Honda X-ADV 750 Review

I'll be the first to admit - scooters aren't really my thing. But considering I've spent the majority of my riding life on very impractical, very uncomfortable sports bikes, maybe that's not surprising.

That said, I can conceptually understand the appeal of a scooter. Twist-and-go automatic convenience, day-to-day cruising comfort, easy manoeuvrability, pillion comfort (when needed), and preferably with good fuel economy to boot.

And that appeal is hard to deny - both in the number of scooters you see on the road, and perhaps more relevantly and notably the fact that scooters in the second-hand market seem to hold value exponentially well. 

Scooters come in all shapes (actually maybe not really) and sizes, but perhaps the most bold and big-boy of them all is this - the Honda X-ADV 750, now updated for 2025.

The turn indicators are now integrated into the daytime running lights

The adjustable windscreen can now be operated with one hand

Design changes

Changes include a reworked front end that's narrower, and also features new daytime running lights with integrated turn signals. It's a neat touch that creates a more streamlined silhouette, while also eliminating the risk of your turn signals accidentally getting knocked off or bent. There's also a 10% cushier seat, according to Honda. 

Also new for MY25 is the 5.0-inch TFT screen, operated quite conveniently using a small joystick on the left handlebar. Within the screen, you can toggle a whole range of settings, ranging from display styles to adjusting the two customisable drive modes. There's also phone connectivity, though you will need the accompanying Honda RoadSync app on your phone.

The windscreen adjustment mechanism has also been revised such that it can be operated with just your left hand. Neat touch if you need to adjust on the fly, though I mainly just left it in the high position throughout (it does a good job of reducing wind buffeting at high speeds).

The riding experience is calm, effortless, and with a good amount of low-end power on tap

On the road

The X-ADV has been in production since 2017, with a major update in 2021. For MY25, the mechanical basis is largely unchanged. The main tweak is the calibration of the dual-clutch transmission, which delivers smoother gear changes at low speeds. This makes it smoother and more predictable when executing low speed manoeuvres like climbing a multi-storey carpark or doing a U-turn.

Power still comes from a 745cc parallel twin, which pushes out 58bhp. More relevantly, maximum torque of 69Nm is delivered at just 4,750rpm, so it's plenty grunty at the low-end. The bike also pushes to highway speeds easily and undramatically - I had more than a few instances of looking down at the speedo and being surprised by the number staring back at me.  

The X-ADV is notably comfortable over longer distances, and has great high speed stability. Lane splitting on the highway is easy, with a quick twist of the throttle letting you punch through gaps. Also new for MY25 is the cruise control function. It works as advertised - operation is simple enough, though I never found myself using it much.

The dual clutch transmission has been recalibrated to provide smoother shifts at low speeds

It's efficient, too. Honda claims 27.8km/L, and over three days of riding I clocked 25.4km/L. 

It is also more lively and direct when cornering than I was expecting, but that's also the X-ADV’s calling card. It's supposed to feel more motorcycle than scooter, and it does. The bike tucks neatly into corners, and feels composed even when it give it some lean angle. 

However, I will concede to not having pushed too hard in the cornering department considering the tyres were basically brand new and far from properly broken in.

Now, the X-ADV is quite a heavy bike, tipping the scale at 237kg dry. It's never an issue once you are rolling, but when you do need to pedal in reverse, you certainly feel the weight.

There are two customisable user modes, on top of four preset riding modes available

And, all things considered, it's still not a small bike. Given its chunkier dimensions around the engine and the wide-ish seat, I can only put both balls of my feet on the ground at a standstill or when peddling at crawling speeds. Given my decidedly average build, I had to slide sightly to one side to comfortably put one foot fully flat on the floor. And it's worth noting that given the engine alignment, you mainly want to be putting your left foot on the ground (my right calf would be leaning right on the engine/clutch cover, and it's toasty, obviously). 

An appeal

Is the X-ADV 750 really a scooter? I think there's some fair debate on this. Even Honda calls it a 'maxi-scooter', whatever that means.

It's not got the sheer economical nature of a scooter, nor is it a cheap choice at all, but the X-ADV exemplifies the scooter appeal in the most maximal way.

Larger-capacity scooters are not unheard of. The Yamaha offers the T-Max and X-Max models, while Honda itself has the Forza 750. 

The X-ADV 750's appeal comes with its combination of the effortless day-to-day comfort of a scooter with the tarmac-carving chops of something like an adventure tourer, but that certainly comes at a price

Where the X-ADV sets itself apart is really with its bold, adventure-ish design, as well as a slightly-sportier riding experience. It's no adventure bike despite the name, but it certainly wears its greater breadth of ability on its sleeve.

At $37,270 (correct as of press time), the X-ADV 750 isn't cheap (in fact it's a fair chunk of change more than the NC750, though that's a different sort of bike). But I can understand the appeal. Great day-to-day comfort and practicality, while with enough motorcycling chops for longer trips up North and even tackling some twisty roads. 

And while I don't think I'm necessarily a scooter convert now, I must fully admit that, sitting at a red light on my very impractical, very uncomfortable sports bike with a 100^oC engine between my legs, the thought certainly crossed my mind - maybe the scoot scoot life isn't half bad…