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http://www.motorcycledaily.com/04october07_electric.htm

TOKYO, Japan, October 4, 2007–Honda Motor Co., Ltd. announced that it has developed the Human-Friendly Transmission (HFT), a new automatic transmission system for motorcycles using Honda’s own infinitely variable hydraulic mechanical transmission. Easy to operate, the HFT realizes outstanding relaxed riding comfort, riding feel with direct response and excellent transmission efficiency. The HFT will be installed on the DN-01, a new motorcycle scheduled for market launch to be introduced at the 40th Tokyo Motor Show.

[img]http://www.motorcycledaily.com/100407top.jpg[/img

Yeah, they've been showing the DN-01 for a while now. The tranny (and bike to go with it) that's interesting is the electronic shift CVT from Piaggo/Aprilia

Yep, the Aprilia Mana looks awesome.

http://www.diseno-art.com/encyclopedia/ ... a_850.html

DE JA VU
Didn't Honda try something like this before, in the early 80s. Worked OK but didn't sell! You could not give the 750 automatics away!

slimcolo wrote:DE JA VU
Didn't Honda try something like this before, in the early 80s. Worked OK but didn't sell! You could not give the 750 automatics away!

CB750A + PC800 = DN-01 ??
...... I'm skeptical Honda will ever bring the DN-01 to the USA. Neither the Hondamatic or the Pacific Coast were huge sellers - why take risks when they apparently can sell every GoldWing that Marysville can crank out?

Honda had semi automatics on 750 and 400 cc bikes in late 70's and early 80's. Suzuki and Moto Guzzi had same kind. They had 2 speeds that had to be shifted and a torque converter but no clutch. You could ride around without shifting if you left it in one speed. I put 96k miles on a 81 CM400A.

The new Honda DN-01 tranny can be ridden fully automatic like a motorscooter but uses a infinitely variable hydraulic drive rather than the belt drive the scooters have so it can accomodate larger engines.

But changing gears is one of the best parts of riding a bike