Honda has launched a new breed motorbike – X-ADV – that continues Honda’s long tradition of finding innovative products that impact on the market. It mixes rugged SUV style, off-road appeal and premium specifications, thanks to a tough chassis, long travel suspension, four-piston radial-mount brakes and a torque-laden 745cc twin-cylinder engine driving through Dual Clutch Transmission.
The X-ADV is also equipped with a 5-level adjustable screen, under-seat storage space for an off-road style helmet, hand guards, rally-style instrument display, center stand, and the Honda Smart Key system. Designed at Honda’s Rome R&D center, its styling lines capture the essence of two-wheeled freedom in an exciting new form.
This is an exciting new crossover motorcycle with a fresh line of thinking that has created a new breed of riding machine. The new X-ADV combines the go-anywhere appeal, an upright riding position, superb visibility and a remarkable all-round usefulness, work or play combining the functionality of a scooter or bike which is both easy to manage, nimble and loaded with convenience, efficiency and useful storage space.
The bike has a tough, stylish SUV image and is fully at home navigating the urban sprawl, loaded with all of the premium features that enable easy life in the big city. It also combines the engine power and chassis ability to inject every ride with the promise of adventure.
The bike outlines a new sense of two-wheeled independence, reinforcing a rider’s innate desire to cut loose, to travel and enjoy new experiences and it captures the essence of two-wheeled freedom in an exciting new form.
With its stylish, rugged body and elevated stance the Honda X-ADV puts an off-road ready attitude and intent right out there. The tough looks are matched to practicality; the frame has been designed to allow 21L of storage capacity under the seat.
Long travel suspension front and rear absorbs the hits, backed up by rugged 17-inch/15-inch front and rear spoke wheels and block-pattern tyres. Dual radial-mount four-piston calipers provide ample braking power with ABS control.
Honda’s Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) is standard equipment and for X-ADV application selects lower gear ratios for smarter response in D mode; 3 levels of S mode are available with shift patterns to allow sportier riding. Perfectly matched to DCT the X-ADV’s 745cc twin cylinder engine puts out strong low-to-mid range torque, delivering attention-getting acceleration from very low rpm. It also returns 27.9km/l (WMTC mode).
The X-ADV uses a Smart Key, which lives in the rider’s pocket and does away with the need to use a key for ignition, fuel cap and seat. It has two switches: Smart function on/off and ‘answer back’, which flickers the indicators for identification from a distance
With the Smart Key present one push of the knob-type main switch powers it up and makes it possible to turn, giving the rider control of the ignition/steering lock and, via two rocker switches, the fuel cap and seat. It also illuminates when pushed – or from the answer back function of the Smart Key – with a blue light. An immobilizer is fitted as standard and a clutch mechanism in the main switch stops the handlebars unlocking by force.
Available as options are two top boxes: the 45L will take two full-face helmets, comes in four color options and is equipped with a backrest. The smaller 35L box features aluminum-look paint and will take one full-face helmet. A rear rack, front bars, leg/foot deflector shields and floor plates are also available.
The 820mm seat height and wide handlebar set at 910mm ensure an upright riding position and high eye point, giving great visibility and control and the seat’s contours allow for easy ground reach.
For handling rough terrain, the 41mm cartridge-type USD fork adjusts for spring preload and rebound damping. The spring preload adjustable rear shock is a single tube split pressure design and operates the aluminum swingarm – constructed from a machined-hollow cross member and U-shaped (in cross section) arms – through Pro-Link.
The X-ADV’s 745cc, liquid-cooled SOHC 8-valve parallel twin-cylinder engine is designed to deliver low down punch from low rpm up through the mid-range. Combined with the DCT’s lower ratios, it provides smart and instant acceleration both from standstill and 30km/h. Peak power is 40.3kW @ 6250rpm with maximum torque of 68Nm @ 4750rpm.
