HONDA DN-01 (2008 - 2010) Review

Year: 2010

The Best bike ever

Year: 2010

Let’s be honest: No bike is top in all aspects. This one is greatly balanced over all aspects that matter to ME. It suits me VERY well, for anything from short urban distances to very extended cruising trips to Greece and back. I also enjoy my rides over the road passes of the Alps. As a fit person I have no issues with the cruising style seating position for many hours on long distances. On the contrary, the large foot rests allow for an altering knee angle. With the optional high windshield I find weather protection very acceptable but still slightly short of excellent. One thing is for sure, however, this bike is not made for riding unsealed roads or trails.

Year: 2009

Annual servicing cost: £130

Some may think the DN-01 is just odd looking, others like me love the looks, particularly with a Givi touring screen. It's not a commuter, or a tourer and it's definitely not a sportbike. However, if get them then you really get them, imperfections and all.

Buying experience: Dealers unsure what to make of them. They hold price well. Low mileage examples fetch £4500.

i didn't want a bike to kill myself on so opted for this, great choice, love it to bits

A "Marmite" bike in virtually all aspects. I bought mine at 3 years old with less than 1K on the clock for half the price when new - more sense than spending up to 11K on a new one, although they are no longer in production. Comfort is great, although full pre-load on the rear shock is needed to maximise ground clearance, and also reduce bump feedback to the lower spine. Economy on mixed riding is about 12 miles per litre, and tank re-fills after 150 miles can be expected. Honda build and reliability is great, although I did have to replace the plug caps which arced badly when hot in hot weather - a 5 minute job to prevent stalling and lumpy tickover. Ground clearance on the twisties is actually pretty good - I've only had the left hero blob down once on anti-camber on the second bend on a bumpy s-bend sequence. Getting the throttle to match push-button gear changes is quite rewarding, although you can hold it on the stop if you want while changing gear. Automatic mode in traffic is brilliant - traffic light stomps in CVT just get a "wooomph" from the engine and you're at 30 or 40 in no time (depending on the limit!) - and so smoothly. Motorways are OK at 70, but a more comfortable cruising speed is more like 65. Tyres are wearing well at now 3K miles, with the rear showing virtally no "chicken strip" on the edge, demonstrating the good fun that can be had when riding enthusiastically. As to actually what the DN-01 is, my description is "an automatic sports-cruiser". Marmite - I love it!

Had this bike just over a week, had one trip so far of about 100 miles. Now I am nearer 60 than 50 this bike makes sense to me. It is not a cruiser and it's not a scooter in fact there is no category for it as such, some people say they are confused by it. What does it matter? To me you either like it or you don't and if you don't you look elsewhere for what floats your boat. I thought it was worth a punt as I like the technology, style and exclusivity. I bought it to impress myself not others. It is so easy to ride that I got time to see and enjoy the scenery. I arrived home after a hundred miles feeling as fresh as I did setting out, and so relaxed. All right so it won't keep up with a Blade or even a CBF 600 but there again that's missing the point a bit. The motor is bombproof the transmission is so smooth in any of the three modes it is a revelation and it's fast enough for me and sensible overtaking is not a problem. The styling is different, the screen has no purpose other than style and to keep the instruments dry in poor weather and I like it that way. I have good kit for weather protection and in the Summer will be glad of some wind in my face hopefully. Being 6'3" I find knee room at a premium but manage by being able to alter my position slightly to suit. The suspension is well damped without being harsh and handling is accurate and confident. It can be fitted with luggage if you want to tour with it and has a fair amount of after market parts available for a bike produced in small numbers. It's early days yet but so far I'm very pleased with my purchase.

It might have done better as honda's first attempt at a diesel. Good gas miles crap looking ntv type engine.