In the United States, model names like Groms, Daxs, and Trails are well-known, but Honda has hundreds of models in the small bike category. These bikes have a displacement of under 200ccs and are designed more for commuting and practicality rather than being fun toys.

In the Philippines, where I’m from, we see a ton of these bikes. While Filipinos are more familiar with the Honda Wave nameplate, the Dash is a close relative that I am quite familiar with. In Southeast Asian countries with underdeveloped roads and frequent rain, where traffic is a big issue, having a lightweight, low-power, and low-maintenance bike like the Dash is common. It’s often one of the first bikes that people ride before moving on to bigger ones.

A YouTube channel called “Small Bike Stuff” features a Honda Dash from Malaysia. The owner of the bike seems very proud of it, and rightfully so. While the Western idea of motorcycling involves big and powerful engines and heavy chassis for enjoyment, in Malaysia, owning and riding a motorcycle is seen as a practical tool for work and daily tasks. That’s why modifications like baskets, top boxes, and seat covers are common.

The Dash has a single-cylinder engine with 9.8 horsepower, which is designed for commuting rather than sport riding. The compression ratio is low, at 9:3:1, making it a low-strung engine. With 125ccs of displacement, the engine is robust and easy to maintain. It’s air-cooled, four-stroke, and has two valves.

The Dash is equipped with a four-speed rotary transmission and does not have a clutch lever, which is typical for underbone commuter bikes like this. The front brake of the motorcycle is a disc brake, while the rear brake is also a disc brake, which is considered a luxury for a bike at this price point. In the Philippines, bikes like these typically cost around $1,000 USD. The current brand-new price in Malaysia is 6,299 MYR for the two-disc brake variant of the Dash.

If given the chance, would you own a motorcycle like this? While there might be some riders in the West who would be interested, it’s important to note that these bikes are more suitable for back roads rather than highways, as their top speeds are around 50 miles per hour.