Popular Mechanics tries out Honda DN01, records 44 mpg
Click above for high-res gallery of the 2009 Honda DN-01
There's a recent trend towards automatic transmissions in full-size two-wheelers that blur the line between large maxiscooters and true motorcycles and Honda is making that distinction much harder to differentiate with its new DN-01. While Aprilia's recent Mana 850 could best be described as a motorcycle with an automatic transmission, the DN-01 seems a bit more like a very large scooter with a laid-back cruiser styling and riding position. What's the point? It seems that some riders prefer machines with larger contact points on the ground and that are more comfortable with a motorcycle-style saddle than a scooters tell-tale step-through design.
Popular Mechanics managed to snag an early DN-01 for testing and they seem to have come away impressed with how well the machine works. With a 60-horsepower V-Twin engine displacing nearly 700ccs, we wouldn't expect incredible fuel mileage, and the 44 miles per gallon that PM recorded proves that there are certainly more efficient ways to get around. Still, for the right person, Honda's latest cycle could offer an easier entrance into the world of two-wheelers. The biggest downer may be the price; $14,599 is a lot of coin, especially since the Aprilia Mana comes in at $9,899.
Gallery: Honda DN-01
[Source: Popular Mechanics]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
jharlan 9:57AM (1/24/2009)
Nice looking machine, but delivers nothing in the way of performance or economy I would expect from Honda for 15K.
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Brn 11:00AM (1/24/2009)
"With a 60-horsepower V-Twin engine displacing nearly 700ccs, we wouldn't expect incredible fuel mileage"
I don't know why. If it were a 0.7L car with 60hp, I'd expect incredible fuel mileage.
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jim 11:23AM (1/24/2009)
The mileage is pretty unimpressive, my 650 single consistently gets around 60 mpg with a low/high of 55/65 mpg.
I saw the DN01 at a MC show and it is big, heavy and IMHO fugly.
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Jason 12:47PM (1/24/2009)
Here's the thing: motorcycles aren't ANYTHING like cars. Making them automatics to open them up to more of the public isn't necessarily a good thing. Riding requires a set of skills that, honestly, many people simply don't have. The fact that the vast majority of freeway-capable bikes ,the silverwing and burgman being exceptions, are manuals 'weeds-out' many of the folks who would rapidly be in over their heads. Granted there are plenty of idiots who CAN and do operate manual motorcycles, but increasing the flock won't do anything but bring MASSES of negative publicity to the dangers of riding. If you can't develop the needed skills to operate a clutch and shifter, you shouldn't be riding.
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jharlan 1:02PM (1/24/2009)
An interesting opinion, but I have to disagree with your logic that making a dangerous vehicle simpler to operate is going to adversely affect it's safety. I think you can support your premise that novices probably will have some problems in their learning curve, but everyone who rides had to start somewhere.
13enS 3:28AM (2/07/2009)
@ jharlan
In motorcycling, its called starting small.
Personally, I started as a kid w/ a 125cc dirt bike. I have friends that started on the street. Some w/ 250 or 500cc's and a few on 600-1000cc sport bikes. Those that started on liter bikes... well... either wised up and went smaller to learn or sold/crashed what they had. Motorcycling riding is the best modern example of natural selection. Jason is right. Riding takes skill and attentiveness. Love or hate the DN-01, being an automatic will add to the complacency and attract (short lived) novices that wont know better.
black 4:33PM (5/21/2009)
i'm sure the people who would buy the dn-01 or the aprilia mana 850 wont be doing wheelies on the highway or stunting or drag racing...wake up and smell the technology
Max 4:25PM (1/24/2009)
0.7 liter motor, 60hp.....light weight and only 2 wheels.....only 44mpg? This is identical to a compact car! This bike should get 70mpg no less.
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rob 11:35PM (1/25/2009)
Your subcompact car doesn't have a Cd that's greater than one.
The aerodynamics of bikes just suck. My fuel injected 650cc twin gets about 55mpg, and that's considered to be very good among bikes of that displacement.
Michael 4:42PM (1/24/2009)
http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/01/23/honda-injects-fuel-into-monkey-bike-gets-252-mpg-in-return/
I know they're different (very), but come on!
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ryan 7:59PM (1/24/2009)
Wow, that is TERRIBLE. I have beaten that figure in a Lexus RX400h!
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Zero X Owner 8:06PM (1/24/2009)
My Suzuki VStrom DL650 averages 62 mpg reported worldwide for the '04 to '09 models and I personally average 57 mpg with my '07. It has direct fuel injection and catalytic converter, of course. The findings of this article:
1. Tells us more about the test driver's crappy driving than the vehicle's efficiency.
2. Tell us that this particular Honda model is an open cruiser upright Harley wannabe, not an efficient machine configuration at all. Look at those huge foot barges. Yuck. I bet a street race Ninja gets better mileage, when driven properly.
3. What a loser model. They should have tried a much, much more ubiquitous dual sport, small standard, or street racer driven sanely as a model choice. Their model choice is unusual (unless you are Harley rider bent on owning Japanese?) , so the results are meaningless to general motorcycle use. Typical Popular Mechanics.
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jpm 8:43PM (1/24/2009)
ugly!
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Apro4x4 1:21PM (1/26/2009)
44MPG......that's it.....I have 2008 Yamaha Star Raider with an 1854cc engine and I've peaked at 50/51 mpg. Heck I average the same thing what that little Honda gets and I get alot more in all departments with my Raider. Back to the drawing board Honda!
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misterbee 2:12PM (2/01/2009)
Crap, my 1988 Helix got 70 mpg.....
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