those fancy bmw glasses would fix that issue but cost way too much for what you get is my guess.
nzbmwc400x
New member
Sheesh sorry about the multiple replies, I kept getting disturbed but my 8 year old daughter and didn’t realize it seems to post if you swipe up and cancel halfway through the reply! Well to finish off what I was trying to say was the c400x 2019 has been somewhat troublesome so the bmw dealership has offered to take the bike back and has said I can have a brand new triple black c400gt 2024 model which apparently has had a bunch of updates to fueling etc so shouldn’t have same stalling issues according to bmw. Plus comes with the 3 year warranty, I must say the triple black gt is a good looking bike , at least in pictures, I haven’t seen it in real life. There is of course a caveat to ‘cough up’ extra money for the gt.
The ce04 he has also offered , for an extra 3rd on top of the extra for the gt $ wise. Like I mentioned this ce04 has 6400km on it and is a 2023 but registered 2024 so has some warranty too. It was the BMW demo bike so always been owned by BMW.
My concern was which would cost the most to own and when come to sell in 3-4 years which would give the best return. Both bikes are great to ride , the ce04 is more fun due to the instant acceleration, but the c400 is far more comfortable and has a more standard scooter feel to it when it comes to riding position. The ce04 feels like you are perched on top of it not so much as sitting in it if that makes sense. Would definitely have to get an aftermarket screen if i bought the ce04 as it rains quite a bit in NZ and generally i commute whether it’s raining or not.
The ce04 he has also offered , for an extra 3rd on top of the extra for the gt $ wise. Like I mentioned this ce04 has 6400km on it and is a 2023 but registered 2024 so has some warranty too. It was the BMW demo bike so always been owned by BMW.
My concern was which would cost the most to own and when come to sell in 3-4 years which would give the best return. Both bikes are great to ride , the ce04 is more fun due to the instant acceleration, but the c400 is far more comfortable and has a more standard scooter feel to it when it comes to riding position. The ce04 feels like you are perched on top of it not so much as sitting in it if that makes sense. Would definitely have to get an aftermarket screen if i bought the ce04 as it rains quite a bit in NZ and generally i commute whether it’s raining or not.
ghostrider4
Active member
Hate to say it though, as much as I like the feel of no engine due to the battery on the ce04, you might be happier with the c400gt 2024 though I have never rode one so could be mistaken. You sort of answered your question by saying
“the ce04 is more fun due to the instant acceleration, but the c400 is far more comfortable and has a more standard scooter feel to it when it comes to riding position”.
Trust me, I get the whole ‘more fun due to the instant acceleration’ thing though for me I am just happy that it zips along fine plus if wanted it can zip faster in an instant. That, though that feeling never gets old, is not all of what makes a Ride something you will be happy with long term.
Don’t know the resale value of either model bike though honestly I would not make that the thing that makes me get one over the other. Though I infer the ce04 take more of a beating when you try to sale it down the road (limited number of people looking for one plus with each passing year electric EV tech gets better).
Well above plus two cents still won’t buy you a cup of coffee lol.
Sometimes we buy with our heart, other times with our head. And even then one sometimes wins over the other even if not as comfortable in the long run.
Last thought, I have a bmw expanding trunk on mine and the mounting rack takes up like a 1/3 of the back seat. Not a good thing if you want to carry your 8 year old though wudnerlich (spelled wrong) has a different rack for the bmw truck to be mounted to that does not take up the back part of the seat.
In the end…am I glad I got the ce04…mostly…somewhat. Do I wish I waited and paid less for it be it a new one or used…certainly (forget the figure but like could have saved 2 to 3k US dollars). Is the no engine sound and zippy take off from lights something that gets under your skin…for me yes, yes indeed.
But, if I carried someone as a passenger or it was my only two wheel ride…then no.
“the ce04 is more fun due to the instant acceleration, but the c400 is far more comfortable and has a more standard scooter feel to it when it comes to riding position”.
Trust me, I get the whole ‘more fun due to the instant acceleration’ thing though for me I am just happy that it zips along fine plus if wanted it can zip faster in an instant. That, though that feeling never gets old, is not all of what makes a Ride something you will be happy with long term.
Don’t know the resale value of either model bike though honestly I would not make that the thing that makes me get one over the other. Though I infer the ce04 take more of a beating when you try to sale it down the road (limited number of people looking for one plus with each passing year electric EV tech gets better).
Well above plus two cents still won’t buy you a cup of coffee lol.
Sometimes we buy with our heart, other times with our head. And even then one sometimes wins over the other even if not as comfortable in the long run.
Last thought, I have a bmw expanding trunk on mine and the mounting rack takes up like a 1/3 of the back seat. Not a good thing if you want to carry your 8 year old though wudnerlich (spelled wrong) has a different rack for the bmw truck to be mounted to that does not take up the back part of the seat.
In the end…am I glad I got the ce04…mostly…somewhat. Do I wish I waited and paid less for it be it a new one or used…certainly (forget the figure but like could have saved 2 to 3k US dollars). Is the no engine sound and zippy take off from lights something that gets under your skin…for me yes, yes indeed.
But, if I carried someone as a passenger or it was my only two wheel ride…then no.
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Merv
New member
I couldn’t be happier with my CE04 after 14 months of the odd round trip to office of 35 K’s. Not driving my car or riding R12 nineT very much because of the smile the ce04 brings to my face. More fun than my naked bike says something. I’ve done 6ooo kilometres on it without a blemish and honestly don’t expect any issues after my experience to date. Only thing zive done is put some aero blade mirrors on and safety camera - Innov front and rear unit.
