After 41 years of absence, the new Honda Dax is ready to launch on the European market, joining Monkey and MSX125 Grom in the Honda mini-bike range. The motorcycle, whose official name is ST125 DAX, comes with a stamped steel frame, 31 mm upside-down fork, 12-inch wheels and an air-cooled, single-shaft 2-valve engine with four-speed gearbox and centrifugal clutch. . The full-LED lights, the compact backlit LCD display and the grab handle for the passenger complete the features of a motorcycle that belongs to a niche in the market with growing interest.
ST125 Dax is inspired by its 1969 ancestor, but with the chassis, engine and ergonomics of 21st century motorcycles. A more recent version had already made its appearance between 1995 and 2003 on the Japanese market but the success of the other Honda mini-bikes on the European market accelerated its comeback. The monocoquewhich extends from the seat to the handlebars and rests on 12-inch rims, recalls the shape of the cute German dachshundDachshund in fact, or “Sausage Dog” as the British call it.
The engine is a 124cc, single-shaft (SOHC) 2-valve 4-stroke. Taken from the Super Cub C125, it has a relatively long stroke and a fairly high compression ratio of 10: 1 with a 50mm bore and 63.1mm stroke. Maximum power is 9.4 hp (6.9 kW) at 7,000 rpm and maximum torque is 10.8 Nm at 5,000 rpm. The transmission also reflects the relaxed and carefree character of this mini-bike, with a 4-speed gearbox (with neutral at the bottom) managed by a centrifugal clutch that eliminates the need for the handlebar lever. The adoption of low-friction technologies, such as the offset cylinder and the distribution with roller rocker armensures consumption equal to 63.7 km / l (WMTC cycle), which translates into a range of approximately 240 km with a 3.8-liter tank.
The frame is the fulcrum of the style of this Honda: all the elements are fixed to it or contained within it, to give the Dax a retro look, to which other components also contribute, such as the double saddle, with a height of just 775 mm, the chrome handlebar in the raised position and the raised exhaust inspired by seventies dirt bikes with perforated and chromed heat shield.
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