Honda X-ADV: Features explained

In the world of powerful and feature-laden adventure motorcycles, things were becoming a bit monotonous, well, at least for Honda. The Japanese firm itself has a very capable adventure bike, the Africa Twin, but apparently, the chaps at Honda can’t sit idle. They desired to develop something new, something unique and different that would break the chain of monotony and add some liveliness in the two-wheeler market.

This resulted in the birth of the Honda X-ADV. Now, whether it’s a motorcycle or a scooter, we leave that to you to decide. What we know is that this is a cross-breed - something that will keep you happy both in the urban and wild environment. So, let us move ahead and get to know the X-ADV a bit more, shall we?

Design

The Honda X-ADV is different. It isn’t the usual scooter or motorcycle that you would spot any other day. Honda wanted it to be different. That’s why the X-ADV was conceived and developed by Honda’s R&D team in Italy. It stands out from the crowd with a blend of sophistication and ruggedness that runs from front to rear – it’s in a class of its own. It looks purposeful from every angle. Honda has really done a fantastic job in making this an odd-looking yet attractive machine.

LED headlights

The X-ADV features a pair of slim LED headlights that, of course, play a significant role in the overall styling. They are positioned to impart a more aggressive and mean look. Also, they’re designed as an integral part of the front fairing and are divided by a sporty mesh grille which adds an extra touch of sportiness. And needless to say, they perform brilliantly in the dark.

Knuckle guards

Honda wants you to take the X-ADV to the worst terrains possible. That’s why it comes with factory-fitted knuckle guards. These are very similar to what we have seen on the Africa Twin. They are sturdy and designed to protect your hands by keeping away stones and off-road debris. They also help in keeping the wind-chill at bay in extreme winters.

Adjustable windshield

The windshield on the Honda X-ADV is 5-way adjustable. Unfortunately, you can’t do that electronically rather will have to adjust it manually but at least you don’t need any kind of tools to change its position. Honda claims that the total height difference is 136 mm with an 11-degree angle difference between the highest and lowest points. This would really come in handy while cruising down the highway at triple-digit speeds.

Engine and transmission

Powering the X-ADV is a 745 cc, parallel-twin, liquid-cooled engine that produces 54 hp of max power at 6250 rpm and 68 Nm of peak torque at 4750 rpm. The engine comes mated to Honda’s 6-Speed DCT, the same unit that is equipped in the Africa Twin. This combination seems to be a perfect one for a vehicle like the X-ADV.

Comfortable seat

Honda has paid special attention to the X-ADV’s seat. It is a single-piece unit that is comfortable for both the rider as well as the pillion. With a saddle height of 820 mm, it should be accessible for all kind of riders to ride in the city, on highways, or anywhere else. Also, the materials used here are of top-notch quality.

Fully-digital instrument console

Honda has provided a fully-digital large instrument console in the X-ADV. The display is crisp and clear and shows a tonne of information like gear position indicator, fuel level, speedometer, time, date, etc. It also has a few usual tell-tale lights positioned above and below.

Suspension and tyres

One of the most eye-catching features listed in the Honda X-ADV specs sheet is the 41 mm USD forks at the front that support spring preload and rebound damping adjustability. We usually see high-end USD forks in bike adventure bike but Honda has provided them here. Also, at the rear, we have a Prolink mono-shock with preload adjustment. The X-ADV rides on 120/70R 17M/C 58H front and 160/60R 15M/C 67H rear tyre sizes. The tyres fitted from the factory dual-purpose, block-pattern tyres, that perfectly suit X-ADV’s crossover looks and rugged attitude. Also, the strong stainless spoked wheels ensure greater control and handling on both smooth tarmac and rough terrain.

Available in 5 different colous - Candy Chromosphere Red, Digital Silver Metallic, Grand Prix Red, Mat Bullet Silver, and Matte Pearl Glare White - the Honda X-ADV price is RM 63,299 and offers many features. It might not be everyone’s cup of tea but perhaps, Honda wanted it to be that way - a different machine for different people.