2009 Honda DN-01 | Price $15,599
Hard Parts
Engine/Transmission
Adapted from Honda's Euro-spec NT700V Deauville stupor-commuter, the 52-degree V-twin is eminently capable, drawing combustibles into a pair of four-valve heads through a pair of 40mm Keihin throttle bodies. Utterly efficient, it is also almost entirely characterless. Though hidden from view by a phalanx of cheap plastic covers, the Human Friendly Transmission is a marvel of modern hydro-mechanics.
Chassis
Beneath all that Shark Week bodywork there's a humble double-cradle, steel-tube frame. A removable steel subframe provides a solid foundation for the rider/passenger seat. Heavy bits are mounted as low as possible, allowing a pavement-skimming 27.2-inch seat height. The 4 gallons of regular unleaded live in a dual-compartment tank, one in the usual spot and another under the seat.
Wheels/Brakes
Rolling stock is sufficiently sporty: 17-inch, five-spoke, cast-aluminum wheels wear Bridgestone or Dunlop sport-touring radials. Honda's Combined Braking System makes slowing down as easy as speeding up. A pair of three-piston front calipers puts sintered-metal pads against 296mm floating rotors, followed by another triple-piston caliper and 276mm rotor out back. ABS is standard.
Bodywork/Lights
Plastic body panels are artfully sculpted and nicely assembled, if somewhat overabundant. The rakish polycarbonate windscreen doesn't block much oncoming atmosphere, but it does block your view of the otherwise excellent LCD dash. The dual-element headlight array is excellent: High beam is on the left and low beam to the right, just as you'd find on a CBR.
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| Tech Spec | | |
| Engine type: l-c 52-deg. V-twin | Front brake: Dual Nissin three-piston calipers, 296mm discs | Corrected 1/4-mile: 16.02 sec. @ 85.39 mph (automatic) 15.10 sec. @ 90.29 mph (manual) |
| Valve train: SOHC, 8v | Rear brake: Nissin three-piston caliper, 276mm disc | Top-gear roll-on: 7.97 sec. |
| Displacement: 680cc | Front tire: 130/70-ZR17 Bridgestone BT021 | Fuel mileage (high/low/avg.): 43/35/39 mpg |
| Bore x stroke: 81.0 x 66.0mm | Rear tire: 190/50-ZR17 Bridgestone BT021 | Colors: Candy Dark Red, Black |
| Compression: 10.0:1 | Rake/trail: 28.5 deg./4.5 in. | Availability: Now |
| Fuel system: EFI | Seat height: 27.2 in. | Warranty: 12 mo./unlimited mi. |
| Clutch: HFT Hydromechanical | Wheelbase: 63.2 in. | Contact:
American Honda Motor Co., Inc
P.O. Box 2200
Torrance, CA 90509
866.784.1870
www.powersports.honda.com |
| Transmission: Automatic 6-speed | Fuel capacity: 4.0 gal. | |
| Frame: Steel double-cradle | Weight (tank full/empty): 602/578 lbs. | |
| Front suspension: Showa 41mm fork | Measured horsepower: 42.4 bhp @ 7500 rpm | |
| Rear suspension: Single Showa shock with adjustable spring preload | Measured torque: 33.6 lb.-ft. @ 6000 rpm | |
Dyno
The DN-01 power curve is more remarkable for its pan-flat quality than sheer quantity. No accident there. Linear delivery works best in the hydro-mechanical drive equation, and a significantly stronger engine would require a much heavier version of the HFT used here.
Ergos
There's not as much room as you'd expect on a motorcycle with axles situated 63.2 inches apart. Legroom appears abundant, but stretching out puts your feet too far ahead of your butt. All things considered, it's best suited to compact humans and short distances.