Automatic cars have been around for quite some time now but automatic motorcyles? Well, that is making quite some news now in the biking world with the Japanese car and bike manufacturer Honda officially releasing the automatic DN-01 motorcycle in Japan this month, 7th of March to be precise. While hard core bikers have turned up their noses, shunning the DN-01 and preferring the good old gearshifter to the Twist-and-Shoot kind of motorcycle which Honda is now offering, many others among the younger set are open to this new concept. For starters, the first thing that strikes you when you see the motorcycle is that it looks more like a big maxiscooter than a motorcycle. Big and spacious, this motorcycle has a relaxed feel and look about it and looks like a capable cruise machine.
Now, with its liquid cooled v-twin engine pumping out 61 relaxed horses, the DN-01 for sure will not exactly set the drag strip on fire but come on, this bike is more for those who prefer a relaxed cruise on the freeways and hurried commuting to work. The hassles of a gear-shifter, most often felt during the rush hour traffic will never be an issue with HN-01 riders who just need to Twist-and-Shoot to get across the traffic infested urban maelstrom. The ever innovative Honda call this technology, HFT, an acronym for human friendly transmission. Honda claims excellent throttle response from the HFT, a far cry from the lazy CVT transmission. So all you bikers who dislike auto’s, you have some reason to cheer because the HN-01 comes with 6 speed transmission a manual, sporty and D mode. Meanwhile coming along is an aprilia with a 850cc vtwin which will be called Mana. Looks like the future will see a lot more automatic’s being launched. And i just can’t wait to see the look on a hard core Harley rider’s face while he/she reads this.
Source: AutoBlog
