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Honda DN-01 Human-Friendly Transmission (HFT)

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Honda DN-01 with HFT Human Friendly Transmission

Honda will be displaying the DN-01 at the Tokyo Motor Show with details of their Human Friendly Transmission, or HFT. It says it is scheduled for market launch but I’m not sure if they mean immediately or sometime in the near future. I think this one will be pretty popular with the growing demand for automatic transmission equipped motorcycles. Will automatics begin to move into the mainstream and take over in the same way they did in cars?

Honda press release:

TOKYO, Japan, October 4, 2007–Honda Motor Co., Ltd. announced that it has developed the Human-Friendly Transmission (HFT), a new automatic transmission system for motorcycles using Honda’s own infinitely variable hydraulic mechanical transmission. Easy to operate, the HFT realizes outstanding relaxed riding comfort, riding feel with direct response and excellent transmission efficiency. 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.

With Honda’s own infinitely variable hydraulic mechanical transmission, this HFT realizes the lightweight and compact configuration required for motorcycles. To meet the wide range of rider needs, HFT offers a selection from two fully automatic shifting modes—D mode for ordinary riding and S mode for a sporty riding experience—or the 6-speed manual mode, which gives riders the option of riding with a manual transmission feel. The HFT creates a unique riding feel through easy operation, ranging from relaxed and laid-back riding to nimble and sporty with direct throttle response.

More photos and details below:

With the aim of providing products useful in the every day lives of customers, Honda has developed and sold motorcycles equipped with easy-to-operate automatic riding technologies. As a pioneer in the era of automatic systems, Honda launched the Super Cub C100 in 1958, equipped with an automatic centrifugal clutch mechanism, which allowed riding without the need of clutch operation. The Eara (750cc), released in 1977, was a first large-sized motorcycle featured a torque converter in Japan. In 1980, Honda put the Tact on the market, a machine equipped with the Honda original continuously variable transmission, the V-Matic, and Honda has continued to develop a variety of new mechanisms up into the present.

[ Characteristics of the HFT ]
A transmission system with a wide range of functions in a single unit, the HFT is a compact and highly efficient infinitely variable transmission system encompassing functions for starting, power transmission and shifting, all on a single shaft. The basic configuration of the system consists of an oil pump for converting engine power into hydraulic pressure, and an oil motor for converting the hydraulic pressure back into power for output. Both are made up of multiple pistons, a distributor valve and a swash plate for piston operation, while the cylinders are integrated into the output shaft, forming the characteristic structure of the HFT.

The HFT also features the world’s first* lockup mechanism for an infinitely variable hydraulic mechanical transmission. When cruising, this lockup mechanism works to minimize transmission efficiency losses, contributing to improved fuel economy.

Honda DN-01 HFT Human Friendly Transmission

Honda DN-01 HFT Human Friendly Transmission

Honda DN-01 HFT Human Friendly Transmission

Posted on Filed Under: Motorcycle Business, Motorcycle Technology

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Comments

  2. Again, I guess I would present the Maita argument…

    I would not want an automatic, but I would not want a goldwing either and plenty of people seem to like them

  3. The DN-01 uses the 680cc engine from the Deauville which is referred to as the Dull-ville in Europe but it’s only dull in comparison to other sport-touring bikes not dull in comparison to other 45/52-degree V-Twin cruisers. Also, the HFT hydraulic transmission was tested on the RC250MA racing bike and won the all Japan motocross championship series in 1991. A woman on this twist-n-go will smoke her husband on his Harley Fat Boy.

  5. I just don’t like the idea of an automatic transmission in a motorcycle. A manual transmission forces the rider to pay a certain amount of attention to what (s)he is doing. A two-wheeled luxo-barge that doesn’t even require its rider to think about shifting just seems like a bad idea.

    –mark

  6. Actually, rather than a GoldWing an automatic makes more sense on a bike that would be used in the city (rather than a bike which spends 90% of the time on the open road at highway speeds in the same gear). There should be small lightweight 250cc and 400cc motorcycles with automatic transmissions and before you say “buy a scooter” consider the design flaws in the scooter configuration such as unsprung weight, excessive overall weight due to the steel tubular frame and body work, poor weight distribution with the engine/swingarm arrangement, and the poor performance of the sloppy belt-pulley CVTs that are currently used in most scooters. They really could build better city-bikes if they built them as small lightweight naked automatic motorcycles rather than scooters.

  7. I’m on the other side of the fence from most of you so far. I think an automatic tranny on a motorcycle is great, and I believe it belongs on the lightweight bikes with the low saddle heights. I don’t want to sound sexist here, but the big 4 need to really start pumping out some bikes geared (pun intended) towards women. I know of more than a few guys who’d love to do some touring on their bikes, but can’t because their wives don’t ride. Sure, they could get a big Goldwing or Electra Glide and “toss the ol’ lady on the back”, but for many that’s not what they had in mind when picturing sport touring. Bikes like this Honda, as well as the Aprilia Mana 850, could be just the thing for many enthusiasts to get their significant others riding. Many women I’ve asked in the past about motorcycling specifically complained about the only option for them being scooters. They don’t want to be on a scooter trying to keep up with a group of motorcycles. The cruiser crowd has had the Ridley motorcycles for a while now, it’s time there were a few “sporty” bikes with auto/CVT transmissions on the market that opened up motorcycling to more people.

  8. What we have here is a 2-wheeled Accord. Nothing wrong with that, I have a Pacific Coast which is like an old manual transmission Accord. This bike is like a new Accord, which is so quiet and smooth that there is no real sensation of being in a vehicle. With the Star Wars styling, the target market in this country (USA) will be small. A Shadow version would be much more likely to sell.

  10. Have you blokes seen the Arqin V3? Scooter mechanicals, sportsbike style and CVT tranny. Welcome to a whole new market for motorcycles..and if you don’t like it, stay away!

  11. Dudel & Matt in NC are right with the comments about scooters vs. small auto bikes….

    Motorcycle sales seem to be on a downturn. These downturns are part of the economy, but can hurt a lot for companies like HD.

    Companies that sell scooters like Aprilia’s parent and now, automatics, like Aprilia, can manage the downturn much better.

    An automatic motorcycle like the Aprilia is a natural, next purchase for the thousands of scooter riders in Europe. (Can’t wait until the collective blue haze from all of those whiny 2 strokes are off the planet.)

    Just as there are modern hot rod sports cars with manual transmissions, there will always be hot rod bikes with manual transmissions (at least in all of our lifetimes)

  12. I think women can learn to shift a motorcycle just as easy as a man. The only reason my wife suggests why she doesn’t ride more often with me is because bikes are so heavy and tall now.

    It’s funny, Honda has the slickest shifting manual transmissions in the industry and now they feel they need an automatic? I ride every day and I can’t really remember the last time I shifted the transmission. It’s so second nature, much like rolling on the throttle to accellerate, looking left when I want to turn left…

    Automatics are really only preferred in cars because people like to hold things in their hands while driving. Things like cell phones, scalding hot coffee, the morning paper, etc are what people don’t want to put down to row a lever. This is one more thing on a bike to add cost and to go wrong. I really have to wonder how this will make riding any better or more convenient. Just imagine what an automatic bike with loud pipes will sound like… I for one will surely not buy one and I already mourn the passing of scooters with manual transmissions.

    -todd

  13. Quoting Mark: “A manual transmission forces the rider to pay a certain amount of attention to what (s)he is doing.”

    No less a sports car expert than Zora Arkus-Duntov favored automatic transmissions for this very reason. Yes a manual transmission forces you to pay more attention, but it forces you to pay more attention TO THE TRANSMISSION, not to the other, more important aspects of driving and cornering.

    You want manual? Climb in a model T. Few people mourn the passing of manual spark advance, handcrank starting, and unsynchronized gearboxes. Simplification of the driving experience is a valuable part of technological advancement in vehicles. Motorcycles are starting to incorporate features like linked braking and traction control. Why complain about an automatic transmission?

  14. I hate automatic in cars. It gives people with no driving skill the ability to get a car license. It also allows people to multi-task while driving such as talking on the telephone – or checking on the status of the kids in the back seat etc etc – basically anything but concentrating on driving.

    Governments around the world love coming down on motorcycles as a hazard to peoples health. It still stands that the biggest danger to a motorcyclist is the car driver – I would love to see the statistic for how many manual cars are involved in accidents compared to automatics.

    This leads me to my point that we don’t need people with no skill or concentration jacking up the motorcycle accident statistics. Automatics BOOOOO

  15. I see the applications, in fact I’ve toyed with the idea of a snowmobile-powered motorcycle complete with the sled CVT. A turn away from the big scooter to an auto motorcycle is a logical step for lots, I’m sure. The Aprilia’s definitely got better looks…this thing looks scooter-ish still, albeit a straddle-type rather than a step-thru.

    Oh, and as to skill… if you can shift the manual, it becomes second nature, whether it’s car or bike, synchronised or unsynchronised. I drive a tractor trailer, 10 forward gears (there are lots with more), and no synchros whatsoever. I don’t pay much attention to shifting…it just happens when it needs to. It’s the initial learning curve that’s the difficult part.

  16. I see both sides to this argument I would like to feel it before I pass judgement if it puts you in the right gear at the right time firmly and smoothly and alows you the oportunity to put more thought into your line on the track then I see that as an advantage, if it is a dog like the hondamatic 400 then yup chicks gotta new bike. my wife like person could not drive a standard but has learned on a motorcycle although this has been some what of a daunting task learning to ride and to shift i think an auto may have made the transition easier ( ie less frustraighting for me) but I welcome the advancement in technology and if I dont like it I wont buy it.It has a six speed mode for purists give it a shot you cant hear your cell phone while your riding anyway.LOL

  17. I was at my local Yamaha/Polaris dealer the other day. They had some scooters – all automatic CVTs. They had motorbikes, of course, all manual except one semi-auto FJR1300. They had personal water craft – no shifters on those. They had a couple sid-by-sides, and they were automatic. And being just before the start of huntng season, they had lots of quads, and those were overwhelmingly automatics.

    I live too far south for dealers to ever have snowmobiles (automatic trannies in those, BTW) in their showrooms, but still, over two-thirds of the machines they had in inventory did not require the riders to shift a transmission.

    The only thing that requires shifting is the paradigm.

    Tom

  18. Automatic motorcycles: The introduction of women talking on their cell phones & putting on makeup while driving a motorcycle.

  19. “I think women can learn to shift a motorcycle just as easy as a man. The only reason my wife suggests why she doesn’t ride more often with me is because bikes are so heavy and tall now.”

    As a woman rider, I have to agree with this wholeheartedly. Every once in a while I pop on over to the JDM motorcycle manufacturer sites and sigh, looking at the beautiful assortment of small-displacement motorcycles that we can’t get here. I’m 5’4″ tall, I don’t weigh much, I have an inseam of 29″, and no I do not want to ride a Harley or any other kind of cruiser. I hate those kind of bikes. What’s left for a new, smaller bike in the US is a small handful of models. Has the market really changed *that* much in the past 30 or even 20 years? I would love to have a new bike like the Honda CB400 SS (http://www.honda.co.jp/motor-lineup/cb400ss/)

    (sorry my rant is a little off-topic)

    Anyway, back on topic…as far as the automatic transmission goes…I think it’s a great idea, but I would rather shift myself, as I have in every car I’ve owned so far (and of course my motorcycles).

  20. Phoebe – how about a Buell Blast? Actually, an interesting bike once you get past their stupid marketing

  21. The DN-01 is a beautiful bike. I’m just not sure about the auto tranny. My wife would like it. The shifting is part of the reason she deosn’t ride now. Maybe this would get her started. It would be most excelent if she did.

  22. I’ve considered the Blast, actually. I know a couple of people who own them, and I’ve read the reviews. It seems like a great bike, and I know I’d fit on it, at least! I like all of Buell’s bikes, actually. Unfortunately, I’ve never gotten a chance to sit on any of them or ride them, but most seem to be of a reasonable size even though they have big engines.

    But anyway, the Blast has been around for years now, and it must be selling well enough for them to continue making it. I don’t see why it would be such a big deal for all of the manufacturers to bring at least *one* of their pre-existing smaller displacement bikes to the US. If there’s a market for the Blast and the Ninja 250, there’s a market for say, a 400cc bike too. Unfortunately, I suspect that Honda’s experience with selling the CB1 here left a bitter taste in their mouth. Coincidentally, the CB1 is another bike I certainly wouldn’t mind having!

  23. the CB1 is still good looking.

    Keep watching for smaller bikes that are not cruisers. The new racing series RSD is working on will hopefully inspire the OEMs to produce single cylinder sportbikes. There’s got to be a way to get the seat height at a comfortable height.

    Phoebe – you’re also aware of the Buell CG, right? It is the same Buell but with a lowered seat height.

    I have to think Aprilia will come out with a smaller bike that is also an automatic.

  24. I guess I kind of enjoy shifting for myself when I ride. Upshifting is like hitting afterburners.

    I don’t mind automatic in my car, I’ve got two kids to keep an eye on.

    But I’ll stick with a manual bike for now.

  25. There was a time when spark advance and mixture was controlled by the rider – and some people complained for a long time after those controls became obsolete. It is only a matter of time before stepper(?) motors control the throttle, clutch(s), and gearbox, making shifts completely seamless, faster, more efficient, and easier on the hardware. And people will probably complain about that as well.

    I do find the “Human Friendly Transmission” name, uh, amusing. What are the friends of the current transmissions called?

  26. Phoebe, instead of waiting for Honda to import the (excellent) CB400SS go get yourself a GB500. My wife loves riding mine, she’s only slightly taller than you and can get both feet to touch the ground. She too hates cruisers and other “old-guy” bikes.

    I guess my main problem with automatics is their association with cars. I’ve never driven an automatic car that I’ve enjoyed. They never seem to shift when you want and they sound lame. It was nice, however, to drive holding a smoothie in my hand though.

    I’ve owned plenty of scooters and a CVT (pully/belt drive tranny) is simple and ideal for a motorcycle/scooter. I don’t have to wonder when it will shift or how expensive it will be to fix. It’s adept at keeping a meager motor within its torque range. The only thing I don’t like is the automatic engagement and disengagement of the clutch at inopportunistic times in traffic.

    I guess Automatic motorcycles will have a place and will take a while to firmly set in with the general motorcycling public.

    The BossHoss doesn’t even have a transmission…

    -todd

  27. It’s getting to the point with cars that you can’t even buy a manual transmission any more. I guess I’m afraid of that happening with motorcycles as well.

    -todd

  28. Todd, I *love* the GB500! I’m really into the cafe racer style, and I know I fit on that one because I’ve sat on one back when they came out. Unfortunately, there’s never any for sale in my area. Well, except when they were new, of course. I wish I could have gotten one back then. Now they’re almost 20 years old too…an imitation classic-classic? 😉

  31. I think there is some confusion here between CVT and automatic. I don’t really enjoy a conventional automatic in anything. A CVT, on the other hand, is kind of cool. If programmed appropriately, you’re in the right ratio at all times and there is no shifting up or down to worry about. Basically your acceleration can be brutally aggressive, and you can have the same throttle off compression braking characteristics as a geared motorcycle. The two differences are that you never have to shift, and you never have to clutch. With the proper setup, one of these transmissions could lead to quicker lap times around the race track. Though in that environment, I do see a manual clutch being available.

    That aside, it’s a good looking bike with a low seat height without trying to look like it’s a Harley.

  32. Because it is styled like a cruiser, I’m sure it will hit the American market. But I sure wish it was styled like the Transalp or Deauville.

    I also wonder how many of the people making comments about how superior a manual transmission is are riding an ergonomically and dynamically deficient metric cruiser or Harley with 100 year old styling and chassis design?

    I want an automatic (this by the way is not a automatic in the sense of an automotive type auto tranny or a cvt, it is a hydrostatic transmission like the type used on tractors). Manuals suck in traffic and with carpal tunnel, I can only manage about 15 minutes of clutching before losing all feeling in my hand. And how did I get carpal tunnel? From long distance riding on motorcyles!

  33. I don’t know any motorcycle riders that stay bogged down in bumper to bumper traffic (well maybe Gold Wing riders.) There is lane splitting, and plenty of shoulders, sidewalks, alleys etc…

  34. I ride both a motorcycle and a mega-scooter. I’ve been waiting for the DN-01 to be available in the US and I will trade the mega scooter in for it. I enjoy my motorcycle for touring, the scooter for city commuting to work with all the bumper to bumper riding.

  36. Yeah, lane splitting and riding in the breakdown lane are definitely illegal in my state (RI), and I have seen bikers pulled over for it. Aside from that, I probably wouldn’t do it anyway even if it were legal. People seem to have a hard enough time seeing me on my bike as it is, nevermind sneaking up on them where they expect nobody to be. It seems like hardly anyone uses their mirrors around here or looks beyond the nose of their car. Heck, I’ve even almost been run off the road many times in my car because of careless drivers here! It’s bad.

  37. my bike would probably over heat and burn up if I was stuck in traffic. Thank CHiPs for lane splitting; much better than being rear ended!

    -todd

  38. Don’t fall for the Honda scam. Likely, a production version won’t be available until 2010. The only reason Honda is re-releasing photos is because the Aprilia 850 Mana automatic will be available soon and Honda is hoping that those interested in an auto-tranny motorcycle will sit on their hands for the next three years patiently waiting for the Honda vaporware.

  39. I love the looks of the Honda DN-01. I own a Honda VTX1300R and a Suzuki Burgman 650 Exec. scooter. 🙂

    My scooter will easily keep up with any motorcycle and cruise all day at 75-80 mph. It will leave most motorcycles and cars in the dust from a stop! Top speed is approximately 120 MPH. Twist N Go is nice in my opinion and it is a great commuter bike.

    Shifting a motorcycle is no big deal and is not a qualification as far as a REAL motorcycle is concerned. 🙂 I think most guys have an image hangup when it comes to scooters and auto trannies, I don’t. The Honda DN-01 will be a great seller here in the states IMHO. We’ll just have to wait and see.

  40. I agree completely with Bill, as above. I ride both, a manual, and a mega-scoot. When I ride to work in the morning, my first choice is ALWAYS the scoot. Why? Because it’s easier and more fun. I can concentrate on the road, also known as all the traffic, in front of me, my hand doesn’t hurt with the clutch, I have lots of storage for my work stuff, and it’s easier on my dress clothes. The scoot easily keeps up with, and more often than not exceeds the ability to keep up with traffic. In other words-no worries, just a pleasant ride to work. All of these rides are just tools to use for transport. Not one is better than the other, they’re just different. The POV’s re: MC’s vs scoots is like arguing about which is bluer, the Atlantic or Pacific. Interesting sometimes but completely useless. Ride what you like, and like what you ride, not ride what others like.

  41. 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.

  42. 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

  43. 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.

  44. 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!

  45. 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.