Honda E-Clutch – the clutch works by itself, you change gear with your foot
With the Honda E-Clutch you pull away, change gear and stop without pulling the clutch lever. Honda calls it the first fully automatic clutch for a motorcycle with a manual gearbox. You still select the gear yourself with your foot, and the clutch lever stays in place. Here you will find all Honda models with E-Clutch, how it works in detail, the difference from Honda DCT and the motorcycles we have in stock, new and used.
1How it works
How Honda's electronically controlled clutch operates
How does the Honda E-Clutch work?
An actuator works the clutch, you change gear
On the Honda E-Clutch, an actuator with two electric motors sits on the engine and operates the clutch. When you pull away, it engages the clutch progressively; when you stop, it disengages it so the engine does not stall. During gear changes, partial clutch engagement, fuel injection cut-off and ignition control work together to reduce shift shock.
The gearbox remains a conventional manual gearbox: you select the gear with the foot lever. On the Honda CB750 Hornet and the Honda XL750 Transalp, the E-Clutch is also tuned to work with the electronic throttle and the riding modes.
How the Honda E-Clutch works: pulling away, shifting, stopping
What the actuator does – and what you still do yourself
On the Honda E-Clutch, the clutch and gearbox are the same as on a motorcycle with a manual gearbox. What is new is the electronically controlled actuator with two electric motors: it takes over the work of your left hand in three situations.
- Pulling away: you select 1st gear with the foot lever and open the throttle. The actuator engages the clutch progressively – no clutch lever, no stalling.
- Shifting: you tap the foot lever up or down. The actuator disengages and re-engages the clutch; partial clutch engagement, fuel injection cut-off and ignition control reduce shift shock.
- Stopping: when you brake to a standstill, the actuator disengages the clutch so the engine does not stall.
The photos show the system on the four-cylinder engine of the CB650R and CBR650R, the models with which Honda introduced the E-Clutch for model year 2024.
Clutch lever, switching off and shift feel of the E-Clutch
What you decide yourself
- The clutch lever stays: if you pull it, the E-Clutch pauses and then switches itself back on.
- Can be switched off: when stationary in neutral, you switch off the E-Clutch via the display or the switchgear; an “M” in the display then indicates manual mode.
- Adjustable shift feel: on the CMX500 Rebel and the CBR500R FOUR you choose between Hard, Medium and Soft, separately for upshifts and downshifts.
- Weight: Honda states around 2 kg of additional weight.
FAQ how it works
Frequently asked questions about how the Honda E-Clutch works
An electronically controlled clutch: an actuator takes over the clutch work when pulling away, stopping and changing gear. You still select the gear with your foot, and the clutch lever can still be used.
Yes. If you pull the clutch lever, the E-Clutch pauses and then switches itself back on.
Yes, when stationary in neutral, via the display or the switchgear. An “M” in the display then indicates manual mode.
Honda states around 2 kg of additional weight.
On the CMX500 Rebel and the CBR500R FOUR, yes: Hard, Medium or Soft, separately for upshifts and downshifts.
2Models with E-Clutch
Nine Honda models, one clutch technology
Honda E-Clutch models: these motorcycles are available with E-Clutch
Factory-fitted since 2024 – model by model
- Honda CB650R – naked bike with inline four-cylinder engine, E-Clutch since model year 2024
- Honda CBR650R – sports bike with inline four-cylinder engine, E-Clutch since model year 2024
- Honda CB750 Hornet – naked bike, available with E-Clutch since model year 2026
- Honda XL750 Transalp – adventure bike, available with E-Clutch since model year 2026
- Honda CB500 Hornet – naked bike for the category A restricted licence, with E-Clutch since model year 2026
- Honda CBR500R – sports bike for the category A restricted licence, with E-Clutch since model year 2026
- Honda NX500 – adventure bike for the category A restricted licence, with E-Clutch since model year 2026
- Honda CBR500R FOUR – new for model year 2027, inline four-cylinder, E-Clutch as standard
- Honda CMX500 Rebel – cruiser, model year 2027, the first Rebel model with E-Clutch
Which version a motorcycle has is shown for each vehicle in the vehicle list further down.
Four of these models fit category A restricted – known in the EU as A2: CB500 Hornet, CBR500R, NX500 and the 35 kW version of the CBR500R FOUR. Then there is the Rebel 500 with 34 kW. The page A2 motorcycle shows all models for the restricted licence.
FAQ models
Frequently asked questions about the Honda E-Clutch models
CB650R and CBR650R since 2024; CB750 Hornet, XL750 Transalp, CB500 Hornet, CBR500R and NX500 since 2026; for model year 2027 the new CBR500R FOUR with E-Clutch as standard and the CMX500 Rebel.
Honda presented the E-Clutch at EICMA in November 2023; the first models, the CB650R and CBR650R, went on sale in 2024.
Yes: CB500 Hornet, CBR500R, NX500 and the CMX500 Rebel, as well as the CBR500R FOUR in the 35 kW version from the factory.
Yes, the E-Clutch is standard on the Honda CBR500R FOUR.
Yes, for model year 2027 the Honda CMX500 Rebel gets the E-Clutch – as the first Rebel model.
3E-Clutch or DCT
Two Honda technologies, no clutch hand needed
E-Clutch or DCT – the difference
Only the clutch automated – or clutch and gear changes
Honda builds two technologies where you do not operate the clutch yourself. The Honda E-Clutch only takes over the clutch work; changing gear stays with you. Honda DCT operates the clutch and changes gear by itself and has no clutch lever.
| Comparison | Honda E-Clutch | Honda DCT |
|---|---|---|
| What is automatic | the clutch | clutch and gear changes |
| Gear selection | with the foot gear lever | automatic (D, S) or by buttons (MT) |
| Clutch lever | fitted, usable at any time | none |
| Gearbox | manual gearbox with one clutch and actuator | dual-clutch transmission with two clutches |
| Additional weight (example) | around 2 kg | Africa Twin: 242 instead of 231 kg (model year 2024) |
| Switching off | completely | manual shifting in MT mode |
If you like to change gear yourself but would rather not use the clutch in city traffic and on hills, the E-Clutch is the right technology for you. If you want to ride fully automatically, choose a model with DCT such as the Honda Africa Twin, the Honda NT1100, the Honda NC750X or the Honda X-ADV. The page automatic motorcycle shows all models without a clutch lever.
FAQ E-Clutch or DCT
Frequently asked questions comparing it with the dual-clutch transmission
The E-Clutch only automates the clutch; you change gear with your foot. Honda DCT operates the clutch and changes gear by itself and has no clutch lever.
No. The E-Clutch only automates the clutch; the manual gearbox stays, and you select the gear yourself with your foot.
According to Honda, the E-Clutch adds around 2 kg. With DCT it is more: the Africa Twin weighs 242 kg with DCT and 231 kg with the manual gearbox (model year 2024).
If you want to change gear yourself and only do without the clutch work, choose the E-Clutch. If you want neither to work the clutch nor to change gear, choose a model with DCT. The best way is to ride both on a motorcycle test ride.
4Who it suits
City traffic, getting started and winding roads
Who is a motorcycle with E-Clutch suitable for?
Less work for the left hand
In stop-and-go traffic and at traffic lights, you pull away and stop without pulling the clutch lever – and the engine does not stall. That takes the strain out of city traffic and the commute.
If you are new to riding, you do not have to feather the clutch on hills and can concentrate on where you look, your line and braking. And if you ride in a sporty way, you shift up and down without the clutch lever.
The best way to find out how the E-Clutch feels is to try it yourself – on a motorcycle test ride.
FAQ who it suits
Does a motorcycle with E-Clutch suit you?
Yes. It takes over the clutch work when pulling away and stopping, and the engine does not stall. For the restricted licence there are, among others, the CB500 Hornet, CBR500R and NX500 with E-Clutch – the page A2 motorcycle shows all models.
Especially there: in stop-and-go traffic you pull away and stop without pulling the clutch lever.
It adds around 2 kg, and you still select the gear yourself. If you want to ride fully automatically, choose a model with Honda DCT.
5In stock
Honda models with E-Clutch – new and used
Honda E-Clutch models in stock – new and used
What is ready for you at our dealership right now
The list shows every motorcycle with E-Clutch that Honda Motorrad Zürich has in stock, new or used – with version, colour and price. Please ask about availability; the stock changes constantly.
Honda E-Clutch in stock – new and used
Every Honda motorcycle with E-Clutch in stock at Honda Motorrad Zürich – with version, colour and price.
Rent it before you buy: Honda CB650R E-Clutch rental from CHF 170/day
I am interested in one of these motorcycles
I am interestedAll prices are non-binding and may change at any time. For a binding quote please enquire preferably via the form.
6Test ride & purchase
Try the E-Clutch at the Honda Dream Dealer
Honda E-Clutch test ride and purchase in Zurich
Test ride, leasing, trade-in
Test ride: ride a motorcycle with E-Clutch before you decide. We charge a fee to cover our costs, which we credit to you when you buy – appointments via the page motorcycle test ride.
Leasing and financing: via Honda Bank, see motorcycle leasing.
Trade-in: we take your current motorcycle in part exchange, regardless of the brand – see sell motorcycle and trade-in.
You will find how to reach us under Contact.
FAQ test ride & purchase
Frequently asked questions about buying a motorcycle with E-Clutch
Yes, at Honda Motorrad Zürich, subject to the model's availability. We charge a fee to cover our costs, which we credit to you when you buy; appointments via the page motorcycle test ride.
That depends on the model and the version. The current prices are shown for each vehicle in the list on this page.
Yes, via Honda Bank. You will find the details under motorcycle leasing.
Honda E-Clutch in Zurich – our catchment area
Honda Motorrad Zürich in Volketswil ZH offers motorcycles with Honda E-Clutch – CB650R, CBR650R, CB750 Hornet, XL750 Transalp, CB500 Hornet, CBR500R and NX500 – new and used throughout the entire catchment area: Zürich, Winterthur, Volketswil, Uster, Kloten, Dübendorf, Wetzikon, Wallisellen, Bülach, Effretikon, Bassersdorf, Regensdorf, Baden, Brugg, Zug, Rapperswil-Jona, Einsiedeln, Frauenfeld, Wil SG and Schaffhausen as well as the cantons of Zurich, Aargau, Zug, Schaffhausen and Thurgau.