Honda introduces ‘Automatic Transmission’ concept bike

[Bob]

Honda used the Tokyo show to reveal their DN-01 sports-tourer, which features a continuously variable automatic transmission. The newly adopted hydraulic mechanical continuously variable HFT (Human Fitting Transmission) system features two types of full automatic modes as well as a 6-speed manual mode which the rider operates through buttons located on the handle.

At this stage it is just a concept bike, but Honda say they plan to continue development of the water-cooled, 4-stroke, OHC, V-type, 2-cylinder, 680cc machine with the goal of introducing it to the market in the near future.

[Biff]

No, no, no, no, no.

That's not why I ride a bike. Selecting the appropriate gears is an integral part of why I motormacycle.

Next thing you know they'll invent a silent electric bike.

What????!!!! They have??!!!!. Ahhhhhh bollox. That's as logical as Winston Peters becoming foreign secretary. Oh fk off, don't tell me that's true too.

[zadok]

This brought to mind some sort of auto in Honda's early cars which weren't too crash hot I believe. Remind me, what was it called?

[Waylander]

Meh, ugly things but if it gets peaple like my brother to ride..... Can always rip out the engine and tranny and put them in a more appealing bike.

[Biff]

I rode a semi auto Puch as a kid. Shite. But fun in a shite kinda way.

[Phurrball]

All I can say is WHY? For the love of god, why? Where is the fun and involvement in that? (Cue some old timer to bring up a 'in my day' story telling us how soft we are with modern bikes...)


This brought to mind some sort of auto in Honda's early cars which weren't too crash hot I believe. Remind me, what was it called?

'Hondamatic' perchance?

[Ixion]

I had an automatic bike once. Called a DKW Hobby it was. This will probably appeal to teh same market. Honda have always had an unfortuate fixation on automatic transmissions.

[Motu]

The BSA Dandy was preselect,dunno how that one worked....kinda obvious because I didn't know how to ride it.