Tanshanomi's Snap Judgments

Honda DN-01

Fri, January 15th, 2010


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2009-10 Honda DN-01
Performancewww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
I'm not sure what the big fuss is over the Honda's HFT ('Human Friendly Transmission') technology. Other than offering a pushbutton shift option, the DN-01's riding experience is not unlike existing big-bore 'twist-and-go' scooters like the Suzuki Burgman 650, Yamaha T-Max and Honda's own Silver Wing. The power delivery of the modest 46 rear-wheel HP is impressively smooth, but not eye opening. A lot more like Herb Alpert than Yngwie Malmsteen.
Handlingwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
On a par with today's better cruisers. Long wheelbase prevents freeway skittishness. Low center of gravity and nice suspension parts are hampered in turns by lack of ground clearance. Brakes are great.
Lookswww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
I haven't quite decided what to make of it. It looks like a shark mated with a beluga whale: it's racy but bulbous, sexy but not. I will say that it looks better up close in person than in photos.
Reliabilitywww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
The new, untested HFT merits just a half-point off—When Honda wants to do 'consumer friendly,' they rarely miss the mark by much. The DN-01 should rack up many miles with little maintenance.
Practicalitywww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Half-point off for the silly seating position and lack of storage (both admittedly shared by many cruisers), plus a full point off for the ridiculously high price tag.
Desirabilitywww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
New, innovative, interesting, but performs like a 2-wheeled Accord. An odd mix of weird geekishness and 'beige-ness' will keep this out of my garage.
Overallwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Honda's attempt to give people something truly new warrants a polite golf clap, but little more. Admirably bold marketing move, but not a bold bike.