This is an exception to Honda's usual practice of prefix letters indicating the bike family, followed by engine size.

[3] A key feature of the ST-series is the pressed-steel "T-bone" frame that distinguishes it from Honda's other minibikes: the Z50 Monkey & Gorilla, the Ape, the CF50 & CF70, and the CY50 & CY80 Nautydax.

[4][5][6] As a general description, the ST-series bikes have a bench-style saddle, small fat tires, and folding handle bars.

[7][8][9] Due to the diminutive wheel-size and limited speed, the ST-series bikes do not always qualify as road-legal vehicles and were sold in some markets for off-road recreation only.

Honda's patents for the original ST-series expired in 1998, and replica bikes have become a popular export product for many Chinese manufacturers such as Jincheng, Lifan, Panda, and Redcat.