Honda reveals production version of DN-01 concept motorcycle

Honda has released the first pictures of the production-ready version of its DN-01 – which was originally shown as a concept bike two years ago.

The radical Honda DN-01 is designed to blur the line between cruisers, scooters and sportsbikes, and features an innovative hydraulic transmission, ditching a conventional drive system in favour of using high-pressure hydraulic fluid to transmit power from the engine to the rear wheel.

The transmission design gives the motorcycle a completely variable drive, so it can be ridden like a twist-and-go scooter.

Alternatively the gearbox can mimic a conventional transmission, with a push-button gearchange to swap ratios. The engine is the 680cc V-twin from the Deauville.

The motorcycle’s appearance is virtually identical to the concept machine, with just minor changes to the seat and exhaust system, plus orange indicators rather than the concept’s clear versions.

See the full story and all the technical details in next week’s MCN out Wednesday, October 10, 2007.