Honda has announced the return of the Dax name to its small bike roster, a moniker missing from the line-up for upwards of 40 years.
Evidently back in the 70s it was a swinging success, with production on and off after that time, though there has been nothing since 2003. Back then it was primarily a 50cc machine. Now though, known as ST125 Dax, it will join the Monkey 125 and the Grom 125 in the firm’s small bike range. It was the success of the latter over the past four years, following their renewal, that inspired Honda to add a third offering to its minibike line-up.
The new and improved Dax weighs in at 107kg and is suspended by 31mm USD forks, with twin shocks at the rear. Bouncy tyres are 12-inchers and all lights are LEDs. Braking is by a lone 220mm front disc, with a 190mm disc on the rear, the former under ABS control. Seat height is a user-friendly 775mm.
There’s also an LCD display, chrome handlebars and a pillion grab rail, with seating for two. Underpinning it all is pressed steel sheet chassis and an unusual feature is that the 3.8L fuel tank forms part of the superstructure.
Powering the wee wonder is a version of the Super Cub engine, an air-cooled 124cc single cam engine working through a semi-automatic four-speed transmission with a centrifugal clutch. Power output is 9.25hp for the Dax, with 10.8Nm of torque to go. That imbues it with a top speed of 90km/h. Monkey and Grom evidently blow that figure away with 10hp, though they’re no quicker. Their engines are evidently a different design. That said, lots of parts are shared with Monkey and Grom.
The name you might be wondering about? With its long body and small wheels, it is said to resemble a Dachshund a.k.a a sausage dog. No, really. There will be two colour options, red or grey and badging that includes an image of a Dachshund.
Whether or not this European aimed, Thai-built bike makes it here is unclear at present but we’ve asked the question.
