Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/836037
Instrumentation is efficiently laid out and easy to read, with speedometer, odometer, tachometer, clock, fuel gauge, engine temp, ambient tem- perature and electrical voltage meter. All this for an MSRP of $3999 makes the Xtown 300i a smart choice for the scooter rider desiring efficient trans- portation for a price. Available in Matte Black, Matte White, Matte Silver Crystal and Gray Metallic. The Xciting 400i ABS is the top-of-the-line machine from Kymco. The liquid-cooled 399cc SOHC four-stroke, four-valve, single-cylinder engine generates 26.5 horse- power to push its ready-to-go wet weight of 451 pounds—the weight centrally located for a low center of gravity. Automat- ic transmission and belt drive make up the powertrain, while 15-inch front and 14-inch rear wheels help span the potholes of city commutes, augmented by a conventional fork deliver- ing 4.33 inches of front-wheel travel and 4.21 inches of rear-wheel travel, with five-way preload adjustment in a twin shock system. The responsive handling and stable manners of the 400i is due in part to the double-cradle steel frame, which provides rigidity and minimal flex. The 400i's cockpit is a great deal more spread out than the 300i, providing a comfortable riding position and the ability to use the floorboards for foot placement to accommodate the ride; forward for a cruising stance, or feet directly below the body for more spirited rid- ing. The seat is plush enough for all-day riding. The Xciting 400i has a sporting character (for a scooter), typified with dual 280mm rotors on the front, which are radial-mounted and are coupled with four-piston calipers, providing exceptional stopping power. Bosch ABS mates the front to a single 240mm rotor on the back end, the stopping package completed by a parking brake. Despite attempts to lock the wheels, decelerating aggres- sively from 60 mph in the wet, the Bosch ABS performed su- perbly, bringing the 400i down to a controlled stop despite slippery pavement. The 400i is no slouch. It motored the back roads of North Carolina with a kind of playful aplomb. On one section of open straight I saw 85 mph on the speedo. There's 42.7 liters of (lighted) under-seat storage; enough space to store a full- face helmet or a full-size laptop computer (this is the kind of VOL. 54 ISSUE 19 MAY 19, 2017 P109 400i important consideration for the inner city application of scooters). LED running lights, analog tachometer, a glove box with a 12-volt charger, and a pneumatic piston-augmented seat hinge round out the crea- ture comforts. The Xciting 400i performs quite well on winding back roads, with a compliant and predictable turn-in and stable manners, even at highway speeds. The scooter's power allows for comfortable riding on expressways and highways, without fear of being constantly under pressure to keep up with traffic. What both the Xtown 300i and Xciting 400i offer is the simplicity and ease of opera- tion inherent in a twist-and-go scooter, both machines easily maneuverable in city commute scenarios. Either one of the scooters would be suitable for new and beginning riders, as well as the more experienced enthusiast. What the two scooters offer in addition to inner city mobility, is enough performance to actually allow for jaunts into the hills for some recreational riding. The Xciting 400i has a price tag of $5999 and is available in Diamond Silver, Matte White, Matte Black and Pearly Black.