HONDA Dax ST 125 Review. 50 Years Since Riding The Original ST70. Is This Reincarnation As Good?

The Ol' Man relives his childhood in this review of the new 2023 Honda Dax ST125.
This is the first part of the Honda Dax Review, in the new 5 Minute Review Format that we are trialling. Let us know if you like the shorter review video. In the Second Part - coming soon, we will go into more detail and visit some interesting places. This gets straight to the point so YOU can decide if this retro motorcycle is right for you.
We have had very heavy snow-cover here in Wales so today, there was a break in the weather after the thaw, and we managed to get this video. As soon as the Ol' Man got back home on the bike, it started sleeting, so the rest was filmed in a barn!
We go into the engine, power, torque, handling, brakes, styling and design, suitability, riding experience and much more! You won't believe the amount of water coming down the road in one of the clips!
The Ol Man had the original Honda ST70 in the 1970's when he was a child, and this motorcycle feels very similar, and even sounds the same!
Have a look on the Honda Website in your country for more details. Here's a link to the UK site: www.honda.co.uk/motorcycles/r...
BUY ME A COFFEE: www.buymeacoffee.com/mdatom
Instagram: / mrdarcyandtheoldman
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[@lukewalker1051]

Excellent review Mr. Darcy. Great pics of when you were a kid on the early Honda that many of us grew up with. We are about the same age, and I built my first motorbikes from scratch when I was a little kid. On the street I grew up, I competed with my friends for building the fastest motorized mini bike. We first started by putting lawnmower engines on bicycles. Then pre-internet we bought a welded frameset we bought from the back of a magazine called a little Indian. We put the biggest 4 cycle lawnmower engine on it we could fit which governed to 3600 RPM and 5 hp and we got guestimated 8 horsepower out the Briggs & Straton...a vane style governor was removed of course...we did everything from port and polish intake and exhaust ports, deck the head, lighten pistons, bigger carb etc. Would go about 45 mph or so with a 100 lb kid on it. We even put lights on them and marauded at night at illegal speeds running from the cops with established get away routes. Real cat and mouse with the cops which I believe on some level they enjoyed...and we sure did...little kids against the cops on the back roads of the paved 'city' streets and not the country where you can go off road. All my friends and me ended up going to engineering school as we were all what you call petrol heads...we also built a lot of fast cars and you probably know about American Muscle cars of the 60's. In later years we all advanced to motorcycles and many of us gravitated to British bikes like BSA's, Daytonas and Bonnevilles. Many Americans like me have British and European ancestry I am sure you know. I even bought a fuel injected remake of the T100 Triumph Bonneville in 2009 to wet my nostalgic appetite. Cheers from America. Love the beautiful landscape where you live and you capture the hobby of motorcycling wonderfully. PS. I can always tell how knowledgeable a motorcycle enthusiast by his penchant for a great variety of motorcycles. An enlightened man sees the virtue in many different designs. Mr. Honda if you read his life story and I presume you have, was a genius. Ride safe.

[@SloboloboVFR]

It looks quite small but surprisingly you dont look ridiculous riding it. Im also impressed it can hit 60, quite a nice bike.

[@Dunkelzeitgeist]

This was the one we've been waiting for! Lovely work James, great little thing

[@scolarichris]

I had this Dax in 70cc in the 1980’s. So convenient to ride in the city and park it anywhere. Reliable, never missed a beat.

[@CJD1984]

Great review. Really slick presentation. Well done on the 5min video. 👍

[@TheSweetasanut]

Brilliant as always

[@teamJJontour]

Good Evening to you both, greetings from Hamburg

[@chrispomphrett4283]

Ah, my old ST70. The only bike from many that I regretted part exchanging for a CX500. I went back 2 days later to try to buy it back, and it had sold....argh. Love this quicky review and especially the speeded-up bit!

[@johnderrick2501]

Good Evening to you both, greetings from Barcelona

[@scrambler_adventures]

Great review of a fantastic looking little bike. It looks like you can have a ton of fun with one!

[@justdad53]

Nicely done!

[@sdefiel3719]

I may have already mentioned this, but I had a ~'70 Honda CT70, or Trail 70 when I was a kid as well. Everyone else had Sears minibikes, but I had a mini-CYCLE! Yeah, I was tough stuff. It went everywhere and was faster than those Briggs and Stratton wimps. Top speed was about 45-50 mph. I got a chance to ride another one two years ago. Man, it was small, but still a blast to ride. thx S P.S.: When you did the fast-motion stuff you should have played some _Yakety Sax_ , (AKA Benny Hill) music. ;)

[@duncancleverley6366]

Brilliant.. not ideal for your height sir but a brilliant video thank you.. lot of love for the Dax.. 👍🏻

[@sijmen2670]

I love these bikes, currently I ride a 50cc dax. Really like the 125 monkeys, but they are pretty expensive.. feel like Honda Is targeting 50yo men with a midlifecrisis who rode these back in the day.

[@sijmen2670]

@Jay M maybe, maybe not, but you cant deny that these very cool bikes are very expensive for a 125cc motorbike. For a 21yo like me it's very expensive. But it's okay I guess

[@sijmen2670]

@NotMyName Haha! And nothing wrong with that! Very cool!

[@mencewilkinson9625]

That'll be me then

[@andyjdaviestjk]

Loved this I also like the clock in the corner .... Nice one

[@mikeypro7534]

My first bike was a Rupp Scrambler minibike (not sure if this counts amongst such exalted company 😁). It had a 3.5 hp Tecumseh engine with centrifugal clutch and was a pull-start. Not street legal (constables made me walk it back three blocks to my house after catching me buzzing the streets) but it was a proper job with shocks front and back unlike other minibikes of its day. That bike instilled my love for two motorised wheels although I had to wait nearly thirty years to satisfy that craving!

[@lilynorthover8378]

Brilliant to see this little bike working those country lanes. Same lanes we got round 'ere. Steep, rough as ars..... oops 😬 nearly unfollowed community guidelines 🤭

[@bloooning1]

From across the pond and i love the review . I've been itching for over a year for these things to come to the states. my neighbor had 4 of the original ones when i was growing up ( mid 2000's) and he would let me ride them all the time. the first time I rode it I fell in love with it. as soon as I can preorder one I can guarantee i will be the first one in line.

[@brucegroom1929]

Just bought a Dax to go with my Monkey. Different ride., but just as fun. Great review of a wonderful bike

[@juliandone15]

But it’s the same price as an Enfield 350 (Hunter or Meteor) and I know which I would have. Handy for a motor home bike though

[@seH2i]

I'm diggin the dog sir ! Great review, brings back memories as well. Enjoy the day~

[@pennsyltuckyden9823]

In the US it was called the Trail 70, that was my dream bike as a kid.

[@aceofspades5786]

Alot of effort gone into styling that Honda, hopefully may encourage new and younger riders, and 188 mpg. Another enthusiastic review.

[@monkeydixadventures]

Great video….Love the format and content….I also had an old Honda ST70 in around 1983…I have come full circle via 1200GSA to be back on a Honda Monkey/ C90 and a CT125….Cheers Dean aka MonkeyDixAdventures 🤠👍

[@AF-O6]

My boyhood mate owned a Trail 70 as they called them in the States. I had a Suzuki MT50 Trailhopper, which as I recall was a close match racing. Thanks for the memory!

[@666chunky1]

I had an ST70 (unfortunately my ex sold it), thought of getting another one but the price second hand was way too much, I then saw a Skyteam 125 Chinese clone (even has the same useful fold down bars as the original, and better brakes), and decided to buy one, this was before the Honda 125 came out, got to say It's great, I wouldn't have been able to justify the cost of the Honda

[@WeaselKonig]

I like the new short form with other longer videos. The formatting change seems to be paying off well.

[@WeaselKonig]

And great to see the old guy riding again. Heal up.

[@JoJo-hc4dj]

Looks fun to ride 👍🏼 awesome funny video 😂😂😂

[@90330]

I love all the motorcycles as long as they don´t have a triangular headlight. Or hexagonal or deltoid or...

[@martindunleavy798]

My first real motorcycle was a CL 70 a very similar bike only with larger wheels and a gas tank between your legs. What a great bike that was. I kept it for about six months and then got my first race bike.

[@photographerjonathan]

After my first mini bike with a lawn mower engine. my first Honda was the CT70. so I cannot help but to love this little machine. I just wish they made it a 150 with a five speed and clutch.

[@garyseaton4619]

Shoving 125cc in that little thing has got to be a blast...

[@muckle8]

Even more fun with a big bore kit 180 cc!

[@SS-ck3ew]

Cool lookin' mini-scoot! Unfortunately here in what has become the "land of the freak and the home of the sooooooo brave" and the current bAdministration, we do NOT get this superb motorbike! Ergo, I shall live vicariously through you two gentlemen as you test it out. For those that are "broffended" (i.e., easily claiming to offended by anything masculine!) by my words? I don't care. I like motorbikes and beings that get "broffended" probably do not. So HUZZAH to this brief view and I look forward to a more in depth and fun filled episode on the Dax! SS

[@1digitalwatcher697]

I rode one in the 70s loved it.

[@cezarmartins3489]

entertaining video as usual, gents 👌

[@rainerwolf6319]

My first bike was a 50 cc Dax in 1977 and i went from Heidelberg to the Isle of Man in 78 to see Dähne at the TT. Now i wait for my new Dax nearly one year. The order is now confirmed by Honda for July. The price in Germany is 4980€ plus freight.

[@1mchartmann]

In 1989 I bought a brand new Honda DAX st50 for 2100 DM in Germany. I think that works out to around 1000 US dollars at that time. The DM no longer exists. (Deutsch Mark)

[@-old-school-motorcyclesltd]

Cracking little machine 😊love to test one one day

[@jamesmegill]

That bike really brings back some memories!

[@ccooper8785]

I would prefer a conventional clutch but, if it comes with a Honda hoodie, then consider it sold...

[@maskedavenger2578]

I remember having a ride of a 70cc version back around 1972. It had a 3 speed gears with auto clutch . Gears were non rotary & also seem to remember the handlebars could be quickly unscrewed & folded for storage .

[@GixxerZilla]

Great bike!

[@donalddicorcia2433]

This would be perfect for my needs. 8 mile commute on 55 mph secondary roads and errands into town.

[@everestvirtue309]

Hello my friend I am glad you are feeling better I want to let you know that it was a great help to see your review of the Triumph Tiger Sport 850 that you created a while back I am about your size and you helped me Because there are no test Rides here Today i bought a 2023 Tiger Sport 850 in the Blue with Graphite Grey It is truly the Best bike For me Thank you All Happiness to you and your Family Take Care my Friend

[@MrDarcy-OlMan]

Thanks buddy. That’s great! I think it’s the best of the Adventure bikes, not being overly powerful or heavy 👍🏼👍🏼

[@everestvirtue309]

@@MrDarcy-OlMan thank you Yes , for me its exactly what i need. Take care my Friend Ill be looking for you on you tube Thank you

[@jayblake7005]

Just how i would review one , i have the Red version same as this , waiting for clean roads ns sunny rides to get out more

[@AK-xu1fx]

5:46 HAHAHAHHAHHAHAAHAHHAHA like like like 🤣🤣🤣

[@N13J]

There’s a blue Tamiya limited edition and it looks amazing.

[@jefiroi]

Hey guys, love the content! Would it be possible to get videos on the Yamaha cruisers, the V Star 250 and the Bolt R-Spec?

[@MrDarcy-OlMan]

We’ve given up asking them tbh.

[@jefiroi]

@@MrDarcy-OlMan That's unfortunate. Keep it up and they'll come knocking at your door in no time 🙌!

[@highlandrab19]

Would be interesting to see a comparison between this and the bullit/bluroc clones of them

[@wesleycardinal8869]

I've got the C125 supercub, same engine as this and have been tracking my fuel usage with the Fuelly app, and its getting 1.5 l/100 km or about 188 mpg ( imperial). One day I'm going to find a flat bit of road and do some hypermiling, I reckon 200 mpg is within reach.

[@simonchilli2088]

That was very entertaining with some background on yourself thrown in. Do you rate/like Suzukis?

[@MrDarcy-OlMan]

Suzuki are afraid to send us a bike!

[@simonchilli2088]

@@MrDarcy-OlMan Snowflaxe😀 Not even the new V-Strom? Shame on them sir.

[@simonchilli2088]

Also they don't really do cruisers now.

[@amalconcentric898]

Smashing video as always..but...Poor old man, getting the Dax after Fweddy Dobbs got it to shil. Can I just ask, have they put the standard gearing back on? I assumed by the way Fweddy had to duck paddle it everywhere from standstill, they'd put a Goldstar gear set in it. 😂

[@andyc750]

nah it was just lacking enough power to pull his enormous ego along with it 🤣🤣

[@MrDarcy-OlMan]

Thanks buddy. Haha.

[@sefton1972]

I had a Honda C125 Cub which was great apart from going up a mild incline. This reminded me of its limitations. Quite dangerous with traffic barring down on you.

[@johncas1]

Buy the c125 goes up a hill better than the old c90 try a hill on that

[@davidgalt8107]

The gearbox is most likely that which is known as a 4 speed 'rotary'. As you say it's 4 down, but here's the handy bit. Instead of having to go down the gears to first at stops etc, you just keep going past 4th into neutral and carry on into first. These are fitted to most underbones, (stepthrus) and are very common in Asia. Very handy if you have to stop sudenly while in top gear, saves going down through all the gears to get back into 1st. I have one such g/box fitted to my Suzuki Smash.

[@maskedavenger2578]

One of my bikes is a 2004 Honda 125 Innova step thru cub type with 4 speed rotary auto clutch transmission . You have to come to a complete halt before it will go from fourth to first gear .

[@goldilocks913]

Love the look of this bike, and what a hoot! Er, please tell me you meant ‘going around the sheep ‘ rather than literally ‘going in and out of the sheep’ which would, l imagine, only appear on the dark web 😂

[@MrDarcy-OlMan]

It is Wales 😉

[@lilynorthover8378]

​@@MrDarcy-OlMan 🤣

[@goldilocks913]

@@MrDarcy-OlMan haha l didn’t want to fall into stereotypes but....😂

[@agamemnon8163]

OLD MEN REVIEWS 125CCs HONDA!!!!! 🎉🎉🎉

[@fortyfour1654]

White beard... Red clothes You've a hint of the 'Santa-vibe' about you in this fab mini review of a reborn retro ride!

[@Toner1304]

Although the dax is a nice bike and I do like the nostalgic design, I'm just not sure what it offers to customers in practical terms that the monkey or Supercub doesn't already. I think Honda missed a trick by not bringing the CT125 to Europe. I'm holding onto hope!

[@jamesmoros1274]

Opportunity to do a comparison between the DAX & Monkey 😊

[@pixelmixture3067]

A belt drive kit and it’s perfect

[@user-sw2lv3zp6o]

0:25 Young boy! In and out of sheep! It could do with a 150cc engine and 14'' wheels. So many bikes which are 125cc in Europe are 150/155/166cc here in Thailand. Not this engine, unfortunately. If the Monkey was 150cc, I'd maybe get one. Not very practical, though. Underseat storage is why I runaround locally [shopping etc.] on a 155cc scooter.

[@davidmacgregor5193]

My first motorcycle was a 1975 ST70, I got over 120 mpg from it.

[@davesy6969]

My first bike was an ST70 dax.

[@rolfschullenberg7589]

Hi Mr. Darcy, I plan to buy the DAX. You say you are 6ft 2ft and it is comfortable to ride on. However, I'm 193cm, i.e. 6ft 4 and I'm wondering whether I could still ride it comfortably and whether the angle would still work well with the footshift. I'm thinking of making the DAX a little higher by having a saddler upholster the bench by 2 inches. There is also a higher handlebar that is available for purchase for the DAX. This puts you in a more upright and comfortable posture. A handlebar riser of 2 inches would also be possible. This would also allow the angle of the original handlebar to be adjusted variably. I think this could be advantageous for taller drivers. What is your opinion?

[@MrDarcy-OlMan]

It’s obviously a small bike but with adjustments, should be fine. 👍🏼

[@HMSfrubes]

Hi Mr Darcy, How would one of these fair/fit with someone 6ft, 17 stone? Cheers! :)

[@MrDarcy-OlMan]

Possible but not ideal 👍🏼

[@user-vt9xr6fe5h]

FYI, the suspension is quite bouncy with a passenger.

[@herytik4027]

I learnt to ride on a 70cc dax at Pismo beach, now I see a patch of sand on the road and shit myself. Good memories

[@troydavenport9244]

Great bike for herding the cows down the race to the milking shed.

[@wheels2fun526]

they might have brought it back for you guys in Europe. But here in Taiwan and Southeast Asia it never went out of production. For a long time their were made in Vietnam under license from Honda. by the same company that made Vespas. I'm shocked at how much they are being sold for in the UK. Here in Taiwan they sell for 79,000NTD (around 2100£) And thats with the massive import tax and duties we have on all imported vehicles. The DAX here is isn't imported by Honda. It's only imported by private dealers just like the Honda Cub. So it's a bit of a buyer beware. As Honda does not provide any service on bikes it does not import itself.

[@MrDarcy-OlMan]

That’s interesting to hear. Thank you 👍🏼👍🏼

[@waimeaguyz9074]

Will it climb steep off road hills like the ct70?

[@MrDarcy-OlMan]

Yes it’s pretty good everywhere

[@WeeFreeMan78]

If it's anything like the one I rode as a kid, try bliping the throttle when you downshift, it will make gear changes smooooth! Thank you for a great review 🙂

[@pinoyobserver1190]

Hry mr.darcy, if you were to choose between the dax and ct125@ 6ft with weekend piilion, wich would be more comfortable and fun to drive

[@MrDarcy-OlMan]

Definitely the Dax

[@pinoyobserver1190]

@@MrDarcy-OlMan tnxxfor the input 👍🏻

[@DJPTEXAS]

We had them in the 70's ( USA ) but never heard it called a " Dax" where did that name come from ?

[@alangordon3283]

There’s more to the world than Murica

[@FTStratLP]

It comes from "Dachshund" (Sausage Dog). You can see an image of the dog on the bike at 0:50.

[@MrDarcy-OlMan]

Yes I never knew it as that either tbh

[@Thegeordiemonkey]

Dax in Europe and some other places, st50 or st70 in others, minitrail and ct70 in the U.S.

[@DJPTEXAS]

@@alangordon3283 No there really isn't.....

[@TheSweetasanut]

Monkey or dax which do think is a better bike

[@MrDarcy-OlMan]

They are both great bikes it would just depend if you want a bike with conventional gears and clutch or a semi automatic, and which one your prefer the looks of 👍🏼

[@williammuir638]

Fair review. Not my cup of tea though. Those small wheels and those big pot holes 🧐😥. Pleased to note you didn't end up in A&E again.🤣👍

[@MrDarcy-OlMan]

I actually hit a big pothole I couldn’t avoid and it was fine! There’s a lot to be said for fat tyres!

[@1mchartmann]

I drove a Honda ct70 (US DAX) 15000 miles all in Hawaii and never had a issue with the 10 inch wheels. Perfect year round bike in Hawaii. Was still like new when I sold it. It was a 1992 model year order.

[@phils2180]

OMG...more upside down forks!!😂😂 Seriously though, stick a small rack on the back and that would be a perfect city commuter bike👍Cheap to buy, cheap to run and a nimble traffic queue jumper. The Honda badge is a bonus!👍

[@666chunky1]

The Chinese clones come with a rack, great bikes

[@kevinpollard1550]

Why do people who live in cities and towns moan about traffic get one of these its brill

[@FTStratLP]

Shall this now be your wife's new bike? 😜

[@MrDarcy-OlMan]

She really likes it!

[@swojchwat]

I guess this is more similar to honda trail 125 than monkey...

[@motomaggs7164]

In and out of sheep?

[@MrDarcy-OlMan]

It’s the done thing in Wales 😉

[@paullacey2999]

125 these days are so gutless!The 2 strokes went so much faster....Thats progress for you.....

[@at9670]

The economy is great though, maintenance as well.

[@BlackNAVYAmericanVET]

Is it soft on your bum on ruff roads ?

[@MrDarcy-OlMan]

Yes the seat is well padded

[@dannyvan5792]

still not can make a U turn on a honda dax .!!!!!!!!!