₹11.9 Lakh Scooter With Off-Road Grit? Honda Has Just Launched The X-ADV 750 In India
Honda has launched the X-ADV 750 adventure scooter in India at ₹11.90 lakh (ex-showroom), targeting urban riders who want the comfort of a scooter but also crave the thrill of occasional trail riding. Sold through the company’s premium BigWing network, deliveries are expected to begin from June 2025.
A Scooter That Thinks It's A Bike
The X-ADV 750 is difficult to slot into a traditional category. It combines the step-through ease of a maxi-scooter with adventure motorcycle cues such as wire-spoke wheels, long-travel suspension, and dual-purpose tyres.
Powering it is a 745cc parallel-twin engine, the same one found in Honda’s Africa Twin, producing 58 bhp and 69 Nm of torque. The standout feature is its 6-speed Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT), which handles gear shifts automatically, removing the need for a manual clutch and making it city-friendly without compromising on open-road performance.
Built For Both City Rides And Weekend Trails
Honda pitches the X-ADV as a dual-role machine, equally at home navigating traffic or escaping to the hills. Its upright seating position, wide handlebars, and an 820 mm seat height are designed for comfort and control, while the 13.1-litre under-seat storage adds everyday practicality.
For more adventurous riding, it comes equipped with five riding modes, Sport, Standard, Rain, Gravel, and a User mode, as well as traction control and 150 mm suspension travel. Linked ABS with Nissin brakes further improve safety across varied road conditions.
Tech-Forward, Rider-Friendly
A 5-inch TFT display acts as the digital command centre, offering Bluetooth pairing for music and navigation prompts through Honda’s RoadSync app. While there’s no Apple CarPlay support, the system handles basic smartphone functions.
Features such as keyless ignition, LED lighting, and an adjustable windscreen enhance both convenience and appeal. Riders have noted the engine’s refinement, even at higher speeds, although the 236 Kg kerb weight means careful handling is required, especially at low speeds or in crowded parking lots.
Positioned in a Segment of Its Own
With a price nearly 50% higher than Honda’s Rebel 500 cruiser, the X-ADV doesn’t have many direct rivals. It’s more practical than traditional adventure bikes and more capable than your average scooter.
Competing models like the Kawasaki Versys 650 or Yamaha Ténéré 700 offer adventure prowess but lack the twist-and-go simplicity. Honda seems to be targeting a very specific audience; urban professionals who want something distinctive and versatile rather than hardcore off-roaders.
Early Reactions And Market Fit
Initial feedback has been mixed. While many appreciate the innovation and unique appeal, the pricing and serviceability of such a tech-heavy product have raised eyebrows. However, for buyers who value the blend of convenience and mild off-road capability, the X-ADV opens up a whole new way to ride. Honda is counting on the rising interest in premium two-wheelers, which saw 18% growth in FY2024, to give the X-ADV a solid footing.
The DCT is smooth and responsive in urban traffic. On trails, the suspension setup has impressed testers with its balance and composure. However, the lack of CarPlay, weight at low speeds, and a limited service network have been flagged as areas that may concern practical-minded buyers.
Who Is It Really For?
The X-ADV clearly targets a lifestyle-oriented buyer. Think of someone in Mumbai or Bengaluru who commutes to work on weekdays but doesn’t want to give up on weekend rides.
Features like automatic transmission, usable under-seat storage, and switchable riding modes make it an attractive one-bike solution for such users. In that sense, it appeals to those upgrading from high-end scooters like the Suzuki Burgman 650 or mid-segment tourers.
Ownership Costs and Commitment
This convenience, of course, comes at a cost. Honda offers financing through its BigWing dealerships, with EMIs starting around ₹25,000 per month for a four-year term. Routine servicing, pegged at every 12,000 km or once a year, could cost between ₹8,000 and ₹12,000. Specialised parts such as the DCT unit or adventure-spec tyres may inflate ownership costs over time. Prospective buyers should factor in these long-term expenses.
Competing Against Itself and Others
Even though the X-ADV is in a class of its own, buyers may cross-shop it with adventure motorcycles like the Ténéré 700 or Honda’s own CB500X, which costs nearly ₹5 lakh less. Traditional scooter buyers will find the Burgman Street more wallet-friendly, even if far less capable. The real test for Honda is whether buyers will accept this high-tech hybrid format at a premium price.
The Bigger Picture
Honda’s gamble with the X-ADV is not just about one product. It is a broader signal that crossover formats, vehicles that blur the lines between categories, might be here to stay. If successful, the X-ADV could prompt others like KTM, BMW, or even Hero MotoCorp to try something similar in the future.
Should You Consider the X-ADV?
For those looking for a machine that’s unlike anything else on Indian roads today, the X-ADV 750 offers a compelling mix of comfort, technology, and go-anywhere ability. It won’t appeal to everyone, and it isn’t meant to. But for riders who want to break free from the usual scooter-or-bike binary, this Honda might just be the answer.