All Duels – Duel Xciting 400 ABS Vs MBK Evolis 400 ABS: with knives drawn! – The kings of the suburban

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Duel Xciting 400 ABS Vs MBK Evolis 400 ABS: with knifeX drawn !

All Duels - Duel Xciting 400 ABS Vs MBK Evolis 400 ABS: with knives drawn! - The kings of the suburban

Launched in the spring of 2013, the Yamaha X-Max and Kymco Xciting 400 are doing well in the segment of mid-displacement GT scooters. This year, the battle intensifies with the arrival of the twin MBK Evolis 400 and the ABS… MNC compares them for you !

The kings of the suburban

From the first meters, the saddle of the Taiwanese model is distinguished by its best softness. Unfortunately, its foam settles quickly, reducing its comfort advantage over the MBK / Yamaha. Quite firm therefore, the two seats share two other fairly penalizing common points: they are both rather wide and high (795 mm on the Xciting 400 and 785 on the Evolis 400).

When stationary, on one or the other, a driver of 1.75m is forced to move forward on the front of the saddle to put both feet on the ground. An almost mandatory precaution on these scooters exceeding 200 kg with full tank, if only to ensure good stability when maneuvering with the engine off.

However, we quickly took our marks because the Kymco and the MBK have neutral steering and steer relatively well (4.80 m measured to turn around with the Evolis, 5 m for the Xciting). Two particularly appreciable aspects in the urban cycle.

Well installed, the back straight and the legs not folded too much in the standard position, the driver benefits from a direct vision on the road. More welcoming, the Xciting 400 allows you to extend your legs in the "cruiser" position thanks to its steps rising gently..

It is impossible to do the same on the Evolis / X-Max, because it has less space and its running boards go up too abruptly. And the Kymco scooter drives home the point with its wider and higher driver’s backrest, on which the lower back sits more comfortably.

The driving position is not very restrictive on everyone with the handlebars positioned at the right height, controls falling naturally to hand and enough space on board … Especially on the Kymco! From the first turns of the wheels, however, we see a different weight distribution: the Xciting 400 has a higher center of gravity than the Evolis 400, which is felt in terms of pure handling..

Both show excellent stability, thanks in particular to their large 15-inch front wheel. The Kymco is lively and healthy when entering a curve, where it displays good rigor despite some nodding of its tubular frame when passing a stress on the angle at high speed.

Damping is firm, with keen feedback on bumps and potholes. The Xciting 400 nonetheless remains rigorous and precise, responding to the slightest request to the handlebars and moving from one angle to another with remarkable liveliness. Its behavior appears more sporty than that of the Evolis, yet playful thanks to its excellent chassis derived from the X-Max 250.

The MBK / Yamaha scooter is rounder and more progressive when put on the angle, where it is unperturbed as long as the road surface is well maintained. Quite firm also, its rear suspension reacts very sharply to shocks and reflects them in the lower back. At good speed, this damping dryness ends up affecting the course, more than on the Kymco.

On well-paved roads, on the other hand, the X-Max displays flawless behavior in sporty driving, thanks in particular to its Michelin City Grip tires which allow serious angles … up to the inevitable friction of the central stand, especially the left side.

Less well shod (Maxxis) but no less greedy in terms of angles, the Xciting 400 takes the advantage in this area thanks to its better ground clearance: the more "sporty" scooter riders will appreciate !

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