Our good friend Aki Hasegawa in Japan caught this press release on the wind today. In it, Honda was announcing some tasty items to be displayed at the Tokyo Auto Show; both were items we had heard of, like the HFT, a newly developed hydraulic transmission system that looks rather spiffy AND the wicked Honda DN-01 automatic motorcycle (which shows up here for its “wheeled oddity” factor). The MOST interesting thing about the press release was this:
The HFT will be installed on the DN-01, a new motorcycle scheduled for market launch to be introduced at the 40th Tokyo Motor Show.
“The DN-01, a new motorcycle scheduled for market launch”!?, is the 2005 concept vehicle finally leaving the drawing board for a 2008 release? Sweet! Will we see it on showroom floors here in the USA? Let’s wait and see. I’ve only caught word of a Japan/Europe release for 2008 so far. I’d really be curious to see how the V-twin Deauville’s 65bhp, 680cc stacks up on the highway.
Arigato for the scoop Aki!
4. October 2007 at 3:26 pm
Nice! That might be a shot of the actual production bike. The concept didn’t have amber turnsignal lenses, black handlebars, or brass-colored front brake calipers, and a lot of the details, such as the seat, tank badging, the shape, color, and size of the front signals, the wheel color, engine color, front fender, fork leg color, exhaust, tires, and chin spoiler are different. It looks as if the lines are more angular on the concept, too.
I like the more angular looks and smattering of polished bits on the original–I just hope it comes to the US.
4. October 2007 at 4:33 pm
If the perennial comments on the Kneeslider blog are any indication, the DN-01 would find a ready market in the U.S. A 680cc engine may seem huge to us scooterists, but apparently to motorcyclists that’s a modest but decent commuter.
4. October 2007 at 8:32 pm
The new incarnation appears to have a right foot-brake (the concept had hand-brakes like a scooter). If I’m analyzing the blurry enlarged photo correct that means it will be a USA model as the USA is the only country with a “motorcycle must have right foot-brake” rule.
The two big questions are:
[1] Will those people who want an auto-tranny motorcycle opt for this bike with a long cruiser wheelbase and low seat height or the 100-lbs lighter Aprilia 850 Mana with a sportbike wheelbase and storage for a full-face helmet?
[2] Which transmission will be more efficient at transferring engine BHP to the rear wheel? The Honda HFT hydraulic transmission or the Aprilia CVT with final-chain reduction drive? Which bike will be faster off the line?
The DN-01 uses the 700 engine from the Honda Deauville (aka, Dull-ville) but the bike is only dull in comparison to other sport-touring bikes not in comparison to other 45/52-degree V-Twin cruisers. Likely, a woman on this twist-n-go will smoke her husband on his Harley.
5. October 2007 at 1:57 pm
No matter it is a nice looking bike and I would certainly consider it as a potential ride. Have to see it in person before I get to ga-ga over it.