Scooters are a fairly convenient way of transportation for people who do not want to ride at prohibitive speeds. Such mopeds are usually bought by people who want to move quickly and comfortably in conditions of constant traffic jams and difficult traffic. Also, scooters are chosen by those who are just starting to master two-wheeled technology, which is true in principle. But everything is evolving, and motorcycle manufacturers have learned to make scooters that can be compared with some cruiser or road motorcycle in terms of comfort and quality. In today's review we will talk about the Honda Dio 27 scooter. Is this moped really as comfortable and reliable as they say it is?
AF-27 Model Review
We can say that the Honda Dio 27 is a restyling of the af-18 model, because the appearance and technical components have remained virtually unchanged.
But still, some changes have occurred; the scooter is now equipped with a full-size compartment for a helmet in the central trunk; in addition to the helmet, it is convenient to store many small items there.
In addition, it uses a new dual-focus head optic for the slim type, integrated with a tilt-angle lens (Kirpton 35/30W gas actuation valve), and a large rear combination lamp integrated into the body.
Engineers have developed measures such as the layout of the fuel tank under the floor, as well as the large capacity (4 → 5 l) petrol tank, providing ample space in the trunk, it is convenient and functional.
In addition, an internal stand is equipped on the inside of the front panel as standard, making it easy to use in everyday life, providing a seat height (700mm) with good legs and generous space.
Honda Dio 27
The Honda Dio 27 engine is air cooled, two cycle and single 50cc cylinder. See Maximum power output of 6.8PS/7.00rpm, coupled with a continuously variable transmission (Vmatic), provides smooth and powerful output characteristics from low to mid-speed, providing both sportiness and ease of handling in urban environments.
The suspension consists of installed sports telescopic shock absorbers. The front and rear wheels are equipped with 10-inch tubeless tires (3.00 - 10 42 J) and a large diameter brake of 95 mm, providing an easy and comfortable ride.
The scooter is also equipped from the factory with:
- A large capacity fuel tank (5.0 L) and an oil tank (1.2 L) are installed.
- Equipped with a turn signal indicator which displays the turn signal indicator with a lamp inside the meter.
- The turn signal switch is equipped with a press, cancel and turn indicator that is automatically canceled by pressing only after activation.
- Maintenance-free battery, no need to replenish water.
Honda Dio 27 has three trim levels, this is the basic Super Dio which is equipped with drum brakes, the next modification is SR, it was already equipped with disc brakes. ZX, as in the case of the Honda Dio 35, is a sports modification that includes a spoiler, a chrome muffler, a more powerful engine and disc brakes.
There is another interesting version called Honda Dio 27 Baja, it is characterized by a steering wheel from the Honda XR250 Baja, handle pads, in general it is an enduro scooter.
Baja version
In summary, the Honda Dio 27 is a great basic scooter that is easy to handle, stylish, functional and comfortable.
Japanese electric version
Later, the Japanese company introduced another version of this scooter, but it is used only in Japan. The manufacturer decided that this modification of the model will not be exported to other countries, since it simply does not make sense. In this version, instead of the usual internal combustion engine, there is an electric motor that receives energy from alkaline batteries. Of course, you won’t find a gas tank here either, because it is in its place that the batteries are installed. The beauty of this version is that it does not require gasoline. In order to use the scooter, you simply need to charge it from a household outlet. On the one hand, this is economical and does not spoil the environment, but on the other hand, the driver does not have the opportunity to travel far from the city, or even from his home. That is why this modification took root in Japan, but not with as much success as Honda had hoped for.
It is also worth noting that you will not need training or obtain a driver’s license for the Honda Dio 27 scooter, since the engine capacity does not exceed 50 cm3. This greatly simplifies the operation of this vehicle, because training for the motorcycle category will take a lot of time and money.
Specifications
| Common name | Dio |
| model | A-AF 27 |
| Full length × full width × total height (m) | 1,640 × 0,615 × 0,995 |
| Axle distance (m) | 1,145 |
| Minimum ground clearance (m) | 0,100 |
| Seat height (m) | 0,700 |
| Weight / vehicle weight (kg) | 68/63 |
| Riding ability (person) | 1 |
| Fuel Economy (km/l) 30 km/h | 48,5 |
| Minimum turning radius (m) | 1,8 |
| Engine model | AF18E (air cooled, 2 cycle, single cylinder) |
| Total displacement (cm 3 ) | 49 |
| Inner diameter x stroke (mm) | 39,0 × 41,4 |
| Compression Ratio | 7,1 |
| Maximum power (PS/rpm) | 6,8 / 7,000 |
| Maximum torque (kgm/rpm) | 0,73 / 6,500 |
| Carburetor model | PB80 |
| Launch method | Self-launch type (combined use of the “impact” type) |
| Ignition device type | Magnetic ignition type CDI |
| Lubrication method | Separate type of lubricant |
| Lubricating oil capacity(L) | 1.2 |
| Fuel tank capacity (L) | 5.0 |
| Clutch type | Dry multi-disc shoe type |
| Transmission type | Constantly variable speed type (Vmatic) |
| Gear ratio 1st speed | From 2.450 to 0.850 |
| Caster (degrees) / Trail (mm) | 26 ° 30 ‘/ 73 |
| Front tire size | 3.00 – 10 42 J |
| After tire size | 3.00 – 10 42 J |
| Before the brake | Mechanical read/completion |
| After the brake | Mechanical read/completion |
| Before suspension | Telescopic type |
| After suspension | Unit vibrational formula |
| Frame type | Underbone |
Safety Honda Dio 27
Since 1993, the manufacturer has thought about the safety of the scooter, as cases of theft of this particular model have become more frequent. To do this, it was decided to add a closing curtain at the place where the ignition key is inserted. The point is that in order to open it, it was necessary to dial a special code on the dashboard, and only the owner knew it. At first, this helped and the number of thefts decreased significantly, but after a few years, scammers began to act in a barbaric manner, simply breaking the curtain. Therefore, in even newer models, as in Dio 27, the moped began to be equipped with a standard alarm system. Taking advantage of the situation, the company added the ability to start the scooter with a button. The only drawback to starting this way is that you will also have to turn off the scooter using the button, and not using the ignition switch.
Good afternoon, this is my second day on the site, so if something goes wrong, don’t throw poop at me :) My story of traveling on a two-wheeled vehicle began a year and a half ago.
I had a great desire to buy a motorcycle, but I had only 4,000 rubles in my pocket, and it’s clear that the only motorcycle I could afford was a wall calendar with images of super sports. But one wonderful September evening, an acquaintance asked who he could sell his old Chinese scooter to for 3,000 rubles. "Fate!" I thought and the next day I took this miracle and a bunch of plastic for it:
The miracle of Chinese thought didn’t really want to start and drive, but it was autumn, there was nothing to do in the evenings, and there was always an interest in technology. So in a couple of months I learned by heart the structure of a Chinese 4-stroke engine :) From time to time, money appeared, which was immediately left in car shops and stores that sold spare parts and tuning for motorcycles. By the new year of 2012, the scooter was already at full speed and sparkling with fresh paint and xenon headlights.
All winter I brought it to mind, periodically going out to spin coins in front of the garage, but I still spent most of my time on the Internet, communicating on forums with like-minded people. Communication led to the formation in my head of a clear idea that “China is not going down”, and that it is worth selling it to hell and taking the Japanese. Considering the amount invested in this scooter, I could easily exchange it for a stock dio/sepia/jog. By the end of March, I found a person who was seduced by tuning, music and LEDs, and offered his Honda Dio 34 for exchange. No sooner said than done. On the day of the exchange, there was only one thought in my head - “now I will have something that will drive like a sting and will not break.” How wrong I was... They exchanged. So I’m driving home in this dio and I notice that it’s not only driving slower, but I would even say that it’s crawling 2 times slower than my Chinese one. On top of everything else, it was also harder to start, and it didn’t look as impressive :(
Plus, on the same day I didn’t notice the open sewer hatch and tumbled quite a bit. In the photo above it is noticeable that the traverse is quite bent... Then it was necessary to do something with the engine, because it was possible to overtake me even without a bicycle. The first thing I did was go to the central gas station. I was horrified when I saw this... the rings flew freely in the sleeve. When I reached into the carburetor, it turned out that there was no filter element in the filter box. Cleaned the carburetor, inserted a new sponge. I took a new 70cc cpg. I straightened the traverse, welded the reinforcement inside for reliability :) I worked with plastic, and generally made a mess :)
By this time, the snow had melted and I gradually began to break in the cpg. The rattling crankshaft was a little alarming (by the way, it was Chinese, thanks to the former owner), but there was no money for a new one.
I had already begun to feel the taste of life, I had driven 300 km, when suddenly, by June, problems with ignition began. Either there is detonation, then there is mad thrust, then it barely moves. As it turned out, the seat for the key in the crankshaft was broken. I drove at a third of the gas and only when necessary, until I had the opportunity to buy a new knee. Then I bored out the rotor for a larger key and everything became normal. The mileage on this CVG exceeded 500 km and when I got on the highway, I decided to hit at least 60 km/h. So, I’m flying along the highway, so happy, when suddenly a wild crunching sound comes from the engine, the rear wheel locks, and I skid slightly. I stopped, there was light smoke coming from the engine and the smell of burnt plastic. Wedge! I stood there for 5 minutes, waited until it cooled down a little to start it again. I pressed the starter button, and there was a double clanking noise and silence from the engine. I drove 4 km to the garage... I removed the engine and was horrified. I caught the wedge just at the moment when the piston was going up... as a result, 3 studs were torn out along with the corners of the crankcase (whoever disassembled the 34 engine will understand what I mean) and another one is broken. The CPG is hellishly bad, the Chinese connecting rod is bent so getting it out of the engine has become a big problem. Repairs, according to good standards, amount to 8 thousand. In your pocket, zero. I tried to restore the crankcase by cold welding, screw in the studs differently, and somehow straighten the knee. I spent whole days and nights in the garage, all the money was spent on repairs, but the result was zero. At this time, all my friends were riding for their own pleasure, occasionally stopping by to find out how my repairs were progressing. On top of everything else, the girl abandoned me... In short, it’s the holidays, summer, everyone is riding - and I’m alone in the garage *working with this miracle of Japanese engineering. Depression in one word. I tried to sell it, but no one needs the designer when it’s not in use. I closed the garage and went to work part-time so that I could have money for spare parts and to take my mind off things. I earned 4k in a week, after which I saw an advertisement for the sale of a Chinese man. I bought it without thinking - you can put together anything from two scooters.
It was not running, but adjusting the thermal clearances of the valves led to the engine purring after two light presses of the kick starter. The scooter was a 72cc from the factory and had only 1000+ kilometers on it. Disassembly also showed that the engine is in perfect technical condition. But this is Patron Traffic! Outwardly it looks poor and the plastic falls off as you go. the suspension is dead in the trash. The idea is of course crazy, but throwing the 139 engine into the dio was the only way out at that time. No sooner said than done.
By that time, I had also repainted the plastic; I liked the dark gray color better. I don’t know how to insert a video here, but a link to YouTube is attached: www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNhfRhT5gL4 I rode like this for the first time. It really goes! And it starts with a button! It doesn’t even overheat and consumes 2 liters per hundred :) Then, naturally, there was a lack of power and tuning began... For several months, we bought all sorts of goodies like a 90cc CPG, a sports variator, a belt, a carburetor, etc. Oh yes, I’m not a supporter of expensive elite tuning, so the engine was built on the principle of less money/more power. For example, the oil radiator was from a Cossack :)
As a result, the engine began to produce around 10 hp, and this was enough to pull any other 2 tons of Japs from the start and calmly fly along the highway at a speed of 90 km/h. At the same time, it consumed about 3 liters per 100 km in mixed mode. I’ll say this about the power: at 50% gas it goes 45 km/h, and if you unscrew the handle all the way, then the scooter from this speed goes into reverse :) Video attached: www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHcB4nvu5qo Don’t go into details I will, if anyone is interested, I will write a separate article about how to make “China go down.” By this time I came across the Yoshkar-Ola scooter club, the guys there turned out to be very interesting, the season rolled on with them until the snow.
Among them there were those who supported my love for long trips, they took me to neighboring cities, and so on, throughout the republic.
Okay, let's get back to the scooter. I installed a muffler “ala saxaphone” - these are installed on Chinese 4t scooters, inside they are arranged like regular mufflers. Overall it looked nice:
But I didn’t ride like that for long... I was turning the scooter into a turn at a decent speed and the knee of the muffler caught either a curb or some kind of stone, but as a result, the muffler itself was deformed and the mount in the crankcase was torn off. I made a homemade mount and rode with it:
But in the end, I still installed the converted can for direct flow:
By the way, it sounds very bassy and gave a decent increase in power (and consumption too, by the way). Despite the fact that everything is set up normally, the tuned engine does not want to work quietly and therefore, when the gas is released, everyone driving behind observes blue flames with a characteristic sound :) In order not to be unfounded, the video is here: www.youtube.com/watch?v= BK9xH4A5pMs Of course it’s great to skate, if not for one thing. On the eve of my birthday, in early October, I got into an accident. It was late on a rainy evening. I was flying calmly along the avenue, just got caught in a green wave... When suddenly a dark “boyish” planted nine flies out of the parking lot with a whistle, cuts me off and disappears in an unknown direction. I'm flying under a gazelle, the scooter flies to the side of the road. There were no fractures, but I couldn’t walk for 4 days; it was a pretty severe knee injury.
A week later, I crawled to the garage on crutches to restore my scooter. I didn’t take any photos, but the damage is purely cosmetic: chipped plastic on the left side, a cracked variator cover, a broken headlight, headlight frame and one mirror on the front. After another week, although I was limping again, I was already riding the scooter as hard as I could :) After that, I decided to work on the brakes, because... the front still had drums with dio 34. I didn’t waste time, stuck gas-oiled feathers, a new disc, a new Kenda tire 3.5″ wide, a 220mm brake rotor and a two-piston caliper. Stoppy with a light touch of your finger :)
After the fall, I glued the headlight together, pulled out the yellow pieces of glass from the turn signals, and had to cut down the headlight frame for the brake disc...
I installed xenon 5000K 35W in the headlight. Here I think the difference with 55W halogen is very obvious:
So what next? Winter has come, a time of sadness and weekend drifting in front of the garage.
By the way, next summer we are planning to go to the sea on scooters. So what? Hang the case, change the oil, stock up on spare parts and hit the road. This Honda is no stranger :)
Thanks to everyone who read to the end. If you have any questions or suggestions, let me know :)
