Total Motorcycle Community Forums

RE: "Don't CVTs actually offer slightly better performance than manuals, because they can stay at the very peak of the torque curve from bottom to top gear?"

Theoretically yes. But the current crop of scooter CVTs use an ineficient "belt between two pulleys" system. Reportedly, Honda's new HFT hydraulic transmission will deliver better performance.

SausageCreature wrote:Don't CVTs actually offer slightly better performance than manuals, because they can stay at the very peak of the torque curve from bottom to top gear?

One of the least satisfactory points of the Honda Reflex we recently sold was the inability to control where you were in the torque curve. The bike is famous for a "flat spot" in the acceleration between 30 and 40mph - once you get over 40mph, it starts to zoom again. I've read on the Reflex boards this was deliberate on Honda's part, they put noise abatement over acceleration. They allegedly designed the transmission to stay out of high rpms at cruising speeds typical for residential neighborhoods, so it upshifts to too soon. The power band is high, anytime you're over 6000 rpms the bike is quick.

The Koehler mod takes care of the acceleration problem on the Reflex.

If the DN01 ever is sold in Arizona, I'm trading in my Yamaha.

RE: "I'm trading in my Yamaha."

Really? What is it about the style / configuration that you like?

The DN-01 will be available in Japan early 07 and Europe fall 07 - no word on the USA but speculation is 08.

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

http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/photos/p ... .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.

Jacine wrote:The Koehler mod takes care of the acceleration problem on the Reflex.

.... and invalidates the warranty, as Bruce Koehler freely admits.