Honda have gone nuts

[dawnrazor]

Have just been reading how Honda are making a 680cc V-twin scooter! and its the future of motorbiking apparently.

First shown at tokyo motorcycle show last year as a concept bike, it will be in production next year. Check out
http://world.honda.com/Tokyo2005/dn01/ for more worrying news.

So proof at last that Honda have lost the plot, looks like rossi made the right move to Yamaha after all, although they do make pianos....no they wouldn't, would they...

[UrbanMyth]

nooo please dont do it honda

[hXc]

But one crap bike(DN-01) won't make a company bad. Just the same as one good bike(r6) won't make a company great

[Lou Girardin]

Hahahahahahah, you should have waited for that Finn.

[Ixion]

Two words. Suzuki Bergman

[Flyingpony]

Isn't that simply a downsized goldwing?

[Mr. Peanut]

Thats cool, now wheres the full canopy streamliner with a turbocharged Goldwing engine?? :yes: :blip: :doobey:

[RantyDave]

Wow. Ahhh, ummm, ahhh. Hmmm.

Dunno about this one. It sure as shit doesn't look like a scooter, don't imagine it goes all that much like a scooter either. But it has an automatic gearbox which means I'm opposed to it from a moral standpoint if little else.

Looks fucking comfy. Looks like you could drive Welly to Auckland in a day without needing your back fixing afterwards.

Wow. Hmmmm. Dunno about this one.

Dave

[dawnrazor]

I was thinking it looked like the bastard love child of a fireblade and a v-rod, with all the get up and go of a breville. Does look comfy though, but then again they are saying the new ZZR1400 is DAMN comfy too and that'll do 300KPH with 199bhp and a 300 K tank range as well.

And yes I have just got the June issue of BIKE in the post today, but bloody hell 199bhp (claimed) and handles. And the hayabusa is up for a revamp, looks like there could be a battle of the hypersports again, lets hope honda's dn01 isn't their latest offering.

[Mental Trousers]

I'd love to get hold of that transmission. The rest is poo though. But in theory with that transmission you could simply push a button and the computer would change the ratios for the 6 speed settings and you could have a close ratio box for sport riding, or more spread out ratios for cruising, or a 7/8/9/10 speed box, or a 2 speed box, or a box better suited to pulling wheelies ....... you name it. Racing you don't bother swapping sprockets, you just dial up the best ratios for the track.

[Oakie]

At the risk of ruining whatever credibility I may have earned here, I gotta say I kind of like it ... even if it's just because it's refreshingly different.
Boil it down ... it's a 680cc V twin with automatic transmission and proper 'real bike' everything alse (ever see a 'scooter' with twin discs on a proper size wheel up front?).
I did notice that no performance figures were given so I'd assume it won't be popping up in the NZ road racing series next year. I'd be interested to see one in the flesh and I'd certainly like to see if that seat's as comfy as it looks ... especially after bum-ache I got riding back from the West Coast a couple of weeks back.

[Hitcher]

That, ladies and gentlemen, is not a scooter. It has a frame-mounted engine and therefore, by definition, must be a motorcycle. Just like the big Bergman.

[Motu]

Most of the scooters from the '50's and '60's used a full tube frame.I kinda like it,but it looks kinda big for that Japanese dwarf...and I bet he's bigger than me....

The blurb about the trans is confusing,and the picture doesn't tell us much - but I'm thinking a stand alone hydrostatic unit.With electronic controls you could program it for any steps you like,it gives engine braking,seamless infinatly variable ratios,have it stepping up as many gears as you like.

[ferretface]

It'll be interesting to see how much it'll sell for if they do release it....It'll probably be bought up by guys that haven't got the wallet or need for a big thing like a goldwing but still want to do a long ride without the arse ache.

[Kendog]

Its not that bad me thinks.

Wouldn't want want at the moment but one day when I am older maybe.

[oldrider]

Suzuki Bergman drive and brake control systems, Left, rear brake, right front brake, same gear selections?
The 650 Bergman can go like stink off the mark and away from 100kph but it feels like you are sitting on a shit house.
Very strange feeling but very user friendly around town.
Don't knock them if you haven't tried them, you might be very surprised.
This machine looks as if it would perform like the Bergman but feel like a motorcycle.
I wonder what sort of range it would have and what sort of luggage you could carry?
An interesting development, especially as a commuter bike for a congested city like Auckland but why not just use the latest 2006 Honda 700 Deauville or a Suzuki Bergman for that.
Thank's for the thread dawnrazor. :yes: Cheers John.

[Lord Derosso]

My flatmate and I checked out the Alpine suzie 650cc Bergman several weeks ago. What a scooter. Salesman at Wellington Motorcycles had been to a sales pitch in Europe and it seems they are all the rage with cars been kicked out of a lot of cities over there. They exceed 180kph and because they are full sized wheel base , are great on alpine tours. Fully seamless automatic as well. Ideal for those wanting super comfortable commuters from 20 kms out from workplaces. BUT $$$ means I will keep my bike thanks.

[mdb]

It isn't a scooter ... it is a 'sports cruiser concept'

[Badcat]

the Burgman AN650 is a cool bike - i reviewed one for TONE magazine.
as Oldrider says , don't knock it unless you've tried it.
I think the honda looks sweet, i applaud them for thinking about making something new and different. I for one am pretty bored by the identical me-too sportbike parade that spews out of the jap factories every year.
go HONDA.

[Oakie]

the Burgman AN650 is a cool bike - i reviewed one for TONE magazine.
as Oldrider says , don't knock it unless you've tried it.
I think the honda looks sweet, i applaud them for thinking about making something new and different. I for one am pretty bored by the identical me-too sportbike parade that spews out of the jap factories every year.
go HONDA.

Well said, that man.

[Switch]

I agree with mdb.
Surely that can't be classed as a scooter :scooter:

[Quartida]

You know, it's just not worth making it look sporty if you can sit on it in a business suit.

[bobsmith]

It's a good idea, especially the CVT transmission could make sure that you are in the max power band at all times (racey mode?) or the economical rpm at all times providing that the rider leaves it on the corresponding CVT mode at all times though.

But like in cars people probably would like the "no gear change feeling" and they would bring in the stupid "simulated gear mode" like they have... CVT is a great idea though... wouldn't you love to leave it on max power rpm, or max economy rpm or any rpm of your choosing (if the computer let you do that) at all times? get the best out of it and also don't worry about sudden gear changing on corners (since there is no gear change)...

Oh hang on!!!!!!! - the CVT just added a TONNE to the bike! it's so heavy that it goes as fast as a cage and it eats up fuel like one too!!! AHHHhhhhhhh!!!!!!!.

Comeon there is a reason that bike companies haven't been putting automatic transmissions on bikes... (hint: weight) and CVT weighs just the same, if not more (please feel free to correct me but it was the last time I checked)

EDIT: saying all of the above, if I had the money I wouldn't mind one myself... I would like it with a bluetooth or failing that USB port so that I can put my own gear programming into the bike though, I'm sure if they wanted to they could produce the bikes for not much more with functionality like that for not much (maybe a hundred dollars per bike max if it was done at the production line) Who needs the latest lego mindstorms when you can program your own bike!!! - damn I must like like a geek...

I'm sure sooner or later, if this takes off, people will come up with customisable aftermarket computers to manage the CVT transmissions.. now that would be cool.

I love the fact that it's for short people too... I can't even put both of my feel flat down on the ground sitting on the fxr.....

[The Pastor]

I like the look of it..... kinda like a more modern bike that judge dread rode.

[inlinefour]

That, ladies and gentlemen, is not a scooter. It has a frame-mounted engine and therefore, by definition, must be a motorcycle. Just like the big Bergman.


Looks good that Honda too, just needs a manual transmission.:nya:

[Insanity_rules]

I like Honda, but I'm not sure how I feel about that. Conceptually it looks kinda cool but hell a bloody auto!

[oldguy]

Didn,t read the tec, side of it but just by the looks I like it, be great to travel to and from work on of to the shops.:Punk:

[T.I.E]

great concept, the idea is good, and design is out there.
feel is a sporty crusier scooter with excessive ammounts of plastic.
and the ride looks to be so comfortable, but iwould like to see a 6ft tall plus person sitting on it to see how they go.
lines are great with a covered harley feel.
but still i can't help thinking they threw differnt bike types into a blender and tried to make the best of it.
would i buy one? no but i think i would be interested in the next model they come out with in this line of design.

[nudemetalz]

I dunno, I reckon Yamaha's concept scooter, the Maxam, looks kinda funky, in a Cadillac-sort of way.....:scooter:

[HenryDorsetCase]

Isn't that simply a downsized goldwing?

hell no, its an oversized scooter.

there's pretty obviously a market segment for this type of thing: all the manufacturers make them (including Piaggio: I think theirs is a 450 or 500cc one)

Yamaha do one too the Scarabeo or something I think its called.

I talked to a guy who owned a Burgman and loved it. He had toured on it, great weather protection, easy to ride, comfortable and, as he put it, quick enough.

Not my cup of tea but never say never.

[WRT]

This could also appear in the "Engrish on bikes" thread - Human Fitting Transmisson??? Is that some kind of broadcast from the changing rooms down at Farmers?

Nevertheless, good on them for doing something different. I dont dislike the styling, but the concept as a whole sure isnt for me. There will be some that it appeals to though, no doubt.

[oldrider]

I dunno, I reckon Yamaha's concept scooter, the Maxam, looks kinda funky, in a Cadillac-sort of way.....:scooter:
Now that Yamaha just looks absolutely "gay" to me. Too bloody much.:nono:I think I would rather walk.:yes:

[ferretface]

I dunno, I reckon Yamaha's concept scooter, the Maxam, looks kinda funky, in a Cadillac-sort of way.....:scooter:

Now I would be embarrassed to ride that thing! At least the Honda is tasteful!

[Biohazard]

roflmao...have u seen how gay that seat looks ? have they no shame.

stick to making Fireblades and gp bikes....

Oh and tell ya car plant to start making the NSX again, that was a lovely car.

pffffffft

[9cents]

I dunno, I reckon Yamaha's concept scooter, the Maxam, looks kinda funky, in a Cadillac-sort of way.....:scooter:

Looks like a funeral director had a go at designing that one. :sick: