Honda DN-01 700 2010 — Specifications

When Honda decides to blur the lines, the manufacturer doesn't do things by halves. The DN-01 700, which first appeared as a concept in 2005 before reaching dealerships, remains one of the most bewildering proposals ever to emerge from Tokyo's design offices. Neither truly a cruiser, nor quite a tourer, and even less a scooter despite its automatic transmission, this Honda DN-01 700 cc defies all classification. Its elongated design, raptor-like front end, and Pro-Arm single-sided swingarm give it a look that nobody has forgotten. Honda wanted to create a category of its own. Mission accomplished, even if the question deserves to be asked: a category for a single machine — is that really a category?

On the mechanical side, the 52-degree V-twin displacing 680 cc is an old friend. It can be found, give or take a few details, beneath the seat of the Deauville and the Transalp. It delivers 60 horsepower at 7,750 rpm and 58.8 Nm of torque at 5,500 rpm. Nothing electrifying. With those figures, there's no point dreaming of a duel with an FJR 1300 or a BMW K 1200 GT. Top speed caps out at 180 km/h, which places the beast firmly in the realm of leisurely riding rather than long motorway hauls. The real showpiece lies hidden in the HFT transmission, standing for Human-Friendly Transmission. This hydromechanical continuously variable system has nothing in common with a conventional scooter variator or a traditional automated gearbox. A selector on the handlebar lets you switch between an automatic mode (Drive or Sport) and a manual mode offering six gears. The shifts are smooth, progressive, and eliminate any notion of a clutch lever. For tech-curious riders, it's a fascinating playground. For the purists of the two-wheeled heel-and-toe, it's heresy.

The ergonomics clearly lean toward comfort. The seat, perched at just 690 mm, allows both feet flat on the ground for just about everyone. The swept-back handlebar, wide floorboards, and relaxed riding position evoke a contemporary cruiser. The fully digital dashboard, backlit by white LEDs, combines speedometer, tachometer, fuel gauge, and gear indicator. The steel double-cradle frame, 41 mm telescopic hydraulic fork, and rear mono-shock make up an honest chassis package, reinforced by ABS paired with a combined braking system. On paper, the recipe holds together.

The problem is the weight. At 270 kg wet with a tank of just 15 liters, the 2010 Honda DN-01 carries serious bulk relative to its modest power output. The tire fitment also raises questions: a 130/70 up front and a 190/50 at the rear — sizes worthy of a sportbike — for a machine that has neither the power nor the intention to attack the slightest corner on its ear. A 120 front tire would have brought more agility in direction changes, and the oversized rear tire is more about posture than dynamic logic. What's the price of a 2011 Honda DN-01 700 on the used market today? On the secondhand lot, prices have dropped significantly from the 9,990-euro list price at launch, which makes the machine more accessible but also reflects a fragile resale value.

The DN-01 is aimed at a very specific rider profile: the urban or suburban motorcyclist, drawn to the design and ease of use, looking for a different kind of machine with no sporting demands. It also speaks to the tech-curious, to those who want a taste of the transmission of the future without going the maxi-scooter route. Honda had bet big on this concept, heralding a new generation of machines accessible to the widest audience. What followed showed that the public didn't flock to it in droves. Yet the DN-01 remains a singular object, an engineer's gamble that deserves respect even when it doesn't tick every box on the traditional motorcyclist's checklist.