I bought Honda Dio in Nov 2003.
Obvious other choice was Kinetic Nova. But look and finish wise we preferred the Honda vehicle.
The ride is very smooth. The worst ever mileage I got is 45 that too till first servicing. Then I am continuously getting 48 to 51. I always drive at speeds 45 - 50. If I drive double seat, then average comes down to 46 (with speed about 40 to 45)
At Honda site, they had given good driving tips. Try to follow that.
https://honda2wheelersindia.com
Also I observed that with HP petrol I get considerably more mileage than with any other petrol – keeping the driving conditions same. I usually cross 50 KMPL with HP petrol – driving alone.
For a single person the driving experience is a real pleasure. (Not for speed lovers… above 60 KMPH you can feel that vehicle looses the ground grip.)
While driving double seat, break-journey is a must for both the passengers. Say an interval of about 30 min.
While driving alone, you can sit as if you are sitting on bike, sitting further back putting legs on the foot rest behind you. (for the second passenger.) I found it very comfortable while riding and on turns balancing also becomes lot easier. But with two passengers, both are very much unhappy with their respective foot rests. Suspension is good. But because of seat slope usually back passenger slides a long distance forward when you apply sudden brakes and always on the speed brakers.
Apart from sitting problem, I did not have any complaints. Battery is good. Horn is good enough. I have to add beepers for side indicators because of driving conditions. If you take extra things like cover, foot cover, side foot rest etc. from the dealer itself, cost is on higher side. Apply your bargain skills. Breaks are little tighter and are applied fractionally later than you anticipate it initially. Foot space in the front and space given below the seat is sufficiently large enough to put regular items. I prefer kick start. In the morning, without choke I can start it in 3 -5 kicks.
Apart from washing the Dio, no extra care, as such, is taken for the maintenance. But follow the instructions for good driving and servicing tips. Follow the service calendar.
Overall it is good for a person looking specifically for a scooter without gears. This is very good vehicle for daily commuting with safe and pleasure driving – when you drive within limits.
Because of plastic body, no problem of corrosion and if you wish to change the color in future you can change the body very easily. If you like to maintain the vehicle on your own, (i.e. for small problems you don’t want to visit the service center) Dio makes it easier by providing CLIC mechanism to serve the engine / oil etc.