2020 Kymco Xciting S 400i Review

Launched in November of last year, the Kymco Xciting S 400i joins the entry-level Downtown 350i and flagship AK550 in Kymco’s maxi scooter range, filling the gap both in terms of performance and price.

It’s available from $8990 plus on-road costs, and features a strong list of standard equipment like smartphone mirroring and full LED lights.

According to the Kymco’s Australian distributor, Mojo Motorcycles, the Xciting S 400i is positioned to combat the BMW C 400 GT, which entered the market in mid-2019 priced from $10,240.

“The C 400 was taking sales away from us, so we knew we had to build something similar. We had to build a BMW Hunter,” explained Mojo Motorcycles scooter brand manager Goetz Neugebauer.

While the new Kymco may not have the prestige that comes with a Roundel badge, it certainly stacks up on the spec sheet. Namely, more power and less weight.

The Xciting 400i uses a 26.5kW/38.4Nm single-cylinder 400cc engine, while the BMW is powered by a Kymco-sourced 25kW/35Nm 350cc donk.

Thanks to the use of an aluminium frame, the Kymco is also 17 kilograms lighter at 195kg, and boasts a claimed top speed of 159km/h, compared to the BMW’s 139km/h figure.

A capable sports tourer

Bikesales recently had the opportunity to ride the Xciting S 400i alongside the Kymco Downtown 350i and AK550, taking a long loop through Melbourne and the mountainous Mount Macedon region.

We were guided by Mojo’s Goetz Neugebauer – a massively passionate scooter proponent, ex-racer and active club member – that wants more people to realise the capabilities of a maxi scooter.

Goetz believes that while the urban practicality of a maxi scooter is well known, with their large under-seat storage, twist-and-go transmission and lounge-like ergonomics, few understand that these scooters can be great touring devices; sporty and ready for adventure.

With this in mind, we focused on testing the sports touring capabilities of these scooters.

According to the brochure, the Xciting S 400i was designed to provide a “more dynamic handling experience”, and it is certainly feels the sportiest out of the Kymco maxi scooter range.

Kymco engineers achieved this by reinforcing the double clamp between the frame and fork and by adjusting the way the engine links to the frame.

In corners, it can be ridden quite like a motorcycle and it is surprisingly agile.

There is enough acceleration to keep momentum, and the continuously variable transmission (CVT) makes powering out of corners a breeze.

Using a CVT also means that there is no clutch, and so the left lever takes up rear-brake duties, which you tend to utilise often on a bike of this kind.

As you sit centrally on a scooter, the weight ratio is almost even, and so the rear brake can be far more useful than it is on a conventional motorcycle.

The Xciting S 400i braking system consists of 280mm twin discs at the front and a 240mm disc at the rear, and is equipped with Bosch ABS as standard.

Compared to the initial jolt of acceleration, drive from the 400cc engine feels a bit lacklustre, especially over 90km/h, although it will hold freeway speeds without a problem.

Straight-line performance is much stronger on the Kymco AK550, which uses a 39kW/55Nm 550cc parallel-twin, although its extra weight and size makes it less playful in the turns.

While the engine performance from the entry-level Downtown 350i is comparable to the Xciting S 400i, its softer suspension and ageing instrumentation make it less desirable.

Creature comforts

Giving the Kymco Xciting S 400i a premium feel is the addition of a Noodoe dashboard. This system includes a high-definition display that can be customised with various gauges and screensavers using a smartphone app.

Connecting a smartphone also provides access to things like like media and navigation.

The scooter uses comfortable V-shaped handlebars, which were designed for enhanced readability of the dashboard.

Also included are two glovebox compartments, a 12-volt charging port, two-stage under-seat storage and a five-way adjustable windscreen that does a great job of defending against wind at higher speeds.

It certainly presents well, although the rivalling BMW C 400 GT likely wins out on overall fit-and-finish.

The Kymco Xciting S 400i comes with a three-year factory warranty, and is available exclusively in Matte Deep Blue.

Specs: 2020 Kymco Xciting S 400i

ENGINE
Type: OHC, four-stroke, single-cylinder
Capacity: 400cc
Fuel system: Electronic fuel injection

PERFORMANCE
Claimed maximum power: 26.5kW at 7500rpm
Claimed maximum torque: 38.4Nm at 6000rpm

TRANSMISSION
Type: Continuously variable
Clutch: Centrifugal, wet

CHASSIS AND RUNNING GEAR
Frame type: Aluminium
Front suspension: Telescopic
Rear suspension: Five-stage preload adjustable
Front brakes: Twin 280mm floating discs
Rear brake: 240mm hydraulic disc
Tyres: Front 120/70-15, rear 150/70-14

DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES
Claimed kerb weight: 195kg (dry)
Seat height: 805mm
Wheelbase: 1565mm
Fuel capacity: 12.5 litres

OTHER STUFF
Price: from $8990 plus on-road costs
Colours: Matte Deep Blue
Test bike supplied by: Mojo Motorcycles
Warranty: Three years