Need advice: Honda DN-01

With that said, if you are really interested in the DN-01, I saw one at GP back in the fall, but have no clue if it is still there or not...but as others have pointed out there really isn't a market for them so it could still be there.

Was not there when I went in to finish up the paperwork on my bike in mid January, guess they sold it.
 
I'm going to disagree and say the opposite than most people wrote here. Consider buying the Honda. The one at "Good Wheel" is listed at $6,400.00 with 14,163 Kilometers. Wasn't the MSRP $16,000 Canadian when it came out? Buy it, keep it for 1 years, if you don't like it sell it for $5,000. At $5,000 there will be a buyer - or at least, it is more likely to find a buyer at that price point than at $16K

Consider this quote:
In motorcycling, better ideas don’t always pan out. Motorcyclists, often creatures of habit and brand-loyal to the bone, will initially bristle at their first glance of cutting-edge alternative technology, but sometimes even the best ideas can be rejected for being too complex or too expensive to be worth making a switch.

http://www.mcnews.com/mcn/model_eval/2009JuneHondDN01.pdf



Anyway... some comments
Buy something cheaper, like a Yamaha t-max.
A used 2009 Tmax is not a lot cheaper than $6,400. And on top, there's no "replacement for displacement". If he wants performance, the OP would be better off buying the Honda with the bigger engine than the Tmax. Note: Since the Tmax is a scooter, it can be very cheap to insure, maybe the Dn-01 not so much.

Let's see the performance numbers:

On the dyno, the Honda DN-01 cranks out 43.3 hp @ 7300 rpm at the rear wheel and 33.61 lb.-ft. of torque @ 6100 rpm. 0-60 mph is 7.41

Aprilia Mana 850, 53.6 hp @ 8000 rpm and 38.76 lb.-ft. of torque at 5800rpm. 0-60 mph is 5.28 sec

Yamaha Tmax has 34.9 hp at the rear wheel and can do 0-60 mph in 9.23 sec.

Source: http://www.mcnews.com/mcn/articles/2010JanIndex.pdf


A very important comment here is that the Tmax can be easily modified to get faster, it can do 0-60 as fast as ~7 secs (some people have measured 6.5 sec). All it needs is $100 of aftermarket parts such as the Dr. Pulley sliding roller weights. The Tmax can be modified because it is a scooter after all (a relatively simple design). Do you want to modify the transmission in the Mana or the Dn-01 to change the gear ratio?? Mmmh, good luck with that.


Wasn't the NC700 supposed to be offered with an auto, or am I thinking of another bike?
I understood that it is not available in Canada. It may never be.

A better choice with a fresher updated design and tech would be this.

If by this you mean the new BMW scooter, those are so damn expensive, and owners are reporting all sort of bugs with the first batch in Europe, including oil and coolant leaks. Someone posted photos at MajestyUSA.com

The Dn-01 is still being manufactured, they just don't sell it here. Maybe it is just North America who is not asking the right question.


Stay away from the Kymco-BMW, stay away from the italian Mana, go for Japanese. Buy the Dn-01
 
I'm going to disagree and say the opposite than most people wrote here. Consider buying the Honda. The one at "Good Wheel" is listed at $6,400.00 with 14,163 Kilometers. Wasn't the MSRP $16,000 Canadian when it came out? Buy it, keep it for 1 years, if you don't like it sell it for $5,000. At $5,000 there will be a buyer - or at least, it is more likely to find a buyer at that price point than at $16K

Consider this quote:




Anyway... some comments

A used 2009 Tmax is not a lot cheaper than $6,400. And on top, there's no "replacement for displacement". If he wants performance, the OP would be better off buying the Honda with the bigger engine than the Tmax. Note: Since the Tmax is a scooter, it can be very cheap to insure, maybe the Dn-01 not so much.

Let's see the performance numbers:

On the dyno, the Honda DN-01 cranks out 43.3 hp @ 7300 rpm at the rear wheel and 33.61 lb.-ft. of torque @ 6100 rpm. 0-60 mph is 7.41

Aprilia Mana 850, 53.6 hp @ 8000 rpm and 38.76 lb.-ft. of torque at 5800rpm. 0-60 mph is 5.28 sec

Yamaha Tmax has 34.9 hp at the rear wheel and can do 0-60 mph in 9.23 sec.

Source: http://www.mcnews.com/mcn/articles/2010JanIndex.pdf


A very important comment here is that the Tmax can be easily modified to get faster, it can do 0-60 as fast as ~7 secs (some people have measured 6.5 sec). All it needs is $100 of aftermarket parts such as the Dr. Pulley sliding roller weights. The Tmax can be modified because it is a scooter after all (a relatively simple design). Do you want to modify the transmission in the Mana or the Dn-01 to change the gear ratio?? Mmmh, good luck with that.



I understood that it is not available in Canada. It may never be.



If by this you mean the new BMW scooter, those are so damn expensive, and owners are reporting all sort of bugs with the first batch in Europe, including oil and coolant leaks. Someone posted photos at MajestyUSA.com

The Dn-01 is still being manufactured, they just don't sell it here. Maybe it is just North America who is not asking the right question.


Stay away from the Kymco-BMW, stay away from the italian Mana, go for Japanese. Buy the Dn-01

You forgot the Burgman 650...it pulls like a BEAST, and easily keeps up in the twistys. Easily the best choice for OP especially considering the points already mentioned as to why the DN01 would be a bad buy.
 
If by this you mean the new BMW scooter, those are so damn expensive, and owners are reporting all sort of bugs with the first batch in Europe, including oil and coolant leaks.

2013 BMW C600 sport - $10,999 cdn

2011 Honda DN-01 - $17,000 cdn

All BMW bikes and scooters come with a 3 year unlimited KM warranty that the Honda can't match for peace of mind.
 
"BMW" and "peace of mind" shouldn't be used in the same sentence.
 
2013 BMW C600 sport - $10,999 cdn

2011 Honda DN-01 - $17,000 cdn

All BMW bikes and scooters come with a 3 year unlimited KM warranty that the Honda can't match for peace of mind.


I know that we are comparing apples to oranges... a brand new vehicle vs. a used vehicle.
But I still would ask the OP to consider the japanese bike, because the price differential is in favour of the Honda. It is really like this:

2013 BMW C600 sport - $11000 cdn + TAXES + PDI+ admin fee+ etc + etc
Used Honda DN-01 - $6,400 + tax

The BMW scooter comes to almost double the price.

Also, many of the brand new BMW scooters are leaking oil as reported by many owners...

bmw-scooter-final-drive-oil-leak.jpg


Not to mention BMW stalling problems...
 
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Just remember that Honda was trying to unload the 2009 DN-01 for $9999 in 2011, and people were probably paying less than that. The original MSRP was completely unreasonable.
 
My take is either stick with the Ninja and keep practicing your shifting on early sunday mornings when the roads are clear or get rid of the Ninja and buy something else that is also beginner-friendly but with different ergonomics that may help you get faster at shifting (with finding the levers easy with your feet). Consider getting a small dual sport or even a small cruiser.

Don't throw in the towel just yet.
 
If you can walk and chew gum that should easily translate to shifting and throttling.
 
2013 BMW C600 sport - $11000 cdn + TAXES + PDI+ admin fee+ etc + etc
Used Honda DN-01 - $6,400 + tax

The BMW scooter comes to almost double the price.

Also, many of the brand new BMW scooters are leaking oil as reported by many owners...

Not to mention BMW stalling problems...

new model syndrome and yeah price is too high but the same sort of goes for the DN-01 cept it's cheaper but the ergonomics !!! yuck
But worth a look and sit on.
Lowest I saw was $7k so $6400 for a warrantied Honda anything is not bad but then you can get a new CB500x for that with a much nicer seating position and I think that is his shifting issue.

BTW the walk and chew gum comment....shifting in tight wet rough twisties up and down between 1st and third for 20 KM is not a pleasant task on any manual. The KLR is nimble but the constant shifting was a literal pain.
Meanwhile the guy on the Burgman was
a) going faster
b) enjoying the scenery.

Yes it becomes second nature in normal road conditions.....some of us ride in other conditions
In traffic.....shifting sucks. Idling along at 5km per hour on 401 in construction surrounded by trucks in the rain .......automatic is bliss and even with that....was a chore riding that slow for long periods.

I think the OP just needs a different seating position and some practice perhaps.
 
Maybe the OP's problem isn't shifting but the shift lever. Though I love shifting, especially in (moving) traffic, the size, shape and clearance of Japanese shifters drove me bananas. Wore a hole in some nice Daytonas before I really got the motion down properly. A modified shifter would be the cheapest option and possibly improve your skills.
 
Yeah I think it's ergonomics as well - it's easy enough to psyche yourself out worrying about it as well.
 
OP I would suggest that after 2 years of riding you're still having trouble with gear selection, then there's more going on than just that. I would recommend additional rider training. Perhaps the Humber College Pro Rider course, or additional training through RTI.
 
OP I would suggest that after 2 years of riding you're still having trouble with gear selection, then there's more going on than just that. I would recommend additional rider training. Perhaps the Humber College Pro Rider course, or additional training through RTI.

It took 2 pages to get to the right answer.
 
How many km have you done on your bike in the last 2 years?
 
OP I would suggest that after 2 years of riding you're still having trouble with gear selection, then there's more going on than just that. I would recommend additional rider training. Perhaps the Humber College Pro Rider course, or additional training through RTI.

+1

And you said it so much nicer than most would lol
 
While I tend to agree and training never hurts there are a growing number of options that OP may be happy with especially if he is commuting in stop and go traffic.

Riding should be enjoyable and losing the need to shift is a big enhancement for many including me, especially in some conditions and the manufacturers are more and more recognizing that reality.

Manual shifting does not automatically, pardon the pun, go with the sport any more. I would bet, like many, the moment he tried a well designed automatic, be it CVT or DCT.....he'd be hooked.

You take these two bikes I own - this was from yesterdays ride - similar weight, similar storage, similar acceleration and up front protection. But the manual shifting on the ST1100 adds nada to the enjoyment....in fact it takes away in traffic while buddy riding the 650 is relaxed....roll and go and his attention on riding and his surroundings.

NeradaTeaandbikes_zpseff3d639.jpg


I bought it for it's effortless high speed and it does that very well but it's a pig in traffic. Hell slow speed dumps are the reason Honda put the "fins" on the side of the frame to protect the motor and on the ST site some riders list their "tip overs". It happens and slow speed contast clutching ( it' a bear on my hands ) is part of why it does.
With no money issue I'd certainly buy a VFR1200DCT over the manual version.
But there is a view that it's not real riding with out shifting and that's a crock.

Why should the OP force himself into some "macho" mindset that he has to master manual shifting and spend money to do so when he has other options.
Training is always good, but for valid reasons.

Personally I think it's an ergonomic thing that training could get him over but why should he.
 
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With no money issue I'd certainly buy a VFR1200DCT over the manual version.
But there is a view that it's not real riding with out shifting and that's a crock.

Why should the OP force himself into some "macho" mindset that he has to master manual shifting and spend money to do so when he has other options.
Training is always good, but for valid reasons.

Personally I think it's an ergonomic thing that training could get him over but why should he.

There is the whole "its not real riding" aspect which I agree with you is silly and bogus. Lot of riders with big ego's. I saw that auto VFR at the motorcycle show and I am sure it would make a real nice, enjoyable, effortless ride. Looks like a great bike. People who would say otherwise are speaking out of their other hole.

However, the other side of the coin is that manual shifting is a skill and mastering that skill I think will improve his overall confidence on a motorcycle and will open him up to a wider array of options in purchasing a motorcycle in the future. Even if he does choose to buy an auto, at least those other options exist. Right now, his trouble with shifting is a obstacle in his way and sometimes its important to conquer that obstacle. Of course though he can also avoid the obstacle too by opting for an auto. Nothing wrong with that either.
 
Sorry, but if shifting is "taking away from attention on riding and his surroundings" Either A. Someone is spending WAY too much time thinking about shifting or B. Wants to spend WAY too much time staring at the country side. Either one are unacceptable. We all know what happens when a group of cruisers wanna see the countryside. The sunday drive grandma is tailgating them and giving them the finger.

Shifting should NEVER be a chore or seen as one. If thats how you view it, then riding is not for you...Shifting gears should be second nature. Instead of taking the time to learn proper riding, we're bypassing the problems.
Hence the parking assist, blind spot beepers, backup cameras etc etc.

"Hey thats a great bike, wanna try mine?", No Sorry, i dont know how to shift gears..... *crickets
 
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