Honda Dio

The Honda Dio was the first moto-scooter to be introduced in India. But now the times have changed with the scooter market being too competitive and the scooter sales determine the position of the company. Like the Honda Activa, which is constantly outselling not only all the scooters in its segment but also the best selling bikes as well. This has made life difficult for Hero which is barely able to stay on the top spot. Also, with competition intensifying in the moto-scooter category from the likes of TVS Ntorq, Aprilia SR 125, and the recently launched Suzuki Burgman Street 125; Honda had to take some steps and refresh its best selling moto-scooter. The new Dio comes with features such as all-digital console with a 3-step eco speed indicator, LED headlight, tubeless tyres, CBS with equalizers and maintenance free battery. Two new colours Matte Marshal Green Metallic and Matte Axis Grey Metallic have been introduced, including the earlier Dazzle Yellow Metallic and Pearl Igneous Black colours. The new colours offer a more decent look than the earlier funky looking ones and might attract more buyers. Honda Dio comes in two variants: the STD variant which is priced at Rs.51837 and the feature-rich DLX variant which is available for Rs.53837 (both prices mentioned are Ex-Showroom, Delhi). 

The all-new Honda Dio comes with LED headlight and a LED position light, which was introduced in last year's variant. Wheels now are the first in its class, showstopper signature gold rims that makes it stand apart from the rest. A new metal plate cover on the exhaust pipe looks durable and will last longer. Apart from the regular under-seat hook, the scooter comes equipped with a convenient front hook as well. Now you can easily hang those light grocery bags on the front hook. You don't have to fiddle with the key to release the seat lock anymore, as the scooter now has a dedicated seat release switch integrated with the ignition lock panel. This feature was first seen on the new Activa scooter. Must have accessory for the smartphone generation, the mobile charging socket, is given as an optional fitment. We feel this feature should have been made standard one by now, as most of its competitors provide it. The 18 litres of under-seat storage space is decent enough but is a bit less if you compare it with its competitors, while the fuel tank capacity is 5.3 litres. This is the only scooter in its segment to offer a complete digital console and it looks beautiful when it lights up with a blue backlight. You get a speedometer, odometer, trip meter, fuel gauge, service reminder and a clock on this digital console. 

Powering the Honda Dio is the same 109.19cc engine from the trusted Activa. It churns out a max power of 8bhp at 7000 rpm and a peak torque of 8.91Nm at 5500 rpm. Comparatively the Dio has more torque than its direct competitors like Yamaha Ray ZR, Suzuki Lets, and the TVS Jupiter. Compliant with BS IV norms, the Honda Eco Technology (HET) engine in the new Dio ensures optimum performance with superb mileage of around 58 kmpl. The engine is also powerful enough to make those quick overtakes in city traffic and boasts a top speed of 83 kmph which is quite impressive. The good pickup and the refined engine make this a segment leader in the moto-scooter category. Though the likes of the SR 125 and the Ntorq are setting new standards in the moto-scooter category; being a 110cc scooter the Dio doesn’t face any competition from them, except the Ray ZR.

Brakes work well in the Dio thanks to the Combi Brake System, which helps distribute the brake force evenly to the front and rear wheels. Suspension is same as earlier and decent enough on the new Dio, but we wish that Honda could have provided it with telescopic suspension at the front. Seat cushioning is comfortable and the front panels are designed in such a way that your legs don't feel cramped. Overall, the riding ergonomics have been taken care of by Honda. The high-speed stability is decent enough, but we feel it would have been much better if the Dio was riding on 12-inch wheels instead of the 10-inch ones. Ground clearance is more than enough to clear any speed breakers and has an ideal seat height to accommodate riders of all sizes.

The Combi Brake System is a good safety feature as mostly rookie young riders are the owners of the Dio. BSIV’s mandatory AOH feature takes care that the scooter stays visible under any weather conditions. Honda now has integrated a 3-step eco-speed indicator in the digital console for precision and efficient riding. This unique indicator monitors the scooter’s speed and informs that you are riding the scooter at the appropriate speed to gain maximum fuel efficiency. The lights in the 3-step eco speed indicator work in a sequential pattern, and when all the three lights are all lit-up, shows you that the scooter is being ridden in a very efficient speed.