Ipone Scoot 4

After a lengthy running-in period, the Xmax was due for its first service. As a new rider tired of running it in, I had been looking forward to it eagerly. Biased by previous bad experiences with the oils offered by workshops, I put the Ipone Scoot 4 10W40 oil I had bought beforehand under the seat and set off for the workshop. On the way, I made a point of listening closely to the little fellow and paying attention to how it felt, so that I could notice any changes afterwards.

While the workshop gets on with the job, let me tell you a little about my chosen oil. Available in various viscosities, Scoot 4 is a synthetic oil made specifically for four-stroke scooters, approved to JASO MB and API SL. It claims to help cool the engine, prevent premature catalytic-converter deterioration and make cold starting easier. We shall see when the service is finished. :)

Once the work was done, I put the leftover oil under the seat and hit the road. Wondering what to test first, I found myself heading for the waterfront. Riding through stop-start traffic, I tried to work out whether anything had changed. The first thing I noticed was that the engine revved more freely. Normal, I told myself: I expect that of any engine with fresh oil. After a spell of heavy traffic, I stopped for a quick coffee and made a few notes: temperature had not risen too much, stop-start riding was smoother and freer of vibration, and the engine revved more easily. After the break I headed for a route where I could test slightly higher speeds.

On the divided road with its sweeping bends, it really did rev nicely. I did not have my GPS recorder with me, and traffic regulations did not allow a top-speed test anyway, but roll-on acceleration was clearly better. At the same time, I cautioned myself: running-in is over, so you are using the throttle more freely; do not fool yourself. As I rode, absorbed in the experience, the fuel light came on. So soon, I thought. Seeing 250 km on the trip meter reassured me a little, but when I filled up at the petrol station, I thought the consumption of 4 l/100 km was a little high.

Now let us turn to the points I want to add after a few more tanks of fuel beyond running-in. We will begin with the two things most of you want to know. Top speed improved noticeably. The speed it can comfortably reach rose from 131 to 136 km/h indicated. Its highest indicated speed also rose, from 151 to 157 km/h, though I should add that you need help from a slope and the wind to reach it. The other question, fuel consumption, fell to around 3.5 l/100 km despite these tests. :)

Overall, I think its most important effects are an engine that revs more freely and slightly less noticeable vibration while doing so. Although I am curious to see what condition the oil will be in when it comes out at the next change, at a recommended retail price of ₺35 it is already a product I will enjoy having circulate through my Xmax's veins. It also helps me use a little less fuel; it is hard not to be impressed. :)