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Piaggio X8 400

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Make Model

Piaggio X8 400

Year

2007

Engine

Four stroke, single cylinder, SOHC, 4 valve

Capacity

399 cc / 24.4 cub in.

Bore x Stroke

85.8 mm x 69 mm

Cooling System

Liquid cooled

Lubrication System

Separate with automatic mixer

Fuel System

Injection

Ignition

Inductive

Starting

Electric

Max Power

25 kW / 36 hp @ 7500 rpm

Max Torque

37.6 Nm / 3.83 kgf-m / 27.7 ft-lbs @ 5500 rpm

Transmission 

CVT, twist and go

Final Drive

Belt

Clutch

Automatic, centrifugal, dry

Front Suspension

Hydraulic telescopic fork, 35 mm Ø

Rear Suspension

Dual, 4 position preload adjustable shocks

Front Brakes

Double disc, 240 mm, 2-piston per disc

Rear Brakes

Single disc, 240 mm , 2-piston

Wheels

Die cast aluminium alloy

Front Wheel

3.50 x 14 in.

Front Wheel Travel

94 mm / 3.7 in.

Rear Wheel

4.50 x 14 in.

Rear Wheel Travel

90 mm / 3.5 in.

Front Tyre

120/70 - 14 in.

Rear Tyre

130/70 - 12 in.

Frame

Double cradle, high strength tubular steel

Dimensions

Length:  2184 mm / 86.0 in

Width:      760 mm / 29.9 in.

Wheelbase

1540 mm / 60.6 in.

Seat Height

790 mm / 31.1 in.

Dry Weight

198 kg / 437 lbs

Fuel Capacity 

12 L / 3.2 US gal

Tank Reserve

1.8 L / 0.48 Us gal

Consumption Average

4.5 L/100 km / 22 km/l / 51.7 US mpg

Top Speed

155 km/h / 96 mph

Review

Guy Allen, Motoring

 

Piaggio reckons its fuel-injected 400 is the quickest machine in its class, able to punt the X8 to claimed top speed of 155km/h - something backed up by our own time with the gadget. It supports our current theory that the 400 class is where it's all happening at the moment, when it comes to maxi scooters.

Across a number of brands, the 400s seem to be the best compromise between the sometimes overly heavy monster maxis and the slightly underpowered 250s in this class. Suzuki's 400 Burgman is another good example of the breed.

What you get is plenty of performance for the open road (or simply hosing the traffic away from the lights) and acceptably nimble handling around town.

The maker of this device reckons it has spent a bit of time reworking the clutch and transmission - certainly the feel is good and there's a nice amount of engine braking when you back off the throttle.

Since we're talking about stopping, the twins discs up front offer good power and feel, matched well enough to the rear item. All up the braking works well, with good stability when you're really hard on the picks.

Suspension is acceptable - it can still feel overwhelmed over choppy road surfaces, but performs just fine under more forgiving circumstances.

Overall the steering and handling works well, as the package inspires a fair bit of confidence - it can be punted quite quickly through a set of turns.

Storage is reached by opening the seat, and the rear boot, both of which have an electronic release (with a keyless remote for the latter). However only the boot has a manual back-up, which is an oversight as we had trouble with the seat release on this model and the previous 250 X8.

The space is wide and long rather than deep. It will accept open face helmets but not full-face lids.

Fuel consumption is remarkably miserly, given the size of the bike. We had no trouble getting 22km/lt, which gives a potential 240km-plus range from 12-litre fuel tank.