HONDA X-ADV Owner's Review
We will introduce Momiage's passionate story about his riding experience with his beloved motorcycle, X-ADV, from Webike community "My Beloved Moto" campaign.
He shared with us about his review for the X-ADV, including its advantages and disadvantages, which he knows well because he's the owner.
Momiage's Brief Self-introduction
The long vacation is a period of restraining from going out, where I can spend my time at home. I'll use the time reserved for touring for a review. Before I go any further, I'd like to say that I don't think this is the kind of review most people in the world want for X-ADV. I don't pack luggage, I don't camp, and I don't like pillion riding. This a review of wilderness.
Motorcycle history and how I usually enjoy my motorcycle:
I've been riding for 16 years. I wonder if it is for touring and custom?How long I have been riding this motorcycle?
Now in possession of a great deal of praise.Motive for purchase
I fell in love with the City Adventure when it was unveiled at EICMA in 2015. However, it was an out-of-the-way design and concept, so I didn't expect it to be commercially available. And, the following year, an announcement was made that it would be released as an X-ADV in 2017 and a tentative contract was signed on the day pre-orders began. At that time, I owned a 2CR YZF-R1, and I wanted a motorcycle that could go long distances effortlessly and be enjoyed at a slow pace. I'll talk about it with the opponent model later.
Satisfaction/Advantages
For applications
Even if I ride for a long time, there is not much strain on your body. Some people may feel that the handlebars are far away from the motorcycle, but if you can find a position where you can relax, you will be more attached to the X-ADV. The average fuel consumption when touring often exceeds 30km per liter and the cruising range is normal although the fuel tank is not large.For riding
The riding performance is much better than I expected before I bought the X-ADV, and it travels quite well. Of course, the premise of the X-ADV is that you can't knee-grip with the OEM footpegs, but if you don't think knee-grip is particularly important to you, you'll find the X-ADV's straightforward handling and neutral steering at all times to be "comfortable" around corners. The X-ADVs are as responsive to the input as you can imagine, without being over- or under-responsive. I think the more skilled you are, the more appealing you'll find the nostalgia and the part of you that tells you when you're not good enough.-
For appearance
It's been 4 years since I first saw it, and I still think it's cool.
Dissatisfaction/Disadvantage
For applications
I personally don't have any complaints, but I'm definitely less comfortable with storage compared to other maxi-scooters. If I put my helmet into the helmet housing, nothing could be fit on it anymore, and there are no pockets around the handlebars.For riding
I've been doing a lot of touring, leading liter SS, mega-spots, foreign motards, etc. In those situations, the X-ADV has no power and the braking is two steps before braking due to its weight and the Pirelli block tires, so the potential of the machine, a motorcycle that weighs 238kg with 54ps of catalog specs, is strongly felt.
On the contrary, my complaint about the riding is that the X-ADV drives so well that you don't notice it until you compare its driving performance to other models.
However, this is just a thought that I want to convey, but a liter SS or motard user can ride at a pace of "I can't keep up unless I open the accelerator properly", and will ride at a level where no one feels "slow". (Product tires melt.)
- For appearance
I don't have complaints at all.
Summary (Recommended for riders)
The reason I decided to pre-order the X-ADV was because of the "Adventure" concept that the model was written about. I was strongly attracted to the fact that it could also travel off-road.
During that time, I wanted a motorcycle with aspects that the R1 didn't have, and motorcycles like the V-Strom 250 and the CRF250 Rally were on my list for purchase.
However, I was concerned about "minimal utility" for everyday use and comfort on the highway.
The T-MAX was also a candidate, and I was able to ride it for about a month, but there was no aspect of off-road, and furthermore, T-MAX was rejected because the purpose of use would be almost the same as R1, although the luggage would be able to fit it.
The T-MAX has the performance, comfort and convenience of the T-MAX, and can be ridden a little off-road without worrying about it.
Then, I actually bought it and were satisfied with it, as expected.
When the X-ADV was released, the Z900RS was released for about the same price. Furthermore, you can buy the Africa Twin for about 1,884 USD or more I didn't think this 750cc motorcycle with only 54ps and priced over 1,884 USD would be accepted in the Japanese market, and in fact the reviews at that time were full of bitter comments from people who had never ridden it.
Speaking as a passenger, well, I don't really care about that.
The satisfaction level of the X-ADV was high when I actually owned it. But as the years went by, the "evaluation of the experience that cannot be conveyed by the catalogue specs" spread gradually, and the number of motorcycles sold in Japan has increased.
Surprisingly, the price of used motorcycles hasn't fallen much either, so that must be what's going on.
You can use it without any inconvenience from touring for 1,000km (420km of highways, 300km of mountain passes, 180km of mountainous areas, and the rest of general roads) in a day trip to shopping at the neighborhood convenience store.
You can play with the SS on the mountain roads and go straight to the dirt roads. In the city and in traffic jams, you won't get tired because of the DCT.
Once again, I've never had a bike like this before.
Thank you, Momiage, for sharing with us about your riding experience with your beloved X-ADV!
