(Not exactly a scooter… but a close cousin. I dub thee Scootercycle!)
MCN: The UK’s number 1 motorcycling magazine: “Honda’s hydraulic-drive DN-01 – shown as a prototype in 2005 – will go into production in 12 months. It could consign conventional gear-changes to the history books.
Insiders say it will be on sale in Japan early next year and be available in Europe by the end of 2007.”
Thanks to Dudel for The Scoop!
6. April 2006 at 7:32 pm
I like it! However, there will still be the thrill of the clutch market for many people. The two can co-exist. The Yamaha FJR has a new “automatic” version that is hand-shifted and it will be interesting to see the 06′ sales numbers down the road.
With regards to the Honda, it will be good to see the weight issue plus handling. For a high-powered commuter bike it looks superb. I think for sport-touring the wind protection is not as good as a Burgman 650.
6. April 2006 at 9:14 pm
NON-SCOOTER?
Obviously, a scooter (per new NHSA ruling) requires a step-through design – which this lacks. Most scooterists will consider this an automatic motorcycle. HOWEVER, if my suspicion is correct and it actually has a faux-fuel-tank (ala KYMCO) then it will be considered a scooter by most people.
http://steveguzman.com/KYMCO/index.html
WILL THIS BIKE BE BROUGHT TO THE USA?
David Cushman, Editor, motorcyclenews.com replied to my email query, “I’m afraid that’s unclear at this time.”
6. April 2006 at 11:15 pm
Judging from how the two things look, I would take this over a Burgman 650. The Burgman 400 is of a reasonable size, and rather handsome looking. The Burgman 650 is huge and I don’t particularly cotton to the styling. It’s so much bigger than I would ever want for commuting.
Although it may seem shallow, the DN-01 is a very sexy bike. It has an upright looking seating position, and looks as though it was born to play the part of and sinister technocrat’s bike.
7. April 2006 at 2:14 pm
Little wind protection…windshield can’t be adjusted.
Pricing being equal, I would prefer an FJR automatic.
7. April 2006 at 5:49 pm
Any word on when/if it’ll be available in the US?
8. April 2006 at 5:12 pm
Juanito,
Japan: Early 2007
Europe: Late 2007
USA: “unclear at this time”
The DN-01 uses the updated Deuville engine (fuel-injected, 4-valve, 680cc engine putting out 64-hp) which is already Euro-emission certified. The Deuville is not imported to the USA thus the engine has never been EPA certified.