Honda DN-01 700 "Sport Cruiser"

[jackM50black]

Wow, cool bike.... Now, I can see this is a standard bike (right)? which is the kind of thing I could consider in the future. I love my Suzuki M50 cruiser, but this Honda looks pretty cool. Is this supposed to compete with Suzuki Wee-Strom?

[Venarius]

Well, I would consider it a cruiser because your legs are in front of you.

I would consider a standard bike where the feet are more or less directly under you (Nighthawk 750, Honda 599, etc)

And sporty's have the feet tucked behind the rider.

I don't think its meant to compete with the V-strom, because the V-strom is supposed to be a bike that straddles lines between a road bike and off road bike, and while I could be wrong, I don't see the dn-01 doin that.

[teknoman]

And if you think this caused an argument, :frusty: ,google up the E-04[900cc]bike and watch the video.!!! :laughing:

[totalmotorcycle]

I've added the DN-01 to the Total Motorcycle Big Book of Concept bikes:

http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/photos/prototype-spy-concept/index.htm#Honda

as well as an updated on the Honda E4-01 Automatic Super Sports bike as well.

Thanks all for bringing this up.

Mike.

[jimmyt]

Hey I would like to take delivery of this bike for real - not in my dreams, in reality!
I would love to find out when it is coming to the US
Also, what is the Deauville model, where can I get details of that particular model. Is the Deauville due to come to U.S. as well?
in chicago area, IL. U.S.A. Jimmyt

[freebird]

Jimmyt,

This is reported to be the current status: The DN-01 700 is going into production with an availability date of early 07 Japan and late 07 Europe. There is no word on USA availability. Some dealers are speculating 2008 while others are asserting it will not be imported to the USA. The Honda dealers meeting is September 6th so we might know then if there are any plans in the future to import the bike to the USA.

Bringing the DN-01 to Europe is easier as the Deauville 700 engine is already emissions certified in Europe and they aren't as fussy about lights and blinker placement as the USA. A USA model would have to get cleared by the EPA, DOT, NHSA, and at the minimun be retro-fitted with a right foot brake to conform to the recent 2005 motorcycle controls rules.

What is the Deauville model? The Deauville is a sport-touring model formerly a carb'd 650cc now a fuel-injected 680cc built in the Honda plant in Spain that has been selling in Europe for many years. There is no indication that Honda will import the Deauville to the USA. Reportedly, Honda is providing V-Twin-680 engine training to their Australlian mechanics which means either the DN-01 or the Deauville (or both) is headed down south. But this remains unconfirmed.

Go down to your Honda dealer and expressing serious interest - this might help convince the corporate types that there is a market for the DN-01 in the USA.

You can see the Deauville here:
http://www.webbikeworld.com/Motorcycle-news/2006-honda-motorcycles.htm

These guys are doing a long-term road test of the Deauville 700:
http://www.motorcyclenews.com/nav?page=motorcyclenews.articles.articleCategory.article&resourceId=5053240&articleCategory=NEWS_LONG-TERM-TEST-BIKES

If you haven't seen the DN-01 video yet it is here:
http://www.honda.co.jp/motorshow/2005/motor/conceptmodel/index.html

=========================

[Shorts]

I forgot this - old school post. People are all-uppity about the bike. If you don't like it, fine, don't buy it.

I'll let you folks know what I think of the bike when I see next summer :nyah:

[BlueBomber]

[quote="Venarius"] freebird wrote:

Retro-cruisers are for fat, old, married guys.

Quote:
Or fit, young, single guys with a smoking girlfriend...


Amen brother! I ride a boulevard M50 and my G/F is *expletives deleted* hot!

i love that girl.

\/\/

[Dennis316]

bah! everybody think their own girlfriend is hot or else why would you be with her unless she has a great "personality" (I.E. RICH) lol jk jk...


any word on the DN-01 release? i would totally go for it, and i think honda has the handlebar shifter thing down, they use it in their ATVs... also seems like sportier cars are going to paddle shifters same with bikes me thinks...next thing you know there are going to be full race bikes with handbar shifters. Lose the GPS and the Stereo and i would think this would be a reasonably priced bike.


oh, and the first thing that popped into my head when i saw the bike was "MINIATURE HONDA RUNE" they are so different but so alike...if you get my drift

[freebird]

RE: "any word on the DN-01 release?"

Early 07 JP, late 07 EU/UK, maybe 08 AU, unk USA (maybe never).

Aprilia unveiled their competition for the DN-01 in the guise of an 850cc twin naked motorcycle - the Aprilia 850 Mana - which will likely be available in the USA late 2007. You can choose between clutchless foot-shift, thumb-shift, or set it to full-auto with three modes (Sport, Touring, Rain).

============================

[kali]

Venarius wrote: freebird wrote:

Retro-cruisers are for fat, old, married guys.

Or fit, young, single guys with a smoking girlfriend...



Maybe you just think that because you've seen old guys on them...but given the fact that they have been around longer than any other style, more people actually have the chance to grow old (30+ years) riding those style bikes.

I've had a sport bike. I chose this for my next bike. You think their for old fogies? I think their for people who want style and the ability to RIDE COMFORTABLY on a 1000+ mile trip, and not impress people with a top speed you'll never ever use.

I wouldn't take my old Sport bike across 4 states, let alone cross-country.

Boo yah ka Shaw


PS
You know whats funny, I've found that the two types of bikes (sporty vs cruiser) attracts very different kind of girls. When I was totin the sporty, the girls I got were just like the bike... fast. There for a few nights, then gone.

But the girls I've gotten on the cruiser are just like cruisers...there for the long haul.



And whether you want to admit it or not...80% of riders won't even see top speeds that are capable of big cruisers today (130 mph+)...so the top speed factor of a sport bike doesn't really matter in the real world.

And since big cruisers (vtwins) are faster accelerating from 0-30ish than a sportbike (bc of torque), If I'm at an intersection stopped and need to get out of there to keep from getting hit, I on my big, heavy, retro cruiser have a better chance than you and your "speedy" little GSXR750...or whatever it is you ride.

And finally, (and I don't think I'm that bias bc I've owned both sporty and a cruiser) I've found worlds more squids on a sporty than on cruisers.

No doubt about it, the girl is hot!

[MotoF150]

Yanno? I asked the local Honda Dealer about the DN-01 and he knew NOTHING about it and told me there are NO plans of Honda bringing out any NEW model this year and he did tell me the dealers have been complaining to Honda telling them they want Honda to come out with new models and he wishes they did. He told me Honda needs more selection with street legal dual sport bikes where they only offer one model. I suggested Honda would do well if they made a bike that competes with the KTM 950 Adventure but with a lower price, he agreed. Honda is the KING of motorcycles but their selection is limited and outdated!

[Tarheel365]

looks like a sport scooter.

not my cup of tea.... :|

[MotoF150]

Dear Mr jackM50black,,, I also own an M50 and you say you love the bike, the next time you take it out for a long high speed ride let me know if you still love it. I ride my M50 with guys that own VTX1800, Gold Wings, HD Fat Boys and Yamaha V Stars and when we are cruising at 80mph on a 4 lane I look and notice all the guys riding the other bikes look very relaxed and comfortable at that speed, but I am frightened and scared, trying to hold on, struggleing to hold my M50 on the road, using all my skill to hold the bike in a straight line. To me a bike has to be fun to ride, my M50 is no fun, its too much hard work to ride

[Pongo]

Now that is funny. :laughing:

MotoF150 wrote: I ride my M50 with guys that own VTX1800, Gold Wings, HD Fat Boys and Yamaha V Stars and when we are cruising at 80mph on a 4 lane I look and notice all the guys riding the other bikes look very relaxed and comfortable at that speed, but I am frightened and scared, trying to hold on, struggleing to hold my M50 on the road, using all my skill to hold the bike in a straight line.