X ADV 750

[Arsey]

£12,000 or so, is a lot cheaper than many motorcycles. But it’s not a cheap bargain, either. That said, it’s cheaper than a new T Max, I think.

Would I buy one? Good question….

I hold no bias against scooters per-se. I have been to the top of enough Alpine passes to know that there’s lots of different two-wheeled vehicles (some of which are scoffed at on these pages, as being totally unsuitable) that are fully capable of touring longer distances.

I have no need for the supposed convenience of a scooter around town. We are blessed (at least in London) with world class public transport, so to me it displays all the same disadvantages of any two-wheeled vehicle. Those same disadvantages extend to two-wheeled transport abroad. I can’t see where a scooter offers anything to tip the balance over a conventional motorcycle.

Is the 200 mile range adequate? Yes, undoubtedly. Adding more litres, only adds more weight to the current 230 kg. Google tells me that’s near enough the same weight as the very popular Yamaha Tenere 700 - and I guess other similar conventional motorcycles - so the scooter offers no significant gains in the Top Trumps weight department. Likewise, the Tenere 700 is, I think, cheaper on the showroom floor.

It’s fun, I guess, in the Top Trumps, “Look at me on my scooter, roasting motorcycles” game. But, is that enough? Having seen the assorted bikes at the top of the passes and sitting outside shady market square cafes, I know they all arrive at the same place at roughly the same time.

A thorough review, just the same, and no doubt a fan base will grow as a consequence. If that’s for no other good reason than nobody had even thought of a scooter, before reading it, then that’s good enough.



PS Wait until the Chinese bring out an X Adv slaaaaayer, at a price point to sell your mum for……

You miss the point, I feel . No top trumps here . It’s just much more capable than many give it credit for .
An ADV 350 makes a much better commuter plus you can tour on one, as I did , plus @stever1 did a much longer trip .
But the X-ADV is in another league.
Bit big for inner city filtering but pretty much perfect everywhere else .
Just fit a top box and soft luggage if doing a long trip . My 15L Givi panniers were perfect

 

[Wapping]

A thorough review, just the same, and no doubt a fan base will grow as a consequence. If that’s for no other good reason than nobody had even thought of a scooter, before reading it, then that’s good enough.

Indeed.

I’ve italicised the key words in my final summation of your review.

 

[Akulaking]

Just to add . I’m 6’1” with 34” leggy jobby

I’m 6’1, 34” leg too, interested in your comments on the comfort seat, did you ride the bike much with the standard seat? If so how did it compare? I’m probably as chuffed with the bike as you are, with one exception. The standard seat feels like it’s slightly tipping me forward, and I’m pushing back against it to counteract. I’ve only done a couple of relatively short trips so far but it’s definitely an issue for me.
The comfort seat is out of stock everywhere at the moment, due in soon apparently.
My other option is to get the standard seat reshaped.

 

[Arsey]

I’m 6’1, 34” leg too, interested in your comments on the comfort seat, did you ride the bike much with the standard seat? If so how did it compare? I’m probably as chuffed with the bike as you are, with one exception. The standard seat feels like it’s slightly tipping me forward, and I’m pushing back against it to counteract. I’ve only done a couple of relatively short trips so far but it’s definitely an issue for me.
The comfort seat is out of stock everywhere at the moment, due in soon apparently.
My other option is to get the standard seat reshaped.

Didn’t ride far on standard seat as was only ridden on Guernsey . But the comfort seat did feel better from the off . And it really is comfortable. Thought I might have a slightly sore arse after 2500 mikes in two weeks but not even a slight ache or pressure sore that I’ve had with seats like KTM Ergo.

 

[Frankh]

I’m 6’1, 34” leg too, interested in your comments on the comfort seat, did you ride the bike much with the standard seat? If so how did it compare? I’m probably as chuffed with the bike as you are, with one exception. The standard seat feels like it’s slightly tipping me forward, and I’m pushing back against it to counteract. I’ve only done a couple of relatively short trips so far but it’s definitely an issue for me.
The comfort seat is out of stock everywhere at the moment, due in soon apparently.
My other option is to get the standard seat reshaped.

I did the first 600 miles on the standard seat while running in and waiting for the comfort seat to come in to stock, it was fitted at the first service and done about 400 miles since, definitely more comfortable and worth the money, looks better too

 

[Paul G (BHT)]

Thought I might have a slightly sore arse after 2500 mikes in two weeks

You never mentioned these in your ride report.

 

[Apex]

So in two weeks I’ve done this

View attachment 507491

All back roads apart from about 200 miles of motorway/dual carriageway.

The X-ADV exceeded expectations .

The comfort seat is all day comfortable , including a couple of 300 mile 8 hours days . You really need the optional rider pegs which then lets you alternate with pegs and footboards .Probably the most comfortable bike I’ve ever ridden a long way, including the Wing .

My Puig screen , which is about 45cm taller than OE was brilliant . In high position I was riding at 80mph with helmet flipped back and no issues . No buffering and just clean wind blast .

In hot weather I lowered the screen right down and got clean cooling air over my torso. Still fine at 60/70 mph.

The motor/DCT has plenty of grunt and 80mph cruise is 4000 rpm.It’s rock solid at 80mph. You can take your hands off bars and zero shake.
I rode with preload would right up and suspension was firm but compliant . Great handling in the mountains . Never scraped the main stand -should have tried harder. Fuel consumption was generally about 65mpg which reflects in overall consumption . That gives about 200/210 to empty and I was filling up,at 180/190 with 1.5/2.5 lites left .

Can’t really think of a single negative apart from a slightly bigger tank would be nice . It’s 13.2 lites so 17 litres would allow about 280 mile range .

I’ve got my Wing, X-Diavel V4, Vstrom 800 and 1150 GSA at home as well as the X-ADV. If I had to only have one bike I’d choose the X-ADV as it does everything well.

Ignore the utter bollox spouted on here . It’s a brilliant bit of kit.

"My Puig screen , which is about 45cm taller than OE was brilliant ."

WOW! That's the tallest screen I've ever heard of!

 

[Arsey]

You never mentioned these in your ride report.

Bloody phone

 

[Arsey]

"My Puig screen , which is about 45cm taller than OE was brilliant ."

WOW! That's the tallest screen I've ever heard of!

Oh ffs . 45 mm

 

[Akulaking]

Did 130 miles yesterday on the comfort seat, and yes, it is definitely a noticeable improvement!
£247 post free on offer from Dobles at the moment. Only for the 2526 model years though.

 

[Apex]

Does anyone ride these two up? Bit underpowered?

 

[Arsey]

Does anyone ride these two up? Bit underpowered?

My wife has been on the back locally. Plenty of grunt as that’s the characteristic of the low revving engine

 

[Akulaking]

Booked mine for its first service the day I picked it up. Was quoted £295. The Honda £600 for three offer was dangled under nose, which I said I’d consider, basically first service plus two more for £600, or £200 each. The workshop manager explained how it’s a ‘no brainer’, as the second/third services could be up to £495 depending on mileage. I thought that might be if enough mileage is done to require a valve service, but a quick trawl reveals valve services are not part of the package.
Does this sound expensive, or maybe I’m just a bit out of touch.

 

[Frankh]

Does anyone ride these two up? Bit underpowered?

I’ve ridden two up , there is plenty of power and it’s comfy for the pillion with a topbox fitted

 

[Frankh]

Booked mine for its first service the day I picked it up. Was quoted £295. The Honda £600 for three offer was dangled under nose, which I said I’d consider, basically first service plus two more for £600, or £200 each. The workshop manager explained how it’s a ‘no brainer’, as the second/third services could be up to £495 depending on mileage. I thought that might be if enough mileage is done to require a valve service, but a quick trawl reveals valve services are not part of the package.
Does this sound expensive, or maybe I’m just a bit out of touch.

Dobles charged me £223.02 for the first service and that included fitting the comfort seat

 

[Mr Derek]

My wife has been on the back locally. Plenty of grunt as that’s the characteristic of the low revving engine

Yes, but what about the bike?

 

[Akulaking]

Dobles charged me £223.02 for the first service and that included fitting the comfort seat

Thanks Frank, sounds like Blade Honda are on the expensive side then.

 

[Zoton]

Bloody ell just had an insurance quote from my current insurers at £560 for a new XADV-anyway,off to take a look at one in the next week or so, seems I have a hankering.

 

[Paul G (BHT)]

Bloody ell just had an insurance quote from my current insurers at £560 for a new XADV-anyway,off to take a look at one in the next week or so, seems I have a hankering.

Is Dinky Poo a high risk area?

 

[Zoton]

Is Dinky Poo a high risk area?

No, its £200 more than my £23K GSA was .....