Honda E-Clutch is coming to the US market

[Melensdad]

Honda has the upper end DCT (Dual Clutch Transmission) which allows either fully automatic transmission mode(s) and clutches manual shifting, at the riders option. The fully auto modes include various SPORT modes, depending on how aggressive you want your ride, as well as a tame automatic mode for superior fuel economy.

Now Honda is introducing an E-Clutch system which is basically a clutch-less shift system in the USA. I'm pretty sure BMW offered this on their larger bikes starting several years ago. Can-Am also offers an auto, or at least a semi-auto version on their 3 wheel machines. Not sure if it is offered on the lower end Can-Am models, but I know it is on the upper end machines.

Clearly the major makers are looking to offer something other than the fully manual left clutch and left foot shift that has been on motorcycles since the early days of 2 wheel motor propelled vehicles.

Honda's E-Clutch Is Coming To The US Market - Adventure Rider

The Honda e-clutch allows riders to shift with or without traditional-style use of the clutch lever. It debuts on 650 four-cylinder models.

www.advrider.com

Honda’s E-Clutch Is Coming To The US Market​

Use the clutch lever, or don't—your choice!​

Zac / @kawazacky

7/24/2024​

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For adventure bike riders, the e-clutch may be the most preferable of all the auto gearbox options. Photo: Honda​

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During the 2023 EICMA show, Honda introduced its new e-clutch technology, leaving us wondering whether this new semi-auto design would make it to North America, or stay as one of those Euro-market-only features. The news is in now: Honda is bringing the e-clutch to the US market.​

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What’s the e-clutch?​

The e-clutch is basically a replacement for the standard clutch assembly that allows the rider to shift without using the clutch lever, and also allows the rider to come to do starts and stops without using the clutch lever. It is operated like the old semi-auto gearboxes in Honda’s three-wheelers and CT trail bikes, although the internals are actually much different.​

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Also, unlike those old semi-auto gearboxes, the e-clutch can also be operated just like a standard clutch lever, which is good news for those riders who like to vary engine output with help from their clutch. In a world where twist-and-go transmissions are spreading across the OEM’s lineups quickly, the e-clutch is the option that still allows the best of both worlds, suitable for riders who want traditional moto controls as well as those who don’t.​

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Coming to the States​

The e-clutch debuts on Honda’s middleweight 650 four-cylinders, and now Honda says the 2025 versions of the CBR650 and CB650R will both get this technology (with MSRP of $9,399 and $9,899 respectively). Presumably, the Canadian versions of the bikes will see the same updates, although we haven’t seen any PR to that effect yet.​

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After these four-cylinders, where might this tech go next? We’d expect it to be widely available within a half-decade, probably starting to propagate through Honda’s line with the next major engine updates.​

 

[Doc]

DCT clutch has been available on the Goldwing since 2018. I have a 2014 Goldwing with standard shift. I rather like shifting and going through the gears.
But I can imagine the advantage of DCT or E clutch but I really do not understand the difference in the two.

 

[Melensdad]

DCT clutch has been available on the Goldwing since 2018. I have a 2014 Goldwing with standard shift. I rather like shifting and going through the gears.
But I can imagine the advantage of DCT or E clutch but I really do not understand the difference in the two.

DCT is more advanced that the E Clutch system.

It's been around since at least 2012 on selected Honda models.

And it is tuned differently for each bike, so same general mechanics but different shift points, patterns, etc. Early versions of the DCT had regular and sport modes. Later they had 3 or 4 different modes, mine has a Manual, Standard, Sport 1 and Sport 2.

When the Africa Twin came out with the DCT it really seemed to cause an uproar in the biking community because it had previously been considered 'inferior' and like a scooter. The serious off road bonafide Africa Twin, with DCT, was a WTF moment for many bikers but Honda was far from stupid, they hired serious off-road racers to run the DCT equipped "AT" and the moto-press generally approved saying that the DCT was clearly suitable for on and off roading.

But E-Clutch is not DCT.

BMW's big GS bikes have a similar E clutch so you don't need to use a clutch lever when you shift. But you still have to shift.

With DCT you don't have to shift and there is no clutch lever at all. If you choose to shift, it is typically a thumb switch rather than a foot lever.