Fans of the Honda Trail 70 of the 1970s will appreciate the 2025 Honda Dax 125, a new miniMoto with retro inspiration but created with modern technology and features. The Dax 125 joins other miniMotos in Honda’s lineup, like the Grom, Monkey, Super Cub, and Trail125.
The 1969 Honda CT70 Trail 70, known in Europe as the Dax, was a popular model that introduced a chunkier look compared to the earlier Trail models. It was equipped with a pressed-steel “T-bone” frame, fat tires, and a folding handlebar. The CT models sold over 725,000 units in the U.S. over three decades. Then in 2021, Honda brought the Trail125 as an homage to the previous Trail series. The new Dax 125 brings back the chunky design features of the Trail 70.
Regarding the Trail 70, American Honda’s manager of public relations, Colin Miller, says, ““The model holds a warm spot in the hearts of many American customers, so it’s appropriate that it make a return in the form of the Dax 125, which honors the original while introducing modern technology, performance, and reliability. We’re excited to see its reception among U.S. customers.”
The Dax 125 is powered by an air-cooled 124cc Single with SOHC and two valves. It has a bore and stroke of 50.0×63.1mm and a compression ratio of 10.0:1. Honda claims that even with a passenger, the Dax 125 can reach cruising speeds of 55 mph.
The Dax 125 features a single catalyzer, an upswept muffler with a drilled and slotted chrome heat shield, and a 4-speed gearbox with neutral at the bottom. The gearbox is operated with a centrifugal clutch that doesn’t require a clutch lever. The rider need only click through gears with the left foot lever, and the clutch will operate automatically when the throttle is opened.
A highlight and distinctive styling element of the Dax 125 is its pressed-steel T-shaped frame, which houses the 1.4-gallon fuel tank. Rake and trail are 27 degrees and 3.15 inches, and wheelbase is 49.5 inches. The bike’s wet weight is 256 lb.
Suspension comes from a 27mm inverted fork and twin shocks. The Dax has blacked-out 12-inch rims borrowed from the Honda Grom, and the wheels are wrapped in ballon-like tires that are 4.7 inches wide on the front and 5.1 inches wide on the rear. Hydraulic calipers are paired with 220mm front and 190mm rear discs, and single-channel ABS is standard.
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In the styling department, the Dax includes many retro-inspired features. The thick seat sits at 31.5 inches in height and is large enough for a rider and passenger, and the handlebar is chrome and high-set. The frame’s midsection has a black stripe with “Dax” on it, along with a Honda Wing logo beside that. Complementing the bike’s playful energy is a cartoon image of a Dachshund.
The Dax has a chrome front fender and a circular headlight. The display is a round, negative LCD, and all lighting is LED. It includes a chrome grabrail for the passenger. A rear rack and heated grips are available as options.
The 2025 Honda Dax 125 will be available in Pearl Glittering Blue or Pearl Gray with an MSRP of $4,199, and it’ll arrive in dealerships in October.
Visit Honda’s website for more information.
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