The Honda scooter that’s more expensive than the Transalp – X-ADV updates for 2025

It was at the behest of an Italian member of Honda’s research and development team, Daniele Lucchesi, who had grown tired with the limitations of scooters when it came to chauffeuring girlfriends to secluded Mediterranean beaches on sandy, rocky trails, that the idea for an adventure scooter was born.

Seriously, that was where the concept for the X-ADV came from, and once the Italian team had convinced the men with the money over in Japan that it was a sensible and feasible idea, the first model was released in 2017.

Aimed at Europeans, it combined the comfort and familiarity of a maxi scooter with the go-anywhere ability of an adventure bike. And in countries where riding straight from the workplace to the beach with a girlfriend on the back is a common occurrence, it’s been a huge success.

In fact, Honda has shifted 76,000 X-ADVs in Europe to date, and in 2023, it was only outsold by the Hornet 750.

But motorcycle culture is different in the UK compared compared to our continental cousins. Here scooters either indicate that your pizza has arrived or you have a fondness for Northern Soul and parkas.

So, it’s fair to say that the X-ADV hasn’t taken off here in Britain the way it has over on the continent, especially when you pair our preference for motorcycles with the fact that the 2025 X-ADV costs £1500 more than Honda’s mid-sized adventure bike, the Transalp.

Nonetheless, when we last reviewed it as a long-term test bike, we concluded that it’s all day comfortable, offers great protection from the elements, has low running costs, is superbly stable at motorway speeds, performs okay on gravel trails, is a buzz around town, has user friendly storage, and the word from the pillion is that it’s very comfy even on long trips.

In short, it’s immensely practical, and damn enjoyable too. With all that in mind, as open-minded adventure bikers, we’re glad to see that Honda has announced an updated X-ADV for 2025.

This is what’s new with Honda’s 745cc adventure scooter.

Enhanced liveability

A scooter ought to be easy to live with and the X-ADV already receives top marks for this, being comfortable, economical, easy to ride, and even has under seat storage just like a regular scooter.

Now, the X-ADV comes with cruise control as standard, along with back-lit switchgear and an adjustably windscreen that can be moved with one hand.

The seat also has 10% more foam, with easier access to the 22L storage compartment underneath (which can accommodate a full-face helmet), complete with USB-C charging port and lamp, not to mention the glove box upfront as well.

The dash has been refreshed, with a new 5′ TFT display that’s brighter than before, and the X-ADV has keyless ignition, fuel cap lock, and seat lock.

DCT changes

You don’t expect to have a clutch when riding a scooter, and the X-ADV makes use of Honda’s excellent Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) to provide a clutch lever-free riding experience.

For the 2025 model, the DCT response has been tweaked to improve low-speed manoeuvring, and you can select a favourite of the five different shifting programs to choose from, offering different levels of sportiness when it comes to changing gears.

Of course, you can always manually shift the gears at anytime using the paddles on the handlebar.

New front fairing

The bodywork has already evolved since the original release in 2017, but the 2025 version once again receives a facelift which accentuates the X-ADV’s sharp angles and strong lines.

Honda is also ticking environmental boxes by using recycled and biomass materials to manufacture many of the plastics and rubbers found on the bike.

There’s also a new LED headlight assembly up front, which incorporates the headlight, indicators, and daytime running lights.

The X-ADV has three new paint options to choose from in 2025: Graphite Black, Pearl Glare White, or Matte Deep Mud Grey.

Prices start at £11,249, which makes it more expensive than a Honda Transalp at £9,749, although it is better specced with cruise control, bash plate, and DCT included.

And I can’t think of many more convenient ways to transport my girlfriend to the beach, or seeing as winter is on the way here in the UK, we’d better make that the pub.

You can read our initial review of the Honda X-ADV here.