Honda DN-01

Honda DN-01

Manufacturer	Honda
Class	Cruiser,[1] or a crossover of cruiser, sportbike and scooter categories[2][3]
Engine	Liquid-cooled 680 cc (41 cu in) V-twin 8 valves
Top speed	113.1 mph (182.0 km/h)[3][4]
Power	43.3 hp (32.3 kW) @ 7300 rpm[3] 45.6 hp (34.0 kW)@ 7300 rpm[5]
Transmission	Shaft drive automatic Continuously variable transmission
Suspension	Front: non-adjustable telescopic forks Rear: single shock w/adjustable preload
Brakes	Honda Combined Braking System, Front: ABS dual discs, 4 piston calipers Rear: Single disc, single piston
Tires	Front: 120/70 ZR17 on 3.50" x 17" wheels Rear: 190/50 ZR17 on 6.00" x 17" wheels
Rake, trail	28.5° 4.5 in (110 mm)
Wheelbase	63.2 in (1,610 mm)
Dimensions	L 72.0 in (1,830 mm) H 40.0 in (1,020 mm)
Seat height	27.25 in (692 mm)
Weight	591 lb (268 kg)[5] (dry) 602.5 lb (273.3 kg)[3] 595 lb (270 kg) (claimed)[6] (wet)
Fuel capacity	4.0 US gal (15 l; 3.3 imp gal)
Oil capacity	4 L (1.1 US gal)
Fuel consumption	42.3 mpg-US (5.56 L/100 km)[3] 48 mpg-US (4.9 L/100 km)[2]
Turning radius	3.2 m (10 ft)

The Honda DN-01 is a cruiser motorcycle made by Honda from 2008 to 2010. It was introduced at the 2005 Tokyo Motor Show^[4] and went on sale in Japan and Europe in 2008, in the United States in 2009,^[3] and was discontinued at the end of 2010.^[7] The Honda DN-01 is one of a small number of motorcycles offered by a major motorcycle manufacturer with an automatic transmission, including the Honda VFR1200F and Aprilia Mana 850.

The 2009 model DN-01's performance, measured by Motorcycle Consumer News, is 0 to 60 mph (0 to 97 km/h) in 7.41 seconds, a 1/4 mile time of 15.41 seconds at 87.42 mph (140.69 km/h), and a top speed of 113.1 mph (182.0 km/h). Braking performance, which uses an antilock braking system on the front dual disc brakes, is 60 to 0 mph (97 to 0 km/h) in 124 ft (38 m). The feature that most impressed the reviewer is the unique automatic continuously variable transmission (CVT) technology, called by Honda the "Human Friendly Transmission," which, though expensive, was revolutionary, and potentially, "the ideal drivetrain for most of us, with the potential to satisfy a wide variety of riders regardless of experience or riding preference."^[3]

Reviewer complaints focused on ergonomics, especially potentially uncomfortable seating on long rides, and the lack of wind protection at high speed, meaning the rider is fatigued pulling on the handlebars to resist the wind pushing him backwards. There is also no storage space at all, and the price of US$14,599 was much higher than any comparably performing machine.^[3][4][5] Since the initial reviews, the price rose to US$15,599.^[8] The load capacity is only 324 lb (147 kg), meaning that with a passenger the DN-01 is likely to become overloaded if touring were attempted.^[5] Ultimate MotorCycling, like other reviewers, was fascinated with the transmission technology but found the combination of styles and features unsatisfactory from the point of view of either a cruiser rider or sportbike rider, while the lack of storage fails to meet the needs of either touring riders or the urban commuter scooter buyer.^[9]

The DN-01 has a catalyst system compliant with EURO-3, California Air Resources Board (CARB) and EPA emissions standards.^[6]

Human Friendly Transmission

The DN-01 uses Honda's Human Friendly Transmission, a type of continuously variable transmission allowing either manual selection of a "gear" or automatic operation much like a CVT scooter, with infinitely variable gearing upshifted and downshfited automatically for what the system's program determined to be optimal performance.

See also

• Swashplate engine

Notes

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Honda DN-01.

• Honda DN-01 official page
• Illustration of Human Friendly Drive operation in Popular Science