Very impressed with the Honda DN-01

I bought an 09 DN-01 and am totally pleased. I’m a 62 year old male with a 28″ inseam and have been riding since I was 16.

• Video: Honda DN-01 test

My recent motorcycles (I own a few) include an HD Softail deluxe (boring), a BMW R1200C cruiser(a poor handling vibrator), a 1300 VTX(copy of an HD, boring too), a Yamaha Royal Star tour deluxe (absolutely awesome but heavy and tall for me), a Honda ST1300 (the bike I would own if they had it in a short version), and a Suzuki 1500(great bike for money but just another HD copy).

The DN-01 has sport bike tires and a low center of gravity which make it a superior handling bike on the twisty roads in Kentucky and Southern Indiana. Because of its cruiser length wheelbase, relaxed riding position, and smooth engine, it is comfortable hour after hour.

At a red light, I walk away from all my monster cruiser buddies and that is using the automatic transmission mode. I also want to say that the aerodynamics of this bike are exceptional and I feel most comfortable on interstates at highway speeds (FYI- at 75 mph, the bike is turning 4800 rpm…red-line is 8000.

I’ve heard others ask why Honda didn’t put a larger engine on such a special bike with this unbelievable transmission. Frankly, the power they get out of this 700cc engine is very impressive.

I’m sure the transmission is responsible in large part. I get 45 MPG regularly and a little less on days when I use the 6 speed or the sport trac mode of the automatic. Everwhere I go people come up and talk to me. I probably should be selling them!