Another new Honda Mini Moto

Old Guy Too Many Bikes

Old Guy Too Many Bikes

Well-Known Member
This news is about a year old, but I just got wind of it. Honda will be building a DAX 125, officially an ST125. It looks just like a CT70, but with the Monkey / Grom running gear, ie. engine, disc brakes, 12 inch wheels, etc. I don't know how to post a link to it, but maybe someone out there can. With the high prices used CT70's are commanding, could be a popular alternative. That makes 7 Hondas in the mini market, no counting scooters.
 
Interesting... There's a bevy of information circulating on various sites about it and here's just a couple.

imotorbike.my

Honda Gorilla 125 and DAX 125 based on Honda Monkey are on the way?

The latest reports from Japan suggest Honda might be coming out with two new mini leisure bikes, the Honda Gorilla 125 and DAX 125 based on the Honda Monkey 125! The folks at Young Machine are here with another scoop! According to Young Machine, Honda might revive the mini motorcycle legends...
imotorbike.my imotorbike.my
 
That’s interesting…I wish they would have showed It from the left side..anyone know what the big ugly black box is between the motor and frame? Larger gas tank or some kind of air box?
 
Click on the top link Robert- they all have that "box" even the monkeys that came out several years ago, I think it's something to do with the induction. Thought somewhere I saw someone who had a work around to get rid of it too.
 
That’s the air box. You could replace it with an aftermarket intake but you give up a quiet motor for a quite loud induction noise. I found it too loud and went back to stock on my monkey
 
I just stumbled across this news article about the rumoured return of the dax 125. The photo renderings above in the the video doesn't do much me personally. This version however looks much better in my opinion! If they build it...I will own one. What a great gas sippin commuter bike to and from work. All the modern technology with awesome retro looks! I assume it will be a EFI, which would be awesome. There is an instagram page stating the Tokyo motorcycle show is coming up in march 2022, and will likely be released then. I'm curious to see if it only is marketed in Japan the first year of production. Then if it gains traction, Honda will pay for north american compliance regulations to export here.

www.google.ca

Rumored Honda ST125 Dax Rendered And We’re Here For It

Japanese publication will feature the rumored Honda ST 125 on its cover as an anticipated 2022 model-year and that render has us dreaming.
www.google.ca www.google.ca
Screenshot_20220106-221529_Chrome.jpg
 
I saw this too. I wonder if it'll be a manual or automatic. Honda has really gotten serious with their mini moto division. But if it's like most other models, it'll be three or four years down the road before they hit our shores and we'll have the same supply and demand issues as with all their other models.
 
Old Guy Too Many Bikes said:
I saw this too. I wonder if it'll be a manual or automatic. Honda has really gotten serious with their mini moto division. But if it's like most other models, it'll be three or four years down the road before they hit our shores and we'll have the same supply and demand issues as with all their other models.
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I read an article that speculated a semi-auto like the original 50/70s design. But in these photos, 1 of the bikes have what I would hope is a clutch lever. A semi auto on the street would just plain suck in my eyes! It would be like driving a scooter for me.....boring. I can't see a clutch cable or actuator in any of the other pics. Resolution isn't great when you try to zoom in. A manual clutch just sports things up, even if it's only a 125. I'm not "up" on my grom engine styles or current modern honda engines, but clearly you can see different engines in each of these pictures. So maybe a manual and a semi-auto version of the bike. Also I noticed some are clearly badged "Dax" and the other is badged "Honda ST70". The ST70 also has a larger tail light, which would align better with North American compliance regs. And being the Dax was never marketed in NA originally, I would think why bring the name here with a new model now. I personally dig the grey or green ST70 right now, they look awesome. Only thing that needs to change is the exhaust. Something better could be done here design wise. But there could be some small catalytic converter incorporated in the pipe, so that could contribute to it's unpleasant appearance.
 

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JHminitrails said:
I read an article that speculated a semi-auto like the original 50/70s design. But in these photos, 1 of the bikes have what I would hope is a clutch lever. A semi auto on the street would just plain suck in my eyes! It would be like driving a scooter for me.....boring. I can't see a clutch cable or actuator in any of the other pics. Resolution isn't great when you try to zoom in. A manual clutch just sports things up, even if it's only a 125. I'm not "up" on my grom engine styles or current modern honda engines, but clearly you can see different engines in each of these pictures. So maybe a manual and a semi-auto version of the bike. Also I noticed some are clearly badged "Dax" and the other is badged "Honda ST70". The ST70 also has a larger tail light, which would align better with North American compliance regs. And being the Dax was never marketed in NA originally, I would think why bring the name here with a new model now. I personally dig the grey or green ST70 right now, they look awesome. Only thing that needs to change is the exhaust. Something better could be done here design wise. But there could be some small catalytic converter incorporated in the pipe, so that could contribute to it's unpleasant appearance.
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I had a 125cc seni-auto that I rode on the street...4 speed. I liked it alot. I'm wanting to have another just like it at some point.
You can slip the auto clutch too...same as a manual, you just have to use your foot. You get used to it when you're riding one. It's actually kinda nice to have the semiauto on the street...one handed riding...think of the possibilities...you can drink beer and ride...pick your nose while going thru all 4 gears...stuff like that :)
 
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I’ve been asking my local Honda dealer about these for over a year now. They continue to tell me they have no release info on this mini. I would probably add one to the garage.
FYI. The electrical system is strong enough to add accessories. I am adding a port to my Grom today for a heated jacket liner. Others have done so successfully. And for Kirrbby that means you can also blast your tunes if you decide to pick one up 😁
 
The '20, '21 Groms and Monkeys use the same basic engine as the CT125 and the super cub. The '22 Grom and Monkey use the new long stroke 125 which have the new 5 speed manual transmission. This new engine is easily to identify because of its replaceable oil filter situated on the right side of the engine. The images of the ST125's above show some with the old engine and some with the new engine. So they could be prototypes, photo shopped, or who knows. It would be interesting to see which engine comes on the '22 super cub and Hunter Cub.
 
IF they build it and IF it comes to north america, I hope it will have a 5 speed manual. For me, I gotta have a hand clutch on a motorcycle. I understand @kirrbby's view on the semi-auto too, but but I'm stuck on my old sportbike/offroad/motocross ways. I will just have to pull over to pick my nose that's all! 🤣 My guess is it would be released in NA first in the USA market, just like they did with the monkey. Then we in Canada may see it in the following years.
 
I agree, in fact for me, it's easier to be smooth with a clutch. With the semi-auto, you have to work the throttle with finesse to get smooth downshifts. My neighbor put 4000 miles on his CT110 and still jerks the bike every time he slows down. It's hard to tell from the photos, but it looks like the frame gets wider under the seat, so hopefully Honda was able to fit a larger fuel tank.
 
Nice looking bike, though, like the other Honda mini motos, they'll be hard to come by and marked way up. It's a shame it's got the older 4 speed and comes semi-auto only. And with only a one gallon tank including reserve, the range will be similar to the original CT70. I'm a little surprised it has the Grom's street tires and not the Monkey's more aggressive tires. For those not wanting a clutch, it's definitely cooler than the Super Cub.
 
Old Guy Too Many Bikes said:
Nice looking bike, though, like the other Honda mini motos, they'll be hard to come by and marked way up. It's a shame it's got the older 4 speed and comes semi-auto only. And with only a one gallon tank including reserve, the range will be similar to the original CT70. I'm a little surprised it has the Grom's street tires and not the Monkey's more aggressive tires. For those not wanting a clutch, it's definitely cooler than the Super Cub.
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If and when it comes to north america, I certainly hope it gets the high front fender like the original CT70 that came across the pond. I personally do not care for the look of this dax as it sits. And the side mounted air cleaner housing kills the look too, not sure why Honda did that as the original dax never had that style air cleaner. I also do not like the 4 speed semi-auto clutch option either, that was disappointing news for me as well. Only time will tell how the bike is received when it hits showroom floors. I'm waiting to see if a version becomes available here and then re-evaluate my opinion of it.
 
I agree, They should have made it look more like the CT70 which was also known as the "trail 70". They're going to call it the ST125 (ST stood for street trail), and the air cleaner is similar to the original ST90.
 
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