
HONDA ADV350 (2022 - on) Review

Highlights
- New 330cc scooter from Honda
- Goes and handles like a motorcycle
- Generously equipped
At a glance
Owners' reliability rating: | |
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Power: | 29 bhp |
Seat height: | Medium (31.3 in / 795 mm) |
Weight: | Medium (410 lbs / 186 kg) |
Prices
Overall rating
Next up: Ride & brakesHonda struck gold when they released the X-ADV in 2017. Half scooter, half adventure bike, it may not have captured the imagination of riders in the UK, but for the rest of the world, especially Europe, where scooter culture a much bigger part of everyday life, they’ve flown out of showrooms.
- Related: 2021 Honda X-ADV bike review
Not only did they sell nearly 44,000 of them up to the end of 2021, but it was also Honda’s best-selling bike of that year, too. So, it makes sense that they’d produce a smaller, more affordable version: the ADV350.
The new twist-and-go makes perfect sense for commuters who want a bit more poke and flexibility than a 125. Not only will the ADV350 ping to motorway speeds as quick as you’d naturally accelerate on a motorcycle and do over 95mph, it has genuine big-bike handling, braking power and road presence.
Whether or not an adventure-styled mid-sized scooter that can handle a spot of light off-road floats your boat, one thing’s for sure: the ADV350 is an impressive machine in its own right.
It feels every inch a well sorted – albeit sometimes firm, motorcycle with strong performance and solid, reassuring handling, but it also enjoys all the benefits of being an easy to live with twist-and-go-too.
It’s smooth, simple to ride, comfortable and with superb fuel economy and lots of storage, it’s practical, too. Best of all it’s cheaper than its premium brand rivals, despite its superb build quality and generous equipment level.
Ride quality & brakes
Next up: EngineWhat really separates the ADV350 from your average scooter is the way it’s screwed together and how it holds the road. This is no flimsy, built down to a price runabout.
It’s solid, well finished (it comes in red, silver and black) and doesn’t crash, bang and fold itself in half when you show it a small bump. Granted the ride can be firm over rough roads – the payoff for being able to handle the dirt, but thanks to its lightweight tubular steel frame and proper forks, the Honda is stable, confident in corners and its Metzelers have lots of wet and dry grip.
Honda’s Rome-based R&D department have been unapologetically bold with the adventure styling, too. It’s a physically large and substantial machine, but at the same time light, agile and manageable to ride.
Its demeanour also serves to keep you safe - it looks so much like motorcycle at a glance, you don’t get bullied by traffic, like you do on a conventional scooter. It’s comfortable, too, but with such tall bodywork in front of the seat it’s not as easy to swing your leg over as a regular 'step through'.
The action of the manually adjustable screen is simple, too. In its high position (it has a 133mm range) it’s great for keeping rain off around town and in the lower, more raked positions there’s minimal buffeting for motorway riding. It’s actually quieter the lion’s share of 'proper' adventure bikes.
Engine
Next up: ReliabilityPowered by the same 29bhp, 330cc single cylinder engine you’ll find in Honda’s maxi scooter-style Forza 350 and pizza delivery-shaped SH350i, the ADV350 is smooth, quiet and friendly.
Spritely performance has more in common with a big cube maxi-scooter than an oversized 125 and it’s smoother at low speed than its bigger 750cc parallel twin cylinder sister, simply because it has a proper ‘elastic band’ scooter CVT gearbox, rather than the X-ADV’s jerky DCT.
Honda claims 83mpg, which adds up to a 213 range from its 11.7-litre fuel tank.
Reliability & build quality
Next up: ValueAlthough it’s a new model, you can use Honda’s X-ADV and 300/350cc scooter range as a gauge to any reliability issues… and there aren’t any. Fit and finish are excellent, too.
Value vs rivals
Next up: EquipmentIt isn’t cheap, but when you look at the level of spec and performance you get for the money, the asking price becomes more agreeable.
The ADV350 doesn’t have any direct rivals, but it’s cheaper than the £6799 Suzuki Burgman 400, Yamaha’s £5850 XMAX 300 and even the £5999 Kymco XCITING S 400.
You can find cheaper mid-size scoots from the less premium manufacturers, but they won’t have the Honda’s build quality, level of equipment or resale value.
Equipment
Standard goodies include 37mm Showa upside down forks and twin piggyback shocks with dual rate springs, a Nissin front brake caliper, a four-way adjustable screen, hand guards, wide adventure style handlebars, LED lights, keyless ignition, two USB chargers, ABS and two-stage (including 'off') torque control.
It has small scooter-sized (15in front, 14in rear) aluminium cross-spoke wheels, but they’re shod with top notch Metzeler Karoo Street dual purpose rubber…just in case you need to ride across a field on your way to work.
48 litres of underseat storage (with a removable separator plate) is enough for a full-size helmet and a smaller scooter-style lid. It also has a 2.5 litre glove box.
Multi-function LCD dash, controlled by left switchgear has smart phone voice control for calls, navigation, music and texts via Honda’s RoadSync app.
Accessories include a 50-litre top box that works with the keyless system, a rear rack, heated grips, a U lock and bike cover.
Specs |
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Engine size | 330cc |
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Engine type | Liquid-cooled, 4v, single |
Frame type | Tubular steel |
Fuel capacity | 11.7 litres |
Seat height | 795mm |
Bike weight | 186kg |
Front suspension | 37mm USD forks non-adjustable |
Rear suspension | Non-adjustable twin shocks |
Front brake | 256mm disc with two-piston Nissin calipers. ABS |
Rear brake | 240mm disc with single-piston Nissin caliper. ABS |
Front tyre size | 120/70 x 15 |
Rear tyre size | 140/70 x 14 |
Mpg, costs & insurance |
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Average fuel consumption | 83 mpg |
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Annual road tax | £47 |
Annual service cost | - |
New price | £5,599 |
Used price | - |
Insurance group |
- How much to insure? |
Warranty term | Two years |
Top speed & performance |
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Max power | 29 bhp |
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Max torque | 23 ft-lb |
Top speed | 95 mph |
1/4 mile acceleration | - |
Tank range | 213 miles |
Model history & versions
Model history
- 2022: Honda ADV350 introduced
Other versions
There are no other versions of the Honda ADV350.
Owners' reviews for the HONDA ADV350 (2022 - on)
3 owners have reviewed their HONDA ADV350 (2022 - on) and rated it in a number of areas. Read what they have to say and what they like and dislike about the bike below.
Review your HONDA ADV350 (2022 - on)
Summary of owners' reviews |
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Overall rating: | |
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Ride quality & brakes: | |
Engine: | |
Reliability & build quality: | |
Value vs rivals: | |
Equipment: |
Year: 2022
I wasn't really sure what to expect when buying the ADV350 but it caught my imagination and I thought I'd give it a try. I think this machine has converted me to scooters for good: if you're not sure about scooters, but curious, at least try one.
Rides differently and perhaps more harshly than a 'bike', as you might expect on small, fat wheels with a rear mounted engine but only really noticeable over broken surfaces - seems to be exacerbated when riding 'feet forward' for some reason, probably because 'feet down' braces the body better. But much better than expected - very comfortable over long distances. Brakes very effective, traction control intervenes more than normal, especially over poor surfaces - small wheels again I guess.
A little lethargic at low speed and the CVT transmission is a little noisy - typical scooter perhaps but it's transformed when you open the throttle - quick to pick up, silky smooth, no DCT jerkiness, no vibrations of any sort and it just keeps going with no drama or apparent stress. This replaces a long line of Hondas from XR250/CRFs to ST1100s and, most recently, an AT 1000 DCT, and it's by far the most well rounded machine of the lot. It's hard to believe it's only 330cc: punches well above its weight.
Early days but appears to have inherited usual Honda high build quality - nicely finished, though one or two of the panels appear a little less than robust. Also inherits usual Honda foibles (e.g. poor legibility of dash screen) but otherwise it appears Honda is all present and correct.
Compared to a NC750X, it looks expensive to buy but compared to a X-ADV, it looks like a bargain. Still running in but achieving 75+mpg.
Keyless ignition is neat but rather overly fussy and the key can take time to pair. Can't start it on the side stand. Screen is hard to read but it has everything you need, including a trip computer. CVT (no chain to maintain), centre stand, tubeless, very effective and easy to adjust screen, huge under-seat storage and glovebox, great weather protection. No fussy modes - just twist and go. Makes traditional bikes seem rather primitive but it's obviously a different type of machine that will either appeal or won't.
Year: 2022
3000 miles in France and Spain with no problems Very happy with this machine
Year: 2022
Super.