Honda ADV 160 (2025) – Stiff Suspension: Should I Upgrade?

[vento]

I just got a new ADV 160 and was expecting a smoother ride, but I find the suspension a bit stiff. I can feel every little bump and change in the road.
 

I haven’t ridden a bike in nearly 25 years, so I don’t have much experience with these newer scooters. Maybe I’m expecting too much?
 

I'm considering upgrading to YSS rear suspension and a front suspension kit (around 15k plus installation). For those who’ve done it, is it worth the investment—not just for comfort, but also for safety improvement?
 

Driver weight is around 93-97kg and not a very experienced rider.
 

Any advice?

[scubascuba3]

Interesting, i wondered if the ADV would be better than other scooters, seems not.

 

I replaced my Click rear suspension to YSS, little to no change, maybe placebo only.

 

What helped me is going slower, avoiding short cuts which are the worst for potholes, just remembering where all the drains, humps, potholes are

[properperson]

have you tried checking the tyre pressures ?

 

not unknown for the shops to super over inflate them...

 

in my experience (with correctly inflated tyres), the ADV 160's suspension is pretty good ....

[Hummin]

2 minutes ago, properperson said:

have you tried checking the tyre pressures ?

 

not unknown for the shops to super over inflate them...

 

in my experience (with correctly inflated tyres), the ADV 160's suspension is pretty good ....

That depends on your body weight how the suspension feels, and not Tyre pressure. Off road you use in general 15-20 psi and street bike 33 front and 36 back for lighter bikes, and 36- 38, 36 -42 all depends on riding style and tyre type. 

 

I'm not sure about 160adv but I was told once, the standard averave weight setting for Thai motorcycles is 75kg. 

 

Is the ADV suspension adjustable? I'm pretty sure the front is adjustable, and if so, I would try to do that first. 

[Mavideol]

On 10/6/2024 at 3:18 PM, scubascuba3 said:

Interesting, i wondered if the ADV would be better than other scooters, seems not.

 

I replaced my Click rear suspension to YSS, little to no change, maybe placebo only.

 

What helped me is going slower, avoiding short cuts which are the worst for potholes, just remembering where all the drains, humps, potholes are

am with you, was thinking about changing my click 160 to the ADV for a so called "good/soft" ride but this is another poster  complaining about the ride, will keep my click for now, as you I did change the suspension as u did unfortunately didn't felt any difference, only get better over some bumps with slightly deflating the tires

[Hummin]

10 minutes ago, Mavideol said:

am with you, was thinking about changing my click 160 to the ADV for a so called "good/soft" ride but this is another poster  complaining about the ride, will keep my click for now, as you I did change the suspension as u did unfortunately didn't felt any difference, only get better over some bumps with slightly deflating the tires

If you want better riding comfort, you need bikes with bigger tires than scooter size 14" and 15" rims  tires. Find a bike model  with 17" 

Edited 2 hours ago by Hummin

[scubascuba3]

5 minutes ago, Hummin said:

If you want better riding comfort, you need bikes with bigger tires than scooter size 14" and 15" rims  tires. Find a bike model  with 17" 

I don't know who i believe, people say change the shocks that's all you need, some say lower pressure that's all you need, so far rubbish, so I'm not convinced bigger tyres will necessarily help. Maybe a different type of bike, big bike rather than a scooter, anyway the solution is to change riding style

[richard_smith237]

I've ridden the ADV 160 for a two weeks as a rental (Sand Boxing in Phuket) - I didn't find the ride particularly harsh, its a very decent scooter. 

 

Thus: As others have said, check the tyre pressure.

Beyond that, I suspect the the issue is simply your expectations - there's no need to change the shocks etc on any normal scooters... 

I see guys putting Ohlins on their Vespas etc - its just fashion and won't make any notable difference. 

 

Did you ride other bikes ? Aerox etc - did they feel the same ?

 

 

 

 

Edited 2 hours ago by richard_smith237

[Hummin]

1 minute ago, scubascuba3 said:

I don't know who i believe, people say change the shocks that's all you need, some say lower pressure that's all you need, so far rubbish, so I'm not convinced bigger tyres will necessarily help. Maybe a different type of bike, big bike rather than a scooter, anyway the solution is to change riding style

Bigger wheels is self explained when it comes to riding comfort if standard suspension. Small scooters with 14" rims will never be a smooth ride unless perfect road  surface 

[Tropicalevo]

I do not have an ADV but whenever I put my PCX in for a service, it is quite 'bouncy' afterwards.

The guys there definitely over-inflate the tyres.

After a while, it settles down....

                         .........until the next service of course.

The bike is two up more often than solo.

The passenger feels it more than I do.

[Caiman]

ADV 160 Tire pressures should be 29 psi front 33 psi rear cold.

I replaced the tires with Michelin's and the ride home was rock hard, 45 psi in both tires!