After the great success among motorcycles, the crossover category also conquers scooters: inaugurated by the Honda X-ADV in 2017, it now has other members, from the Honda ADV 350, to the Kymco DTX 360 family. To these the Peugeot XP400 is now added, powered by the same 36.7 HP engine as the Metropolis three-wheeler. The XP is a “true crossover”, in the sense that it really has good ability to disengage on dirt and white roads thanks to the knobby Pirelli tires and the large diameter wheels (for a scooter): we have a 17” rim at the front and a 15” at the rear. The XP is assisted by a two-level adjustable traction control, with the more permissive allowing hints of drift. The suspension also helps, at the front there is an upside-down fork with 140 mm of travel, at the rear the layout includes a horizontal shock absorber with linkage and reinforced arch, for a travel of 130 mm.
The XP is a bit of a link between scooter and motorcycle: the large central tunnel forces you to climb over it to get on the saddle (a little high at 815 mm), the handlebars are wide, just like a crossover. The riding position is natural and with the tapered saddle there is no problem touching the ground. The engine vibrates a little and, despite the declared power, neither a bolt of war, even if it does its job very well. Only we would have expected a little more panache. Part of the responsibility could go to the 231 kg in running order, not exactly a featherweight. Clutch release is smooth, brakes very consistent. The suspensions do their job well, only the driest bumps are felt at the rear. The small plexiglass (adjustable) protects the torso well from the wind and the legs are also somewhat protected by the hull. The central tunnel is bulky, but sufficiently wide platforms have been created. The long wheelbase (1,545 mm) and the 17” wheel up front, make it a more stable than agile scooter, even if you move around the city without problems. Stability is appreciated on fast routes with long corners, where the XP remains firmly instilling confidence.
During the test in Spain we found ourselves under a heavy downpour: the knobby tires aren’t exactly ideal on slippery asphalt, even if the electronics keep everything under control. The XP400 is available in two versions, Allure and GT: the first has alloy wheels and costs 7,999 euros fc, the second with spoked wheels costs 8,499 euros fc
