Incoming! ADV350

[Alan29]

Some times a test ride can mislead you - often all you learn is that its different to what you ride/drive now! I had test ride of the original Ford Focus when it was a brand new model - all the journalists said it was wonderful and it seemed OK so I bought one, but within half an hour of ownership I utterly hated it!

When I test rode the ADV the first time I had never ridden a scooter and it felt as though I was going to slide off the front of the seat - no tank. So I gave up afeter 30 minutes. Did a bit of research online and learned a lot about how to sit on a scooter. Had a second test and after 2 hours placed an order.
You are right. Sometimes one test ride isnt enough.

[MrGrumpy]

...but you often only learn certain things after you've owned it. I should have gone further on my test ride - I remember my Piaggio Bev 350ST felt OK to begin with, but made my arms ache terribly after 20 mins - something about the riding position. Hope I don't have the same issue with the ADV!

[Waldorf]

It's all accordin', innit!
I bought my first Piaggio X9250 before i'd passed my Test so didn't have a test ride; I had sat on one in the showroom.
I bught the 500 on spec since I was used to the 250. It was very different!
I bought my first Silverwing600 without a test ride although, again, I'd sat on one.
As I rode along the motorway from dealership to home, I questioned my descision to buy it. Twenty minutes later, as I rode into the driveway, I knew the bike was for me.
I did have a test ride on the Forza 350, planning just to ride it round the block. After no more than 200 yards, I knew it was for me (again) and 70 minutes later I reluctantly gave it back and signed on the dotted line to buy one.
I discovered what one would describe as weaknesses on all the bikes but nothing more than noggles, all of which I've got used to so they no longer count.
I should say that I have never found the suspension inadequate on any of my six maxiscooters; even the ride on hovercraft is bumpy when the surface isn't smooth.

[wozza]

Lovely machines those ADV 350s. I definitely quite fancy one myself.

[Greyerbeard]

Well done Mr Grumpy - hope you enjoy the actual ownership!
Have finally clocked up the first 1,000 miles on my '25 (various reasons for slowness...) and still well impressed.
IMHO, it's no comfy limousine like a T Max, but it's definitely not lacking in ability - get the wind deflectors on the sides if it doesn't have them; and a bigger screen helps. Apart from that, enjoy the performance and the handling

[wozza]

I’m sure you’ll love it. I should have got one years ago but I dither too much.

[MrGrumpy]

Yes, my ADV350 was delivered today! Just been for a first short ride to get acquainted - interestingly I felt quite at home almost immediately, despite the ADV being somewhat different in style to the Tmaxs I've been riding for the last 10 years. The only snag is of course Honda's insistence on putting the minor controls elsewhere to everywhere else, so managed to blow horn and turn hazard lights on when all I wanted to do was indicate!

Was able to do compare the ADV with the Tmax on similar rough Lake District roads - it confirms my initial favourable impression of the ADV suspension - whilst the ride was a little firmer than the Tmax (mk3), it was so well controlled making it overall a decent ride.

[riders in the storm]

Glad you like it - I love mine !

[MrGrumpy]

I note that I didn't get a service book - these are now considered Old Fashioned it seems! I guess its OK if you go back to a Honda dealer for servicing and they record it on their systems, but otherwise, you will just have to keep the receipts for what you had done as evidence. My nearest Honda dealers are 40+ miles away in Blackpool or Carlisle - I can't see myself popping up there, especially in winter!

[mottza]

Yes no service book these days.