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The lineup of Honda’s mini motorcycles in the United States is expanding with the addition of the 2025 Honda Dax 125. This marks a new chapter in Honda’s efforts to reintroduce its charming classic bikes. The Dax makes a welcome comeback to America, evolving from the iconic Honda Trail 70, which first hit the U.S. market in 1969 and became a top-selling model often seen in campgrounds or attached to RVs.
Despite being a favorite in the U.S. during the 1970s, Honda did not launch the 2022 Dax in the States but is now rectifying that by introducing the Honda Dax 125. This revival may be influenced by the increasing interest in the Trail 70 among collectors, as retro-styled mini bikes like the Monkey and Super Cub continue to gain popularity. Thus, it seems fitting to bring back the Trail 70, infused with modern updates to breathe new life into the classic design.
One of the standout features of the new Dax is its semiautomatic four-speed transmission, which utilizes a centrifugal clutch. Riders won’t need to engage a clutch lever for shifting gears, and in fact, there isn’t one at all—this may take some adjustment for those used to using a clutch lever while slowing down. The Dax will be powered by the same 125cc air-cooled single-cylinder engine found in models like the Grom and Trail 125, achieving an impressive nearly 107 miles per gallon, which is essential given that the tank, integrated into the frame, holds just one gallon.
With a seat height of just 30.6 inches and a total weight of 236 pounds when wet, the Dax is designed to be user-friendly, ideal for navigating city errands—especially with its semiautomatic transmission. It rolls on 12-inch tires and wheels adapted from the Grom, along with disc brakes at both the front and rear, featuring standard ABS, making it a thoroughly modern mini moto.
The vintage Honda aesthetics and its distinctive T-Bone frame ensure that it retains a strong retro vibe without the challenges often associated with owning an older motorcycle. The U.S. version for the 2025 model year even pays homage to the original Trail 50 and 70 models, with the latter being known as the CT70 outside of the U.S. and designated as the ST70 in Japan.
As Honda recounts, a dealer in Boise, Idaho, named Herb Uhl began modifying Honda Super Cubs in 1960 to enhance their ruggedness and performance. His innovative designs gained such popularity that American Honda sent one to its headquarters in Japan, leading to the creation of the official Trail 50, which paved the way for the CT line. By 1969, the Trail 50 underwent a redesign and emerged as the CT70, or Trail 70, featuring a distinctive T-shaped frame resembling a dachshund, which inspired the Dax name.
Recently, the introduction of the Honda Trail125 revived the classic styling of the original Trail Cub, although the updated CT/ST frame had been absent from the U.S. market until now. The Dax 125 is set to launch later this October at a starting price of $4,499. With this release, it’s evident that Honda’s mini bike lineup is experiencing a well-deserved revival, finding a new audience after all these years. Whether you favor the Super Cub, Monkey, Trail 125, Grom, or now the Dax 125, Honda seems to have a mini moto to suit everyone’s taste. While a bike like this might not set off major thrills, its practicality and charm, combined with a fuel efficiency exceeding 100 mpg, make it a welcomed addition to the motorcycle community.
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