Honda ADV350 after 6 Months : Has it won me over ?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 29 ก.ค. 2023
- Honda ADV350 after 6 Months : Has it won me over ?
I've owned the Honda ADV 350 for six months now and covered a few thousand miles. I learned to appreciate what the scooter is and what it can as opposed to always comparing it to a bike and in that context has it won me over?
I only bought the ADV 350 due to mobility issues following an accident next year and did think I'd sell it once I got full mobility back...But now? Hmmm....
Aside from that, this video features the key attributes of the ADV 350, specifications and what it is like to own. - ยานยนต์และพาหนะ
Took my Forza 300 to France last year (instead of my Tenere). Covered 3000 miles at 103 mpg Put my riding gear below the seat and my luggage in the top box. An easy and relaxing way to travel
Hey Sam - good to hear from and your trip sounds great! I'm looking forward to doing something similar next year and I can't wait. The ease of use, luggage and economy is just perfect! All the best, cheers, Phil.
Awesome audio-video work...!!!... You brought tears in my eyes with your last words... I ride bikes almost every day (mostly home-work-home) 35+ years and no matter how difficult my day is, 5 minutes on the road are enough lighten up my soul/mood, much much better than any medicine can!!!
Good afternoon Philippos, many thanks for dropping by and for your kind comments - it's very much appreciated.
And yes, I totally agree - there's something about riding which is like a form of meditation (without closing your eyes!) - I never think about work or anything else and post ride, I have always have a different perspective on things. That's why I personally just can't give two wheels. It sounds as though you are the same.
All the best, great to hear from you, cheers, Phil.
Welcome to Scooters - glad you are enjoying it and realising that even smaller scoots can do (almost) everything a bike can do, but whilst most bikes are just bike boy's toys, a scooter is actually practical and useful!
Evening and thank you very much for the welcome to the world of scooters! Yes, they are supremely practical and useful - I totally agree. And most bikes are toys, but that’s why they’re great also. I mean, I really like Lego 😀 All the best, thanks for stopping by, cheers, Phil.
My balls
I *love* scooters, but I can’t find any that’ll replace what my cheap Chinese adventure bike does.
I’ve driven a Chinese Tekken 250cc all over my country (we have the Himalayan mountains). It’s got 10.3” inches of ground clearance. And it weighs 130KG, and has three panniers for all the luggage I need.
The Honda X-Adv is my dream scooter, but light weight adventure bikes let me go to remote places and have experiences I wouldn’t be able to have otherwise.
@@Qasibr As we say, 'Horses for Courses' - no scooter, even these new Adventure ones, is ever go to get places a proper adventure bike can get to!
Brilliant video production as usual - and great to hear you're just getting on with it...!
Hey Donald, thanks very much! Good to hear from you again, hope you’re doing OK.
All the best, cheers, Phil.
Amazing editing. Thank you so much for spending the time on this.
Hey, thank you very much / great to know you appreciated the work. All the best, cheers, Phil.
Great to see you back riding and making videos again. Loving the joy in your voice. Not a Jazz and sprout fan myself
Good afternoon & great to hear from you again. Jazz and sprouts...With gravy...Ugh, could you imagine?
But yeah, I'm enjoying the Scoot and possibly more so, just happy to be whizzing about and independent on two wheels again. It's great!
Hope all is well with you, cheers, Phil.
@@80eightReviews Love you positivity, can't grieve forever on what we have lost. Can only appreciate and enjoy the great things we have left. Just learning that lesson myself. Been a Scooter bro before and loved it too.
Great production as always. My favourite scene is when you said “it’s looks a bit broad in the beam from the rear” as the cow/bull was walking off in the background 😂
Hey Ian, how are you doing? Good to hear from you again. Thanks as always for your kind comments - glad you enjoyed it. Yeah the cow...She was a big girl but showed a surprising turn of speed off camera :-) All the best, cheers, Phil.
The description of the exhaust loooool, love it.
Ha ha thanks! Cheers, Phil.
This is the first video I’ve seen of yours and I loved it. Funny, informative, great shots of the scooter in a lovely relaxed style - so nice to see and not many TH-cam contributors come anywhere close. Well done. I’ve been eyeing up a big scoot as a potential next bike (I’ve a Tiger 850 at he moment) having hired and toured on a couple last year in Portugal and this year in Mallorca and loved the experience, so this video was great to see. Thanks. I’ll look out for any others you do.
Afternoon Chris, great to hear from you and many thanks for your comments. Glad you enjoyed the review and the work that went into it. While I was kinda forced into getting a scoot due to mobility issues, I’ve got to say that for overall usefulness with a good dose of fun, they are really good. I’ll certainly be doing some touring trips on mine next year. Let me know what you decide to do.
All the best, cheers, Phil.
Absolutely brilliant video, well thought out planning for the shot list so the editing and composition was terrifically engaging. This is the first time for me to see any of your videos and you are a real video PRO. It doesn't hurt that YT automatically fed me your channel because as a 56 year veteran motorcycle rider, I have been looking to downsize to a scooter from my current ride ZRX1200R.
Hey Phil, really good to hear from you - hope you're doing well.
I'm blown away by your comments! Thanks so much! It's good to know the work is appreciated and while I'm far from a 'Pro' I do try and create a nice image every so often! I could really do with a second pair of hands so I'm not always riding away / towards the camera though!
ZRX1200R : Very nice, I've always liked them. Only in green though, of course :-) Well, if you are seriously considering a scooter instead of a smaller bike perhaps, there's nothing to fear. Having only ever ridden bikes I was a bit dismissive to begin with and it really helps that the ADV does handle like a basic / standard road bike so it feels natural right from the off. Then, over time the ease of use totally won me over and I stopped thinking about how it looks and now just enjoy the experience.
Anyway, let me know what you decide to do.
All the best, cheers, Phil.
This follow up video was even better than the first review👍 I too have had my adv350 for about four months & done very nearly 2500 miles, having had various motor bikes ranging from thumpers tho sports & back to singles plus one other scooter over the 42 years of riding I agree it may not be your dream bike but it does do EVERYTHING! extremely well whilst still giving you the fun factor with a grin on your face. I love mine ride safe everyone
Good morning! Thanks for watching and for taking the time to comment - so glad you enjoyed it! You're right, it does do pretty much everything you need day to day. I've actually forgotten where I parked the car :-)
Great to hear you're enjoying yours and likewise, ride safe. All the best, cheers, Phil.
This is the first of your videos I've seen. Very entertaining and informative. Probably will be tempted to buy one, or at least book a test ride. Thank you.
Afternoon Paul, great to hear from you and thanks for your kind comments - much appreciated. And yes, if you're in the market or mood for a scooter then it's definitely worth a test ride.
All the best, cheers, Phil.
Hello Phil, glad to see you logging miles on your ADV. Have a wonderful summer. Keep on riding.
Hey Bilal, good to hear from you again and thanks very much - I'm gonna keep riding as much as I can for the rest of the year. It's brilliant! Likewise with yourself, enjoy the rest of the summer! All the best, cheers, Phil.
Excellent video , great editing. thanks
Thanks very much Paul, glad you enjoyed it. All the best, cheers, Phil.
Well it’s really nice to hear your passion for two wheels has not diminished. Hats off to you for coming through that very difficult period of recovery both physically and emotionally.
Good morning Mr. Waka Jawaka, great to hear from you and many thanks for your kind comments.
And you're so right - it is brilliant to be back on two wheels. In someways it's even better now as the balance for me, has shifted back to the fundamentals of why two wheels are great - that it's about the experiences you get when riding as opposed to being about the machine itself.
All the best, cheers, Phil.
This video will probably be the main reason I got pushed off the fence and decided to sell my F800A to buy an ADV 350.
Good luck with the operation next week. You've won another subscriber. 😉👍
Good evening! Thanks for stopping by and crikey! Don’t listen to me, I’ve no idea what I’m talking about! In all seriousness though, I’m sure you will get on well with the ADV so please let me know your thoughts when it arrives. Thanks for the best wishes on the Op & also the sub - much appreciated. All the best, cheers, Phil.
Fantastic review. Currently riding a Honda Forza 350 in northern Thailand and I love this motorcycle. Been thinking about the ADV 350. Like your sense of humor.
Thanks,
Mike from Seattle
Hey Mike, good to hear from you and great to know you enjoyed the review and, er, the humour 😀 I’m a very late convert to Scooters but I really like and enjoy them now, they’re just great machines. Hope all is well over in Seattle, all the best, cheers, Phil.
Awesome review it maybe my next purchase ! such a practical machine , looks great and with all that luggage capacity would make a fab touring machine . Keep more content coming our way . Thanks , glad you enjoy it
Hey Clive, great to hear from you and many thanks for your kind comments - glad you enjoyed the review! It is an incredible practical machine I have to say - the ability to stash stuff with the need for bungees, bags or rucksacks is just brilliant. And I will be touring on it next year!
Content will slowdown / stop for a bit as I'm under the knife next week but will do my best! All the best, cheers, Phil.
Wow, I just know this channel. The video is so good. I'm enjoying it.
Thank you! Really appreciate the kind words, cheers, Phil.
Hi Phil, really pleased that you are enjoying your new machine! And it’s great that you are back on two wheels again! Enjoy! 🏍😎👍
Hey Paul, great to hear from again. All good with you? Yeah, I am enjoying it…Just being able to get out and about is brilliant and the ADV, being so easy to use, just really helped with the initial nervousness on my part. Love two wheels 😀 All the best Paul and likewise, enjoy! Cheers, Phil.
Love your style mate, not only a very thorough review, but a great mix of photography and even a bit of history and humour too. That editing must have taken you quite a while 😅
Well done 👏
Morning - thanks very much for stopping by, great to know you enjoyed it and yeah, it does a while to bring it all together!
Thanks again, hope all is well with you, cheers, Phil
Great review. Better laughs. Absolutely hilarious details. Thanks for the content
Hey! Good evening & thanks very much! So good to know you enjoyed it. Hope all is well where you are, all the best, cheers, Phil.
Good thorough review (and I appreciated your humor). Thanks.
Thanks very much Paul, glad you enjoyed it. All the best, cheers, Phil.
Great film and very informative. Am thinking of taking the plunge myself and it seems the 350 ADV has nailed it. I like the idea of just loading it up without the faff of attaching luggage, cargo net etc. I also like that little glove box on the left which seems perfect for a Ginsters pasty on the go😀
Hey Gareth, good to hear from you and glad you enjoyed the review. Yeah, I should have mention the absolute “lack of faff” - for me that means I can sling my camera and tripod under the seat where it’s safe and sound. The days of an over stressed bungee cord are over!
I reckon you could easily get three Ginsters in the glove compartment and given they have a half life of 700 years you’ll be well prepped for a zombi apocalypse.
All the best, cheers, Phil.
Im just about to upgrade my license to be able to ride one of these.. not because i dont love my 2014 peugeot tweet,but because i feel like i need an upgrade. Your video is prime quality in terms of presenting the Adv, the way of talking,explaining,reviewing things. Absolute gold. Can't wait to jump into the process 🙃
Hey David, thanks for dropping by and for taking the time to comment. Glad you enjoyed the video. Well, moving to the ADV from the Tweet will be some serious upgrade that I'm sure you'll enjoy. It's easy to think about the engine and power differences of course but I think it will be the road holding and general handling where you'll the most benefit of the upgrade - even if the ADV might not be as super flickable at the Tweet. I'm sure you'll love it and let me know how you get on, cheers, Phil.
Thanks for a very pleasant review.👍👊
Thank you very much - hope you enjoyed it and that it was useful. All the best, cheers, Phil.
Excellent in all respects: informative and entertaining with very nice photography. Thanks. Am test riding one of these in a few days. Will probably buy .
Hey Thomas, thanks for stopping by and many thanks for your kind comments. Let me know how your test ride goes and what you decide to do. All the best, cheers, Phil.
@@80eightReviews It was hard to find a new ADV350 but I did find a low mileage one owner bike - it has a huge Honda top box and heated grips. They were asking quite a high price for it but having had a test ride and after reading so many views I decided it was the bike for me so I bought it.
I am really pleased with it. The suspension is excellent. I have taken the top box off because the large under storage is enough for my needs. It is so much nicer without the box. I will only use the box when really needed. Also the top box is almost unusable because it rattles so much. My next mini project is too sort that out. I love the keyless ignition. I am pleased with my purchase and don't regret having had to sell my SH300 and BMW F800s to buy it. I am starting to thing that it is one of the best 2 wheelers I have ever owned. Thank you for your helpful review.
Excellent video, the little nuances like the cow walking across the field when you mention the beefy rear end are fantastic. Definitely gained a sub, well done! One question, what is that overlay you used which showed speed / location / etc? Cheers!
Good morning, thanks for watching - really appreciate your comments and thanks for the sub 👍
As for the overlay all the details are below - hope that helps, all the best, Phil.
goprotelemetryextractor.com/
Excellent video, thank you!
Hey John, great to hear from you & thanks very much! All the best, cheers, Phil.
Great review! Scooters are so much fun
Hey Alastair, thanks for stopping by and it great to know you enjoyed the review! Scooters are fun, you’re totally correct - and they do it in a sort of relaxed / non-pressured way which means it’s much less about the machine and more about the experience of what’s around you. Plus, I can carry all my groceries 😀
All the best, cheers, Phil.
@@80eightReviews yeah love scooters for all the same reasons, got my first one 25 years ago aged 16 and now looking at potential sh125 / 350 or an adv350! Il keep an eye on your channel will be great to see your updates! 🙏
Brilliant video and great summary of the ADV350! I’ve done 16K miles on my Beverly 400 and hasn’t missed a beat. Agree wholeheartedly with your thoughts on the two-wheeler experience regardless of bike class.
Morning - thanks very much for taking the time to comment and glad you enjoyed the review! Good to hear about your Beverly and I'm hoping the same will be true for my ADV. I'll do an update in 3 years time :-)
But yes, two wheels are the best! Hope all is well with you, cheers, Phil.
A really good video! Well done! Especially the extra comments which appears! Very entertaining... and teaching! I love this way! (Y)
Hey Andrea, thanks very much for your kind comments - it’s great to know you enjoyed the video. All the best, cheers, Phil.
Awesome review 👍🏽
Hey Bruno! Thanks very much - really appreciate the feedback and it’s great to know you enjoyed it 😊 All the best, cheers, Phil.
This struck me as a very honest, to-the-point and funny real life review. Just a small tip.. when trying scooters could you show the storage under seat?
Also, you can monetize the accesories thrown at this one (ie the Givi top case, or even those boots)... and finally: glad to see that you're back on track -"it doesn't matter if your bike is small or big, the wind on your face is all the same". Ride safe -Zep
Hello Zep, thanks for stopping by, hope you’re doing OK & glad you found the review useful. On the storage, check out my first video on the ADV - that shows the storage and plus it’s ability to easily store a toaster 😀
And yeah exactly, it’s all the same. Too right!
All the best, cheers, Phil.
what lovely shot composition
Thanks very much TF! Have a good weekend, cheers, Phil.
Great video 👌
Thank you very much, glad you enjoyed it. All the best, cheers, Phil.
Great podcast 💯
oooh! thanks!! Have a good evening!!
Hi dude been watching your ADV vids with great interest ,Nice to know your loving your scooter I’ve just got mine it’s a ying yang which is a copy of yours with a Vespa 300 engine with full luggage included in the price and the best thing is apart from great fun to ride and 80 mpg …..…no nodding 🤣 as for touring it’s very capable so I’m off to ride the N2 in Portugal in September ,I’d better get my scooter mag subscription in too 👍🏻😀
Morning...Thanks for stopping by and yeah, I am enjoying the scoot very much. I've been missing out! Your machine sounds like a right cracking good deal and I'm sure you'll have a fabulous time in Portugal - let me know how you get on.
You have my scootering magazine if you like? :-)
Enjoy the N2! All the best, cheers, Phil.
@@80eightReviews 👍🏻
I'm happy to see that you can still enjoy riding 2 wheels bud. Have a good day sir.
Thanks very much - really appreciate your kind comments and yes, it’s very nice to be out and about on two wheels again.
Hope all is well with you, all the best, cheers, Phil.
Hello Phil, always a pleasure to view one of your well crafted videos. Do tou still own the moto guzzi v7 850? and if so do you hope to get back on it soon?
Hey Chris, how are you doing?
Good to hear from you also & thanks for your comments. As for the 850 - I reluctantly sold it back in March as I was unable (and still unable) to bend my right leg enough to get it on the footpeg / operate the back brake. It had already been sitting around for 10 months and with no change in sight to my mobility until my next operation I thought it best to get rid.
When / if I do get my mobility back I will definitely be getting another bike though and Guzzi, Ducati and Honda offerings are all being contemplated!
On that, my next Op is scheduled for a week on Tuesday. Fingers crossed!
Hope all is well with you Chris, all the best, cheers, Phil.
Fantastic review! very professional, well done. I have a Moto Guzzi but i am thinking of getting a scoot but at only 5'7" don't want to be hopping up and down! Thanks.
Good morning MrBoabiegringo, how are you doing? Thanks for stopping by and many thanks for your kind comments - much appreciated.
At 5'7 the ADV-350 (because of the wide seat) might mean you're on tip-toes - at all depends on what your inside led / inseam is. Aside from that it's incredibly manageable and well worth a sit on one to see what you think.
All the best, have a great weekend, cheers, Phil.
Glad you've got your two wheeled mojo back Phil! Nice Guzzler reference @12:23 - the mighty Griso is still doing it for me every time I open the garage door. But I am worried about your scooter magazine obsession - are they still sold sealed and on the top shelf? At this rate, you'll be morphing into a modern-day Phil Daniels (Quadrophenia actor) and breaking out the Northern Soul tunes. P.S. sprouts rock!
Good morning Mr Silbo...How are you doing? Gotta get a Guzzler reference in there somewhere. Very glad to hear the mighty Griso is 'still doing it for you' and doubly-glad you didn't over-share :-)
As for the Scooter magazine, to be honest I'm concerned as well - as you know, it's a slippery slope to rallies, auto-jumbles and rummaging around for 1973 Dellorto idle jets. To answer your question though - yeah, they are total brown paper bag material, they are kept behind the counter and you need to verify your age. The other option is to send a postal order off to a mysterious address just off Brewer Street, London.
Phil Daniels, good bloke, I've heard he likes his sprouts. Must dash, there's a knock at the door. Cheers, Phil.
Greatest scooter review ever on youtube (yes, I`ve seen them all) and great production value, sir!:) Professional, calm (with no annoying music) AND funny too! Loved the scooter-porn-magazine ending, btw! Keep`em coming! Greetings from Norway:)
Hey - good morning and thank you so much! Not sure if it's the best but you know what, I'll take it :-) I'm back under the knife next week so the next video might be a while away but we'll see.
Hope all is well over in Norway, greetings from the UK and all the best, cheers, Phil.
Excellent review and very entertaining - thank you. I'm thinking of 'dipping my toe' into the scooter world for the first time (always had bikes, still have five) and this, or the SH350, are top of the shortlist. I prefer the smaller size of the SH but the ride quality and looks of the ADV350 are drawing me to it.
Hello JaneG, thanks very much for stopping by and it's great to know you enjoyed the video. I think with both the SH or the ADV you can't really go wrong - all I would say is that it was the 'bike-like' handling of the ADV which really attracted me to it.
I'm not a scooter fan (or I wasn't before getting the ADV) and I didn't want to get something that required too much 'bike to scooter recalibration' and which also had a taste of what makes bikes so much fun - which lets face it, is corners! It's a good thing and while I'm back on a small bike again, I'll be keeping the ADV for the long term.
Let me know what you decide to do, all the best, cheers, Phil.
A great description of a great scooter. Actually a declaration of love and I can understand that, because I drive this very beautiful vehicle myself.
Hello to a fellow ADV 350 rider!
Thanks very much for stopping by and I’m glad you enjoyed the review. I hope you’re getting many enjoyable miles / KM on your own machine. It sounds as though you are 😀
All the best, thanks again for stopping by, cheers, Phil.
I really appreciate your style & technique.
For me and my bride, the ADV 350 would be an excellent choice.
We opted for two Trail 125s - wanted engine breaking assist downhill control.
Still, I quite fancy those ADV 350s, and believe them svelte in a scooterish way.
New fan from Minnesota, USA
Hey Ray, great to hear from you and many thanks for your comments. A pair of Trail 125’s sounds like an excellent idea - hope you’re enjoying them!
Svelte in a scooterish way 😀 great phrase - I might borrow it 😀
Hope all is well in Minnesota, all the best, cheers, Phil.
Love your content, may I know what camera you’re using for this video?
Thanks very much, glad you enjoyed it. In terms of cameras, in this video I used a combination of Panasonic GH6 and Canon C200. There’s not much to tell them apart but for info, the scene with me in front of Berwick town wall was shot on the GH6 while where I’m sat on a rock, is the GH6.
Hope that helps, all the best, cheers, Phil.
I've got a Honda Forza 300cc 2019 plate, it's excellent but I want to sell it in a years time. Reason is I'm expecting major updates ie, an electronic tachometer with phone pairing. However I have toured and camped in Scotland with my 300 and it was brilliant. Happy riding my friend!
Hello & good morning! Thanks for stopping by and yes, that sounds like a great plan. I plan to hold on to my ADV 350 for at least three years and replace it with either an updated model (maybe 400 cc?) and/or if they have progressed enough, an EV. I'm really interested in going electric and the scooter platform I think is very suitable for an EV. We'll see - either way, Scoots are fab and I'll be in Europe on mine later on this year.
All the best, cheers, Phil.
Great review, thanks. You are so right about 2-wheels being the best way to travel :-)
Hello! Great to hear from you and it’s good to know you enjoyed the review / thanks!
But yeah, two wheels…whatever the size or shape of the vehicle…Are just brilliant 🤩
All the best, cheers, Phil.
Excellent and witty review! How would you rate the filtering in traffic / handling round town?
Hello Mr Clearlight / hope you’re well today & thanks for dropping by. Glad you enjoyed the review!
As for your question…it’s a breeze - the scoot is very manageable without being twitchy, while it’s balance and poise is perfect for traffic - you ride it at like 2mph and flick it round stuff really easily. As mentioned in the video the suspension isn’t the most comfortable but dynamically at least the ADV is spot on when in traffic and whizzing around town.
Hope that helps, all the best, cheers, Phil.
@@80eightReviews Thank you so much for kind and detailed reply! Best wishes!
Excellent review, I have the same colour, only complaint is that exhaust sound and how it looks. That’s all 👍🏻
Morning Adrian, thanks for stopping by and hope you're having a good weekend. Great to know you enjoyed the review!
Yeah...Sound and looks - I totally agree. Still when on it, I can't really see it and with earplugs in I just sort of hear a low droning noise. As these are the only downsides and subjective ones at that, I can live with them :-)
All the best, hope you get some good rides in for the rest of the summer, cheers, Phil.
@@80eightReviews Good Morning, thanks and looking forward to seeing more of your ongoing reviews and adventures, I’d like to get out on mine more often here in Cumbria but this Labrador pup is taking up lots of time ! 😄
I love labradors 😍
Thank you, Phil for your reply...cheers Ian
No problem Ian, cheers, Phil.
Right Bob, great review. Loved the droll style, plenty of good information and great locations plus your presentation style was refreshing. most of them bang on about subscribing, thumbs up etc. So the first thing I want to ask is suspension, suspension, suspension. I live not too far from you up in Fife and I had a Forza for a year and found it a nightmare on the small roads around here. really crashy, felt every pothole, touring around the Highlands it was not in its element. So when this came out with the Showa suspension I got interested again but getting a test ride in Scotland seems to be impossible. So do you find the bike comfy on the little roads with poor surfaces and where did you get it ? thanks again for a cracking video
Hey Steven, good to hear from you - glad you enjoyed the review. Yes, there are some great locations in Northumberland - you'll have to come across the border sometime :-) Although you have a fair few yourself!
As to your question - bearing in mind I've never ridden a Forza (I've only ever sat on one in the dealership) so I can't make any comparisons + this is my first ever scooter...Well, the suspension is firm and it is jarring (especially the rear) over high frequency / sharp bumps. As you can see I do ride on some very bumpy B / Unclassified roads and for me it's not a nightmare as such it's just a little uncomfortable every so often but to be honest, either I'm getting used to it or it's getting better. On any other roads it's just fine. My take on it compared to the Forza is that the lack of comfort / jarring is more down to cheap / poorly damped suspension on the Forza whereas the ADV is a little better quality but has stiffer springs - well, that's what it feels like to me!
What I will say though is that it holds its line on all surfaces and the overall road holding is really very good so personally I'd rather have that at the expense of a little comfort. On those bumpy roads if I compare it to bikes I've had - the only genuinely comfortable one was the CRF300L - but that had tons of travel! I think it's a case of loads of travel or lots more weight with expensive suspension for real comfort.
I got the bike from Newcastle Motorcycles - I ordered it in early February and it popped up around 8 weeks later.
Hope that helps & give me a shout if you've anymore questions. Thanks again for the comments and let me know what you decide to do.
All the best, cheers, Phil.
p.s. Who's Bob?
Hi Phil sorry for calling you Bob, misread 80.8. was watching your video on the big screen this morning and couldn't read your channel name properly. So i guess you ordered it untried. My Forza experience makes it hard to do so, but I like you explanation. I also had a crf250 for a couple of years and agree it was very comfy, I am currently riding a V Strom and find it also very comfy but fancy the scooter as a winter ride and perhaps try touring as i am getting on and the V Strom gets heavier every year. anyway many thanks for the reply
Morning Steven...Ha ha don't worry I'll answer to anything!
But yes, you're correct - I ordered the ADV unseen and untried. It was my first scooter and the reason I went for it was the better suspension (certainly the front forks look like and are, proper forks) the styling and also as a first scooter I wasn't prepared to sink more than £6K into one.
I've not been disappointed, it's a great little machine and to be honest I don't think I want a bigger / faster scooter - this does the job.
Cheers, Phil (Bob)
Great video. I ride a Burgman 650 and your overview parallels my experience. I’m curious about the front tire. We both use 120/70R15. Is yours an “80/20” tire for the ADV aspect or just a road oriented tire? We don’t have the brand you’re using here in the states. BTW, I just got back from a 2400 mile round-trip from Texas to Southern Colorado to ride the twisties. I even rode some unimproved national park roads. Fantastic bike the whole way there and back. Never fell behind the Goldwinger I was traveling with.
@2old4allthis Hey, thanks for dropping by and glad you enjoyed the video. As for the front tyre (UK spelling 😀) it’s one of those that the press and marketing dept, will call an 80/20 but in reality it’s just a road tyre that looks a little more chunky. It handles dry gravel / hard pack ok, but in mud, wet grass etc, it’s nowhere. In reality though it probably matches the capability of the scoot perfectly. Personally, here in the UK where mud is a thing I’d say the tyres and the scoot are more like 92 / 8.
Texas to Colorado! That sounds amazing! And yes, I think the ability of these machines to cover ground as well as many and much larger bikes is very underrated. All the best, cheers, Phil.
Great vid. I’ve had two new gold wings. Amazing. But I’m getting older and struggle with the weight. I’m looking for a little commuter bike and the Forza 350 or this bike to be honest high/top of my list. I’m in Indonesia at the moment getting about on a 00cc scooter. You may laugh, but so light, s nippy, wrist and go, cheap as chips…… loving it!
Hey Tony, good to hear from you - glad you enjoyed the review.
While my need for getting a scooter was kinda forced on me (broken leg and limited mobility) ease of use / lightness / practicality are all good things to have regardless. I guess you've found the same and even if I did still have a garage full of bigger bikes I'd still be dragging the scooter out frequently as it's so much less serious, cheap to run and damned useful at the same time! I wish I'd had one years ago when I was commuting!
Let me know what / which scoot you end up and your impressions, cheers, Phil.
It is a beautiful bike❤
You make a great video, Thanks.
Thank you very much - really appreciate your comments! All the best, cheers, Phil.
When discussing comfort it is useful to tell us how tall you are. In fact, given that very little adjusts on a motorcycle, it is a vital bit of info.
Afternoon Steve, thanks for stopping by.
All vital human dimensions are featured in the review @ 3:30 - height, inside leg, shoe size & gender, together with some geography 😀
Despite that, I’m 5’10 albeit with a dodgy leg. All the best, cheers, Phil.
Brilliant video Phil, many thanks! My wife had an unfortunate relationships with a Tricity 125 (electronic issues) the bike, not her! She got rid after 7 months. She then found a Piaggio beverly 350 for sale and took it for a test ride, or rather I rode it with her on the back! My goodness , did it move! I am now a convert and take the keys... a...lot! I call it the license loser! The other day she followed me home, she was driving the family car and I was on the beverly, and when we got home, I got a good telling off about speed limits!!! It is such a good practical fun machine, hence, I am looking at a scooter for myself now..This Honda seems great!
Thank you very much!
Thanks very much - glad you enjoyed it! Ha ha - Who would have thought a Beverley could lead you into temptation 😃 They can lead astray quite easily as they are very deceptive!
Let me know when you get yours - would be interested to know what you think. All the best, cheers, Phil.
Very entertaining and informative video.
One thing I'm wondering about is whether I would have problems swapping between a bike with a clutch and one where the left hand operates the brake.
Hey Alan, thanks for stopping by and great to know you enjoyed the video. As for your question…Well I’ve ridden (manual) bikes for nearly forty years and the clutch / brake thing isn’t a problem. Sure for the first ten minutes on the scooter I instinctively tried to pull the ‘clutch’ in only to find myself braking instead but after that I found it easy to retrain myself quite easily. Also you don’t (obviously) have a gear lever under your foot so again that’s a reminder.
Hope that helps, all the best, cheers, Phil.
P.s. So no, you’ll be fine!
Hi Phil, thanks for a very informative review. I am a 75 year old knacker who has just had to sell his Tiger 900 GT PRO, and Kawasaki Z900RS SE because a dodgy hip has prevented me from riding for a year. It was so bad that I couldnt lift my foot off the footpeg when coming up to T junctions or roundabouts. Panic ! Seating position / tank width caused hip pain within 5 minutes. Weight was another factor. Caused 2 planned Northern Spain tours to be cancelled. Ended up doing a car trip instead last year. Mate suggested looking at scooters. The ADV350 has taken my fancy, and your review is firming up my opinion. We did see 6 Spanish guys touring on scoots up in the Pyrenees and they seemed to be having a lot of fun. Need to investigate further.
Good morning Mr. Price - thanks for stopping by and great to hear from you. Glad you enjoyed the review!
Well, for the same reasons (even if the cause is different) that's why I went for the ADV 350. It's so easy and comfortable to ride and it doesn't stress my knee's or hips at all. It's slightly taller than you might think and the seat is really wide but at 5'10 it's fine for me and probably OK for anyone 5'9 and above. Thing is, at stops you can slide forward to the tunnel and just stand up off the bike - after some practice it becomes normal.
As for touring, that's what I'm planning to do later on this year and I'm really looking forward to it as it will be no hassle whatsoever. I won't even need to take a spare bungee strap!
When I bought it, I thought it would be a stepping stone to say the X-ADV but after a year with the ADV350 I've decided that the 350 is as much scooter as I'll ever need. It easily cruises at 75mph, it's totally comfortable and the storage is just brilliant. I love it!
Hope that helps and let me know what you decide to do,
All the best, cheers, Phil.
Great video! We will buy one for my wife who has owned a Piaggio Medley and wants to upgrade on performance and touring comfort. Thank you!
Hey Peter, good to hear from you and thanks for your comments - glad you enjoyed it. Well, I’m sure your wife will love it…You’ll be lucky to get the keys off her. Let me know how you both get on, all the best, cheers, Phil.
Great straightforward video - loved the bulls rear to emphasise ADV rear bulk! I had a silvwewing 600 to rebuild confidence after hairy moments on my Pan. Loved it and soon was flying again. Like you say the emotional tug for a 'bike' remains and I opted for a Vulcan S which has been a dream. However, I am getting on a bit and the abilty to get my leg over the seat, even on a Vulcan, means that in a couple of years I will be going striaght for a Forza or ADV. The reality is that if a cycle has a motor and two wheels it is by definition a motorcycle - dismissive opinions are that, simply opinions and I iften wonde if the naysayers have actually tried one? Keep enjoying, especially the continental jaunts. Cheers
Afternoon Steve, really good to hear from you and thanks for stopping by. Ah the bull/cow comparison...Not many people spotted that!
It's good to hear that you went through a similar thought process and ended up with a bike - I'm now riding a little CL500 and as you say the emotional tug and visceral feel of a bike is unmatched, even if I'm now totally a fan of scooters.
Getting one has probably also extended my riding for longer because as you point out, a scooter has two wheels and it swings round bends like a bike. What's not to like?
Anyway likewise, enjoy the ride Steve and whenever I get over to Europe, more videos will be forthcoming. I can't wait...All the best, cheers, Phil.
Really enjoying mine👌
Very glad to hear that! All the best, cheers, Phil.
@@80eightReviews , i just can't deal with all the noises from the windscreen. Don't know if you face the same problem but at my Honda dealer they say that it's something that they already reported to Honda but there's no fix yet.
@@manuelbritorides To be honest, I’ve not really noticed anything aside from increased wind noise but I wear plugs so it’s not a big deal. Is yours doing something else? Rattling or something?
Ive looked at your review and im picking mine up this Saturday can't wait tbh , i own a new grom & a aprilla tuono factory 2019 , my mates think ive lost the plot 😂 cheers Neil
Hey Neil, excellent news! I’m liking your trio of machines very much - there’s certainly no ‘overlap’ of usage there, although perhaps you could fit the Grom in the underseat storage of the ADV? If you do manage it, photographic evidence would be appreciated 😀 Anyway, great to hear from you and let me know what you think of the scoot.
All the best, cheers, Phil.
@@80eightReviews cheers mate hopefully if it stops pissing down I'll be out on it Sunday 😉
Awesome to see you're enjoying yourself again. Can you tell me your opinion on taking this bike on a bit longer trips 500-600 kilometers over mountain passes , is it capable of doing it or will it struggle. Im afraid ill kill it with that sort of riding , im new to the motorcycle world so im a bit ignorant with how capable these engines are. They are probably not as fragile as i think but i'd like an opinion of someone with your level of knowledge
Morning! Thanks very much for watching and many thanks for your kind comments and yes, it's sooooo nice to be enjoying two wheels again!
As for your question - absolutely! And it's exactly what I intend doing next year if all goes well. Sure it won't be the fastest machines but these are scooters / engines that are designed to be robust and last for many, many years and do a lot of miles.
I've gone over the Alps on less powerful bikes in the past and they were just fine. As I say, you won't rocket out of uphill hairpins, but you'll get there, you'll be faster than most cars and regardless of that will have a cracking ride...So go for it!
Let me know how you get on, hope that helps and all the best, cheers, Phil.
@@80eightReviews Yeah im notr really looking to speed i just dont want the engine to struggle and die on me :). Thanks for taking the time to answer kind sir . Ride safe and ill let you know when i chose the bike there are few candidates.
Your videos are excellent. Your first impressions of this scooter really encouraged me to think about it. It'll be my first bike, but I never was interested in sports bikes or nakeds.
Would you recommend it for a new rider? I'm attracted to the twist and go nature of scooters.
Good evening and thanks for stopping by - really appreciate your comments! In terms of your question, the ADV is super easy to ride, is very well balanced and does nothing untoward. For that reason it’s perfect for a new rider, especially as it’s so bike-like in terms of handling and cornering. The other thing about it is that it’s big enough and fast enough to stop you from being bullied by other traffic.
I suppose all I’d say is that if you’re planning sometime in the future to move to a manual gearbox bike, then starting with a scooter would make that transition perhaps a little more difficult, as opposed to starting with a smaller bike. Not a big deal though!
Hope that helps and let me know what you decide to do. All the best, cheers, Phil.
330cc scooter requires an A2 driving licence in the UK. I have owned the Forza 350 and SH350 bikes from Honda. The former has an electric adjustable screen, and better underseat storage.
The latter is a true step-thru, with a bag hook on the front fairing to supplement the underseat storage, (which will take a modular helmet).
The SH is 12-14 kg lighter than the Forza/ADV.
I've found the handling, performance, and versatility of theSH350 suits me.
@@geoff6942 Yep, I'm working on my A2 licence currently and I have looked at the SH but for the small price difference I think the ADV offers a lot more
Good luck with the A2. I got my A licence in 1975 when it was an easy 'round the block' test. I would find it difficult to do what you guys have to do to proceed through the licensing categories. I was persuaded to the SH350 by an excellent review at theloftybiker. Give it a look. I respect your ADV350 choice though.@@ungratefulmango
I am switching from a tenere1200 to ADV350. T12 was brilliant, but I don’t ride it as much as I used to. Time for comfort and practical. This video probably the best one about ADV350.. thank you..❤
Good evening Mustafa B - great to hear from you. Well, from a Tenere 1200 to an ADV 350 is quite some step! However, if it's comfort and practicality you're after (and some gentle, no pressure fun) then the ADV will be spot on. Glad you enjoyed the review!
All the best, cheers, Phil.
@@80eightReviews I used to ride 1000km a day..long rides all weather.. Things changed, now I tend to ride not more than 300km a day.. go slower end enjoy the areas I visit.. I am 46. I’ve been riding for 25 years. like you said the ride doesn’t matter as long as it has two wheels.. all the best, Mustafa
Loved the line, "only a Moto Guzzi can do that!". I had to chuckle. I have two Moto Guzzis in the garage so I know exactly what you are saying!
Oh, and nice review. We only get the 150 adv in the states.
Evening Dave, good to hear from you & thanks for stopping by. Glad you appreciated that line 😀 Once you’ve had a Guzzi nothing else will do!
I’ll make a random guess at the two you have…Hmmm…A T3 and a new V-85? Not that it matters if I get it wrong as anything with the eagle on the tank will do just fine.
As for the ADV 350, it’s a cracking thing in its own right and would go down a storm in the US I’m sure.
Greetings from the UK, all the best for the festive holidays, cheers, Phil.
What a quality video!!! Impressive. Suave and precise. The end fantastic. Well done Phil.
Mr. Outlander - very good to hear from you again - hope you're doing well. Many thanks for your kind comments, glad you enjoyed the review. I'm hoping to get a more dynamic subject next time around :-)
All the best, cheers, Phil.
An excellent, cleverly edited and witty review. Love your style. As an old bloke with arthritis worsening in my left hip and knee, I'm somewhat reluctantly looking at the ADV 350. As you point out, it's just not possible to get emotionally excited about this porky plastic lump - but it does seem to do the job, admirably well. Just ride - ear plugs - don't look down. Cheers.
Hello & good afternoon - many thanks for stopping by and for your kind comments - glad you enjoyed it! Thing is, if a scooter extends your ability to ride, then why not. It does pretty much all you need in most situations and once you get your feeling for it, it’s good fun around bends and is just so easy to use.
Exactly as you say, ride it and don’t look at it 😀
Let me know what you decide to do, all the best, cheers, Phil.
As Phil says if it enables you to continue enjoying the freedom and sights around the country just do it. I am leaning that way myself. As a Triumph owner some of our senior members come to the meets on their scooters.
@@jonathanmellish4439 I appreciate your advice - and of course you're right. I guess I'm just railing against the realities of getting old.
Great review, I have owned a Forza 350 for 2 years now and have thought about swapping it for the adv, mainly for the better front end (proper shocks) I've have put yss shocks on the rear which have improved the ride greatly but front end is still not good especially on poor road surfaces and pot holes! The only thing that concerns me is the adv has a slightly higher seat height and the center tunnel also looks higher than the Forza, do you find it difficult to get on and off?
Good afternoon & thanks for stopping by - glad you enjoyed the review.
In terms of getting on/off the ADV - first thing to say is that I've got a dodgy right leg from an accident last year, with the result that my knee won't bend more than 65 degrees and it's difficult to swing my leg normally, hence I kind of do a slightly awkward 'step-through' technique.
Anyway, to answer your question and bearing the above in mind - I did try the Forza 350 at the same time as the ADV and practiced getting on/off both machines. Despite the differences you mention, to be honest I didn't really notice much, if any difference so I plumped for the ADV mainly because of the better front forks. I do sometimes scrape / scuff the centre tunnel with my foot, but I don't really struggle too much despite the dodgy knee.
Hope that helps but either way probably best to try one out. All the best, cheers, Phil.
@@80eightReviews thanks for the reply Phil, yeah I think I need to try one! All the best Jeff
@@jsturgess3456 👍
Nice editing!
Thanks Paul! Hope you're well, cheers, Phil.
That's rude, there was no editing!
well produced video
Evening - thanks very much! All the best, cheers, Phil.
Good to see you again, Phil. I must admit that I'd be happy to own an X-ADV 750. I'm not keen on CVT, but DCT appeals to me. Keyless is unnecessary. Possible breakdown area. 1990 [Nick J]
Hey Nick, good to hear from you. Like you I'd prefer gears / DCT over the CVT but for what it is, it does a decent job with only 30HP. Likewise with keyless - I'm not really seeing the need for it but as per the video, at least with ADV it seems to work reliably (fingers crossed). I might try an X-ADV at some point...
All the best, hope you're well, cheers, Phil.
Well-done! 😄
Thank you very much Klay, hope all is well with you, cheers, Phil.
This guy is hilarious. Subscribed.
Ha ha 😂 please tell my wife 😀 Thanks for watching! Cheers, Phil.
Good review!👍
What pressure for ADV160 tyres in kpa?
Similar to cars fill to 220 - 250 kpa?
Evening, well front tyre pressure for the 160 is 30-33 PSI, which is 206 - 228 KPA I think?
@@80eightReviews Good day! Thanks for sharing 😊
Had multiple bikes over the years and got tired of the whole scene. SH300 rider now and more than happy. The only negative and it is minor on the ADV are those silver reservoirs hanging out of the rear of the shocks. Black would be an improvement, none at all even better. Subscribed
Hey Jay B, good to hear from you and a Happy New Year! On the remote reservoirs, I must admit I never really noticed them as part of the overall design TBH but now you've mentioned it, I can't stop looking at them! Personally, I'd prefer them if they were adjustable and actually did something! I can't really imagine that someone is going to use the ADV so vigorously that the extra heat dissipation and oil volume is going to do something meaningful - though I could be wrong!
Despite that though, it's a cracking machine and just sorta gets on with the job with no fuss or hassle - just like your SH300. I should have got one ages ago and not waited until I bust my leg :-)
All the best & thanks for the sub, cheers, Phil.
Good review- nice job I just bought one, riding a few days on it and impressed. May I ask the model of rack and top box please? So I can get the right one?
Thanks
Andrew
Thanks Andrew. All the details are in the review @ 10:36 but to recap:
- The rack is a Givi SR1166. This also fits the Forza.
- Top plate is the M5M (which is for Monolock cases) if you want to fit a Monokey case (for the bigger cases) go for the M5/M6 top plate.
- Top box is the B47 Blade - though any of the monolock boxes would fit.
Here's the link to the Givi site :
www.givi.co.uk/my-motorcycle/product/honda/adv-350-22/optionals/sr1166
Hope that helps and thanks for watching, cheers, Phil.
@@80eightReviews
Hi Phil,
That's brilliant, Man thanks for the specific info. I'll definitely get one, not sightly but massively practical and it is a very practical machine! I intend to do touring on mine.
I'll watch your review again one of these evenings.
Cheers
Andy
What a majestic, beautiful land. Scooter is pretty nice too! :D
Good morning and thanks very much! Yes, Northumberland UK is very nice - well, at least it is when the weather is nice 😊. All the best, cheers, Phil.
Excellent review. Very informative and valuable. Just out of interest, how tall are you? I am 6ft 1. Just hoping this will be okay.
Hey Charles, great to hear from and to know you enjoyed the review - thanks 😊
In terms of your question I’m 5’10 with 32’ leg. You ‘should’ be ok I think as the ADV is quite roomy and has several options for riding position. As always though get a sit on one - would be interested to know your thoughts.
All the best, cheers, Phil.
Great video, I'm owner to a victory 150 hunter, I know, I know it's other level, but we have something in common, the love for scooters
Hey Jorge, great to hear from you and I’m glad you enjoyed the video. And yeah, I’m getting a real soft spot for scooters! It’s just a shame it’s taken me so long!
Happy riding, all the best, cheers, Phil.
I like your presentation/review style - might use you as a little inspiration for some of my own videos in the future.
I'm loving my ADV150 here in Australia, but I am looking for something with a little more oomf on the highway. The ADV350 would be the logical next step - but unfortunately they're not available here. So I'm looking at the Forza NSS350, but every now and then I watch an ADV350 review and dream about being able to have nice things here in Australia.
Hello Mr. WildStuff, greetings from the UK, hope all is going well in Aus! Did you watch The Ashes? I’m not going to mention the Carey runout 😬 Anyway, moving on!
Inspiration? Blimey, be careful! but it’s very nice of you to say so. Real shame you can’t get the ADV down under - especially when you have the Forza. I would have thought the slightly more rugged ADV would have suited your environment perfectly to be honest. It can certainly handle longer tours and a bit of a gravel for example.
Anyway, thanks for stopping by and it’s been great to hear from you, all the best, cheers, Phil.
@@80eightReviews Haha no sorry, I don't follow the soccer and have no idea what a Carey runout is.
I think Honda have decided it's very difficult to market scooters to Aussies, except for trendy inner-city Vespa owners and Uber-Eats delivery riders (and me on my ADV150). For the most part, there's a perception amongst the manly-men and the otherwise sexually-insecure here that anything below 650cc/200kg or without a manual clutch/shifter doesn't belong on the road, and it's quite a shame. Everyone pokes fun at a Grom until they have a ride on one.
And then you have the Aussie government to take into consideration - who legislate us up to the eyeballs, to the point where the Grom, Monkey, ADV150, CT125 etc are no longer even legal for sale in this country anymore.
Ha ha well, I’m over the cricket now and I don’t follow football - men’s, women’s or otherwise. As for perception, yeah, there’s a bit / lot of that in the UK also, however, I’d imagine sales of scoots in London alone is worth the price of admission in the UK, plus of course Europe is mad for them - and quite rightly so.
That’s surprising about the Grom / Monkey - both are Euro 5 and super clean or is it some other legislation that’s stopping them? You guys still get the DRZ and DR650 I think so it must be something else I guess.
All the best, cheers, Phil.
@@80eightReviewsIt's new ABS regulations that the Australian government thought everyone wanted. All new bikes must have either dual channel ABS, or combined braking systems like a pizza delivery scooter. Just having front ABS only is no longer good enough apparently.
Great video, i have one on order (same colour)
Hey David, thanks for stopping by, good to know you enjoyed it and great (colour) choice!
Let me know how you get on with it when it arrives - hopefully soon! All the best, cheers, Phil.
Nice! After 25 years of riding, from super sports, sport tourings, dual sports, 250cc up to liter bikes, recently settled on a 2024 Adv160 lol. Im from California USA so no 350 here and I dont like the looks and style of the other larger scoots available here. Loving the weight, practicality and ease of use. I guess as Im getting older I dont want to deal with the clutch anymore. If the 350 if ever comes to our shores, will pick it up for sure. I will be keeping though my 160 for short hauls haha.
Good morning California! How are you doing? Are you impacted by the floods and the storm at all? Hope all is 👍.
Great to hear from you and you’re one of many folks over in the US who wishes the 350 was available there. C’mon Honda!
As you suggest, there’s something about ‘ease of use’ which seems ever more compelling over time whether that’s the clutch, storage, lightness etc. I wish, when I had a regular and long commute I’d chosen a Scoot as opposed to a bike and now I think even if my mobility allows me to get on a bike, I’ll be keeping the ADV as it’s just so useful.
Anyway, thanks for stopping by, enjoy the 160 and all the best, cheers, Phil.
@@80eightReviews It rained quite a bit and some strong winds, but wasn't too bad in my area. Thanks for asking! Anyway all the best as well and ride safe!
Good to know all is OK in your area! And likewise, cheers, Phil.
Between thinking about a Walrus's upper thigh and what that might look like riding a scooter and catching that cow's backside as you were describing the Honda being "Broad in the Beam" here is another brilliant video ... Loved every minute and PS // I always wave at scooters, tractors and push bikes as well .If they are in the wind and in danger of a car I wave . We do have one local who lost his drivers license to drink and drives his lawn mower with a trailer to the food market and Yes I wave :) .We need to stick together .. Many regards from the state that gave us Benedict Arnold ... :) PPS That top box could hold a Concertina or Northumbrian bagpipes though saint Cuthbert might not approve :)
Hey Guy, how are you doing? It’s always a pleasure to hear from you - hope all is well in the pottery and the kiln is well fired. It’s probably best not to dwell on the thigh of a Walrus to be honest, but I’m very glad you enjoyed the video. Now that I know there is at least one person in the world who waves at scooters, lawn mowers, push bikes etc, my faith in humanity is restored 😀
Benedict Arnold…Crikey! I’m guessing there are no statues of him in CT. Actually, did he have a dodgy leg also? But yes, we need to stick together 😀
As for the top box, absolutely, though I fear a banjo wouldn’t fit. Also I reckon St Cuthbert wouldn’t approve of terribly much to be honest 😀
Again, great to hear from you again Guy, all the best to you and the family, cheers, Phil.
Had an xmax250 for 7 years from 7k to 50k. Rode to Spain and back twice from UK. Changed variator weights to allow more relaxed cruising which didn’t noticably affec5 acceleration but made 70 cruise less frantic. Ultra comfy on backside but gave me backache. Weather protection is incredible. Also reliability, had nowt go wrong. Bought it fed up from commuting on honda 125. Always soaked and feet wet. Another level of performance too. Only 70 mpg compared to 125 doing 120mpg. Lov3 look 9f these but be a 2nd had one for me
Good afternoon Mr Volt / good to hear from you and like you I’m quite won over by the practicality of the scooter. If only I’d got one when I was doing daily commuting in all weathers in / out of Edinburgh and Newcastle!
All the best, cheers, Phil.
At 79 gave up my 1150 GS, weight started to get to me when physically moving it, missed having a bike, thought long and hard, borrowed a friends Forza, not bad, tried the ADV bought it, and hopefully can ride it into the sunset. Wished I was younger and on a GS, but really this ADV is pretty good, quick, corners well, look quite good and the wide higher bars and small screen, bikers nod not quite sure what’s approaching. And more road presence cars, aren’t sure either which is good.
Afternoon Thomas, thanks for dropping by. Well, I had a 1150GS Adventure years ago and I think it got too heavy for me at the age of 46 so I think you're doing really well!
But yes, it comes to us all I guess. In my case it was due to an accident but the desire to keep on riding is strong so getting something lighter and more manageable is sensible.
And the ADV is a little cracker - the handling as you say is almost bike-like and it easily gets up to the UK speed limit with more in hand. I don't think I could have handled something without the ADV's presence and speed and the fact I can still maintain a 'bike-like' road position and not feel threatened by traffic is brilliant. It does surprise folk as you say!
All the best, great to hear from you, cheers, Phil.
Good review
Thank you very much - glad you enjoyed it, cheers, Phil.
Thanks for the review, I've been waiting patiently for this bike to be available in my country but seems it may be a while until Honda decides to get them here. Are you still riding the ADV350 and how has it served you since?
Hey Ben, good to hear from you and thanks for stopping by. You’re not over in the US are you? I’ve had plenty of comments from folks in States saying the same thing. Honda must be crazy - they would sell well I think.
To your question then, yes, I am still riding the ADV350 and enjoying it very much. I’ll be taking it for a tour around Europe later this year and I’ve decided that it’s as much scooter as I’ll ever need. It’s my practical, commuting and long distance machine. Initially I thought it was going to be a stepping stone to getting back on two wheels but it’s just so useful that I’ll be keeping it.
Hope that answers your question Ben, all the best, Phil.
@80eightReviews i bounce between Canada and Indonesia. I currently own the little brother ADV 150 in Indonesia, and there were rumors right around 2020 that the 150 was coming to Canada. Unfortunately, that seems to have been canceled, and the only scooters we get are the yamaha xmax, the suzuki bergman, and the bmw c400gt. In my current situation in Canada, an ADV 150 would do most of what I need, and a 350 would pretty much do everything. I started on dual sports and quickly migrated to the more pure sport bikes like a yamaha r1 and mt09. But i think those days are behind me. I'm currently riding a ktm 790 adv in Canada, but it's more than I need, and I've gotten used to the practicality of the scooters.
Hey Ben, well, bouncing around Canada & Indonesia sounds rather nice I have to say. I Must admit that although my purchase of the ADV350 was down to mobility issues I have to say it does everything I need it to do with a bit of fun thrown in. Most bikes can be a compromise in that respect but the ADV pretty much nails it.
All the best, wherever you are, cheers, Phil.
@80eightReviews thanks. One complaint i do have about the adv150 is that on a lot of the very steep terrain i navigate from time to time I really wish it would hold back on hills. As I've had a few incidents where I've had to park to let the brakes cool off. I was wondering does the 350 have any kind of hill hold back or engine braking? I'm told the xmax does.
@@BenOfficial94 Hey Ben, while I haven't traversed any super steep terrain that would normally require a bit of engine breaking, the ADV doesn't have any sort of hill hold back or clever electronics to introduce more engine breaking. The CVT will just keep 'changing gear'. It does have some noticeable engine braking though - I've found that on say coming up to a corner if you blip the throttle then kill it before getting on the gas again you can induce it.
Also, the front and rear discs are pretty big and don't seem to fade even with repeated use.
Hope that helps, cheers, Phil.
Nice review & beautiful scenery around Berwick. I got into scooters 4 yrs ago after 14 years on a variety of bikes (from 250-750cc) & have never looked back. I'm up the road from you in E Lothian. (I sold my '63 CRF250M to someone in Berwick in 2015 & had big seller's regret afterwards. It was absolutely mint & I gave it away just before everyone realised how good they were & prices shot up 😥 ). Always hired scooters on holiday but the first I actually owned was a PCX125 in 2019. Quickly got bored & sold it (another regret) but am on a Forza 300 now & looking at changing to a Forza/ADV 350 in 5 months time. Scooters are the best for getting around Edinburgh. I'm been all over Manchester & London on it as well & it's unbeatable for slicing through heavy traffic! I use it far more than my car, to the point where I question the need to even own the car.
Question: Looks like u bought yours at Newcastle Honda. How have u found them? I used to use Edinburgh but have self maintained for the past 10 years after some very poor experiences.
You might have seen my old CRF around Berwick. The 'M' was the supermoto version, although as a 250 I called it my 'babymoto'. It had a black front mudguard instead of the usual red one.
I also see you've reviewed an NC750X 😄. I bought one new in 2017. A month later it was up for sale (took a ££ hit there). Great bike but oh so utterly dull. Got an incredible 90mpg over 500 miles on my first day of ownership, riding it from Coulsdon to Scotland & as a commuter it was awesome, but it had absolutely nothing about it & I quickly grew to dislike the gawky pseudo-adventure looks.
Best mpg I've had from a bike was 130mpg from my PCX, riding it from Batley to Scotland. 😁👍
Morning Ken, good to hear from you and thanks for dropping by. Glad you enjoyed the review!
Like you, I'm now a bit of a convert to scooters and just wish that I'd had one years ago when I insisted on commutting from Berwick to South Gyle on a bike - including the dreaded bypass....What waste of a bike and the scoot would have been brilliant and cost loads less. Still, live and learn!
I still want a bike (mobility allowing) as I really miss the ability to rev out an engine and feel the control through clutch and gears but I'm going to be keeping the ADV as I think it will also make a cracking and economical touring machine and from an A-B perspective, not much slower than a full on tourer. Europe next year!
And yeah! Flog the car! Hardly use mine either! I quite like the look of the CRF250M - little super-moto's are a ton of fun - yes, you should have kept it!
As for Newcastle Honda - They seem to be a good bunch - I've bought a couple of bikes from them and traded a few in. Servicing wise I've only ever had the regular services done on newish bikes to keep the warranty up and had no problems. All the staff are riders and mostly Geordies so there isn't too much BS coming from them and more importantly perhaps they keep in contact and do build up a relationship with owners. Obviously that generates sales but it feels genuine. I've used lots of dealers and I'm quite happy going back to them. Parts / accessories wise they can also have some good deals.
The other positive for me is they are easy to get to - 5 minutes walk from Central station and it's easy to ride to (and you don't have to go through the city centre). The Triumph dealership (which the same group runs) is 1 minute away and you've got Westgate Road which is full of bikes shops another 5 minutes away. They were very patient with me when I was trying out bikes for size with my dodgy leg and the P/X they's offered were totally reasonable.
Hope that helps, have a good day, cheers, Phil.
Hey Ken, hello again!
I think I might have seen your CRF around - but not recently.
Yeah the NC750X - unremittingly tedious even if it did handle very well. It was like riding a very boring spreadsheet and at one point I spilled some petrol on it and thought it might be an opportunity to set it on fire. Like you, I found the faux-adventure styling a bit rubbish and kinda embarrassing after a while. I'm moderately shallow so I figured it was just me...
Like you say though - great for commuting and a great 'tool' but nothing more. The finish wasn't great either - exhaust and engine took a right beating.
130mpg? That's some going! Think I got over 100mpg on my old CG125.
Anyway let me know what you get next year - would be great to hear your impressions.
All the best, cheers, Phil.
Ciao usi gli scooter anche con freddo e pioggia?
@@saveriocontini6028 Absolutely!
Loved the references to the Scooter mag 😂👌🏻
Hello again! Ha ha yeah...Er, I might not be buying another copy - great mag, but its focus is on Vespa's / Lambretta's (which are lovely) - customs, classics and rallies. Still, I tried :-)
All the best, cheers, Phil.
Glad to see taken to it got impression on last review had gone off it as not real adventure bike .I ve ridden maxi scooters since 2002 and toured abroad on them .Brought a 2020 forza 300 in June 2022 but really wanted an adv 350 but saved 2 grand .This June won a forza 350 in a raffle so now have 2 😆. Still fancy an adv 350
Afternoon - whaaaatttt!!!??? You won a Forza 350 in a raffle!!! Wow! I've only won a secondhand bottle of shampoo in a tombola so your win is incredible!
As for the last review, I think at the time I hadn't got into the scooter-vibe and hadn't accepted it for it was - basically, I was probably comparing it to a bike too much. Which is silly because it's like comparing a fork to a spoon and there're no point in complaining that your fork is rubbish for eating soup with. Or something!
Now though, I sorta get it more and I'm using the ADV for what it's best at and it's much more rewarding. I still want a bike (mobility permitting) but either way I'll be keeping the ADV.
All the best, enjoy your Forza's! Cheers, Phil.
Wow, you might be discussing washing machines/microwaves/dishwashers but Your production is so professional/entertaining/masterly/convincing, one could easily forget the subject and just enjoy! I did, and considering Your circumstances, what a win-win, very glad for You but remember, Honda's properly serviced, You will look like Cuthbert by the time it lets You down!!! I'm currently running 2000 VT125, 2015 SHMODE 125 and 2012 NC700D, and will be gutted if they cost me more than just filters and oil per annum!
Dr Doolittle, great to hear from you again, hope all is well with you. Thanks for your comments - great to know you enjoyed it and that the work is appreciated! Good to know your Honda’s are still going strong! Yeah St Cuthbert is looking a bit weathered isn’t he? I suppose the only similarity would be that we’re both a bit wooden in front of the camera 😀
All the best, hope all is good where you are, cheers, Phil.
@@80eightReviews currently pinned down on the IOM cos damaged the 700 and it has taken only 3 months to repair it!
@@drdoolittle5724 Three months! Blimey what happened to it / you ???
@@80eightReviews Long and short, Honda parts shortage! Stupid incident at snails pace, forced into a pothole that had stones in it and one flicked up and jammed tween wheel and fork - so puncturing it!!! Nearly ready so cannot wait to 'Go North Young Man', and tour Your Island for 3 days!!
@@drdoolittle5724 Yikes, that’s rubbish. Maybe a trip to Fairy Bridge is in order…
I just came across this video. I think it's what has tipped me over the edge to buy one.
Hello! Blimey! I hope you like it! Let me know when it arrives and how you get on with it. All the best, cheers, Phil.
@@80eightReviews So i went to the store. I want the bike in black. It's by far the best looking colour. They tell me the next shipment will be available in November.
Ooh that’s a bit rubbish…I think mine was around 3 months but I wasn’t too fussed as I ordered it in early February. It’ll be worth it though!
Cheers, Phil.
@@80eightReviews Yeah I'll just put the order in and wait it out. Thanks for the sweet reviews!
@@80eightReviews I just put a deposit down. ETA November.
Great review! One question: Do you think this scooter is suitable for someone who has trouble changing gears on a regular motorbike? I have an automatic car driver's license, and I'm having difficulty with the gears on a motorbike. A friend mentioned that the Honda PCX is good for those who struggle with the clutch because it uses a similar CVT system to my Honda Civic. However, the ADV 350 seems to be a significantly improved version and can be used for travels. What are your thoughts?
Hey Diego! Great to hear from you and glad you enjoyed the review.
Well, the ADV is so simple to ride - just start it up, twist the throttle and you’re off. The CVT is also very responsive and there’s enough power in the 350 such that you don’t get left behind. If you can balance on two wheels, you’ll have no problems at all with the ADV. All I would say though is that’s it’s worth having a sit on one to make sure you feel confident with it. The seat is wide which makes fully touching the ground difficult for those folk who are below average height.
This is my first scooter & first time using a CVT gearbox after a lifetime of riding bikes - and I would say it’s great - it has the handling and stability of a bike combined with ease of use and practicality.
Hope that helps, let me know how you get on, cheers, Phil.
My ADV350 is now 2 months old and I’ve done about 900 km. The only thing I really hate is the uncomfortable suspension. And there is now way you can adjust it and fix this problem.
Morning, thanks for stopping by. Yeah, I agree that is probably the weakest part of the ADV equation. From my perspective I’d rather have that though and the associated good road holding on faster bends, as opposed to something that felt a little wallowy in fast bends. In a perfect world you could have both with proper quality suspension but at this price point it just isn’t going to happen.
All I would say is that it has improved over the last few thousand miles - whether that’s just because I’m used to it or it has genuinely ‘broken in’ I can’t say though.
All the best and thanks for stopping by, cheers, Phil.
The only thing a motocycle needs in order to not wallow when you're 'Making progress' and also soak up the imperfections of our crappy roads is weight! I don't think it's possible to engineer suspension that will do both on a lightweight machine. If it is possible, I would be happily surprised. After 50+ years of riding I haven't experienced it yet@@80eightReviews
@@ancienttractorbuoy Hey Martin, yeah, you need a bit of both as you say. The ADV isn't exactly light but with price being a part of its proposition, the suspension while better than some scoots, isn't patch on most bikes. Therefore the good handling / roadholding comes at the price of plushness and overall comfort. So yes, you do feel the bumps but it does hold a line - which is my preference. I'm sure the latest active suspension from Ohlins would do the trick but it would cost 10 x the bike. Thanks for stopping, cheers, Phil.
Great video. My takeaway is I now want to experience a restaurant that plays only Jazz and serves only sprouts😅
Ha ha - sprouts are very versatile. Well, so I’m told. Actually I had my regulation three @ Christmas and they were passible. I think there was some decent music playing at the time so perhaps that had something to do with it 😀
Glad you enjoyed the video Paul, all the best, cheers, Phil.
Great review, but can you tell me when the last time you purchased a gallon of fuel in the UK? I've been driving 30 years and I've only ever bought it in litres. Although I do remember pressing the 2/3/4 star button as a kid.
Miles per Litre are a lot more helpful.
Hello Mr EE, thanks for stopping by - glad you enjoyed the review!
As for petrol, well, to be honest, you hit on the fundamental dichotomy of the UK and its relationship to imperial and metric measures. For me, personally, miles / gallon sorta sets a historic baseline and anyway, the calculation to miles / litre is moderately easy to do :-)
In reality, it should be KM / Litre but as we don't have KM signs in the UK (now why is that?) it would be less than useful? Dunno...You've got me thinking about pints now and whether it's a lbs of sugar or not! The paradox of using miles for longer distances and cm for small measures, even if saying a 'thou' is still a thing.
And don't get me started on tablespoon and teaspoon measures! Right must dash, gotta put the oven on gas mark 7.
All the best, cheers, Phil.
I went from a Gilera to a Harley Sportster but now really tempted to go back to scooters as there just so easy and fun but I'd be tempted to put the crash bars on and an exhaust and the top box as it looks like a good bike for doing some travelling on.
Hello, good to hear from you and that’s quite some change! I’ll be doing some travelling on the scooter later on this year and really looking forward to it - as you say they are easy and fun and won’t detract from the journey at all. Can’t wait. All the best, cheers, Phil.