As you can see, apart from the rear shock upgrade this round of modifications were targeting a straight performance increase…and they worked, big time. The standard derestricted Dio hit 50kph (31mph) in 11.4 seconds and went onto a top speed of 62 kph (38mph). Our project Dio hit 50kph in 5.5 seconds and punched out an impressive 95kph (59mph) top speed. It certainly wasn’t any kind of race; the photos are a complete have. The tuned Dio simply disappeared down the road never to be seen again. The bike is a total riot to ride now too, it’s retains it’s ultra low 50cc weight but now has the power of a 125cc four stroke. Wheelies at launch are a given.

Summing up; tuning your scooter will certainly deliver the results you’re looking for. It really comes down to what you like. Total cost of the modifications was $1014 (NZ) or about the purchase price of a used Dio. Now add in the hours spent to get everything fitted and the tune-up working correctly, plus the fact that the Dio is now technically illegal as it’s registered as a 50cc machine. Next factor in that you’ve got to pre mix the fuel and tune the bike more often and the option of simply buying a 125cc bike to begin with seems more and more logical.

On straight performance the tuned Dio compares quite favorably to a bog standard Suzuki Address 125. The Dio is slightly quicker to 50kph due to its lighter weight but the more powerful Suzuki edges out the Dio with a top speed of 102kph…let’s call them about equal. So basically it comes down to what you like. If getting your hands dirty adding new parts is your bag then definitely get tuning as it’s a lot of fun; if that all sounds too hard then just plonk a bit extra cash down and buy a bigger cc bike from the get go. Remember this though...all bikes can be tuned. So there’s nothing stopping you tuning that 125cc machine as well. Sometimes it just makes sense becoming a Hamster.

We’ll attack the braking and handling of the project Dio next and see how it compares in a multiple bike track battle. Stay tuned…