Various forms of automatic transmissions on motorcycles have gotten a lot of attention lately, with new options now available or soon to be available. And now, Honda has confirmed that its E-Clutch system will be coming to the U.S. market on 2024 CBR650R and CB650R models.
And here’s the twist. While Honda’s other approach to making manual shifting optional on its full-size motorcycles, the dual-clutch transmission (DCT), is an extra-cost option on models such as the Gold Wing and Africa Twin, all CBR650R and CB650R models will come with the E-Clutch as standard equipment. That makes sense when you consider how the E-Clutch system works (you can get a refresher by reading Dustin’s report). Unlike some other approaches, E-Clutch might better be described as an automatic clutch than an automatic transmission. Riders still shift through the gears but the electric mechanism operates the clutch. The lever still sits there on the left handgrip, so if riders want to operate the clutch manually, they can.
Honda customers are essentially getting the E-Clutch system for free because the prices are the same as last year: $9,899 for the fully faired CBR650R and $9,399 for the naked CB650R. And that’s despite the two 650s getting a few other upgrades, including LED lights and a new TFT display.
What’s the big deal about automatics?
Decades ago, motorcycle manufacturers flirted with transmissions that allowed the clutch to be eliminated, but they never caught on. For many years, scooters were essentially the only options for riders who didn’t want to learn to use a clutch. But times have changed and so have the offerings from a motorcycle industry that’s realizing it needs to make riding more accessible. And in the United States, where cars with manual transmissions are nearly extinct, that means making things easier for people who have never operated a clutch. Or maybe ever seen one.
