Menus
- Discovery
- In the saddle
- Contact
- City
- Highway
- Departmental
- Comfort
- Brakes
- Convenient
- Consumption
- Conclusion
1100 km test.
Unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show in 2005 but presented only in 2008, the DN-01 is a rolling concept, at automatic or sequential speed, halfway between the motorcycle and the scooter. The HFT (Human Friendly Transmission) transmission system alone sums up the philosophy of a two-wheeler with a futuristic design, definitely like no other.. More prosaically, the DN-01 is based on the 680 cc 52 ° V-twin already fitted to the Honda Deauville 700 with the same torque and power characteristics – 64 hp at 8,000 rpm and 6.8 mkg at 6,500 rpm – but with a latest generation sequential gearbox.
Discovery
The DN-01 looks like it came straight out of an Akira album, closer to comics than what we are used to categorizing in the motorcycle segment. Long, even very long with its 2315 mm (a length reinforced by the minimum height of 1115mm), the DN-01 impresses with its rounded lines and its shark muzzle. One would easily imagine driving him in a lying position. Huge 190 rear tire contributes to excess.
The dashboard worthy of a car is fully digital and complete: speedometer, tachometer, partial double trip, totalizer, clock, fuel gauge, mode indicator (D for "Drive" and S for "Sport" plus indication of the gear engaged in manual mode), plus 8 warning lights including ABS and parking brake warning light (on the right).
Like on a scooter, there is no selector or clutch. The switch to neutral / start is made on the right handlebars. On the left, we choose the "D" or "S" mode. Manual mode is on the right, exterior side (like the pahre call on the left).
The warnings are placed in the center of the tank.
Mirrors look like the mirrors in a car, both in size and visibility.
In the saddle
The saddle is low, very soft and particularly long, so much so that even the knees press on it (at least for small riders). The feet touch very flat, even for a very small pilot of 1.60 m. The DN-01 is without a doubt the lowest saddle bike at 690mm (compared to the usual 790mm or more). As a result, the arms are almost raised to reach the handlebars, making the riding position resemble that of a custom, while the feet rest well forward on wide and long steps..
The mirrors, placed well on the outside and under the arms, allow you to see extremely well. At worst, you can see the hands on the handlebars, but hardly the arms. As a result, they allow you to use 95% of their surface to see behind. However, they are placed at the same height as those of certain city cars and can therefore interfere a little in certain traffic cases..
The head well above the bubble allows you to see well and very far, while having a look on the dashboard.
Contact
The counter resets. Huge side exhaust distills a discreet sound.
Press the right handlebar button, the "D" is displayed on the dashboard and the motorcycle starts. Rather light despite its 270 kilos fully packed, the DN-01 tames itself from the first few meters and rolls up gently without a sound. We imagined feeling some vibrations from the big twin: it is not. The DN-01 rolls silently on velvet.
City
Despite its apparent width, mainly due to the large mirrors, the DN-01 easily sneaks around. It tilts easily with a simple push on the handlebars or step board. With relatively little inertia and excellent ABS braking, it stops quickly, even suddenly, either thanks to the right grip or thanks to the enormous brake pedal placed vertically at the end of the right step..
If the saddle is very soft, offering good comfort, the suspensions are rather firm, making you feel the irregularities of the road..
On the presence side, at each red light, pedestrians stop to stare at you, like motorists. And when the light turns green, some give you envious gaze accompanied by a thumbs up. the DN-01 stops staring and makes people talk.
The limited ground clearance makes it easy to scrape the steps on roundabouts; guaranteed fun.
In "D" (Drive) mode, acceleration is rather smooth and smooth, even if you reach 70 km / h very quickly, which is already too fast in town. The "S" mode for (Sport) brings more nervousness, which is very appreciable for transforming the character of the beast. But it is still in manual mode that the pleasure is greatest with real acceleration worthy of a motorcycle … especially since the first breaks while at 70 km / h.
Only the turning radius is a handicap in town; it is better not to end up in a small street. The enormous turning radius requires several maneuvers to be able to turn around. Fortunately, the feet are flat and the acceleration is gentle, you can do it several times, of course, but without suffering.
Highway
The DN-01 is happy to enter the motorway. At 110 km / h, the pressure begins to draw on the arms. At 130 km / h, the weight training session begins. The real pain begins at 150 km / h, while at only 6,000 rpm (and 2,000 rpm from the red zone and maximum power) the engine shows that it is quite ready to go again. widely in the towers. The phenomenon is accentuated by a very aesthetic bubble, but almost horizontal. Suddenly, all the wind pressure then carries the bust and shoulders while the driving position makes the air flow down towards the stomach. The pilot’s body turns into a huge wing. The legs are not better protected and the pants snap easily. Suddenly, on this beautiful sunny October day, the air was cool, and despite the jacket, the winter lining and the rain suit slipped on as a windbreaker, we were cold. Disadvantage in winter, this must prove to be an advantage in summer, with excellent natural cooling.
Besides that, the DN-01 ensures flawless behavior, even at maximum speed limits including on wide curves and despite the defects of the road. The motorcycle can therefore roll quickly, or even very quickly, without reaching its limits thanks to particularly healthy handling. It is therefore the physical limits of the rider that are reached, well before the motorcycle which can theoretically exceed 200 km / h.
Departmental
The DN-01 finds suddenly with pleasure the departmental, with a lower speed. Driving becomes easy and pleasant again under 90 km / h. The extraordinary handling almost makes it possible to attack from one turn to the next, even if the acceleration is rather smooth in "Drive" mode.
We can then prefer the "S" (Sport) mode even if once again it is the manual mode which offers the most pleasure, especially since the first reports do not break respectively at 70, 100, 125 and 145 km / h. There is therefore something to attack firmly, almost without worrying about downshifting since the downshifting is carried out automatically as soon as the DN falls under-revving. This is how even if you are in sixth gear but you brake suddenly when entering a curve, it is possible to automatically find yourself in 2nd without doing anything! The re-acceleration is then quite frank and dynamic. Consumption is also soaring.
Comfort
The DN-01 benefits from a long and soft saddle, including for the knees which support readily in width. The knees tightly encircling the motorcycle improve control and speed of passage in curves on departmental roads.
The rear suspensions, on the other hand, are very firm, undoubtedly contributing to the exemplary behavior of the machine. The DN-01 will therefore appreciate more billiards on small bumpy roads, unless you adjust the suspensions as flexible as possible..
Brakes
The DN-01 offers a foot brake placed quite far forward combined with a front brake on the standard handlebars. Everything brakes hard, even very hard with a good feeling.
Convenient
There is no room under the saddle, not even for rain pants. Only a passage for a U-lock is possible. However, this passage is quite wide and none of my U have gone through it.
The passenger handles are very well made, incorporating in a hidden way an interior molding reinforcing the grip.
Be careful, when stationary, the DN-01 automatically returns to neutral … with a risk of not holding onto its side stand if placed on an incline: this is the whole point of the parking brake (properly placed handy on the right side).
Consumption
Consumption is around 4.8 liters per hundred under 110 km / h at stabilized speed. It climbs to almost 7 liters per hundred at 140 km / h, at steady speed. Which with the 15 liters of the tank, allows to vary the autonomy between 220 and 300 km.
Note that the fuel gauge is not regular. At a sustained pace, the first stick goes out after 40 km, the second after 55 km, the 3rd after 80 km, the 4th after 170 km, the 5th after 200 km, and the last after 210 km before the reserve starts flashing. At a calmer pace and stabilized speed of 100 km / h, the first stick does not go out until after 48 km, the 2nd after 68 km, the 3rd at 98 km, the 4th at 200 km and the 5th 228 km away. The minimum consumption is then 4.8 liters per hundred, with a maximum range of 300 km..
Conclusion
Honda took an extraordinary bet by releasing a concept, aesthetic, out of an anticipation comic book. The DN-01 will delight fans of exceptional motorcycles who want a machine that is easy to ride and that will attract all the attention. With its 3 driving modes, the DN-01 is also able to meet almost all driving tastes, from quiet to almost sporty. Its lines will also allow it to cruiser on the Croisette, attracting all eyes. At 11,990 euros, the DN-01 however charges a high price for the concept and luxury technology.
Strong points
- Look
- Ease of handling
- Engine flexibility
Weak points
- Firm suspensions
- Protection
available in purple and white
The DN-01 technical sheet
More info on the dedicated DN 01 motorcycle website
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