MILAN SHOW: Honda's crazy X-ADV adventure-scoot

Honda have a long history of building insane scooters, bikes that answer a question no-one asked, and hot off the back of the DN-01 and NM4 Vultus comes this – the X-ADV.

Conceived by Honda’s design team based in Italy, the X-ADV gets a rugged body and elevated stance which Honda claim gives it an ‘off-road ready attitude’. We can’t wait to try it away from the tarmac, although its 17” front and 15” rear wheels aren’t likely to make light work of tough terrain.

Highlights

• Crossover 745cc scooter
• DCT transmission
• 21l under-seat storage

The facts

• 53.6bhp
• 238kg
• Seat height 820mm

Under that tall 820mm seat is 21L of storage capacity, and with the bars set at 910mm, it’s certainly going to feel like a weird enduro/scooter riding position. The X-ADV is also equipped with a 5-way adjustable screen, tapered aluminium handlebar, Africa Twin hand guards, Rally-style instrument display and centre stand. The Smart Key system means that you can leave the electronic key in your pocket, and just jump on and ride.

At the end of the long travel suspension are spoked rims shod with dual-purpose tyres, and ABS-enabled dual radial-mount four-piston calipers at the front. It boasts all-LED lighting, and Honda’s Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) is standard equipment. This means the X-ADV picks its own gears, with its ECU selecting lower gear ratios in D mode, while three levels of S mode allow for sportier riding. You can also ride in MT mode, which allows manual gear changes. All this makes the most of the NC-derived 745cc parallel-twin engine, which Honda claim will return 79mpg if you’re riding like a saint.