There are some things that are commonplace in Europe that are completely foreign to our side of the pond. These things include a hot water bottle to keep you cozy in bed, prices with taxes already in them, public transportation that actually transports the public, and chairs for retail workers who, come to think of it, don’t actually need to stand all day. One of these quiet quality-of-life wins that we struggle to comprehend is the 2025 BMW C 400 GT – a scooter that can scoot beyond the inner city.
Okay yeah but…
I heard it all week: “bro, it’s a scooter.” Yeah, that means it’s riding on easy mode. The riding position is perfect, no traditional motorcycle can even come close to this; there’s no real rider triangle, there’s no thought given to handlebar risers for taller riders, it’s just a chair. A nice chair, with comfy padding, that you could sit in all day. You’re upright, with your legs in front of you, well shielded from the wind. You don’t even have to swing a leg over, you can step through.
New for 2025
BMW’s changes for 2025 are concentrated in two key areas: rider aids and practicality. On the safety front, lean-sensitive ABS Pro is now standard, paired with Dynamic Brake Control, Dynamic Traction Control, and Engine Drag Torque Control. Together, they give the C 400 GT an impressive suite of rider aids more commonly seen on full-sized motorcycles. Although to be frank, you never really notice them working, because it’s such a simple thing to ride.
Storage space is also much improved. The under-seat compartment has grown to 37.6 liters, and the glovebox-style compartments at the front are larger too, with the right-hand one quadrupling to 4.7 liters, and the left one having a phone dock with charging port. BMW’s clever Flexcase system expands under-seat capacity further when the scooter is parked, enough to stow a full-face helmet when you get to where you’re going.
Powertrain
The means of motivation is familiar: a 350cc single-cylinder engine paired to a continuously variable transmission. Power sits at 34 hp and 26 lb-ft, modest on paper but far from timid in practice. Twist the throttle and the C 400 GT jumps off the line with enough urgency to leave traffic behind, and it has no trouble running at highway speeds or even passing slower cars. It’s most at home in an urban setting, but it doesn’t shy away from longer commutes. It’s even quite stable on the highway, you just have to be a little mindful of crosswinds and the wake from big trucks.
Ride and comfort
Handling is almost bewilderingly easy. If it’s stable enough on the open highway, it’s almost silly around town. Most bikes need to be going about 10-15 km/h before they want to stay upright, this C 400 GT is happy down to a sauntering pace. Parking-lot maneuvers or stop-and-go traffic are completely stress-free. If you can ride a bicycle, you can ride this, no problem. There’s no clutch, no gears, no serious heft to think about, it’s just easy.
Comfort is another strength. The redesigned seat is lower at 30.1 inches, making it easier to reach the ground while still offering good support. The riding position is upright and relaxed, with a feeling more like sitting in a nice armchair than straddling an iron horse, and the option to put your feet forward is welcome. A manually adjustable windscreen keeps buffeting under control, and with the Comfort package you get luxuries like heated grips and a heated seat, so you could keep riding even if conditions are sub-optimal. There’s even a power port for a heated vest if you’re really serious about riding in cool weather.
Wrap it up
If there’s a weak spot, it’s style. The C 400 GT has sharp, sporty lines that fit BMW’s design language, which might be a tad bit too sporty for a scooter. If you’re into it though, you can dress it up with diamond white paint, gold wheels, edgy GT decals, and LED floor lighting.
Pricing starts just under ten grand at $9,945, and goes up to just $11,515 with our tester’s Style Package, Comfort Package, and the Connectivity Pro Package which includes a 10.25-inch TFT display and the aforementioned phone charging dock. The 2025 BMW C 400 GT may be “just” a scooter, but it’s a through-and-through Motorrad product that has all the polish, refinement, and character you’d expect of a bike with a Bavarian roundel. If you’re a big enough person to let go of the ego that comes part-and-parcel with not having a real motorcycle, you’ll be rewarded with a real easy riding experience without really having to give up much of anything else.
