MCL 2021
Forza and ADV
The Twist' n Go Revolution
With our urban roads clogged and the cost of commuting on four wheels skyrocketing, is it any wonder scooters are the new kid on the block?
If you thought these two-wheelers were all about bland paint jobs and lackluster performance, it's time for a wake-up call. So get on down to the Honda UK stand at this year's Motorcycle Live event.
Honda's latest range of smart scooters has levels of performance, equipment and sophistication that are off the chart.
Anyone can see a gap in the market but Honda, time after time, creates one! The popularity of Honda's latest range of street and adv scooters is proof positive of this.
So, welcome to the UK's biggest and best motorcycle show, sure you can feast your eyes on Honda's big-bore headline grabbers but It's time to see the true leaders of the two-wheel revolution for yourself!
The 2022 Honda ADV350: Thinking Outside the Box
Bridging the gap between adventure bikes and scooters is not something most motorcycle manufacturers would even contemplate, let alone build. Then again , most manufacturers aren't Honda.
The prototype of the X-ADV 750 broke cover at the EICMA show in 2015 and for some, it was a leap too far. While the motorcycling community concentrated on the great X-ADV debate and its suitability even as a concept, Honda pushed ahead with production.
Was Honda justified in putting their neck on the line? The answer to this lies in learning that in 2021 the X-ADV750 was Honda's best-selling motorcycle in Europe.
Always willing to act on feedback, Honda found a lot of would-be fans wanted more of the same but with less of an engine. So enter the 2022 ADV350, a next-generation 330-cc version of its bigger brother.
Embracing the European Concept
European riders are smart and have been embracing the scooter concept for decades. Whether Honda set out to embed European DNA into the ADV350 is open to debate. After all, its place of build is Honda's Atessa Factory in Italy.
Like its larger stablemate, the mid-sized adventure scooter manages to combine the sophistication of a premium scooter with the ability to handle the roughest of roads. Just as well, the appalling state of Europe's pothole-riddled urban highways is bad enough to give the ADV350's suspension a serious workout.
On the topic of suspension, the ADV350 features motorcycle-style USD forks with a decent 125-mm of travel. A steering rake of 26.5-degrees means the steering should be precise and predictable.
Remote reservoir, pre-load adjustable rear shocks are good for 130-mm of travel. A 120/70x15 tyre in the front and a 140/70x14 tyre at the rear give an impressive ground clearance of 145-mm.
Honda has gone for a tubular steel frame and X-pattern aluminium wheels to keep weight to a minimum. As you would expect, tyres are quite chunky, running dual-sport style block pattern treads. Tyres should be able to handle everything from cobbled streets to tightly packed gravel tracks.
Last but not least are the brakes. The 256-mm front disc and 250-mm rear come with 2-channel ABS provide plenty of stopping power for the 183-Kg scooter.
In real terms, although the scooter's suspension and tyres suggest otherwise, the majority of the ADV350's life will see it cutting a swathe through urban jungles.
With this in mind and despite its wide trail-style handlebars, the scooter's physical dimensions make it a nimble weaver in congested traffic rather than a destroyer of wing mirrors.
A seat height of 31.3” means most riders will get both feet safely planted on the ground and the four position adjustable screen should keep most of the weather at bay.
Practical and Stylish
Fuel capacity is a very practical 3.1-gal and with almost 70-mpg (estimated), the tank range is around 200-mi between fuel stops.
The bike's frugality is no doubt due to the single-cylinder SOHC 4-stroke engine's precise Electronic Fuel Injection and 29-hp output.
Liquid cooling keeps everything running at optimum operating temperature and full auto transmission feeds the back wheel via a belt and pulley system. The scooter also benefits from Honda's two-level selectable torque control.
As for accessories, the dash is an easy-to-read LCD unit. In addition, it features Honda's built-in Smartphone Voice Control System for communication and music on the move. Ignition activation is via a smart key, which can automatically lock the optional smart top box.
Genuine Honda optional extras also include heated grips making the ADV350 a true all-season ride.
Under-seat storage is a Tardis-like 48-L, which is enough to take two full-face helmets. Meanwhile, a glove box in the fairing is home to a useful USB Type-C socket.
The new ADV350 will be available in Spangle Silver Metallic, Matt Carbonium Gray Metallic and Matt Carnelian Red Metallic.
Stylish, sophisticated yet tough and practical, the scooter revolution is alive and well and hanging out at the Honda stand.
Honda X-ADV: The Best Just got Better
In case you were wondering if Honda's genre-busting X-ADV 750 is a success, here's the short answer; "you bet it is!" Last year, the world's first adventure scooter was Honda's biggest selling model in Europe.
With over three years on the market and still no real toe-to-toe competition in sight, did Honda need to update the X-ADV's spec? No, but that didn't stop them.
Last year saw the trail-blazing X-ADV get a host of updates. These included a slight increase in grunt for the engine and upgraded electronics.
The twin-cylinder 745-cc engine revs a little higher and pushes out 53-bhp with 50 ft-lb of torque thanks to revised intake, cam timing and exhaust.
Honda has also shaved some weight off the frame in conjunction with the power increase. In addition, redesigning the seat gives the bike a seat height of just over 32-in, making it easier to plant both feet on the ground.
The bodywork has also come in for some attention. Clever contouring of the lower panels has sharpened the look giving the X-ADV a more rugged stance and increased under-seat storage space.
Now with 22-L of space to play with, that's enough to take a full-face helmet with ease. You'll also find a USB Type-C socket ideal for keeping a Smartphone charged.
Intuitive Control
The dual LED headlights feature highly visible Daylight Running Light (DRL) technology. Meanwhile, a full-colour TFT screen offers intuitive control.
Throttle by Wire (TBW) control and four default riding modes optimise performance to suit conditions and terrain are standard.
If you thought the first generation of X-ADV was flexible, you now have the option to fully customise engine output and character, as well as the Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) shifting pattern.
Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) and ABS levels can also be tweaked using G (gravel) mode, which backs off the settings to provide further stability on the loose stuff.
Wherever your adventures take you, it's easier than ever to stay connected thanks to the new Honda Smartphone Voice Control system. The system links to many Smartphone functions. These include navigation, calls, messages and music, compatible with Android™ devices.
Finally, we come to the most challenging job in motorcycle design; formulating the latest colour schemes! For the 2022 model range, owners can choose from four options. These are Matt Ballistic Black Metallic, Matt Iridium Grey Metallic, Pearl Deep Mud Grey and Grand Prix Red.
Meet the Forzas!
In 1958, Honda created the Super Cub. Like innumerable Honda models over the decades that have broken new ground or raised the technological bar, the Super Cub was no different.
Honda created a scooter that redefined the genre by thinking outside the box. If that wasn't rewarding enough, the Super Cub is the world's best-selling bike with a mind-blowing 100 million sold and counting.
Honda remains heavily invested in the scooter market. Whether the new Forza range will be quite so successful, as good as they are, could be a bit of a stretch.
At the moment, the Forza range consists of three models, the Forza 125, the all-new Forza 350 and the fabulous, top-of-the-range Forza 750.
Forza 125
Introduced in 2015, the Forza 125 is a super slick city scooter. It may be small when it comes to cubic capacity but it more than makes up for it in presence.
Aimed at the ultra discerning European market, the Forza 125 made a splash at its launch and has been a class leader ever since.
It's easy to see why too. The scooter conveys grand touring style and comfort with sporty performance and handling. Last year, the Forza 125 got treated to a cosmetic makeover, an extra 40-mm of screen travel and a USB socket.
The 2022 model will also see three new colour options. These are Pearl Falcon Grey Metallic, Matt Pearl Pacific Blue and Matt Black Grey Metallic.
Forza 350
In 2020, the middleweight Forza got a significant facelift and a boost in cubic capacity saw the engine increase to 350-cc. The added power translates to improved acceleration and torque, which you need to blast away from city traffic or overtake with ease travelling at motorway speeds.
The addition of Honda Selectable Torque Control should make winter riding easier. As will the aerodynamic contours of the fairing, which make a noticeable difference to high speed stability.
The redesigned LCD instrument console is crystal clear and here, you can easily see just how many miles to the gallon the Forza 350 will give you!
A smart key and LED lighting are standard and for 2022, the Forza 350 will add Matt Carnelian Red Metallic to its colour options.
Forza 750
The Forza 750 is a super scooter in every sense of the word, loaded with advanced technology and defined by its contemporary style. It's the daddy of the Forza family, offering GT-luxe comfort, high-quality suspension and motorcycle-style brakes.
Its responsive, powerful 745-cc twin-cylinder engine offers effortless acceleration, making it a great city slicker commuter and ideal for leisure, pleasure and more. Compact enough to get through traffic, easy to park and with lots of legroom for the rider, while still being comfortable two-up.
What’s more when it comes to designing the ultimate GT scooter, it’s all in the details. Premium features include: Storage built-in and Smart Key convenience, with optional extras including top box, matching panniers and cold weather equipment. Choose from three default riding modes, with a customization option, six-speed DCT and Honda Selectable Torque Control.
There are two color options: Graphite Black and Jeans Blue Metallic.
Honda’s updated range of super scooters are a Forza to be reckoned with!
The Next Generation of Twist and Go
Scooters once came with automatic transmission. However, when Honda launched their genre-busting X-ADV and Forza 750 mega scooters, they took the opportunity of adding their incredible Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT).
DCT gives riders the convenience of fully automatic gear changes and the option of manual gear changes via switchgear paddles. Combined with programmable electronic rider aids on the X-ADV, DCT took twist and go to another dimension.
If you're unfamiliar with DCT, simply put, it is a shifting system that delivers manual drive with automatic convenience. Rather than detract from the ride, DCT means you can experience it the way you want to.
Choose Automatic Transmission (AT) mode and all that's left to do is sit back and enjoy the scenery. The programme selects the smoothest, most relaxed and fuel-efficient performance.
Multiple sensors choose the optimum time to change up and down the six-speed box with no loss in driving efficiency.
The Power is in Your Hands
Do you prefer to be more hands-on when it comes to gearshifts? M or Manual mode puts the power back in your hands. This mode means the rider can change up through the box or downshift whenever they want. Paddle triggers on the left handlebar switchgear mean the only part of the body getting a workout is the thumb.
If you think multiple downshifts through a tricky series of bends might prove too much of a challenge. No stress, with DCT, you won't even break a sweat. It's programmed for auto-blips for rapid downshifts, just any 2022 Africa Twin owner.
If you've never ridden a DCT equipped Honda X-ADV or FORZA 750, you're in for a treat. One word of warning though, once you've tried this system, there's no going back.
The Best is Yet to Come!
It's been great seeing so many of you at the Honda UK stand at the 2021NEC Motorcycle Live Event. And for those that are unable to make it, we hope our content acts as the next best thing.
We at Honda are proud of our portfolio and we hope you enjoy reading about our range of low-powered models.
At this year's Motorcycle Live event, there's been lots of focus on cruising, touring, sports and off-road motorcycles. However, the Honda brand is one of the few manufacturers to produce all types of bikes to suit all sorts of riders. Believe us when we say the best is yet to come!
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