Discovering a new concept of motorcycles, Honda’s release a fresh DN-01 is in a class of its own—the world’s first crossover bike. The DN-01 was developed as a large sports cruiser materializing a new concept of styling and seating position alone set it completely apart, showing influence from the world of our sport-bikes, and sport touring machines. The DN-01 takes its name from the phrase “Discovery of a New Concept,” Honda’s shorthand from Dream New Concept One.
The DN-01′s brakes are offering a machine with Combined ABS, a system which links both front and rear brakes and includes a proven Anti-lock Brake System. The DN-01 offers a combination of features unique in the motorcycling world. Other features include a low 27.2-inch seat height, ABS with a linked triple-disc braking system, Z-rated 17-inch radial tires, shaft drive, a two-compartment four-gallon fuel tank, CBR-style lighting, a parking brake, plus ergonomics and styling that Honda describes as “Low & Long + Modern Organic Body.”
Honda’s Human-Friendly Transmission (HFT) has two automatic modes—Drive and Sport—along with a thumb-shift setting that has six preset ratios, but still offers clutchless operation. At highway cruising speeds, the transmission sets a ratio rather than constantly adjusting itself, improving fuel consumption efficiency.
The liquid-cooled four-stroke 680 cc OHC V-twin engine featured in the DN-01 demonstrates powerful and flat torque characteristics in the low-rpm range as well as high-rpm range, realizing smooth and easy revving. A superb fit with the new HFT realizes a comfortable ride feel. A single-sided swingarm (Pro-Arm), acknowledged in the Goldwing and VFR, and a maintenance-free shaft drive with superior durability and quietness have been adopted for the drivetrain. The DN-01 design also takes vibration resistance into account with a full rubber mount for the engine. For environmental performance, the DN-01 conforms with the 2007 exhaust emissions standards in Japan with an electronic fuel injection system (PGM-FI*1) and a catalyst device (catalyzer).
