Hugh Janus Posted March 15, 2022 Share Posted March 15, 2022 Look familiar? Europe will be getting a modern reboot of Honda’s Dax minibike, which first appeared in the 1970s. (Honda/)Honda has revived its Dax minibike in the form of the new ST125, a 21st century version of the ST50, ST70, and ST90 machines that were defining models of the 1970s. While the single-cylinder model has only been revealed in Europe so far, there’s a strong chance it will be coming to the States in the future. The revival of the Dax is part of a minibike renaissance for Honda, who rediscovered the format with the MSX125 Grom in 2014 and has been mining that seam ever since. The MSX itself has since spawned the Monkey 125 as an authentic tribute to perhaps the most famous minibike of all, and the new Dax follows in its footsteps.Main components are shared with the Super Cub, Grom, and Monkey, though the Dax has slightly larger dimensions. (Honda/)The original Dax ST50 and ST70 (which was sold as the CT70 in the States) were created specifically with export markets—Europe and the USA—in mind, making their debut back in 1969 as a follow-up to the 1967-on Monkey. In fact, it was the American market that inspired the bike, asking for an enlarged version of the Monkey to better suit Western physiques, as well as the ability to carry passengers.Just like the original, the new ST125 Dax takes its main components from the Super Cub, which these days means a 124cc SOHC air-cooled single attached to a four-speed transmission via a centrifugal clutch. While both the Grom and Monkey share the same engine, the current iterations of those models have a conventional clutch and five-speed box, so despite its similar dimensions and shape, the semi-auto Dax promises a markedly different riding proposition.Related: 2022 Honda Grom First RideThe ST125 carries over the same single-cylinder motor from the Grom and Monkey, though here it’s mounted in a pressed steel frame and gets a semi-automatic transmission. (Honda/)We won’t dwell on performance for too long; that’s simply not what these bikes are about. For the record, the Dax makes 9.25 hp at 7,000 rpm and a peak of 8 pound-feet of torque at 5,000 rpm, numbers that are understandably within a whisker of the Grom, Monkey, and Super Cub that use the very same single-cylinder motor. Top speed will likely be somewhere around the 60 mph mark, so while urban traffic won’t be a problem, faster roads might prove daunting.Just like the original Dax, the new model’s engine is slung beneath a T-shaped, pressed steel frame that hides the fuel tank and all the electronics and wiring, making for a clean, unfussy look. With the tank in the top frame rail, it’s understandably limited in size; 1 US gallon is all you’ll get in there, around half a gallon less than will fit into the Monkey’s tank. Even so, since the Dax is good for a claimed 150 mpg, that’s a lot of potential range between fill-ups.Don’t plan on going too far; that frame holds just 1 gallon of gas in the top rail. (Honda/)The Dax’s frame means there’s space for a longer seat than the Monkey’s, and like the original that means there’s room for a passenger, who gets a chrome grab rail and their own footpegs. Those pegs are even mounted on hangers extending from the frame, which is an upgrade over the original Dax, which had them bolted directly to the swingarm. Despite the extra space, the new Dax is just 2 inches longer than the Monkey, coming in at a compact 69.3 inches overall. It’s still a lightweight machine, coming in at 236 pounds, only 7 pounds more than the Monkey 125.The Dax also benefits from the Grom’s upside-down fork and five-spoke wheels with disc brakes. (Honda/)As well as the Grom’s engine, the Dax adopts the Grom’s five-spoke wheels and front and rear disc brakes—representing another much-appreciated upgrade over the cable-operated drum brakes of the 1970s models. There’s even ABS and an IMU to monitor and prevent rear wheel lift, something that’s inevitably a concern on a bike with such a short wheelbase and high center of gravity.An LCD display hides within the chrome-trimmed, analog-styled dial. (Honda/)As on the latest Monkey and Grom models, the Dax’s fork is a 31mm upside-down telescopic unit, although it lacks any adjustability, while the steel box-section swingarm is suspended by two nonadjustable coilover shocks. Despite the retro looks, there are modern touches including a set of LCD instruments hiding inside a trad-looking circular dial—it’s the same setup as the Monkey 125—and full LED lighting.No pricing has been released yet, but we do know the 2023 Dax will be available in red or blue when it comes to Europe this May. (Honda/)In terms of other visuals, the Euro market version of the new Dax comes in two paint schemes, red or blue, with the Dax name on a band around the tank and the ST125 branding on a side badge that also features a helmeted dachshund on wheels; Dax is short for dachshund, reflecting the idea that the bike’s long frame and small wheels give it the look of a wiener dog from the side.Officially, the Dax is a 2023 model and it’s not due in European dealers until May this year. A US market version seems sure to follow, not least because the original Dax was designed specifically for the States, but also because America has proven to be a huge market for the Grom, showing that the appetite for minibikes hasn’t diminished. Prices have yet to be announced, even in Europe, but it’s sure to be very close to the Monkey and Grom in that respect.The new Dax is 2 inches longer than the Monkey so there’s more room for a passenger. 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Tym Posted March 15, 2022 Share Posted March 15, 2022 Dix was already taken? How about Dixster, hello? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catteeclan Posted March 15, 2022 Share Posted March 15, 2022 Monkey bike to us over here. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckster Posted March 15, 2022 Share Posted March 15, 2022 Isn’t this what @gymwitch has now? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gymwitch Posted March 17, 2022 Share Posted March 17, 2022 TWATS !!! 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XTreme Posted March 17, 2022 Share Posted March 17, 2022 3 minutes ago, gymwitch said: TWATS !!! At least you didn't bin a Vespa Colette! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gymwitch Posted March 17, 2022 Share Posted March 17, 2022 7 hours ago, XTreme said: At least you didn't bin a Vespa Colette! Really? @Mawsley binned his vespa?? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XTreme Posted March 17, 2022 Share Posted March 17, 2022 8 minutes ago, gymwitch said: Really? @mawsley binned his vespa?? Yes......he was trying to show off to his scooter buddies and the power was just too much for him! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckster Posted March 18, 2022 Share Posted March 18, 2022 20 minutes ago, Mawsley said: Okay, that’s fair, you fell off because you are a knob. Happy now? 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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