Honda Dio

The Honda Dio is quite an iconic scooter and when first launched in 2002, scooters were seen as something that was only for the older generation. But the Dio managed to set itself apart from the rest by appealing to a younger set of riders, mostly college students.

Since its launch, Honda has brought in some updates with the latest one being the addition of a new variant to the Dio Portfolio known as the H-Smart Variant. Read our launch story to know more.

Overview

The Honda Dio is an iconic scooter that is quite popular among youngsters. Ever since its launch in 2002 the scooter has managed to stand out from the other models in the market like the Honda Activa, which are designed to appeal to more mature, family-oriented buyers, . But with its recent updates, the question we have to ask is, is the Dio still relevant today?

Design

The Dio’s design is really full of youthful energy. The scooter is able to achieve this by combining sharp bodywork and sporty graphics. The overall shape is still quite similar to the old Dio but the addition of modern elements like the new apron-mounted LED headlight and a handlebar cowl mounted DRL gives it some much needed modern touches. The rear features sporty grab rails along with an angular tail lamp and bulb-type indicators. 

Engine, Mileage & Performance

The Honda Dio has the same 109.52cc air-cooled engine that we have seen on the Honda Activa 6G, producing 7.85PS at 8000rpm and 9.03Nm at 5250rpm. But the Dio has a bit more power and torque than the Activa 6G keeping in line with the sportier character of the scooter. The engine comes with quite a few friction-reduction technologies and this has ensured optimum refinement and mileage, so the engine is quite smooth.

Handling & Ride Quality

The scooter is quite nimble thanks to the low kerb weight of 103kg. In the past it used to come with a leading link front suspension but now the newer versions have a telescopic fork in the front and this upgrade has improved ride quality considerably, the scooter has a 3-step preload adjustable monoshock . The scooter has a ground clearance of 160mm and combined with the suspension it can easily handle most bumps and potholes without the bottom scrapping. The new 12-inch front wheels are a welcome addition but the rear wheel is the same 10-inch wheel. Braking is handled by 130mm drum brakes at both ends. But we believe Honda should have offered a disc brake at least at the front.  

Comfort

The Honda Dio is a very comfortable scooter and the single-piece contoured seat is able to provide riders with an easy-going riding experience. The seat height is 765mm, which should make it quite accessible to riders of all heights.The suspension setup and larger 12-inch front wheel are easily able to absorb most bumps and potholes when travelling through bad roads and handling the scooter is an easy affair thanks to the low kerb weight of 103kgs.

Features

The Dio comes with a lot of new features, tech upgrades and design changes being key. On the tech side we saw the addition of a new digital instrument cluster that shows more information than before from real time to average fuel mileage apart from all the regular information. There’s the side-stand engine cutoff feature that has brought a side-stand indicator to the instrument cluster.

The Dio now gets an external fuel filler cap which makes refilling petrol an easy affair without the rider having to get out and open the seat. The H-Smart Variant comes with more features than the standard and DLX variant, the new additions being features that we have already seen on the Activa 6G H-Smart such as a smart key which gives the scooter keyless ignition.

Should You Buy

The Honda Dio is a good scooter and offers reliability and comfort, it is also a tried and tested platform that doesn't come with any unwanted surprises. If you’re looking for something that is simple and delivers good performance while looking good then the Dio is the right choice for you. The only let down here is the lack of features such as turn-by-turn navigation which Honda could have included.