Honda’s stylish scooter is doing nearly everything right.

price Rs 40,578 (ex-showroom Mumbai)
Test economy 45.3kpl
Expenses Rs 485
Faults Minor front panel rattleThree services and over 7000km effortlessly dispensed with, our Dio is flying through this long-term test without missing a beat. It’s even shocked us by delivering an average 45.3kpl—better than the litre-stretching ability it had at the time of the first report.
But attribute that superb showing to the gentle throttle wrist of photographer Ashley Baxter, and a daily 80-km commute from Thane to Mumbai, which comprises more of arrow-straight highways than muddled city traffic.
Ashley enjoys the Dio for its typical Honda-style build quality and all round refinement. And even though the Dio’s been around for many years now, it still looks just as snazzy and modern. He says the feel of the scooter is one of a typical trouble-free Honda, with its light throttle, comfortable grips and perfectly-shaped levers.

Side stand:- Side stand fitted at extra cost.

However, it’s high time the company stopped denying Dio riders a side stand, front storage and more significant goodies like telescopic forks and alloy rims. We got a side stand fitted for a nominal sum. Another oddity— and one that’s sadly seen across all of Honda’s scooters—is the mirrors narrowing towards their edges, where they should actually have been broad.
The scooter’s given no problems this far, save for a vibrating front apron that was easily rectified, and an inevitable tyre puncture caused by a three-inch long nail that had our name etched on it.
The Dio offers the endearing practicality of a floorboard and an under-seat storage bay that swallows up most photography paraphernalia.
And just when Ashley thought the engine couldn’t get any better, it’s gone even smoother after its recent third service, minor adjustments and an oil change. The Dio cruises smoothly at speeds close to 60kph on the highway, and rides and handles nearly as well as any other scooter in the country.
As you must have figured out by now, this little Honda’s sound design, and high quality engineering has managed to win over yet another of its discerning users. Stay tuned for its 10,000km-plus report.