Honda’s City Adventure Concept displayed at EICMA last year.
Honda has released the video below teasing us with the impending release of an adventure scooter apparently based on the “City Adventure Concept” shown above … which was displayed by Honda at EICMA last Fall. This new model should be based on the family that includes several parallel-twin, mid-displacement motorcycles, such as the U.S. market NC700X. In Europe, similar Honda models got a displacement bump to 745cc. Take a look at the new Honda video below:
See more of MD’s great photography:
I hope that it has storage so you don’t have to purchase a lot of accessories. I love the concept and hope that it’s introduced in the USA. We will see. Traction control and ABS would be great.
The apparent very low CG and traditional fork and swingarm suggests this thing should handle very well. (anyone remember Dan Gurney’s Gator) A longish seeming wheelbase and larger than scooter tires suggests high speed stability. In one way or another Honda has been toying with this concept since the Pacific Coast, part cycle part scooter. I think they may have finally hit the nail on the head. The only thing I’ve seen in years if not ever that could get non motorcyclists into dealers.
I’m 65 and still ride a ZZR1200, but the day will come…….and this sort of thing could keep me on two wheels a little longer.
Well said. Although I have my doubts this could bring in new riders I do agree with you that it could keep those of us that are of a “certain age” riding longer. I used to frown at the thought of a trike or scooter but as I age I find myself wanting to keep riding and willing to make reasonable concessions to do so.
And that may be the key to enticing new riders into the fold. Seeing other people, both young and old, having fun riding, may be what’s needed to revive motorcycling/scootering.
WS Hart:
Have you moded tour DR carb or exhaust?
No sir, I have not. It works fine as is. Never had a problem and never got below 50 (US) mpg on regular gas.
If it ran tubeless wheels it would be nearly perfect.
Old guys with money going to love this machine. Way to go Honda ! Coming to Canada ?
Scenery, not the bike’s dinky fuel capacity, should dictate when I stop. Five gallons should be minimum and if the bike gets 80 mpg, so much the better. I owned a DR650 that returned 69 mpg on the freeway. I put an IMS 4.9 gallon tank on it to replace the stupid small OEM cell.
I was able to stop and smell the roses when I wanted to, instead of the fumes from an empty fuel tank. Manufacturers don’t ride, we do. More fuel capacity means we can ride further without worry. If you are one of those that whine about the weight of fuel, put less in and whine no more.
Me? I would much rather fill the tank and head for the horizon to fill my life with memories of more than fuel stops.
Did it seem relevant to you to rant about fuel capacity for an article describing a “City Adventure Concept” scooter? To “head for the horizon” – 10 minutes away? Yep, 5-gallons, minimum!!
“Rant”. What are you, 13?
As for your sophomoric attempt to discredit my thoughts? When was the last time you saw a 50cc to 200cc scooter so equipped, e.g., dual disc brakes up front and running larger diameter wheels with obvious tubeless rims? And yes, I am well aware that this is a proto/phototype but your words state that it is meant for the “city”.
Aren’t you clever? No…Not really. Which would you rather do, learn from your mistakes or be taught a lesson? Consider this a mild form of the latter.
Shouldn’t you be with your mother at the local Target for back-to-school?
Apologies to all the adults here, including the owner of this site, for taking up your time schooling this gentleman.
My Ninja 250 had a 4.8 gal. tank. Never understood why larger bikes have such puny tanks.
This bike will have the same engine as the CTX. My buddies CTX gets 70mpg all the time, so with the 3.7 gallons this thing’s supposed to have, that’s 259 miles on a tank. More than a lot of ADV bikes.
Nice! I like it, I love me some scoots. Bring it on!!
I’ll take a Mugen Electric one.
It’s growing on me……maybe.
Let me see 007 chasing and killing bad guys on one, and I’ll really warm up to it.
I like the general idea of a rugged scooter. 750 seems like a bit of overkill but I’m sure Honda knows better than me.
Put an Ohlins suspension on there and an Akrapovic exhaust and it would almost be … a motorcycle.
I’ll never get the attraction, no matter how different a scooter can be.
Too bad you don’t get the attraction. Scoots are a hoot. For the last 8 years I’ve ridden a Triumph Sprint ST 1050, and just 8 weeks ago I bought a Piaggio BV350 scooter. The Piaggio sees way more seat time than my Triumph. Why? It does everything much easier than the big T does. The Sprint is exciting, exhilarating, but not exactly what I’d call fun, whereas the BV 350 is FUN!! That’s it in a nutshell.
Looking more closely at how tightly the chain guard follows the chain leads to the possibility that the swingarm pivot and the countershaft sprocket are equidistant from the rear axle. This would greatly reduce wear and tear and need for adjustment on the drive chain.
I’m assuming this will have a similar MPG (or better) to my current NC700X. I have the manual transmission and get 65-72 MPG consistently, at 60-80 MPH speeds on rural roads and expressways, or even when I combine off-road (which does put me closer to the bottom of my MPG range, but still 65 MPG is great)! With a 3.7-gallon tank (under the seat), I get around 220+ range, though I usually refuel at 140 miles or so anyway. I don’t think the concerns about range are worth considering as a reason not to buy this.
I could see myself buying and riding one of those if price is right.
If they offer an optional lower seat for my wife, I’ll take two please.
If it had an optional sidecar I’d go for it!
an answer to a question no one is asking! thanks Honda!
It all depends on the size of the gas tank.
Honda already has an aventure 500cc with a DCT. The problem with that bike is that they put a storage space where the gas tank should have been. Then they put a weeny three gallon gas tank under the seat.
The Silverwing and the Burgman 650 both had four gallon gas tanks. Which was almost sufficient. The CTX 700 bikes also had a tiny gas tank that caused me to pass on buying one. Then there is that NM4 thing. which also has a tiny gas tank, and useless storage bags.
I would like a new maxiscooter. But Hondas small gas tanks blow the whole deal.
(Now I have a Kawasaki Vulcan 900, with a nice 5 gallon gas tank)
Have you considered a closer examination researching ‘range’ instead?
Such would consider ‘MPG’ as an element, unless you just like carrying extra weight around.
Well, that’s only if you let logic play a part in your thinking.
Range is created when you have more gas to get down the road. Honda CLAIMS that their bikes have better range, but that is at 55mph. How good is it in stop and go traffic? How good is it while going 75mph on the freeway? The answer to those questions from my experience with honda is less than 40mpg.
Claiming better range is no excuse to put a small gas tank on a bike. The extra weight of a larger gas tank is too marginal to make a difference on the long haul. I am only asking for 5 gallons.
Wouldn’t that be the same on all motorcycles from all mfgs?
Right wrist seems to determine gas mileage. On the Cb forum we have guys that average from 40 mpg to 60 mpg. The aggresive riders tend to get less mileage than the conservative riders.
If you are averaging 40 mpg you need 5 gals to go 200 miles. IF you are averaging 60 mpg you only need a little over 3 gals.to go the same distance.
This particular engine on fuelly shows an average of 65mpg for 405 members. That is a 240 mile range given a 3.7 gallon tank. That is pretty good assuming it does as well in scooter form. I have only one bike that can come close to that, and it has a five gallon tank.
Of course 5 gallons @ 65mpg would be better. I’d love to be able to go over 300 miles without filling up. But 240 isn’t bad for sure. For comparison Vulcan 900 riders averages 46 mpg on that same site. So this Honda is likely to give you similar range to your Vulcan.
lol My ST will go over 315 miles on it’s 7.7 gallon tank but my bladder no longer goes that far.
I’m thinking about an NC700 or SV 650 as an around the neighborhood bike. 65 MPG sounds great. This that on regular or premium?
Scooters with automatic transmissions tend to get less gas milage than bikes with standard transmissions. My Silverwing scooter Got about 45mpg, but my Vulcan 900 gets over 50 mpg on the same roads. So did my old BMW 1150 GS.
My bladder can go the longer distances because I am not drinking as much while riding.
Why not build a bike that is meant to go long distance? It’s an adventure scooter. Put an adventure sized gas tank on it. Call it the Ranger.
ABQ – I can’t ignore the appeal of a bigger gas tank, bu this is not an automatic like your traditional scooter. It is a standard gear box with an auto clutch. And the engine is a low-revving power plant designed for economy rather than power.
Mickey – It runs on regular. A guy in our local sport touring group has an NC700X and is absolutely smitten with the thing. He routinely gets low 70s mpg. Helped him check the valves last weekend. Took all of 25 minutes start to finish. Screw and locknut adjusters, so add two minutes per valve to the job if you need to adjust any.
Wait, this thing has a manual tranny? Sweet, now I like it.
It would be very cool if this type of motorbike had some sort of motor-driven, switch operated hump that rises up at the forward edge of the seat to provide something for your knees and thighs to grab onto. I’m concerned this in an emergency-braking scenario, for this type of motorbike.
Wait …… what?
Scooters have been doing without anything remotely similar to that forever. It must not be much of an issue during emergency braking.
So what can they add a beak and semi-knobbies to next? Could a “VT1300 Fury X” be far behind?
Interesting, enjoying the comments on this, mostly positive. Don’t think that belt drive works that well with acceptable amounts of suspension travel. pretty Modern chains are durable and not expensive. Valve adjustment intervals are also long and could be ignored without much consequence.
Valve adjustment intervals are every 8000 miles for this particular engine in the NC bikes at least. Whether that is long or not depends on what kind of rider you are. And while there is usually no consequence to ignoring the check interval, my experience has taught me that they should not be ignored. Your experience may vary of course.
“…Valve adjustment intervals are also long and could be ignored without much consequence…”
I stated the same several times at this forum. IMO the primary reasons (unknown weighting) for the OEM “valve lash clearance” interval are as follows:
1. Satisfy emissions regulators with a reasonable number likely to maintain OEM emissions specs
2. Create a justification for owners to visit dealers, view dealer wares, and increase dealer profit margins
Presuming all other engine parameters meet OEM spec; all engines except those w/Desmodromic valve actuation:
Hard starting, spitting/light backfire on closed throttle deceleration: insufficient valve lash clearance
Excess top end noise/clatter: excessive valve lash clearance
If all engine parameters meet OEM specs, and the above symptoms do not appear, I ignore the OEM valve lash clearance interval, but that’s just me. Do as you desire, and it’s not on me if your motor suffers catastrophic failure.
I have been working on mostly Japanese bikes for over 40 years Modern shim under bucket DOHC engines hold valve settings very well. Have rarely had to pull the cams to change shims as the settings are usually in spec.My personal Kawasaki EX250 has gone 53,000 miles with the original shims, I did just have to replace the cam chain. Have many Goldwings out there with over 100,000 miles that have never had the cams out, checked, but not changed. Much of the joy of a motorcycle is riding it, but also maintaining and modifying it. Buy the shop manual and some tools and do it yourself. If you buy your kid a motor toy, do the same.
No belt – well, I don’t think so anyway. Other models in the NC family are chain-powered so I expect this one will be as well.
Pretty interesting concept from Honda. Shows they are thinking again. Can’t wait to see wha tthey do with more mainstream bikes.
Agreed!
Of the opinion that appealing to new/younger/future demographic. Important for industry survival!
Looks also visually possible to be electric powered without many necessary changes stylistically.
“Can’t wait to see what they do…”? All three CB-500 series bikes seem pretty mainstream (neither futuristic nor retro). I’d like to see Honda do the same – “mainstream” – with larger twins, and/or to realize triples are optimal over Inline-4s for street riding. I’m not holding my breath.
I’ve done over 50,000 touring kilometers on my 650 Burgman but it’s a bit of a pain when you hit the fire roads…….this would be perfect! Bring it to Canada Honda!
Hmmmmm….. Thinking, thinking…. My wife is too small to stand over the smallest adv bike but this could be the ticket. Fuel capacity, hard cases…. Thinking, thinking…..
They get credit for thinking out of the box. Who knows, it might sell. Nothing else is.
What’s with all the videos that never let you get a clear look at the machine? Do they really think were all excited and ready to buy something that we can’t even make out what it is? Just let us see it so we know what you’re trying to sell. And KEEP OF MY LAWN!!!
One of the versions of this bike shown in the past year show a set of toothy foot pegs mounted just below the passenger foot pegs near the swing arm pivot. A scooter you can stand up on. 17 inch front wheel, 15 inch rear. Chain drive. I’m hoping it is south of $10K.
So Honda can put twin disc brakes up front on a scooter and what appear to be tubeless spoked wheels (notice the raised lip where the spokes attach), again on a scooter albeit one that’s more “phototype” that prototype, but not on a production bike of similar displacement, e.g., Honda’s own NC700X?
What’s next a 6 gallon tank on this thing? Hydraulic lifters? Enclosed oil bath chain, belt or shaft drive? Standard ABS (even for the USA)? Real colorful colors instead of hideous flat matt black/gray garbage? Standard cruise control?
Dogs and cats! Living together! Mass hysteria!
I want to believe. But, I have my doubts.
I have an a `04 Aprilia 460cc scooter w/twin disc front brakes, 16″ mag rims front & rear and 4.5 gal. gas tank that is good for over 200 miles between fillups. It’s about time another scooter/MC are morphed together.
What’s become of the bulldog?
The odd thing is that it might actually be either pretty capable, or adapted to be pretty capable, especially for smaller people. Though the rims must be pretty small. Suspension doesn’t look that bad though maybe it’s an optical illusion.
Those are 17 inch wheels. At least that’s what is says on the front tire.
The rear is a 170/60-15
Honda has two distinct personalities as an OEM.
One is the conservative, cautious Honda not really wanting to challenge the status quo whereby they enter the game just as everyone else is reinventing it.
And then there is the Honda that takes these huge gambles trying to define markets where none currently exist, such as this scooter here or the Grom or NC bikes or NM4, DN-01 – take your pick.
It is odd to see how the two cultures exist within the same company. Honda is kind of like those people at the office who are brilliant at what they do and could really make some waves but end up never achieving anything of note because they lack the risk tolerance necessary to truly stand out. Yet they stop off and buy a lottery ticket every week after work just knowing they are gonna get rich.
So what do we have here? Honda’s newest lottery ticket? Or is that brilliant coworker finally trying to step outside of the comfort zone and achieve something special?
Interesting analogy.
Like they don’t want to focus on what is CURRENTLY a hot market… I can see that.
If they hit the winning lottery ticket, maybe all of Honda will just retire?? But then they will be broke in a couple years, and come back with the BEST CBR1000RR the world has ever seen! VFR Interceptors that do NOT have VTECH power surges in their engine, for no apparent reason! Cruisers that do NOT look like throw backs from the Buck Rodgers TV show in the 60’s… MADNESS!
“Like they don’t want to focus on what is CURRENTLY a hot market… I can see that.”
Which hot market? the one where they sell millions of “big” CB500, “mid” CB250 and “small” CBR125 (with inverted forks…)…
Or the one where everyone wants big power everywhere with lots of tech and made of unobtanium that raise the price to Ducati levels (where you end up buying a Ducati) that sells 100-1000 units on the US…?
below link on Honda site tells that they sell 1/60 of their units on North America.. and that includes mexico and central america…
http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-news/statistics/motorcycle-sales-statistics.htm
http://world.honda.com/news/2014/c140129Sales-Production-Result/index.html
No one will invest millions on selling 100 units of an unit… (cough VFR1200)
Honda occasionally does like to intro something unusual, just to show it’s creative muscle. My “new” 1989 GB-500 is an example of that mind-set. It would be a joy to ride, but it’s e-bay value already is 4x what it cost me as a leftover in 1991.
Ralph
It’s interesting enough for me to do a double-take. I’m not in the market, but I like the style and can see this thing being a success.
Now Honda needs to let me design a new VFR, one that will sell.
The current one not selling in the US is proof that the GT motorcycle is all but dead in this market. They nailed it and you can find them new at the dealer for as little as $7k now.
Is that $7k for real?
I got online and started looking too after reading that! I don’t need a VFR or even a sport touring bike at all, but I’d buy one for $7K. Unfortunately, I didn’t see anything even coming remotely close to that price.
It looks like an awesome urban assault vehicle, especially for Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East. I’m getting the feeling that Honda is really starting to put its focus on developing countries. Probably a smart move.
I’ll take a look when I can see the entire product. It appears that it’s designed to carry two adults on rough urban and gravel back roads. It’s probably easy to handle and has decent power. When I say handle, in this case I mean to push around. 650 pound bikes feel great when moving, but are not that easy when ya gotta push ’em into to a spot. My favorite passenger likes the looks of the seating position and the seat itself.
All I wanna know is:
HOW MANY USB JACKS, JACK?
If that 17″ front wheel works in the dirt, what’s w/the 21s on dirt bikes?
Dirt bikes go over more severe terrain and weigh half as much. Scooters are, first and foremost, for roads. This one is better suited to dirt roads than most scooters.
Why chain drive Mr. Honda? Make it belt drive and ride it forever. Will be a deal breaker for many.
Belts wont work in the dirt. If so much as a pebble comes between the belt and the pulley, goodbye belt. The tried and true chain and sprockets are needed if you plan to be “adventurous”.
I had a belt driven bike (Buell Ulysses) that I rode off-road extensively. It sucked up all manner of nastiness and never skipped a beat. I imagine it has to be part of the design goal, but belts can stand up to serious abuse.
That said, I’ll take mine with chain drive, please.
Ever seen an off road vehicle with a belt drive?
The Honda Integra didn’t make it to the US. They make them in 750 with a dual clutch. We have the 700 adventure and cruiser but could never find a street version. I’ve seen many people cruising around on scooters. Coming from San Antonio to Houston on 90A I saw three of them. Can a scooter be conformable for cruising? Does it have to be priced as much BMW? I hope not.
If it has ergos like the NC700X (or even the Kymco People GT 300i) then I’m interested. If itty bitty Euro-Asian ergos like the SH150i, then pass.
If this is an improved Integra (and they bring it to the USA this time), then I’m interested.
The concept bike (pictured above) and the spy shots of the prototype scoot certainly make it seem to be pretty large. I bet it shares quite a bit more platform with the NC700/750X than just the engine.
I want a 390 because the insurance is double on a 750. I also don’t want a chain. I need 300 km range or better. I don’t want to pay $10,000 and would like a good dct automatic.
Well, since that is a chain-driven 750 DCT that is likely going to cost close to $10K, I’m guessing you aren’t all that excited about it?
Give it hydraulic valve adjusters and I’m in. Would be a perfect commuter.
+1^. I think scooters would sell better with hydraulic valves.
Take this with a grain of salt because I’m getting dorkier every passing year but this thing looks like it would be a blast to tour on.Soft luggage and off to the Yukon.
No man – you are getting more mature. If the bike fits, you’ve won.
This an answer to a question that nobody asked.
Its called “thinking outside of the box”.
I think it is a bold move. I’ll wager it will gain traction with a generation that may still be interested in “adventure” but expect their devices to take them there with minimal input.
Yeah, I thought the GROM was pretty silly (and where did they get that name?), but they do have a following.
The tires appear to be more off-road oriented than the stock tires on the Africa Twin.
Transmission? Belt or chain final drive? Weight?
Yeah really, why not a 250?
Honda already makes a standard scooter based on the NC700 motor, the Integra, in Europe since 2012:
https://nicholastasker.files.wordpress.com/2014/08/honda-integra1.jpg
Looks great, low seat height, big on power. Honda may sell a few hundred in the US but that’s about all. Oh, Honda dealers are every where too.
Despite the step-thru frame and small diameter wheels,this machine clearly has the engine mounted in the frame like a real motorcycle. A scooter generally has the engine mounted on the swingarm, which is suboptimal because of all the unsprung weight. This is more like a street legal luxury trials bike with extra displacement for added pleasure. In red for me, please.
Because scooter riders are such an adventurous breed. Hey when are they going to come out with a street fighter scooter?
If getting from point A to point B on 2 wheels is what inspires you scooters fit the bill. If you want to be a weekend racer or king of the Starbucks look elsewhere. For those of us who rank utility above hp, lower body weather protection above shiny chrome, and built in storage over above the ability to drag a peg, scooters actually make sense for year round transportation.
Your point A and B are wildly different than mine
Utility and year round transportation.
Built in storage.
Weather protection.
They may be wildly different to your A and B but that doesn’t make them wrong.
I don’t get chromed out cruisers or cutting edge sport bikes,but that’s okay we all like different flavours.
Reminds me of the early 90’s Cub. http://img1.annuncicdn.it/b5/a5/b5a5d5d7c0f714c091a42f8dc89adef7_orig.jpg
A good looking geezermobile. I’m diggin’ it!
Very, very interesting.
Damn, that looks like fun. I wish they would make it a 400 and offer it with a manual clutch and a 6-speed, but I know that would never happen.
I do like it!
Too bad it’s going to cost over 10K. Hope they make a 250.
No longer 36″ seat high of ADV adventure motorcycle! That looks fun. I bet it would be very popular in less developed countries where road surfaces are not ideal like in America.
Or like here in Ohio where, you’re likely to disappear in a pothole…
Yeah, that could be very fun to rip around on!
That is pretty cool. Yeah, I said it.
+1. The only thing that concerns me is the range. Granted, it’s a scooter, but with a 750 in it? What about carrying capacity?
Looks like it could be fun.