2021 Honda ADV 150

[pa-outdoorsman]

Hey guys, as a Kymco side-by-side owner and someone who has been seriously contemplating jumping in on a scooter, I am always keeping my eyes on the marketplace. My interest lies in 150-200cc segment of the market, as I really am thinking about a scooter for local travel and just local riding enjoyment more than something I'd take on long-distance travel. And, if I did want to take the scooter on a trip, I think a small one in that class would be easiest to trailer or put in the back of a truck and once again, use for local transport at the intended destination.

Anyway, I am sure many of you have also seen this new "adventure scooter" being introduced by Honda, but I think the ADV 150 is probably one of the sharpest-looking scooters I have ever seen, and definitely has a lot of attractive features. That said, the price tag is steep compared to other scoots in its class. Still, I'd be interested in your thoughts on the aesthetics, overall specs and viability of a scooter such as this in the U.S. market. Photo and link to full model info on Honda website below. Thanks!

https://powersports.honda.com/street/scooter/adv150

[flying old guy]

That is a really nice looking scoot. so here's my 2 cents worth. I have been a Japanese rider all my life, and it didn't matter if it was a motorcycle or scooter. To me, they were the best of the best hands down. However! awhile ago, I got on the Kymco line and little by little have been swayed to them. Now don't get me wrong the big 4 are still wonderful bikes if you don't mind paying the premium price. The Kymco bikes, I believe are an exceptional buy and it seems they will do everything the others do and leaves some serious $$ in your pocket for other things. Ernie   

[klaviator]

I like the idea of an "adventure" scooter because I spend a lot of time on back roads that are rough or even not paved.  A scooter with better suspension to handle these kinds of roads makes sense if you ride these kinds of roads.  If you just stick to fairly smooth paved roads then it wouldn't be worth the premium.

When my Like 150i needs to be replaced then I will seriously consider something like the ADV150.  I wouldn't be surprised if Kymco comes out with something like the ADV150 in the near future. 

[Stig / Major Tom]

How about something like the new Trail/Cub 125 from Honda?

The ADV is a zoomy little scooter that looks like it might be fun off of the pavement.
(read the reports of those who have)
Then there is the classic Trail/Cub - My guess is that the Trail will be less likely to embarrass itself once the pavement if left behind.
A few hundred $ less as well.


Stig

[Neil955i]

That is a really nice looking scoot. so here's my 2 cents worth. I have been a Japanese rider all my life, and it didn't matter if it was a motorcycle or scooter. To me, they were the best of the best hands down. However! awhile ago, I got on the Kymco line and little by little have been swayed to them. Now don't get me wrong the big 4 are still wonderful bikes if you don't mind paying the premium price. The Kymco bikes, I believe are an exceptional buy and it seems they will do everything the others do and leaves some serious $$ in your pocket for other things. Ernie

Couldn't agree more Ernie!  I came to Kymco from a Honda PCX and have never regretted it.  For my money, you do get way more bang for your buck with Kymco!

[pa-outdoorsman]

Wow, Stig, I did not even know this machine existed!

I agree this little bike would probably be more capable off-road, though not as enjoyable on the pavement. It also has a slightly smaller engine. I wonder what the difference in top speed is between the Trail 125 and the ADV150.

Anyway, thank you for bringing this to my attention. Decisions, decisions... :-)

[klaviator]

Wow, Stig, I did not even know this machine existed!

I agree this little bike would probably be more capable off-road, though not as enjoyable on the pavement. It also has a slightly smaller engine. I wonder what the difference in top speed is between the Trail 125 and the ADV150.

Anyway, thank you for bringing this to my attention. Decisions, decisions... :-)

The ADV150 will leave the Trail Cub in the dust on the road.  I think its around 14HP vs 9HP.  The trail cub tops out at around 53MPH while the ADV150 is about 10MPH faster.  Of course there are all kinds of parts available to get more HP out of the 125cc Honda engine which is also used in the Grom, Monkey Bike and Super Cub. 

[john grinsel]

My question is---who wants to be a trailer biker??   Just ride them.

[klaviator]

My question is---who wants to be a trailer biker??   Just ride them.

I'm not ashamed to admit that I sometimes truck my bikes to a destination and then ride them.  It actually has allowed me to ride more, not less.  I used to be like you and look down at people who trailered their bikes, and then I opened my eyes and saw all the advantages of trucking or trailering to a destination. 

For example, there were several times I was going to visit my folks in Ohio and taking my wife and dog along.  No way to do that on a scooter.  So I put it in the back of my truck.  Instead of being there for a week wishing I could go riding, I went riding. 

Another time I was living in Maine and needed to go to a 6 week school in Monterey, Ca.  Riding there and back was not practical due to the time of year so I drove my truck with a bike in the back.  I got to ride in Co, UT, CA, and NM because I was willing to truck my bike.

So if you are too proud to consider trailering your bike, it's your loss.

[pa-outdoorsman]

My question is---who wants to be a trailer biker??   Just ride them.

John, I doubt I would ever be a "trailer biker." As of now, I don't own a scooter, and if/when I get one, I assure I'm getting it to RIDE IT. That said, I also don't think a 150cc scoot is suitable for long-distance riding. You aren't going to get on an Interstate with one -- at least I'm not -- for more than a couple miles. It just wouldn't have the horsepower to be feasible for cross-country touring.

I live in a fairly rural area, and my interest in a scooter would be to use it locally, both for errands and just to enjoy riding the mountain roads/back roads in my local area. There would be tons of places to ride around here, as most of our local roads are back roads without tons of traffic. A scooter would be very practical, efficient transportation to say, go to the local grocery store or to my gym. To drive from my house to one of the local farms I hunt when checking trail cameras. I have no expecting of "off-roading" in a scoot, but one that could at least travel along a dirt farm lane would be nice.

So, when I talk about trailering the machine, I am merely acknowledging that I doubt I would get on a 150cc scoot and head to other states. Oh, I am sure there are those who have ridden cross country on one and documented it on YouTube. But I will not be among them. If that were my goal, I'd be considering a 400cc or higher machine. However, let's say I was going camping for a week at the beach. I would definitely be interested in trailering the scoot along. I wouldn't drive it from Pennsylvania to Ocean City, Md., for example. But if I put it in the back of the truck, I'll bet it would be a lot of fun to drive between a beach house and the beach, local restaurants, etc.

But hey, this is just me. Everyone ought to buy what they want, and use it the way they want. I have three cars/SUVs to use as a practical transportation. My interest in getting a scooter is really just to have FUN.

[Neil955i]

I'm not ashamed to admit that I sometimes truck my bikes to a destination and then ride them.  It actually has allowed me to ride more, not less.  I used to be like you and look down at people who trailered their bikes, and then I opened my eyes and saw all the advantages of trucking or trailering to a destination. 

For example, there were several times I was going to visit my folks in Ohio and taking my wife and dog along.  No way to do that on a scooter.  So I put it in the back of my truck.  Instead of being there for a week wishing I could go riding, I went riding. 

Another time I was living in Maine and needed to go to a 6 week school in Monterey, Ca.  Riding there and back was not practical due to the time of year so I drove my truck with a bike in the back.  I got to ride in Co, UT, CA, and NM because I was willing to truck my bike.

So if you are too proud to consider trailering your bike, it's your loss.

Well said Klav!  Maybe John is thinking more about the poseurs who trailer to rallies or wherever and then ride no more than a few miles anyway.  That has never made any sense to me.

If, like me, you live in a small country then there's rarely any need to trailer your bike or scoot around, it's close enough just to ride there!  In a country like the USA it makes perfect sense to dispense with the boring 000's of miles of Highway in a pick up and then offload the two wheeler for some fun.  Live and let live.

[Ex-KLR]

If  you want to ride off the pavement, you should consider something that has wheels bigger than 10 -12 inches.

[pa-outdoorsman]

I'm not looking for anything to do serious off-roading. I have a side-by-side for that.

[pa-outdoorsman]

How about something like the new Trail/Cub 125 from Honda?

The ADV is a zoomy little scooter that looks like it might be fun off of the pavement.
(read the reports of those who have)
Then there is the classic Trail/Cub - My guess is that the Trail will be less likely to embarrass itself once the pavement if left behind.
A few hundred $ less as well.


Stig

Hey Stig, FWIW, here's a little video I found comparing the ADV150 with the Trail 125. After watching, I kind of agree with the guys in the video: hard to think of a practical reason you'd choose the Trail over the ADV. But that's just me, based on what I think I'd use the machine for.

[pa-outdoorsman]

And here's another video, for anyone who wants to see a guy actually try a little dirt riding with an ADV150. Obviously, not a serious off-road machine but something that can handle a little bit of dirt for sure.