The Honda DN01 automatic sports cruiser looks ready for production which is what Honda indicates is their not too distant plan. Notice in this photo the lack of gearshift. I still think the first time you ride one of these it would take some getting used to.
photo courtesy Gaijin Biker
Prester John says
I think if it were meant for the American market, it would be a cruiser. I think this is going to be a Japanese market model, in response to the new Japanese “automatic transmission motorcycle” license category. Most of those prospective owners would come from the ranks of scooter riders and the control layout will be natural for them.
Things have changed since the 1977 CB750 Hondamatic: demographics of riders, technology, etc. I really feel that the first major that introduces a modern middleweight cruiser (cruisers are by far the biggest slice of pie in America) with an automatic transmission will have a best seller on their hands. Will it be Honda with a version of this bike, or a Suzuki Volusia with a Burgman-tech tranny, or a Yamaha Star with FJR1300 transmission electronics? Or will they hang back and let the Chinese CFMoto V5 pave the way?
Tom
my opionion says
I they actually sell this in the US this year or next, I’ll buy one. But Honda has a habit of vaporware. Likely, Suzuki will release the Stratosphere and other interesting automatic motorcycles in a few years and this Honda will still be on the drawing boards.
Magna-Man says
I like shifting manually. The only time I get nervous is downshifting in the rain. That’s when an auto-trans may shine, but for me, clutch-shift-clutch is the rythme to which my heart beats.
dudel says
RE: “I think if it were meant for the American market, it would be a cruiser.”
Huh? It looks like a modern cruiser to me.
With the V-Twin 680cc fuel-injected four-valve putting out 64-hp it should be peppy and quick… likely stomp most Harleys.
Cameo says
Alot of riders prefer shifting and don’t consider riding a real experience unless the motorcycle is manual but I’m sure at one time drivers said the same about cars. Everything changes and I see this “shift” from manual to automatic for motorcycles a product of its times. If I have the money, I’d get one.
todd says
I think the main reason people like automatics in cars is because it leaves one hand free for dialing the phone and sipping the Starbucks…
-todd
Bill says
I think this is a great looking bike. A little behind the curve with the auto trannny. Ridley already makes an automatic cruiser.
Nan says
I think this bike would go over well in the USA. How many versions of retro cruisers are left (yawn) before something new comes along. This bike is extremely refeshing, looks comfortable and is small enough for a woman rider to put her feet comfortably on the ground. (An issue with BMW’s not to mention the issue of weight with large cruisers fast enough to keep a seasoned rider happy)
With or without an automatic transmission, I would seriously consider buying one if it could cruise at 80mph all day long and manuver twisties at high speed. Not that I race but that I travel.
More and more women than ever are buying motorcycles. One of the issues is to get a motorcycle small enough without sacrificing speed and power. A Sport/cruiser bike cross is a brilliant idea. Making it an automatic…icing on the cake. I prefer a cruiser, would not buy a sport bike and have considered a scooter in the past. I hope Honda is serious about producing it. I would probably buy one.
Nan
Shawn Annis says
I’m a double amputee (below the knee) and have been riding Honda’s Silverwing 600cc automatic scooter for 4 years now .
I’ve gone cross country solo on my current bike with no problem and look foward to the day that this DN-01 comes to the USA !
I’ll buy the first one off the boat (if it’s not too much that is) .
Are you listening Honda ?
Cam says
I ride a 2000 Aero 1100. I would be glad to add this scoot to my stable for the option of riding a high tech sport cruiser when I feel like a change from retro riding. Might even convince the Mrs. to ride one up. Bring it to the USA HONDA.
Monica says
People that think automatic/clutchless/semi auto bikes are narrow minded idiots.
I do not have the use of my left hand. Thus I clutch, brake and throttle all with the ride hand. Aside from the motor skill and muscle memory aspect of learning, I have to do my own wrenching to even get the controls where I need them. While that seems simple, it takes head scratching creativity to get cables, hoses, levers, perches, switches and wiring all to proper length and routed correctly.
Unfortunately, I am not the only person who must make such an effort just to ride a motorcycle. Most folks like me with these physical challenges want to ride so badly they do what it takes, no matter how time consuming, frustrating, expensive and difficult the work can be.
Before you start thinking you are such a ‘hard-core biker’ because you “only ride a manual clutch bike”, you might want to get off your high horse and realize there are much better bikers than you, with less limbs, that also “only ride a manual clutch bike”. Productions than can make our riding experience better, easier and safer, like auto-clutch type bikes are welcome.
Ps. I am a woman. I take offense to those that also think autos are for women only because they don’t know how to use the clutch. I’m not the first, nor will I be the last person, let alone woman, to ride a manual clutch bike.
I guess I’m saying, don’t be quick to criticise what you might not like because you think it is beneath you. Though it may not suit you, it may suit others perfectly.
Steve Geddie says
Where do I sign?
Maurice Brouillard says
I am an amputee for three months and my prosthesis is on the way. I have no idea if I will ever be able to ride my vstar 1100 again but if I have an automatic like that DN-01 I would jump on it on a heart beat, with or without my prosthesis. Bring it on I will order one.
I agree with that lady’s assesment of manual shift. It has very little to do with driving skills other than a speed shift jacket rabbit getta away that scares the hell out of every motorist, espescially with loud pipes. I am a father of a girl who rides better than I do. I follow her lead and proud of it. I hope to follow her lead again someday with something like that DN-01 and I think I will be able to.
Henry Ross says
i am looking for an automatic bike and as soon as i can find one i like, i will get it…i’ve been wanting to ride for a while now….i do like what i see now , it’s just i’ve benn told automatics cost more.
Jo McCutcheon says
I now ride an older Hondamatic. If this new Honda is reasonably priced, I would definitely be interested. Hope it arrives in the U.S. soon. It’s about time!
OZAN AVÄ°S says
biz üc kişiyiz ve scooter kullanıyoruz DN01 gördükten sonra hic bir modeli almaya dusunmuyoruz TÜRKİYEYE ne zaman gelecek ,gelene kadar beklıyecez inanılmaz bir motorsiklet yapmışınız ve inanılmaz begenıyoruz sizleri tebrik ederiz
Jen says
This bike looks awesome. I have both a scooter and motorcyle and when it comes to the clutch yeh, its fun and the pipes sound good. But, when it comes to the rain or curvy hilly roads that you just want to enjoy, my scooter is the one I pick. I can enjoy my ride and feel safer with the automatic.
And if the clutch is sooo great with the men then why statistically do so many men fail their driving test more often than women? or what else do they do, they borrow someones automatic.
So to sum it up for you the motorcycle for me is when I just want to show off. And the automatic is for cruising. So Honda bring on the DN-01 because I plan on buying one.
JJrider says
I just sold sold my 600cc sportsbike and looking forward to the Honda dn-01 this year of 2007. It gets a little bit exhausting when I use a manual shifting during traffic on the road. Thinking about seat height, hopefully Honda can also consider making the Honda dn-01 for short legged riders like me. Seat height maybe at least 29.7 inches like the honda silverwing. Since the weight of this bike will be around 500 lbs or up, it very important to emphasize that the rider has foot flat on the ground to compensate for balance especially if the rider has a passenger.
Jeff says
How is it that these designers know just what to do to get your juices flowing. I’m not interested because it is automatic. I’m interested because it is the coolest looking bike I have ever seen. Talk about futuristic! Also appears to be well engineered but then I wouldn’t expect anything less from Honda. It is so clean and finished. I’ll bet it is very comfortable too. Of course I come from the bigger is better camp and would probably get wood if it had a 1800cc V-4, but I can easily imagine this bike and me tooling along quite contently.
sean hancock says
i like it. i have driven bikes since i was 8 years old – mostly manuals. the only automatics i had were my monkey wards mobilette, a friend’s honda 50, another friend’s honda helix. that 250cc helix was a cormfortable delight to drive/ride. the misses and i drove the helix one night; i loaned its owner my new hd flhs. we thought the helix much more comfortable and smoother to druve than our hd. i think the honda 600cc scooters are the best. i plan to get one for my garage. i traded my hd for a 1999 kawasaki drifter – the best deal i have ever made!!! i think this new honda-matic will sell well. bring it to the U.S. keep the seat height / leg length suitable for the short staff among us too. i was born disabled; please hear the song of the disabled all you “TAB” people. TAB = temporarily able bodied.
prplhaz says
It’s only a tease I have been doing a lot of searching and it seems that the only real bike over 250cc is the Ridley and they are just out of my price range. The honda would be great at a resonable price. But it seems none of the cycle manufactures want to jump into the Auto cycle market except with scooters. I bought my first bike,scoot a Honda elite 250cc last year and use it every day but with my phisical disabilities and my age I would love to see a real bike, not a scoot, with a little more than the 250cc I want to do some traveling and not all rural roads I want to head out on the highway and do not want to invest in the higher cc scoots. So lets all get togeather and MAKE them want to sell us an AUTO Bike here in the USA.
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater says
Any idea on the dry weight of this bike?
A bit small for me, but it looks _perfect_ for my mom.. IF she doesn’t need a winch to get it off the ground.
Tom says
I have owned all types of motorcycles including a Hayabusa, VFR 800, cruisers, a Pacific Coast and yes, scooters. I love the automatic transmission. I currently have a Burgman 650, not because I can’t shift, but because I prefer the smoothness and convenience of the automatic. It is great around Savannah in heavy traffic, and equally great out on the highway where it is more comfortable than many larger motorcyles I have owned. I am definately interested in the DN-01.
ivan says
please DN-01 come to the Chicago honda dealer,iam waiting,waiting,waiting,,,my dream bike
Chika says
Anyone know if there is an after market transmission kit out there that can be installed onto a 2007 GSX-R 600? If so can you send it to my email?–ickzelyon@yahoo.com
My reason for wnating one is my lack of knowledge of gear shifting, no one in the family ever used a stick.
tom says
I have a bad back. Its gotten progressively worse over the years. As such I find it extremely difficult to highkick my way onto a bike. I recently got a Burgman 650 scooter and if the auto bikes are 1/10 the fun an automatic 650cc scooter is…might as well start carving the gravestone for manual bike transmissions.
James says
Disabled motorcycle dreamer here also- finally I have the option to ride without thousands of dollars in custom wrenchwork, swapping throttle sides, custom fitting parts, etc, etc. Thank you Honda – Bring it to the US, I’ll gladly pay the 14k you are asking.