There are rides you take because you have to, and there are rides you take because you can’t resist. My trip to Lake Sorapis via the legendary Passo Tre Croci falls squarely in the second category. But this wasn’t just another motorcycle ride, I was astride something that defies neat labels, the 2025 Honda X-ADV. Call it a scooter with a rebellious streak, or a motorcycle with a briefcase, either way, it’s a machine built to play in both worlds.
When Honda dropped the first X-ADV in 2017, it was almost cheeky, a maxi scooter dressed in adventure bike armor, complete with off-road aspirations. Fast forward eight years, and the 2025 version has matured without losing its eccentric soul. New cruise control, a redesigned seat, refinements to the DCT gearbox, all subtle yet important tweaks that make this already unique crossover more comfortable, more refined, and more capable.
Before I even thumbed the starter, Lake Sorapis’ turquoise waters and the crisp alpine air of the Dolomites promised a feast for the senses. The Passo Tre Croci, winding like a ribbon through high mountain meadows and pine forests, is a playground for anyone on two wheels. And today, my playmate wore Honda’s winged badge and a steely gaze under LED headlights.
First Impressions, A Scooter? A Motorcycle? A Bit of Both
Walking up to the X-ADV, the first thing you notice is its size. It’s wide in the shoulders, tall in stance, and has that commanding presence you associate with big adventure bikes. The 820 mm seat height and 236 kg ready-to-ride weight are not what you’d expect from a “scooter”, and that’s because this isn’t one. The riding position is upright, with a wide handlebar and an adjustable windscreen, the kind you operate with a single gloved hand.
The front end wears 17-inch wheels, shod with dual-purpose rubber, and there’s 150 mm of suspension travel both front and rear. It all says, “I can handle more than asphalt,” even if it still tucks storage under the seat like a maxi scooter. As I loaded my camera bag and a rain jacket into the generous under-seat compartment, I couldn’t help but smile. Try doing that with an Africa Twin without strapping on a top box.
Engine and Transmission, Parallel Twin with a Playful Side
The heart of the X-ADV is a 745 cc liquid-cooled parallel twin, producing 59 horsepower at 6,750 rpm and a healthy 69 Nm of torque at 4,750 rpm. But spec sheets only tell part of the story. Out on the road, it’s not about overwhelming you with power, it’s about how that power arrives. There’s a smooth, almost elastic pull from low revs, perfect for climbing steep Dolomite switchbacks without needing to wring its neck.
The Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) is the magic trick here. Honda’s been refining it for years, and in 2025, it feels more intuitive than ever. In slow, technical bends on Passo Tre Croci, it downshifted exactly when I needed more engine braking, then upshifted seamlessly on the exit. I barely touched the manual paddle shifters, which speaks volumes for the software’s progress.
Cruising through Cortina d’Ampezzo before the climb, I flicked into Standard mode, letting the gearbox settle into a relaxed rhythm. Later, with the road tightening and the gradient sharpening, Sport mode kept the revs alive, letting the twin sing without shouting. On the gravel track leading toward the trailhead at Lake Sorapis, Gravel mode calmed the throttle response and allowed just enough wheel slip to keep things interesting.
Handling and Chassis, Heavy on Paper, Light on the Move
I won’t sugarcoat it, pushing a 236-kg machine with a wide front through a tight parking space isn’t graceful. It demands a certain stance and a bit of planning. But once rolling, the X-ADV is like that friend who looks like a linebacker but dances like a ballerina.
The upside-down front fork and Pro-Link rear shock are tuned for comfort without going mushy. On the silky tarmac of the Passo Tre Croci’s lower stretches, the bike stayed planted through sweeping bends. Up high, where frost cracks and gravel patches waited in shadowed corners, the suspension soaked up irregularities without transferring nervous energy to the bars.
Switching to a gravel access road near the trailhead, the 150 mm travel came into its own. I stood on the fold-out footrests, yes, you can ride this thing standing like a proper ADV, and the X-ADV responded without drama. No, it’s not an Africa Twin in the dirt, but it’s far more composed off-road than any scooter has the right to be.
Electronics and Features, Everything You Need, Nothing in the Way
Honda could have drowned the X-ADV in tech gimmicks, but instead, it’s equipped with what you actually use. The five-stage heated grips were a blessing as early morning mountain air bit through my gloves. The cockpit’s TFT display is crisp, with all essential info a quick glance away. Cruise control, new for 2025, was a godsend on the long run back toward Belluno.
Riding modes, Rain, Standard, Sport, and Gravel, integrate seamlessly with the traction control and DCT behavior. I found myself switching modes on the fly depending on the road and my mood. Rain mode softened the throttle for wet patches, while Sport kept the twin lively for chasing an Audi TT up the pass (don’t worry, I let him win, barely).
Living with the X-ADV, A Commuter, a Tourer, and an Escape Vehicle
One of the great joys of the X-ADV is how it shrinks your to-do list for riding. Want to head into town? The storage space swallows your gear, the DCT makes stop-and-go painless, and the weather protection keeps you dry. Want to disappear into the Dolomites? The same machine will cheerfully carry you over high passes, along gravel roads, and into the heart of a mountain adventure.
The improved 2025 seat is genuinely more comfortable over distance. My ride from Cortina to Lake Sorapis and back clocked in at a full day, and I never once shifted in search of a sweet spot. The adjustable screen kept wind fatigue at bay, and fuel economy remained in the 3.5–4.0 l/100 km range, giving a realistic 325–350 km range before refueling.
Technical Specifications, 2025 Honda X-ADV
All technical details provided are taken from the Honda’s official manufacturer site. Specifications are based on the most recent data available at the time of review.
| Specification | Detail |
| Engine Type | Liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, SOHC parallel twin |
| Displacement | 745 cc |
| Power | 59 hp @ 6,750 rpm |
| Torque | 69 Nm @ 4,750 rpm |
| Transmission | 6-speed Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) |
| Riding Modes | Rain, Standard, Sport, Gravel |
| Front Suspension | 41 mm USD fork, 150 mm travel |
| Rear Suspension | Pro-Link monoshock, 150 mm travel |
| Front Wheel | 17-inch |
| Rear Wheel | 15-inch |
| Front Brake | Dual disc, ABS |
| Rear Brake | Single disc, ABS |
| Seat Height | 820 mm |
| Fuel Capacity | 13.2 liters |
| Wet Weight | 236 kg |
| Ground Clearance | 165 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1,590 mm |
The Ride to Lake Sorapis, Why the X-ADV Felt at Home Here
From Cortina d’Ampezzo, the Passo Tre Croci rises with a steady gradient, offering postcard views at every turn. The X-ADV’s upright seating position gave me the height to see over guardrails, scanning the road ahead while still soaking in the jagged peaks.
The mix of hairpins, medium sweepers, and short straights was the perfect test for the DCT. In tighter bends, I let it drop to second or third, using engine braking to set up my corner entry. In the sweepers, it settled into fourth, the parallel twin humming contentedly as the Dolomites blurred by.
The short gravel section before the hiking trail to Lake Sorapis is the kind of terrain that makes most scooter riders turn back. I didn’t even think twice, Gravel mode engaged, traction control dialed back, and up we went. The X-ADV’s suspension and chassis absorbed the ruts and loose stones with ease, and the low-rpm torque made picking through rough spots effortless.
At the lake itself, the turquoise water mirrored the pale limestone cliffs. Sitting on the shore, helmet beside me, I realized something: the X-ADV doesn’t just get you places, it makes you want to go further than you’d planned.
Conclusion, The Category-Busting Machine You Didn’t Know You Needed
The 2025 Honda X-ADV is a paradox on wheels. It’s too rugged to be a city-only scooter, too refined to be a pure adventure bike, and too practical to be dismissed as a toy. It is, quite simply, one of the most versatile two-wheelers on the market.
It thrives on variety, the same machine that slices through urban traffic can cross a mountain pass and dance on a gravel road. Yes, it’s heavy at a standstill and its width won’t suit everyone, but once you’re moving, those drawbacks melt away.
For my Lake Sorapis ride, it was the perfect partner, civilized when I needed it to be, adventurous when I asked it, and comfortable enough that I was ready to do it all again the next day.
Is the 2025 Honda X-ADV suitable for beginners?
Not entirely. While the DCT and scooter-style controls are friendly, the weight, height, and wide stance require confidence and some prior two-wheel experience.
What’s the real-world fuel range in Honda X-ADV?
Expect 325–350 km on average. In relaxed riding, you can stretch that past 400 km; on hard mountain riding, it may drop below 300 km.
Can Honda X-ADV tour like a full-size adventure bike?
Yes. The comfortable seat, wind protection, and storage make it a legitimate tourer. Cruise control now seals the deal for long days.
