Milan show: meet the 2017 Honda X-Adv crossover motorcycle

Honda already confirmed that the X-Adv bike would be a production model this summer, but now we have the finished product to share with you.

The bike is what Honda calls a crossover motorcycle, positioned somewhere between a bike and a scooter. Or as Honda puts it: “The Honda X-ADV mixes SUV style and off-road appeal with a tough chassis, long travel suspension, four-piston radial-mount brakes and strong performance from its 745cc twin-cylinder engine driving through Dual Clutch Transmission. A large underseat storage compartment, 5-way adjustable screen and Smart Key system ensure day-to-day convenience.”

The X-ADV is powered by a 745cc, liquid-cooled SOHC 8-valve parallel twin-cylinder engine, with peak power of 40.3kW at 6,250rpm and maximum torque of 68Nm at 4,750rpm.

Here are full details from Honda:

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 new 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 new 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.

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. 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 also returns 79mpg (WMTC mode).

3. Key Features

3.1 Styling & Equipment

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 finished in two standard and two special edition paint options:

Pearl Glare White – a Tricolour image reminiscent of the Africa Twin

Victory Red – reminiscent of the CRF off-road family look

3.2 Chassis

The X-ADV uses a new tubular steel frame that enables roomy underseat storage space married to a narrow 450mm wide rear seat unit. Rake and trail is set at 27°/104mm with wheelbase of 1590mm. A 39° steering angle (and turning radius of 2.8m) makes the X-ADV maneuverable in tight traffic. Long travel suspension –153.5mm up front and 150mm from the rear – is matched to 162mm of ground clearance. Wet weight is 238kg.

The 820mm seat height and wide handlebar set at 910mm ensure an upright riding position and high eye point, giving great visibility and control and the seat’s contours allow for easy ground reach.

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 310mm discs and work through ABS.

3.3 Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT)

Honda’s DCT has found ever-growing popularity on every machine it’s been fitted to, and is standard equipment on the X-ADV. The system uses two clutches: one for start-up and 1^st, 3^rd and 5^th gears: the other for 2^nd, 4^th and 6^th, with the mainshaft for each clutch located inside the other. Each clutch is independently controlled by its own electro-hydraulic circuit.

There are two automatic modes plus the MT mode for manual gear changes. Specifically for the X-ADV – and delivering acceleration to deal with the cut and thrust of busy traffic – standard automatic D mode selects lower ratios compared to other DCT-equipped machines.

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.

3.4 Engine

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.

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. Bore and stroke is set at 77 x 80mm.

The engine is fed via a single 36mm throttle body and PGM-FI optimises the exact fuel/air ratio and ignition timing required for a complete and clean burn. It is EURO4 compliant with CO₂ emissions of 81g/km and fuel consumption of 79mpg (WMTC mode), providing an approximate 188m plus range from the 13.1L fuel tank.

4. 4. Technical Specifications

All specifications are provisional and subject to change without notice.