Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Honda releases DN-01 and CR230M in U.S. for '09]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/02/honda-releases-dn-01-and-cr230m-in-u-s-for-09/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/02/honda-releases-dn-01-and-cr230m-in-u-s-for-09/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/02/honda-releases-dn-01-and-cr230m-in-u-s-for-09/#commentsFiled under: ,


Click above for high-res gallery of the 2009 Honda DN-01

The age of the automatic motorcycle is upon us. Aprilia got the ball rolling with the 850 Mana and Honda is finally set to introduce its DN-01 in the U.S. Both of these bikes use a shift-free transmission like a scooter but have motorcycle-like controls and looks along with a riding position not found on any scooter, regardless of engine size. Still these machine blur the lines between the largest of the maxi-scooters and motorcycles even further. In any case, the DN-01 for 2009 is powered by a 680cc V-Twin engine with 61 horsepower and is available in Candy Dark Red or Black for a steep $14,599.

Big Red also has a new lightweight supermoto on hand for '09 called the CR230M that's based on the successful CRF230L platform. Equipped with 17-inch wheels and grippy sportbike tires, the handling is likely to outdo the 232cc air-cooled single cylinder powerplant. That little mill, along with a wet weight of just 276 lbs, should provide for extremely good fuel economy. Get one for $4,749.

Rounding out the Honda cycle news for the new model year are the CBR sportbikes. We already looked at the technical side of the two new bikes, now featuring ABS brakes, and Honda has today released the U.S. color schemes for '09. Things are cool for the 1000RR, with Black, Pearl While and a Repsol Replica scheme plus an ABS-only Red model. For the 600RR, though, we're left scratching our heads. Black, Red/Black and a patriotic Red, White and Blue are fine, but what's with the Phoenix graphics and the Bright Green? Oh well, ABS models get either monochromatic Black or Red/Black options. See all the available U.S. CBR colors in our galleries after the break.

Gallery: 2009 Honda DN-01 - U.S.


[Source: Honda]

Continue reading Honda releases DN-01 and CR230M in U.S. for '09

Honda releases DN-01 and CR230M in U.S. for '09 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Oct 2008 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hondahonda cbr 1000 rrhonda cbr 600 rrhonda cbr1000rrhonda cbr600rrhonda crf230mhonda dn 01honda dn-01honda dn01HondaCbr1000rrHondaCbr600rrHondaCrf230mHondaDn-01HondaDn01Thu, 02 Oct 2008 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Honda DN-01 automatic motorcycle arrives in Japan on March 7]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/03/honda-dn-01-automatic-motorcycle-arrives-in-japan-on-march-7/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/03/honda-dn-01-automatic-motorcycle-arrives-in-japan-on-march-7/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/03/honda-dn-01-automatic-motorcycle-arrives-in-japan-on-march-7/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click image for a hi-res gallery of the Honda DN-01

Back in October of last year, Honda announced that the DN-01 automatic motorcycle would enter production. Starting on March 7th, it will officially be on sale in Japan. When we first heard about the concept, we wondered how it would perform with its 680 cc V-Twin and new hydraulic transmission design. Since then, we've heard that the engine will make 61 horsepower, so think of this machine as a bridge between large maxi-scooters and entry-level sportbikes like the Ninja 500 or GS500. We expect that the DN-01 will have no problem handling daily commuting chores and the often necessary highway-drones, but don't expect to challenge any sportbikes on long straights. Handling will likely be a strong point, with 17" rims sporting 130/70 front and 190/50 rear tires combined with ABS for panic-free stops. We hope to get a chance to ride this bike, but can't help but wonder if the Aprilia 850 Mana is more appropriate for the American market.

Gallery: Honda DN-01


[Source: Honda]

Honda DN-01 automatic motorcycle arrives in Japan on March 7 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 03 Mar 2008 13:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aprilia manaaprilia-manaApriliaManaautomatic motorcycleautomatic-motorcycleAutomaticMotorcycledn-01honda dn-01honda-dn-01HondaDn-01Mon, 03 Mar 2008 13:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Tokyo 2007 Preview: Honda DN-01 motorcycle features automatic transmission]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/05/tokyo-2007-preview-honda-dn-01-motorcycle-features-automatic-tr/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/05/tokyo-2007-preview-honda-dn-01-motorcycle-features-automatic-tr/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/05/tokyo-2007-preview-honda-dn-01-motorcycle-features-automatic-tr/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Click image to enlarge

Automatic transmissions in motorcycles are not new, with Ridley being one manufacturer currently producing them. In fact, back in the 1970s, Honda and Moto Guzzi both produced motorcycles with automatic transmissions, each with two forward gears. Honda called its system "Hondamatic" and the bikes are still in demand today because of their shiftless nature. That older machine used an automatic transmission quite similar to the one that came with the Civic, complete with a torque converter. Honda has also used an automatic centrifugal clutch on many of its small-bore play-bikes from the 1950s on. So it's not too big of a surprise that Honda is going to be introducing the DN-01 at the 40th annual Tokyo Motor Show, complete with an automatic of its own called the Human-Friendly Transmission (HFT). After the break, we'll give a brief description of this new transmission. As you'll see, it's a very different animal from what has been offered before.


[Source: Honda]

Continue reading Tokyo 2007 Preview: Honda DN-01 motorcycle features automatic transmission

Tokyo 2007 Preview: Honda DN-01 motorcycle features automatic transmission originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 05 Oct 2007 18:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auto motorcycleauto-motorcycleautomatic motorcycleautomatic motorcycle transmissionautomatic-motorcycleautomatic-motorcycle-transmissionAutomaticMotorcycleAutomaticMotorcycleTransmissionAutoMotorcycleDN 01DN-01Dn01Honda DN 01Honda DN-01Honda DN01HondaDn-01HondaDn01Human Fitting TransmissionHuman-Fitting-TransmissionHumanFittingTransmissionFri, 05 Oct 2007 18:35:00 EST