by Alec Muffett
…you get this:
TOKYO, Japan, October 19, 2005 – At the 39th Tokyo Motor Show 2005, Honda Motor Co., Ltd. today introduced a large-size sports motorcycle concept model, DN-01*, equipped with a continuously variable automatic transmission and a water-cooled, 4-stroke, OHC, V-type, 2-cylinder, 680cc engine. Honda will continue the development of DN-01 with the goal of introducing it to the market in the near future.
Press Release: [world.honda.com]
And what do you think of it?
Well I went “ooh” when I saw it, so I must like the looks of it on first impression; second consideration makes me think it’s likely to be popular since that seat should make it rather low.
If so, it will sell well with women and with those who lack my 34″ inseam.
Also there is a disturbing hint of something scootery about the seat, but it is also Goldwingy, so I don’t know whether that’s a terribly bad thing.
I’ve said for a long time that just as the VTR1000 FireStorm’s big V-twin lump begat the Varadero trailie, then it ought to work in reverse and Honda should produce a sporty 650(ish)cc V-twin from the engine currently used in the Transalp and Deauville.
This is not *totally* that, but it’s not too far off. I can see this selling sedately but quite well, much as those two latter bikes do.
Also: the transmission? Hmmm… That’ll be interesting
If it actually goes into production soon, I’ll buy one. But I’m certainly not going to wait for it… recall the 750cc flat-four Griffon tease.
Yeah, kinda interested in CVTs at the moment. A colleague pointed me at an IVT (www.torotrak.com) which he was adamant wasn’t a CVT. It is in reality, but has a closer ratio than your normal toroidal CVT but has the cunning feature of using a planetary gear.
This added gear means there’s no clutch and the same box can go into reverse without any additional gearing. I’m still a wee bit worried that when the vehicle is stationary there’s still gear-on-gear motion tho’.
I wish they would come up with an automatic Goldwing.
i will buy one for sure. i wish it looks more superbikish.
Dam Good!!!!!!!!!! Too Sexyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!!!
any word on if this is actually 1) going to production; and 2) if it’s coming to the US?? I’m ready for a new scoot and if that’s coming in 2 years, willing to wait.
i have a few questions
1) will there be a manual transmission model
2) when will i be able to buy 1 and whats the estimated value of 1(ps im in the uk in a little place called Wales)
3) where can i find more info on this beauty
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