2021 Honda ADV150

The Honda ADV150 brings more adventure to the average scooter commuter with its impressive, yet modest off-road capability, general ease of use, and standard city-riding amenities.

The Honda ADV150 is the fourth and most recent addition to Big Red’s scooter lineup. It is based heavily on the PCX150 in both double-cradle frame and 149cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder engine, but differs in exhaust and intake tract. What further differentiates it from its stablemate is its off-road capability with Showa suspension and block pattern tires. There’s more ground to cover with this gravel-road-capable commuter.

The ADV150 scooter is a new model in Honda’s 2021 lineup.

Considering its versatility, this scoot is priced at a reasonable $4,299, only $600 more than the 2020 PCX150.

The ADV150 is powered by the 149cc, liquid-cooled, SOHC, single-cylinder engine. In our first ride review, our test rider appreciated its smooth pull from the line. Its low-to-midrange torque makes it a purposeful package for navigating the urban sprawl. Power, however, noticeably tapers after 50 mph, but the ADV150 is meant for city commuting and it does that admirably.

One of the primary attractions of using a scooter for commuting is its automatic transmission. This scooter brings that twist-and-go ease of use with Honda’s automatic V-matic transmission.

The ADV150 carries its claimed 294-pound weight well on gravel roads and paved roads. The nonadjustable 31mm telescopic fork and twin Showa shocks keep the ADV on course and provide good front end feel and overall traction on the dirt.

On paved roads, the ADV is nimble. It can make midcorner adjustments and bob and weave in and out of congested traffic as a city commuter should. When pushing the scooter to its cornering limits on the twisties, centerstand scrape was noted despite the 6.5-inch ground clearance.

As noted in our review, “The braking department consists of a single 240mm disc (with ABS) at the front and mechanical 130mm drum at the rear. The front setup, though on the soft side, is noticeably more responsive than the spongy rear drum.”

After the 60-mile city/gravel ride of our first ride review, the LCD gauge indicated an average fuel consumption of 70.8 mpg (with a total of 200 logged miles on the test unit’s odometer). That means the 2.1-gallon fuel tank has potential for taking the rider about 140 miles between gas station stops.

A roomy floorboard-to-seat configuration allows for ample legroom, however, the handlebar is close, making the upper portion of the rider triangle a tad cramped for our 6-foot-tall rider.

Overall, the riding position is comfortable and upright for the city commute, and standing up on the floorboards for rougher terrain is doable.

Its utilitarian features include its center-/sidestand, toolless two-position adjustable windscreen, underseat and side compartment storage. The underseat compartment has a 27-liter capacity and a 2-liter side compartment with a 12-volt adapter inside.

ABS is featured on the front end and a 12-volt accessory adapter allows for cellphone charging on the go. The scooter also forgoes an old-school and conventional key and utilizes a smart key. A full-LED lighting package is also equipped.

Honda includes a one-year, unlimited mileage warranty.

Scooters present an around-town ease of use, but the ADV150 extends that friendliness to the dirt. Equipped with stable suspension, decent braking system, smart key, and LED lighting, this scooter offers versatility with modern amenities.