Honda Europe has confirmed it will build their first adventure scooter, called the X-ADV, but it won’t be coming here, says Honda Australia.
Honda Motorcycles Australia spokesperson Kristy Ganter says “I can advise that currently there are no plans to release this model in Australia”.
That doesn’t mean it won’t ever come here. They may test the market first.
Honda Australia took a long three years before they realised the Grom was worth importing, even though it was an immediate big hit overseas. They didn’t import it until about nine months after an independent started having success importing the adult mini bike.
Honda X-ADV adventure scooterMeanwhile, the X-ADV scooter was first revealed as the City Adventure Concept at the 2015 Milan show amid some puzzled looks and plenty of giggles, but it was no joke. Except for the stupid name!
It is based on the NC750X and Integra with the same frame, 745cc parallel-twin engine and fitted with DCT transmission as standard fitment. DCT is included as an option on Honda’s Africa Twin, so they are confident of its abilities in off-road situations.
The X-ADV features an upright riding position for high visibility, long travel suspension, mildly knobby tyres, a five-stage adjustable windscreen, upside-down forks, wire wheels, storage space for an off-road style helmet and a higher-clearance body and exhaust.
Honda has previously released two videos of the concept scooter on tarmac roads and then dirt roads, to show its versatility.
Honda will show the production X-ADV at the EICMA motorcycle show in Milan in November when more technical details will be revealed.
We should expect it to hit European showrooms early next year.
It certainly looks like creating a whole new market action niche for adventure scooters that want to get down and a bit dirty and would be of use in other countries such as Australia and Asia where many roads are dirt or sufficiently gnarly bitumen.
The videos show it can cope with rough, dirty roads. Let’s just hope the plastic bodywork can also cope with being dropped a few times!
One of the benefits of a scooter in off-road situations would be the fact you can slide off the seat and easily put your feet on the ground for tricky situations such as mud and sand.
However, the small wheel size should make it a tank-slapper handful over corrugations and big potholes.
