Yamaha has revealed the 2018 version of its X-MAX 400 scooter complete with restyled bodywork and revamped technology.
Although sharing much the same mechanical parts under the skin as its predecessor, the 
2018 X-MAX 400 gets sharper looks and LED lights front and rear. There’s also a reshaped seat with an independent rider’s backrest to add support. A new two-position windscreen has been added to the mix, too. Below it sits a redesigned dashboard with both analogue and digital displays.
On the mechanical front, Yamaha says the forks are new, giving ‘motorcycle-style’ handling. Traction control is standard, as we’ve come to expect these days, as is ABS – which is now mandatory in Europe on new bikes over 125cc. At the back, the suspension travel has been increased from 92mm to 107mm.
At a claimed 210kg the new bike is 5kg lighter than its predecessor, too, and of course the 395cc single-cylinder engine meets EU4 emissions standards. Performance is unchanged, with 24.5kw at 7000rpm and 36Nm at 6000rpm. Overall length is down by 5mm, while width drops 14mm. The new seat is 15mm higher than before at 800mm, though.
Fuel consumption is claimed to be fractionally improved – presumably due to the lower weight and improved aerodynamics. But the fuel tank capacity has dropped from 14l to 13l so outright range for the new bike may actually be a fraction shorter than the old model.
Yamaha expects the bike to be available in Autumn 2017. Prices haven’t been announced, but it’s likely to be close to the outgoing model’s £5899 in the UK.
