Model updates: Honda’s X-ADV mixes tough SUV style and convenience with long travel suspension plus strong performance from its 745cc twin-cylinder engine. 

Updated for 2018, the Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) receives an off-road G switch, and the engine gets 2-Level Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC). A 35kW version is also now available for A2 licence holders.

Contents:

1. Introduction
2. Model overview
3. Key features
4. Technical specifications

1. Introduction

It’s not often in the world of motorcycling that a fresh line of thinking emerges to create a new breed of machine. But Honda specializes in innovation, and the tradition continues with the X-ADV.

The process: consider the attributes of the average adventure-style motorcycle – great go-anywhere appeal, an upright riding position giving superb visibility and a remarkable all-round usefulness, work or play. Then regard the typical commuter; it might be a scooter or bike but it’ll be easy to manage, nimble and loaded with convenience, efficiency and useful storage space.

Combine the two together, and something interesting emerges. The machine will have a tough, stylish SUV image. It will be fully at home navigating the urban sprawl and will be loaded with all of the premium features that enable easy life in the big city. And it’ll have the engine power and chassis ability to inject every ride with the promise of adventure.

With styling created at Honda’s R&D centre in Rome, the Honda X-ADV is the machine the engineers have built. Like nothing else that’s come before, it outlines a new sense of two-wheeled independence, reinforcing a rider’s innate desire to cut loose, to travel and enjoy new experiences. And it captures the essence of two-wheeled freedom in an exciting new form.

Mr Kenichi Misaki, Large Project Leader (LPL) 17YM X-ADV

“Our development concept for the X-ADV was simple: ‘Go Have Fun!’ and we wanted to create a motorcycle that comes with an adventurous spirit as standard fitment. We also knew we needed the X-ADV to be truly usable as a tool to move around the city, and be full of utility and user-friendly features. And come the weekend it can be used to escape all of the daily routine, in a unique and uplifting new style.”

Honda X-ADV – Go Have Fun!

2. Model Overview

With its stylish, rugged body and elevated stance the Honda X-ADV puts an off-road ready attitude and intent right out there. And the tough looks are matched to practicality; the frame has been designed to allow 21L of storage capacity under the seat. 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. A Smart Key system delivers day-to-day convenience.

Long travel suspension front and rear absorbs the hits, backed up by rugged 17-inch/15-inch front and rear spoke wheels and block-pattern tyres. Dual radial-mount four-piston calipers provide ample braking power with ABS control.

Honda’s Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) is standard equipment and for X-ADV application selects lower gear ratios for smarter response in D mode; 3 levels of S mode are available with shift patterns to allow sportier riding. For 2018 a G switch has been fitted to enhance the off-road performance.

Perfectly matched to DCT, the X-ADV’s 745cc twin cylinder engine puts out strong low-to-mid range torque, delivering attention-getting acceleration from very low rpm. It returns 27.9km/l (WMTC mode) and now features 2 Level Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC), which can also be turned off.

Also available for 2018 is a 35kW version allowing A2 licence holders to enjoy the X-ADV. This new version can easily be converted to a full power version at the appropriate time at a Honda dealer.

3. Key Features

3.1 Styling & Equipment

• Unique and rugged styling looks – and is – tough
• Adjustable screen with 5 positions
• 21L underseat storage – enough for a full-face helmet
• AC charging socket
• CRF450 Rally-style instruments
• All lighting LED plus Smart Key activation

The X-ADV’s styling was conceived and developed by Honda’s R&D team in Italy, to express the spirit of adventure in every design stroke. The craggy vertical line described by the front fairing combines sophistication with ruggedness. An upscale character line extends front to rear via the angled fairing and side covers. The silhouette is deliberately upright, with a short, condensed body style to further highlight the adventure look.

Commuting or touring, the X-ADV’s screen adjusts without tools through 5 positions from low to high for greater wind and weather protection. The total height difference is 136mm, with an 11° rake between the highest and lowest points. All lighting is LED, and the slim twin headlights (divided by mesh grill), compact indicators and dual lens rear light add distinct on-road presence to the X-ADV.

A large square CRF450 Rally-style instrument display is cohesively laid out and shows all the information a rider needs around a large central digital speedo and circular tacho. The most visually checked information is sited up top in the line of sight, with everything else arranged in logical order on either side.

All engine-related warning lights are located along the bottom. A separate display, just above the aluminium off-road style taper handlebar shows status of the parking lock and indicators.

Tough plastic hand guards – the same design as used on the CRF1000L Africa Twin – deflect wind and rain on the road and protect the levers and hands from impact off-road. A shot-peened 2.5mm thick aluminium bash plate guards the X-ADV’s underside.

The 21L underseat luggage space accepts a full-face adventure-style helmet and is illuminated with an integral LED; its textured surface delivers uniform illumination without glare. A 12V power socket is also located under the seat. A centre stand – with tilt sensor – is fitted as standard and allows the X-ADV to be parked on an incline without fear of toppling.

The X-ADV uses a Smart Key, which lives in the rider’s pocket and does away with the need to use a key for ignition, fuel cap and seat. It has two switches: Smart function on/off and ‘answer back’, which flickers the indicators for identification from a distance.

With the Smart Key present one push of the knob-type main switch powers it up and makes it possible to turn, giving the rider control of the ignition/steering lock and, via two rocker switches, the fuel cap and seat. It also illuminates when pushed – or from the answer back function of the Smart Key – with a blue light. An immobiliser is fitted as standard and a clutch mechanism in the main switch stops the handlebars unlocking by force.

Available as options are two top boxes: the 45L will take two full-face helmets, comes in four colour options and is equipped with a backrest. The smaller 35L box features aluminium-look paint and will take one full-face helmet. A rear rack, front bars, leg/foot deflector shields and floor plates are also available.

The X-ADV is available in three paint options:

• Candy Chromosphere Red – new for 2018
• Matt Bullet Silver
• Pearl Glare White – a Tricolour image reminiscent of the Africa Twin

3.2 Engine

• 40.3kW peak power/68Nm torque
• 35kW A2 licence version available
• 2 Level Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) added for 2018
• HSTC can also be turned OFF
• Rpm cut raised by 900rpm to 7,500rpm
• 300km range possible from the 13.1L fuel tank

The X-ADV’s 745cc, liquid-cooled SOHC 8-valve parallel twin-cylinder engine is designed to deliver low down punch from low rpm up through the mid-range. Combined with the DCT’s lower ratios, it provides smart and instant acceleration both from standstill and 30km/h. Peak power is 40.3kW @ 6,250rpm with maximum torque of 68Nm @ 4,750rpm. For 2018, the rpm limit has been raised to 7,500rpm to allow natural use of the engine performance into a higher rpm range.

For A2 licence holders a 35kW version is now available, which can be easily converted to the full power version by a Honda dealer at the appropriate time. Equally, it will be possible to restrict the full power version to 35kW by a Honda dealer replacing the standard throttle body and remapping the ECU. In most riding situations the restriction of peak power is not noticeable and the 0-100m acceleration time is identical to the full power version.

Another addition to the X-ADV for 2018 is Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC). It features 2 Levels; Level 1 allows some rear wheel spin – on gravel or dirt for instance – while Level 2 provides confidence-inspiring traction on slippery roads. Level 2 is the default from ‘ignition on’, and a push of the button on the left handlebar changes the setting to Level 1. Pushing and holding the button turns HSTC off.

Bore and stroke is set at 77 x 80mm and this relatively long-stroke architecture (and specially shaped combustion chambers) combine with the high-inertial mass crankshaft to produce the large amounts of torque. Twin balancers counteract vibration from higher rpm inertia, refining the engine yet still allowing the distinct ‘throb’ delivered by its 270° firing order.

PGM-FI optimises the exact fuel/air ratio and ignition timing required for a complete and clean burn; the X-ADV engine is EURO4 compliant with CO₂ emissions of 81g/km and fuel consumption of 77.7 mpg (WMTC mode), providing an approximate 186 mile range from the 13.1L fuel tank.

The S mode (which shifts up and down at higher rpm than D mode for a sportier ride) offers three levels of performance to suit rider preference; each level is programmed with a progressively more aggressive response for the X-ADV. The selected level is stored, and acts as the default S mode for subsequent rides. It is also displayed on the dash.

The X-ADV’s off-road functionality is now also enhanced by the G switch positioned on the right side of the instrument panel. A feature already enjoyed by Africa Twin riders, pushing the G switch in any riding mode improves traction and machine control by reducing the amount of clutch slip during gear changes.

For handling rough terrain, the 41mm cartridge-type USD fork adjusts for spring preload and rebound damping. The spring preload adjustable rear shock is a single tube split pressure design and operates the aluminium swingarm – constructed from a machined-hollow cross member and U-shaped (in cross section) arms – through Pro-Link.

The 17-inch front wheel and 15-inch rear use stainless steel rust-resistant spokes and contribute to the X-ADV’s ability to comfortably soak up rough terrain. Block-pattern tyres add to the ride quality and L-shape valve stems make checking air pressure easy. Tyres are sized 120/70 R17 and 160/60 R15 front and rear.

Dual radial-mount opposed four-piston calipers grip 296mm discs and work through ABS.

4. Technical Specifications

All specifications are provisional and subject to change without notice

** Please note that the figures provided are results obtained by Honda under standardised testing conditions prescribed by WMTC. Tests are conducted on a rolling road using a standard version of the vehicle with only one rider and no additional optional equipment. Actual fuel consumption may vary depending on how you ride, how you maintain your vehicle, weather, road conditions, tire pressure, installation of accessories, cargo, rider and passenger weight, and other factors.

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