A new automatic transmission lets newbies tear up the road without grinding up gears

Honda DN-01 Honda

Engineers have tried and failed for decades to build motorcycles with automatic transmissions. Honda finally gets it right with the new DN-01 "sports cruiser" bike. Conventional automatic transmissions, like those in cars, lag when you hit the throttle and can throw a bike off balance during turns. Honda's HFT (for Human Friendly Transmission) responds to the throttle instantly by using hydraulic pumps instead of standard gears.

The HFT offers a range of gear ratios similar to a conventional six-speed manual, and it has about the same weight and dimensions. The motorcycle goes on sale in Japan this year, though a price has not been set. Honda hasn't yet decided if America's weekend rebels will get their own auto-shifting bike.

Launch the gallery to see how Honda's truly fluid transmission works.

Want to keep track of the latest concept cars, automotive innovations, and more? Subscribe to Popular Science and enter to win $5,000!

5 Comments

For anybody who wants to ride an automatic motorcycle, just go buy a Honda Ruckus. I think this concept, despite it's "HFT" is also unsafe in theory. As a motorcycle rider, it's you against all the variable, even if you're perfect and someone else is not, you're screwed.

So removing the rider from being engaged in shifting to me just seems ridiculous, as ridiculous as motorized trikes.

Ridley Motorcycles of Oklahoma City has been producing automatic motorcycles for years. They are using CVT technology. The bikes are lighter, lower, easier, and safer than the average bike with outstanding American styling and unmatched quality. You guys should have done your homework and you would have known this.

Just what we need is a bunch of people riding around on motorcycles who can't manage a clutch! Its bad enough they drive cars!!!

As a disabled rider I find the above comment insulting. Apparently he has some limited intellect issues that disallow his thought process past his own dismal existence. I've been forced to ride scooters for too long as my budget has been limited, things have changed for the better. I plan to get a Ridley (very nice bike) or another cruiser with a heel toe shifting. Learn to think a little more outside the crust of your front door "mrpepsi"

Popular Tags

Regular Features



Download Our iPhone App

Stay up to date on the latest news of the future of science and technology from your iPhone with full articles, images and offline viewing



Grab the Tech Buyer's Guide iPhone App

Carry everything you need to make a smart buy on HDTVs, cameras and 14 other product categories right in your pocket



Follow Us On Twitter

Featuring every article from the magazine and website, plus links from around the Web. Also see our PopSci DIY feed



Become a Fan On Facebook

Share links with friends, comment on stories and more


March 2010: Aerobot Invasion

A field guide to the world's newest and most spectacular unmanned aircraft (supplemented online with a guide to current systems), plus reports from the frontiers of medicine, the definitive word on cellphone radiation and more.

Read the issue here.

Popular Science Photo Pool


Share your photos in the Pop Sci pool at www.flickr.com!