By Alice Hill
RealTechNews
I drive a scooter largely because in San Francisco you have to stop at almost every block. This makes shifting a chore, and makes scooting a fun and snappy morning commute. But when people see my helmet and ask “Oh, do you ride?” they always smirk when I say “Yes, I have a scooter” like I’m on a tricycle. Never mind that scooters are more dangerous than street motorcycles, but I have been on a quest ever since, for my holy grail: the truly automatic motorcycle. True, there are some scootery-looking versions that come close, but today, it looks like Honda actually did it:
One of the surprises of the 39th Tokyo Motor Show 2005 which opened to the media yesterday was Honda’s showing of a large-size sports motorcycle concept model dubbed the DN-01. The motorcycle is equipped with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and a water-cooled, 4-stroke, OHC, V-twin, 2-cylinder, 680cc engine. Most significantly, Honda stated that it “will continue the development of DN-01 with the goal of introducing it to the market in the near future.” CVT has already been introduced into the market in a range of scooters with Suzuki’s futuristic Burgman scooter the most obvious shining example. Honda’s version of the CVT is being touted as different to other CVTs and is described as an hydraulic mechanical continuously variable HFT (Human Fitting Transmission) system featuring two automatic modes and a 6-speed manual mode which the rider operates through buttons on the handlebars. Source: Gizmag
Alice Say: I can die now. My needs are complete.
Good gawd, that’s just plain hot… Only thing I can see making that bike any sexier is me on it. ‘Bout time automatics came back in fashion!
I am a 49 year old female
who rides a 2005 Honda
Silver Wing Maxi Scooter.
It has taken me a while to
get over the fact that it does
not look like a motorcycle. I try
to avoid telling people I have
a scooter because they think I have a moped. But, I do like
the Silver Wing. It’s fast and
has great storage. But, I am
just living for the day that Honda comes out with a real
automatic motorcycle. I learned to ride a Rebel but
hated shifting gears. I do not
like this concept DN-01. Why
can’t Honda just make a Shadow 750 automatic? The
Ridley’s are too expensive and
I had a motorcycle mechanic
tell me that they really are not
a quality bike. You can’t go
over 70 on them without putting
a strain on the motor and I hear they are only good for
about 20,000 miles. Heck, I
have had my Silver Wing for
just 2 1/2 years and have
17,000 miles on it already. I know that guys like shifting and
using the clutch (my husband
does), but I know alot of women who would ride if they
had an automatic. However,
I do have women friends who have regular motorcycles and they love riding them. But,
they are not for me. So, until
Honda decides to come out with
an automatic that doesn’t look
like something off of Star Trek,
I guess I will hang in there with
my Silver Wing.
Great looking bike.
Should be a blast to ride!
New Honda Motorcycles for 2008 Announced…
New Honda’s announced at dealer meeting. Some very cool bikes.
Some of Honda’s lineup for 2008 was unveiled at the recent Honda dealer convention in Anaheim. Among the interesting bikes is the new VTX1800 Tourer.
From American Honda:…
After 5 years on my Burgman 650, I can hardly wait for more power, bigger wheels, greater petrol tankage and more thought by the manufacturer in providing two wheels for transport, not style, not posing.
Roll on Honda E4-01.
Perhaps everyone above should e-mail Honda direct and demand their needs be met: certainly the retailers are more in the dark than we are.
OMG if Honda brings this bike to the US I might just purchase two of them! I am a new rider and would love to have an automatic this will make my life less complicated. I do not ride because the shifting is just so darn cumbersome.
Please Oh Please Honda if you see this I guarantee you will sell millions of these here in the US.
Royal
I like to see a honda 750-800cc with 4 cylinder with a automatic the old bike look great. When are the new bike coming out. Maybe because lot of people like the v engine. I don’t I like the four cylinder motor with a automatic. So please come up with a bike for the USA.
Honda could corner the market on large scooters with the E4-01. It has the larger engine, looks, storage (albiet small), large tires etc…It would have to have about a 6-7 gal tank though, I hate stopping every 150 miles to fill up my X9.
I wonder what takes Honda so long to make up it’s mind about production…and by the way Honda, it WOULD sell in the US, so don’t forget us!
6659a621a9fa…
6659a621a9fa5cc91795…
Try looking at the aprilia mana 850, it’s much better for the city traffic and it’s already on sale. Have one in the garage, even, it’s a dream. Not a hydraulic CVT, but one with belts and variable diameter pulleys. It can simulate manual (7 gears, button or lever switch), and has continuously variated touring, sport and rain modes. Add the big boot and the nice styling and you won’t be able to resist. I know nothing about the US availability though.
We, j-goods.net, will export DN-01 from Japan to Dubai for customer next month.
i would like to know how much is this bike going for..? and where can i get one.. thanks you.
DN-01 selling in UK
Due to come to New Zealand end of ‘08
This is no longer just a concept bike !
Re: “Try looking at the aprilia mana 850″
Yep, It’s available in the USA. Very reliable 850cc engine built by Piaggio (the people who make Vespa). The Mana is lighter, faster, and handles better than the DN-01 and comes with a fully-automatic transmission. It also has front storage that fits a helmet or pet iguana.
We need the DN-01 in the US now please Honda take my money
If they ever see the light of day, I’d be torn between this and the other automatic concept that Honda displayed – the 900cc E4-01 scooter.
We need the DN-01 in the US now please Honda take my money
I agree with many of you – this is interesting, however, as several of you have pointed out Honda made many versions of motorcycles with an automatic transmission long ago. In ‘76, ‘77 & ‘78 they made a 750A. I know, I still own my 1976 750A. The 750A had a 2 speed shift (done with your left foot – like any motorcycle – “Lo” or “Hi,” except no clutch on the handlebar). I have also procured several more down thru the years, primarily for Veterans who have lost their left hand (makes it hard to shift when you can’t operate a clutch) so they can ride again. They forget all about their problems when they can get back on the road. The smiles are hard to forget. I hope Honda actually comes out with a new Automatic transmission as this would be a great option on any bike. Whether your in city traffic (shifting is a pain) or cruising the lonely highway. Could you imagine a Aspencade with a six speed auto transmission cruising down the highway! It could be the new “Green Machine” of the highway! Thanks for the opportunity and keep riding.
Sincerely,
Maineiac Mike
I cant wait to ride or buy one i have a 750 hondamatic in the garage and love it . it out rides my harley and is great when riding in the city ,no more shifting and stopping at stoplights . cant wait.