There are 3 known generations of Dio scooters, namely the Honda Dio ZX 35 model. It began to be produced and sold back in 1994. The model received noticeable differences from its predecessor. New engine, chassis - everything has been changed. There were also changes in design: the new Honda Dio ZX 35 became much better, its shape attracted buyers. Crystal optics were very fashionable for those times. A flat bottom in the trunk is an innovation for the nineties.
Modifications
The following Honda Dio ZX 35 models were produced:
- Basic.
- With a basket in front (urban).
- With combined braking system (sports).
Of course, most often it was the basic models that were taken, since they were inexpensive and very convenient.
The best version is the Honda Dio ZX 35 AF, it was sporty. It had oil shock absorbers and beautiful alloy wheels. A spoiler was also included in the design of the scooter, as well as a different, more powerful engine. It is worth noting that this version underwent restyling in 1998, and the model itself was produced right up to 2005.
Characteristics
Now let's look at the characteristics of the Honda Dio ZX 35. The engine capacity of this scooter was only 50 cc. There is only one cylinder, two strokes. The engine was cooled by forced airflow. The engine power was exactly 8 horsepower at 6400 rpm.
The Honda Dio ZX 35 had a variable transmission, and the engine was ignited and started using an electric starter. The gas tank had a volume of exactly 5 liters. The maximum speed that could be achieved on such a scooter was sixty kilometers per hour. The total weight of the Honda Dio ZX 35 is seventy kilograms.
Advantages
As of 2021, Honda continues to sell scooters. However, many technical characteristics of the Honda Dio 35 ZX have become completely different today. Outwardly, he also changed significantly.
Now the basic version has become much more powerful and “spiritier” than before. Driving it around the city is a pleasure, and working as a courier is absolutely gorgeous. This is because the trunk is large and convenient and never lets down delivery people. Another small compartment has also been added to the front. Some modifications from the factory also have a basket in which you can place small-sized items.
The AF-35 SR CB series featured a combined braking system for the first time. The idea is simple: 30% of the brake force goes to the rear wheel, and 70% to the front. This increases stability during a sudden stop and prevents the driver from “flying out” of the scooter when driving around the city, maneuvering between other vehicles. However, this is most involved for beginners who do not have much experience in driving such equipment.
Honda Live Dio: the latest two-strokes
The third generation of the Honda Dio scooter (factory indexes AF-34 and AF-35) began mass production in 1994, while it was produced for 5 years in parallel with the previous generation model, and its production was completed 10 years later - in 2004.
This is the last Honda Dio two-stroke scooter in the series and is therefore considered the 'best'. Subsequent four-stroke models are more economical, but they do not have the same drive as the two-stroke Live Dio and its predecessors.
By the way, unlike its predecessor, Dio AF-34/35 received significant changes not only in terms of design, but also in technical terms. The main change is the new AF34E engine with a horizontal cylinder arrangement.
Externally, the Honda Dio AF-34/35 received a modern streamlined design, the optics became crystal, and for the first time the underseat luggage compartment had a flat floor.
The model was produced in several versions:
- the basic one was the usual Live Dio AF-34, distinguished externally by drum brakes on all wheels;
- Live Dio Cesta differs from the basic configuration in a volumetric basket integrated into the front fork (such modifications are popular among Japanese housewives who prefer to travel around shops and markets on two wheels);
- Live Dio AF-35 SR – modification with front disc brake;
- Live Dio AF-35 SR CB – modification with a combined braking system that distributes braking forces 30% to the front and 70% to the rear wheel;
- Live Dio AF-35 ST – distinguished by the presence of an ABS system;
- Live Dio AF-35 ZX is a sports modification, characterized by an oil shock absorber, front disc brake, a more powerful engine and a rear spoiler.
The most valuable modification today is the AF-35 ZX, although they are not easy to find in stock condition.
Pros, cons and features
The third “series” of the popular urban scooter Dio continued the glorious path of development of the family. The AF-34/35 model turned out better in everything - design, power, efficiency... and so on, while maintaining traditional reliability.
In the city, the Honda Dio is ideal, but since 2013, when mandatory driving licenses were introduced for scooters up to 50cc, these lightweight scooters are used mainly in rural areas.
The Live Dio is better suited for carrying luggage thanks to the already mentioned flat floor in the luggage compartment.
As for repairs, the third generation model is still structurally simple, but work with the piston group will require partial disassembly of the engine - the diagonal arrangement of the AF34E cylinder obliges.
If you do not take into account the engine, otherwise repairing the scooter does not cause problems, and there are now enough spare parts (although you have to order and wait for the Japanese original).
Technical characteristics of Dio AF-34/35
- engine – AF34E, single-cylinder, two-stroke, volume 49 cm³ and power up to 7.2 hp, air-cooled;
- transmission – variator;
- ignition system – electronic;
- gas tank volume – 5.3 liters;
- oil tank volume – 1.2 liters;
- maximum speed – 60 km/h (electronically limited);
- front wheel suspension – telescopic;
- rear wheel suspension – pendulum;
- front wheel brake type – drum/disc (34/35);
- rear wheel brake type – drum;
- base – 1145 mm;
- length – 1675 mm;
- seat height – 700 mm;
- ground clearance - 105 mm;
- total weight – 70 kg.
Honda Dio AF-34/35 is one of the best inexpensive used Japanese scooters currently available. If you need a model up to 50 cubes, then Live Dio is ideal. Two-stroke Dios were no longer produced after the AF-34/35.
The cost of the third generation model on the secondary market starts from 14,000 rubles and ends somewhere around 40,000 rubles (depending on condition). There are more expensive versions, but they are just complete stuffing, such a scooter is definitely not for beginners.
Tags
50 cc scooters
Sports version
It deserves special interest, since its suspension is very different from the base models. It also has completely different oil shock absorbers. They replaced the old spring ones. Off-roading was no longer a problem for this scooter, since the front fork travel was already more than 100 millimeters.
The transmission has also been rebuilt: lighter weights have been installed for the variable transmission, and the scooter's clutches have become stiffer. Other things worth mentioning are the sports muffler, which was only available on this version, as well as the alloy wheels, which are very unique. As mentioned above in the article, this model was given its own spoiler.
The scooter was equipped with an anti-theft device, namely a step blocker.
The Honda Dio ZX 35 in the sports version retains its advantages of the old, basic models. She has always been characterized by:
- Reliability.
- Ease of repair.
- Availability, low cost of spare parts.
Thanks to the scooter's 7 horsepower, which is a record for fifty cc engines, the Honda Dio ZX 35 is easy to tune. The transmission is also designed reliably: the variator transmits torque efficiently.
Honda Live Dio AF-34/35 scooter review
The third generation of Dio scooters, the Honda Live Dio (AF-34), entered production in 1994. Unlike the similar Dio AF-18 and Super Dio AF-27, this model received noticeable changes, such as the new AF34E engine, which had a horizontal cylinder. In addition to the engine, the chassis has also changed. The scooter has received a new beautiful design with streamlined shapes, as well as crystal optics. For the first time, the underseat trunk has a flat floor.
The following versions of Live Dio were produced: basic (AF-34) with drum brakes, AF-34 Cesta - with a built-in front luggage basket, AF-35 SR - with a front disc brake, AF-35 SR CB (Combi Break) - with a combined braking system, AF-35 ZX - a sports version with oil shock absorbers, alloy wheels, a forced engine and a spoiler. In addition, the line included the AF-35 ST model with anti-lock brakes.
The Honda Live Dio series underwent a redesign in 1998 and was produced until 2004.
Specifications
Engine: Engine type – AF34E, displacement 49 cc. see Number of cylinders – 1. Number of strokes – 2. Cooling system – forced air cooling. Maximum engine power – 7.2 hp. at 6500 rpm. Torque – 0.81 kg*m / 6250 rpm. Compression ratio – 7.1. Transmission – variator. Ignition - electric starter. The tire size of the front and rear wheels is 3.00-10. Oil tank volume – 1.2 l. Gas tank volume – 5.3 liters. Maximum speed – 60 km/h. Chassis: Front wheel suspension type – telescopic. The rear wheel suspension type is pendulum. Front wheel brake type – drum/disc (SR/ZX). The rear wheel brake type is drum. Size and weight: Base – 1145 mm. Length – 1675 mm. Seat height – 700 mm. Ground clearance – 105 mm. Total weight – 70 kg.
Features and Benefits
The Honda Live Dio series continues its line of city scooters. Although both the engine and chassis are now completely different. Externally, the scooter has acquired a new look, with crystal optics and a streamlined body kit.
AF-34 is even more playful than previous series. Riding such a scooter in the city is a real pleasure. Carrying things has also become easier: the underseat trunk now has a flat floor. The front has a hook for bags and a pocket for small items. And the AF-34 Cesta version has a front cargo basket (the headlight on the Cesta is located under the basket).
The AF-35 SR CB series uses the CombiBreak combined braking system for the first time. The essence of its work is to distribute the braking force when braking with the front brake: 30% of the force is transferred to the rear brake and 70% to the front. This significantly increases stability when braking, which is especially important for inexperienced drivers.
The sports version of the AF-35 ZX deserves special interest. Its suspension compares favorably with previous models, since the scooter is equipped with more comfortable and more durable oil shock absorbers instead of spring shock absorbers. The front fork travel is 95 mm. Therefore, off-road is no longer such a big problem for the AF-35 ZX. To improve dynamics, the scooter's transmission has been retuned: lighter weights are used in the variator, and stiffer springs are used in the clutch. It is also worth mentioning the front disc brake, sports muffler and beautiful alloy wheels. Well, as usual, the sports version has a spoiler with an LED brake light.
The scooter is equipped with a footrest blocker (anti-theft device).
Live Dio has retained all other advantages - reliability, ease of repair (although access to the piston group now requires significant disassembly), and availability of spare parts. Thanks to the boosted engine (7.2 hp - a record for 50 cc scooters), it has become even easier to tune the scooter.
The transmission of all Honda scooters is simple and reliable: torque is transmitted using a V-belt variator. The driver does not need to worry about changing gears, there are simply none here, so acceleration always occurs without failures and without slowdowns.
Honda Live Dio is Honda's latest range of scooters with a two-stroke engine.
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