All Tests – DN-01, Deauville and Transalp tests: one engine, three interpretations! – Honda DN-01: a concept in need of recognition

Posted on by admin

DN-01, Deauville and Transalp tests: one engine, three interpretations !

All Tests - DN-01, Deauville and Transalp tests: one engine, three interpretations! - Honda DN-01: a concept in need of recognition

On the occasion of a pleasant trip through the Vosges, Site went to rediscover the charms of three Honda equipped with the same 680 cc twin-cylinder engine: the futuristic DN-01, the classic Deauville and the adventurer Transalp… Testing !

Honda DN-01: a concept in need of recognition

Unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show in 2005, the DN-01 this month celebrates the anniversary of its arrival in French dealerships. Radical, innovative and difficult to catalog (motorcycle, scooter, custom?), The Honda concept bike has encountered many difficulties in attracting buyers: at the end of May 2008, only 404 DN-01 had been registered in France since its launch, including 321 on the year 2008…

Frustrated, the world’s leading manufacturer does not try to dodge the snub inflicted by sales well below its objectives, but admits to being disappointed that its vision of the two-wheeler of the future does not meet with more success … D ” on the other hand, its detractors – who criticize it in particular for its consensual approach to motorcycles and its lack of aesthetic and technological daring – are at their expense, as the DN-01 detonates !

Long as a day without bread (1605 mm of wheelbase, only 85 mm less than a Goldwing!), Low (1115 mm) and heavy (270 kg all full), the DN-01 immediately taps the retina thanks to its low profile and picked up. Its futuristic exterior, its shark-like front part and its flowing lines spreading to the rear seduce or repel, but cannot leave you indifferent.

The machine also introduces an automatic gearbox of a new kind: the "HFT" (Human Friendly Transmission), presented by Honda as the ideal mix between the smoothness of a variator and the sensations. delivered by a mechanical box (read in particular).

Based on a hydromechanical system, this gearbox with continuous transmission works thanks to the pressurization of the oil by the heat engine: this oil drives a hydraulic motor which propels the cardan shaft through two plates, the inclination of which is changed by the pressure and flow of oil between the pump and the engine.

And it is precisely this inclination that the pilot controls when passing from one gear to another: either manually via the + and – buttons placed on the left stalk, or automatically in "D" mode (the gears are passed in bold torque) or in "S" mode (pick-ups are more energetic, because the system downshifts earlier and allows greater revs before changing to the next gear).

In use, this "HFT" box is undoubtedly a success. Extremely sophisticated, it is particularly comfortable and efficient. Too bad the system blocks downshifts when the engine speed seems too high in sequential mode: negotiating a pin without being able to "enter" the first is as frustrating as it is difficult! We also quickly come to stay in "fully automatic", preferably in "S" mode, in order to cruiser cuddly with your feet in front, firmly seated on the comfortable saddle. !

Remains that the iconoclastic side of the DN-01 – whose number means that the bike is "the very first of a new generation of machines", explained Honda during its launch – not enough: half-heartedly, Sebastien Pernel even confides to Site that the end of its marketing in France is not to be ruled out…

The driving of the machine is however particularly pleasant: with its wide running boards placed in front, its low seat and its handlebars, the Honda offers a typical custom position, the smoothness of the operation of the automatic gearbox and less vibrations. ! Well installed, the driver benefits from the very good general balance which makes it possible to feel at home after only a few meters. The other side of the coin: the flagrant lack of protection of the micro-bubble and the strongly spread arms inflict a tiring windblast past 110 km / h.

Of course, with its profusion of plastic and its automatic transmission, the DN-01 can put off those used to shiny customs, one of the targets of the machine – along with scooterists – according to Honda.

With its lack of practicality (no place under the saddle, minimalist protection, no warning) and urban strolls made difficult by the high weight, the consequent width (820 mm) and the heavy steering at low speed (28 ° d ‘hunting angle!), it may also worry fans of the maxi scooter, super practical and agile in built-up areas.

Out of town, the tubular steel frame allows many fantasies … unfortunately quickly limited by the ground clearance of the imposing aluminum steps! Honda having had the good idea to give them a slight freedom of movement, the friction of the lugs on the ground does not however generate any parasitic reaction and the DN-01 keeps its course, whatever the speed. !

Obviously, the DN-01 is uncomfortable in small nooks and crannies: if the ABS-CBS device is really impressive in efficiency, entering a curve while standing on the brakes results in a good cold sweat! Finally, when the road deteriorates, the suspensions are conspicuous by their ineffectiveness and directly return the slightest bump in the lumbar … What is more, the times of the 680 lack conviction and overtaking buses in full climb can sometimes be difficult….

The fact remains that the road behavior of the DN-01 is pleasantly surprising: some defects inherent in the mix of genres are annoying in the long run, but its soft and efficient gearbox as its unwavering stability allow beautiful rides, without other retained that autonomy a bit fair (about 200 km before reserve).

Offered at € 11,990, the DN-01 has been the subject of an interesting commercial operation since April 6 and until June 30, 2009: for an additional euro, a two-year warranty extension and one year of insurance all risks (including guarantees, civil liability, defense and recourse, theft and fire, damage all accidents, 0 km assistance, legal protection and biker equipment up to € 1000) are made available to those concerned. What to boost sales of the DN-01 in France? To be continued in our next monthly reports…

Alexandre BARDIN – Shiny Black Photos

Related articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *