The 2023 Honda ST125 Dax is a modern-day tribute to a 1970s classic that was based on the Super Cub engine and named after a similarly short-statured dog breed.
Perhaps not everybody knows what a Dachshund is, but most can probably identify it by its popular name, the Sausage Dog. With its distinctive long torso and short legs, this breed inspired Honda in 1969 to give its ST50 mini-bike the name Dax.
The 2023 Honda ST125 Dax recalls the Honda Trail 70—the big brother of the Mini Trail 50. The distinguishing feature of the Trail 70 was its pressed-steel frame, and that’s back for the ST125 Dax.
The Trail 70 was an American name, while most of the world knew the bike as the Dax, which was last seen in Japanese dealers from 1995 to 2003.
The air-cooled fuel-injected horizontal single gets another home with the Dax. Honda claims a peak of 9.3 horsepower at 7000 rpm, with 8.0 ft-lbs developed at 5000 rpm.
Estimated fuel consumption is 150mpg—just in time for $10/gallon gas—from its 1.0-gallon fuel tank. The exhaust gets a catalyst, making the motor Euro5-compliant.
The Honda Dax gets the transmission with the auto-clutch and four-speed manual-shift transmission. Some miniMOTOs get a five-speed transmission, and some have a manual clutch. The Dax keeps it simple with the minimum of gears, and all you have to do to shift is move the gearshift lever.
There’s no clutching as you come to a stop, as the centrifugal clutch automatically disengages the transmission when revs drop. The Dax is positioned as an easy way for a new rider to get started.
Suspension styling is a mix of old and new. Traditional twin shocks are matched with a non-adjustable 31mm inverted fork. Damping and spring-preload are fixed on the suspension units—whatcha see is whatcha get, as The Dramatics’ song went in 1971, as inspired by Flip Wilson’s Geraldine Jones character.
Disc brakes with IMU-supported ABS slow down the Dax
IRC NR77 tires are mounted on 12-inch rims. The tires are wide, giving the Dax a reassuring footprint.
Chrome is abundant on the 2023 Honda ST125 Dax. Front the headlight to the taillights, you’ll see the shiny stuff. You can’t miss the grab bar and the left side cover, not to mention the exhaust system—which we just mentioned.
With a frame that resembles a Dachshund, it’s only natural that the Dax would have a nod to the lovable wiener dog. A graphic featuring a helmeted Dachshund wearing goggles and wheels for legs adorn the right side of the Dax, underlined by the ST125 logo.
Just like the Trail 70, the Dax gets a racing stripe across its dual-function frame/fuel tank. However, the front fender hugs the IRC, instead of the high-mounted Trail 70 fender.
Lighting is modern—there are LEDs from front to back. The dash is retro-round with a negative LCD dash—light letters/numbers on a darker background.
If you want to ride two-up, be Honda’s guest. That’s a thick bench seat, and passenger footpegs are standard.
Right now, the 2023 Honda ST125 Dax is Euro-only. However, we would be surprised if it doesn’t make it to America in the coming year.
PHOTOS
FULL SPECIFICATIONS
ENGINE
-
- Type: Horizontal four-stroke single
-
- Displacement: 124cc
-
- Bore x stroke: 50 x 63.1mm
-
- Maximum power: 9.3 horsepower @ 7000 rpm
-
- Maximum torque: 8.0 ft-lbs @ 5000 rpm
- Top speed: Over 55 mph
-
- Compression ratio: 10.0:1
-
- Fueling: EFI w 24mm throttle body
-
- Cooling: Air
-
- Valvetrain: SOHC; 2 valves
-
- Starting: Electric
-
- Transmission: 4-speed manual shift
-
- Clutch: Automatic centrifugal wet multi-plate
-
- Final drive: Chain
CHASSIS
-
- Frame: Pressed steel backbone
-
- Front suspension; travel: Non-adjustable 31mm inverted fork; 3.9 inches
-
- Rear suspension; travel: Non-adjustable shocks; 4.7 inches
-
- Wheels: 5-spoke cast aluminum
-
- Tires: IRC NR77
-
- Front tire: 12080 x 12
-
- Rear tire: 13080 x 12
-
- Front brake: 220mm disc w Nissin caliper
-
- Rear brake: 190mm disc w Nissin caliper
-
- ABS: Standard
DIMENSIONS and CAPACITIES
-
- Wheelbase: 40.2 inches
-
- Rake: 25 degrees
-
- Trail: 3.3 inches
-
- Seat height: 30.5 inches
-
- Fuel capacity: 1.0 gallon
-
- Estimated fuel consumption: 150 mpg
-
- Curb weight: 236 pounds
-
- Colors: Pearl Nebula Red; Pearl Cadet Grey
2023 Honda ST125 Dax Price: $TBA MSRP
