Honda DN-01

WHAT WE LIKE

NOT SO MUCH

While the depth of Honda's bike range addresses just about every niche you care to name, it's not afraid of occasionally dishing up something entirely new, either - like the DN-01. But is the DN-01 an answer to a question no-one ever asked, or the first of an all-new breed?

It's difficult to categorise this model - there's nothing really like it and it draws its inspiration from several areas. However you want to think of it, the DN-01 is, in essence, the world's first modern-era volume production motorcycle to be fitted with an automatic transmission. Note the use of the term 'motorcycle' and not 'scooter', because although the DN-01 comes with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that can be switched from 'Drive' to 'Sport' modes to a pushbutton selectable six-speed manual mode, it's not really an equivalent to Suzuki's AN650 Burgman, a maxi scooter with similar transmission features.

No, the DN-01 comes with a 680cc V-twin engine that also has a home in two other established Honda motorcycles, one a tourer, the other a dual-purpose machine. Throw in shaft final drive, long and low cruiser lines, Honda's Combined-ABS and some of the most futuristic styling going, and you're looking at a substantial machine that's guaranteed to turn heads.

PRICE AND EQUIPMENT
Powering the DN-01 is a liquid-cooled, fuel-injected, eight-valve, SOHC, 52-degree V-twin, also found in Honda's Deauville and Transalp. However, the difference is the DN-01 sports an "HFT" tranny, which denotes - believe it or not - "Human Friendly Transmission". How that reflects on the rest of Honda's transmissions I'm not so sure, but basically what we have here is a CVT tranny that affords fully automatic 'twist-'n'-go' operation, just like a scoot.

You can choose from two auto modes, 'Drive' and 'Sport', with the latter allowing you to harness more revs, and therefore more power, before the tranny shifts up a cog. If you want to get a little more involved, you can also select a six-speed manual mode, where shifting up or down is as simple as pressing 'up' or 'down' on the left-hand hand grip (which you also use to choose between Drive and Sport).

Honda doesn't quote power and torque stats these days, but back when it did - a couple of years ago - it said this powerplant (in Deauville guise, at least) was good for 65.7hp at 8000rpm and 6.8Nm at 6500rpm. The power is fed to a chunky 190-section Dunlop Sportmax RoadSmart tyre via a shaft final drive, and stopping the show is a twin 296mm disc set-up up front with three-piston Nissin calipers, mated to a 276mm disc with twin-piston Nissin caliper at the rear. Honda's Combined-ABS is fitted as standard.

Wrapped around the engine is a tubular steel double cradle frame, which in turn is wrapped in some funky bodywork, the latter concealing a 15lt fuel tank. Suspension consists of a non-adjustable 41mm fork and a rear monoshock with seven-step adjustable preload.

The small screen isn't adjustable, and sits low over digital instrumentation displaying speed, revs, time, fuel, transmission mode and a choice of two trip meters or odometer, plus all the usual idiot lights. For security the DN-01 features the Honda Ignition Security System (HISS), where only the correctly coded key will disable its immobiliser.

The DN-01 is available in Candy Glory Red or Graphite Black, and costs $18,290 (manufacturer's price before dealer and statutory costs).

ON THE ROAD
The DN-01 certainly isn't run-of-the-mill fare, and that's backed up when you sit on the thing, stretch your fingers to the clutch, and grab a handful of thin air. Yep, the CVT tranny takes some getting used to, although I presume scooter folk will instantly feel at home.

Firing the thing up is as simple as twisting the key and pressing the starter, as each time you turn the ignition on you'll find it's in neutral. Flip up the easily hooked sidestand, hit 'D' on the Drive/Neutral switch on the right-hand grip, roll on the throttle and you're away. That sizeable muffler affords whisper-quiet operation, and the pick-up from a standing start is super smooth and progressive. It's incredibly easy to bumble about in stop-start traffic, where the DN-01's thoroughly sorted fuelling, low centre of gravity and CVT all play an important role, although those otherwise excellent and blur-free mirrors do hamper tighter lane-splitting efforts.

Red light drags reveal a satisfying kick of grunt off the mark - certainly enough to keep ahead of the tin tops - and in general I'd say this 680cc engine delivers surprisingly spritely performance, especially given the DN-01's 269kg (wet) weight. At 100km/h it's pulling a lazy 3750rpm in Drive mode, while slipping it into Sport bumps it up to 4750rpm (incidentally, you can switch between all three modes while on the fly). In manual mode a rev limiter cuts in at 8000rpm, and it's been 'idiot-proofed', as in the ECU won't let you downshift when you're carrying too many revs for a given speed. To be honest, I toyed with manual mode for five minutes on a winding mountain road, before sticking it in Sport mode and letting it get on with it. I stayed in Sport mode around town too, resorting to Drive on the highway, where it still delivered decent roll-on oomph at road legal limits. I'm told it's good for around 160km/h, which seems quite sufficient for anyone attracted to the cruiser fold.

The brakes are entirely adequate, and although not blessed with a high level of feel, they pull the thing up quickly and confidently, and come with the bonus of Combined-ABS as standard.

The suspension is basic, but it's fine for this application. I found it was a bit harsh over bigger bumps, but in general the DN-01 holds a line well, and can be scooted along a winding road fairly swiftly. Make no mistake, this is a cruiser-style machine - a bike with a V-twin engine, a rangy 28-degree rake, a long 1610mm wheelbase and low 712mm seat height couldn't be anything but. However, it's blessed with a fair amount of ground clearance, and with twin-disc front stoppers and that relatively punchy engine, there's fun to be had if you go looking for it.

The ride position will be fine for those under 6ft. I don't fall into that category, and I found it cramped. The DN-01 forced me to actually lean back a fair way, and while that was fine around town, on the open road the wind pressure put considerable strain on my arms and abs, and these days the latter in particular aren't up for much. Taller types will also find the low screen - that provides little in the way of wind protection - obscures the digi tacho.

I got an average fuel economy of 19.1km/lt over the course of some fairly enthusiastic riding - with a 15lt tank that equates to a range of around 250km between fill-ups, but I'd be surprised if you couldn't extend that by another 30 to 40km, which is good going.

So who's going to buy it? That's the million-dollar question - or the $18,290 question, to be more precise. Honda has taken a big punt with the DN-01, and I suspect its concept and 'out there' styling will be a bridge too far for your average, relatively conservative motorcycle buyer. Yes, it's got some great features, like EFI, Combined-ABS, HISS and that multi-mode HFT tranny, but will people be prepared to part with a sum that only a couple of years ago would have netted you a brand new CBR1000RR?

Certainly the auto tranny will appeal to those who for whatever reason can't physically operate a clutch and gearshift, but that's not going to see sales snowball by any stretch. The DN-01 is well made, refined and a pleasure to ride, but in my opinion you'll need to be head over heels about the looks and the concept to cough up the necessary bucks.

SPECS: HONDA DN-01
ENGINE
Type: 680cc, liquid-cooled, eight-valve, SOHC, four-stroke, 52-degree V-twin
Bore x stroke: 81mm x 66mm
Compression ratio: 10.0:1
Fuel system: PGM-FI electronic fuel injection

TRANSMISSION
Type: Continuously Variable Transmission - Drive/Sport auto with six-speed pushbutton manual mode
Final drive: Shaft

DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES
Wet weight: 269kg
Seat height: 712mm
Wheelbase: 1610mm
Fuel capacity: 15lt

PERFORMANCE
Max. power: N/A
Max. torque: N/A

OTHER STUFF
Price: $18,290 (manufacturer's price before dealer and statutory costs)
Colours: Candy Glory Red or Graphite Black
Bike supplied by: Honda Australia, tel (02) 9270 1111, www.hondamotorcycles.com.au
Warranty: 24 months, unlimited kilometres