2019 bikesales Bike of the Year: BMW C 400 GT ion

BMW’s move into the more price-accessible scooter realm has arrived, with the C 400 GT ion taking on flagship status

The bikesales Bike of the Year awards have been a ‘moving fixture’ for three years now, which has meant multi-day rides on some of the best roads in the country, including the Snowy Mountains, Tasmania and, in 2019, Victoria's High Country.

In 2018, we introduced a scooter into the equation for the first time, Kymco’s bullocking AK 550 maxi, and in this year it was BMW’s refined C 400 GT ion.

Same end result, though: large doses of comfort and utilitarian capability, while it was none too shabby through the corners too.

In the case of the LAMS-approved C 400 GT, BOTY added more knowledge to what we had already digested from the Bavarian as a long-term resident in the bikesales bunker.

Five days of strenuous testing does that, and the C 400 GT packs a lot into its $13,495 (ride away) price tag – with the 'ion' suffix amounting to extra goodies over the standard GT in the shape of a 6.5-inch TFT instrument display with phone/music connectivity and satellite navigation, plus heated grips and a heated seat.

That level of spec even usurped a number of motorcycles on BOTY, while storage is typical scooter fare – plenty underneath the seat and a couple of gloveboxes.

Before departure, our accessory 'blanket', which had made extremely chilly and wet commutes that much more palatable, was removed in the name of aesthetics and a spell of glorious spring weather. It got us through a Melbourne winter, though – we couldn’t have commuted in humble jeans without it!

The C 400 GT, while one of the bona-fide Bike of the Year contenders in its own right, was also tasked with 'medical' duties on BOTY.

One of our riders is a long-term paramedic, and the scooter's expansive one-piece stepped seat provided ample real estate to strap in all his tools of the trade – and with the top box still available to store his personal luggage.

We couldn't have scripted it better, and that's why the C 400 GT has been called upon for the majority of bikesales pillion runs in the last few months. Just wind up the preload on the rear, though, as the 112mm of suspension travel is gobbled up in quick time...

On the real business of evaluating the C 400 GT, the BOTY judges – some of them dyed-in-the-wool sports bike lovers – were genuinely surprised with the wherewithal shown by the machine in terms of performance, steering, road-handling and braking, with the creature comforts the icing on the cake.

The C 400 GT just flicks from side to side in a no-fuss, predictable and impeccable manner and, with such a low centre of gravity, there's no top heaviness – just poise.

The 350cc engine and CVT transmission deliver performance that's entirely in keeping with the class: more than enough perkiness from a standing start, and it can handle highway speeds standing on its head. And holding a steady throttle is easy, unlike some of the more hair-trigger motorcycles.

It's a miserly operator, too: average fuel consumption of 4lt/100km on Bike of the Year, and that included some major ascents where the little single was being pushed to the extreme.

The screen is non-adjustable but works well and doesn’t shudder at speeds, while the TFT screen functions are controlled by a collar and menu button which have now become the staple of BMW motorcycles and scooters – it's a neat and functional set-up.

As well as the ability to pair your phone, connectivity also extends to simple navigation.

The daytime running lights on the C 400 GT deliver a strong hit (a little too much for some testy drivers!) while the high beam is simply magnificent – a piercing stream of light that assuages some of the anxiety of riding in the sticks at night.

We didn't use the heated seat and handlebar grip 'facilities' during BOTY, but take it from me they are effective, and being able to lock the steering by depressing the ignition button for a few seconds is yet another nod to practicality. That's why the C 400 GT's fob was rarely sighted on Bike of the Year – except when we were swapping between bikes.

BMW's C 400 scooter range isn't as entertaining as the company's 650cc line-up – it's hard to replace sheer horsepower – but as far as appealing to a critical mass the middleweights are where it's at.

The C 400 GT is practical, competent, comfortable, stable and willing – a unanimous appraisal among the BOTY commentariat.

Specs: BMW C 400 GT ion

ENGINE
Type: Liquid-cooled, OHC four-stroke single-cylinder
Capacity: 350cc
Bore x stroke: 80mm x 69.6mm
Compression ratio: 11.5:1
Fuel system: Electronic fuel injection
Emissions: Euro 4

PERFORMANCE
Claimed maximum power: 34hp (25kW) at 7500rpm
Claimed maximum torque: 35Nm at 6000rpm

TRANSMISSION
Type: Continuously variable
Clutch: Centrifugal dry

CHASSIS AND RUNNING GEAR
Frame type: Steel tubing
Front suspension: 35mm fork, 110mm travel
Rear suspension: Twin shocks, preload adjustment, 112mm travel
Front brakes: Twin 265mm discs with four-piston calipers
Rear brake: 265mm disc with single-piston caliper
Wheels: Cast aluminium – front 3.5 x 15, rear 4.25 x 14
Tyres: Front 120/70-15, rear 150/70-14

DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES
Claimed kerb weight: 212kg
Seat height: 775mm
Wheelbase: 1565mm
Fuel capacity: 12.8 litres
Measured fuel consumption: 4lt/100km

OTHER STUFF
Price: from $13,495 ride away
Colours: Alpine White, Moonwalk Grey Metallic or Black Storm Metallic
Test bike supplied by: BMW Motorrad Australia
Warranty: Three years, unlimited kilometres

2019 bikesales Bike of the Year: BMW C 400 GT ion

Specs: BMW C 400 GT ion

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