As if we weren't already excited enough to add one GT-Scooter to our demonstrator fleet this week, we got two! Alongside the smaller Honda ADV-350, we have the Honda X-ADV 750 (DCT)! Naturally we wanted to grab one of our most cynical members of the team to try out this 'Marmite' bike which seems to have divided opinions throughout the British market.
Steve, our die-hard Pan European rider wasn't particularly thrilled to find out that he would be taking the Honda X-ADV to the very popular Wray Classic Bike Night, near Lancaster. However, after some gentle persuading, (a full tank and the promise of a cheeseburger), he was game.
Steve said, “Straight away, the X-ADV was noticeably agile and planted in bends - supported by its Bridgestone Battlax tyres. As a Honda rider and owner, there is always a sense of predictability with the manufacturer, and this bike is of no exception. At over 6ft tall, I don't typically struggle with seat height, and the standard 820mm wouldn't feel like a stretch. However, our current demonstrator has been reduced slightly, and it gave the ultimate flat-foot feel making this bike even more confidence inspiring.
It wasn't long before I had to check out just what this bike was capable of. With the adjustable screen raised, and the handguards keeping the wind protection to an optimum, I took the parallel twin for a bit of a blip through the open country roads. The extra acceleration you get when in 'Sport' mode or overriding the automatic gear selection with the manual hand-shift certainly packed an extra punch! Clearly this bike was not designed to be thrashed about, but if you needed that extra oomph to make a confident and smooth overtake, this would absolutely deliver.
The full tank of fuel I was gifted was under threat! So a quick glance to the 5” TFT dash reassured me that the X-ADV was going to get me there and back twice round! Averaging around 68mpg and over 200 miles on a full tank; it had me thinking. Could this be the replacement for the Pan after all?
A little bit of a play with the toys and I quickly got to grips with the Sport mode, but also Standard and Gravel. Not having (or wanting) the opportunity to try Rain mode, but if the other selections are anything to go by - I bet it is as equally smart. User mode remained also untested on this journey; but now I have found the perfect bike to take home at the end of the day, I think that may well just get some personalised settings applied!
With HSTC (Honda Selectable Traction Control) which has three levels of intervention, Honda's Voice Control System, keyless ignition, USB-C connector and 22 litre under-seat storage all as standard, this X-ADV 750 is a game-changer for me.
Am I surprised that it's Honda's top seller? No.
