BMW C 400 GT — A Grand-Touring Maxi-Scooter That Balances Comfort, Power, and Practicality

The BMW C 400 GT is a mid-size “maxi-scooter” from BMW Motorrad, designed to offer a blend of everyday urban mobility and credible touring capability. First introduced in 2018, it quickly positioned itself as an attractive option for riders who want more comfort, power, and features than a typical scooter — all while preserving the practicality and ease-of-use of a scooter. 

Engine & Performance

At the heart of the C 400 GT is a liquid-cooled single-cylinder, 4-stroke engine with a displacement of 350 cc. This powerplant delivers 25 kW (approximately 34 hp) at 7,500 rpm and 35 Nm of torque at around 5,750–6,000 rpm. Power is transferred to the rear wheel via a CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) — ideal for riders who prefer the simplicity of a twist-and-go setup. 

Thanks to this configuration, the C 400 GT is capable of a top speed near 139 km/h. That’s more than enough for city commuting — and even for occasional highway use. Its fuel tank capacity is 12.8 L, offering a balance between range and compactness. 

Chassis, Suspension & Handling

The C 400 GT is built around a tubular-steel frame, giving it sturdiness while remaining manageable. In front, it uses a telescopic fork; in the rear, a swing-arm with twin shocks — suspension geometry designed for stability and comfort, rather than sportbike-tightness. 

Wheel and tyre geometry also reflect its maxi-scooter identity: a 15-inch front wheel with 120/70 tyre and a 14-inch rear wheel with 150/70 tyre. Braking is handled by a dual-disc front brake and a disc rear — plus standard ABS. 

With a seat height of about 775 mm and a kerb weight around 212 kg, the C 400 GT is heavier than typical scooters — but the weight is kept low enough for manageable handling at low speeds. The wheelbase of 1,565 mm adds to its stability, especially at higher speeds. 

Features & Comfort — Touring-Focused Design

What really sets the C 400 GT apart from simpler scooters is its focus on comfort, convenience, and practicality, making it suitable for longer rides or mixed usage (city + highway). Among its feature set:

Large windscreen and full bodywork provide good wind and weather protection — a key plus for longer rides or highway cruising. LED lighting — headlights, tail and indicators — standard, contributing to both safety and modern aesthetics. 

Digital instrument cluster: a 6.5-inch full-colour TFT display (on many variants) that integrates all key readouts — speed, fuel, perhaps more depending on equipment. 

Ride-by-wire throttle, updated engine management (since 2021 refresh): starting 2021, the throttle is electronic (often called “E-Gas”), which improves throttle response and idle stability. 

Conveniences: under-seat storage, dual disc brakes, ABS Pro, traction control (Dynamic Traction Control), stability control, and other electronics depending on the region or version. 

Ergonomics: bigger, comfortable seat (with separate rider backrest in some trims), body design and wind protection aimed for longer cruising. 

In many ways, the C 400 GT is a “practical luxury” scooter: more expensive than basic city scooters, but offering more safety, comfort, and long-range practicality.

Positioning & Use Case

The “GT” in C 400 GT stands for Gran Turismo (Grand Touring) — and that gives a clue to how BMW intends this scooter to be used. It’s not about sporty corner carving or aggressive riding. Instead, the focus is on a smooth, comfortable, and stable ride — whether you’re commuting in traffic, cruising city streets, or taking a moderate highway trip. 

For riders who want an upgrade from smaller 125 cc or 150 cc scooters — but don’t want the complexity or size of a large motorcycle — the C 400 GT offers a compelling middle ground. Its 350 cc engine provides enough power for city and highway work, its features deliver comfort and convenience, and the overall package remains easy to handle.

In markets such as the Philippines, this makes it appealing for riders who want a “do-it-all” scooter: commute, city errands, weekend rides, maybe occasional long rides — all without needing to juggle gears or sacrifice comfort. According to local spec listings, its SRP in the Philippines is around ₱595,000. 

Updates & Evolution

Since its introduction at the end of 2018 (unveiled at the EICMA show that year), the C 400 GT has undergone some refinements. For the 2021 model-year update, for instance:

BMW switched to an electronic throttle (“E-Gas”) rather than cable-operated throttle, improving throttle response and idle. 

Emissions compliance was upgraded to meet Euro 5 / EU-5+ norms, with modifications to catalytic converter, cylinder head, wiring harness, idle control, and more. 

The front braking setup also received tweaks — new brake calipers, improved ABS/ABS Pro among features. 

Additional comfort or convenience features (depending on variant) — USB port, improved under-seat/under-handlebar storage, better instrumentation — have helped keep the model competitive in the mid-size scooter segment. 

Pros and Potential Considerations

What the C 400 GT does well:

• A comfortable, stable ride ready for both city and longer rides thanks to good engine torque, large frame, wind protection.
• Plenty of modern features — ABS, traction control, LED lighting, digital TFT dash — adding convenience and safety.
• Easy to ride: automatic CVT means you don’t worry about shifting; ideal for commuting or stop-and-go traffic.
• Touring practicality: good under-seat storage, ergonomic seating, and wind protection make it decent for weekend rides or short trips.

What to keep in mind:

• It’s heavier than small scooters — at ~212 kg — which means at low speeds you need to be cautious, especially when maneuvering or parking. 
• While 350 cc is enough for many uses, its performance is not “motorcycle-class” — if you’re looking for aggressive acceleration or long-distance high-speed touring, a bigger motorcycle may be more suitable.
• As a premium scooter, parts and maintenance may be more expensive compared to local small-capacity scooters.
• In some markets, the price (like the ₱595,000 SRP in the Philippines) can be steep compared to counterparts or simpler scooters. 

Conclusion — A “Sweet Spot” Maxi-Scooter

The BMW C 400 GT occupies an interesting niche: it’s a “maxi-scooter” that aims to deliver more than a commuter scooter but with fewer complications than a full-blown motorcycle. For riders who want comfort, convenience, decent power, and versatility — without the fuss of gears and heavy clutch work — the C 400 GT offers a compelling package.

In cities like Cebu (or many other urban or semi-urban locales), where traffic, mixed road conditions, and occasional longer rides are common, a scooter like the C 400 GT can strike a sweet balance. It offers enough engine punch for expressways, wind/weather protection for comfort, and the ease-of-use of a scooter for everyday practicality.

Cheerio!