Comments on: Honda DN-01 Human-Friendly Transmission (HFT)

By: Ken Bardonner

Ken Bardonner — Sun, 17 May 2009 09:03:40 +0000

Lane-splitting (filtering) is not illegal in California and is common in many countries abroad. Of course, it is much riskier in moving traffic. I do it when the car-traffic is stopped at a light. That way it is actually safer for me to get out front ahead of the congestion. I also enjoy not breathing everyone’s exhaust.

By: TIOMACHY

TIOMACHY — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 14:47:21 +0000

I WENT TO SEE THE NEW DN-01 AND I LOVED IT. I HVE A SILVER WING MYSELF. I BOUGHT IT BECAUSE I WANTED A BIKE, BUT HAVE LEG PROBLEMS WHICH MAKE IT DIFFICULT FOR ME TO 1) GET ON A BIKE BY SWINGING MY LEG OVER THE BACJ, AND 2) HAVE TROUBLE SHIFTING BECAUSE MY FEET DO NOT WORK THE SHIFT LEVERS EASILY. ALL OF THIS IS DUE TO AGING AND SOME SMALL ACCIDENTS THROUGH LILFE. THE REASON I SAY THIS IS TO LET PEOPLE KNOW THAT SOME OF US, THE OLDER CROWD THAT HAS ALWAYS WANTED TO RIDE, AND MANY OF US THAT DID RIDE THROUGHOUT OUR LIFES, HAVE GOTTEN TO THE POINT THAT RIDING A BIKE IS SOME EFFORT BUT STILL A WORTHWHILE ACTIVITY. ALL THAT BEING SAID, THE AUTOMATIC TRANNY IS A VERY WELCOME ADDITION TO THE RIDING OPTIONS THAT MY “CROWD” CAN WELCOME. THE STYLING IS GREAT ON THIS HONDA, AND THE TRANNY WORKS SUPERBLY. THE SILVER WING THAT I RIDE CAN AND DOES KEEP UP WITH MY BROTHER’S YAMAHA VSTAR 1100, AND EASILY OUT RUNS MY OTHER BROTHER’S HARLEY. BESIDES, I DO NOT HAVE TO GO BACK AND PICK UP MY KIDNEY’S AFTER I RIDE 50 MILES.

THIS TRANNY IS A GREAT ADDITION TO THE 2-WHEEL WORLD!

By: Matt Reed

Matt Reed — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 20:08:49 +0000

My interest in the HFT is if the motor can be kept at peak torque output with the transmission changes the gear ratio.

In effect you could tune a motor to have a narrower rpm but higher output sweet spot.
Hang the rpm there and just vary the gear ratio to accelerate. Imagine a CBR1000RR that was nearly always at peak output. FAST!

Depends on how bad the mechanical losses are while changing ratio’s.

By: John J Redmond

John J Redmond — Tue, 25 Dec 2007 03:52:15 +0000

I think a lot of people are missing what this transmission really is.It has different setting and 6 speeds or totally auto mode.
Correct me if I’m wrong but aren’t F1 cars shited with out a clutch,drag cars are almost ALL autos,etc.
I have been riding motorcycle since 1965 all types and sizes. I will be selling my 83 Moto Guzzi Le Mans III and buying the Honda DN-01. Why-because I want city driving and fast highway cruise low slung weight-and cornering and not worring if too much clutch or gear, or less. Like the ABS too – had 93 BMW K100RS great life saver. It broke, I crashed-no S**t. Intra grated brakes on the MG are really nice too.
Fuel mileage should be in 50-60 mpg range too.
John

By: Steve Destinza

Steve Destinza — Sat, 24 Nov 2007 04:52:00 +0000

Bill and Mark are absolutely right. New in the US Navy, I got my first apartment in 1987 and needed an economical way to get to work. I bought a 1987 Honda Elite 250. Did the paperwork at the dealership, twisted the throttle, and drove off. No lesson required in how to shift, etc. After sixteen years of service, I finally let the Elite go and bought a 2003 Silver Wing. It also gets me to work and back, or anywhere else from Point A to Point B, efficiently, easily, and economically.
I laugh at those who equate one’s ability to ride a manual transmission motorcycle to one’s level of testosterone. I can tell tell you I’ve had some very hot girlfriends, am married to a very hot wife, have three great kids, am retiring from the Navy next year, and have ridden only 2 scooters. They are an economical way to get to work, not the defining part of my personality, or my life. It’s about time we had an automatic transmission motorcycle. Men who buy one are no less a man than those who think masculinity is defined my one’s ability to use a cluthch.