Honda wants to give manual bikes a break in traffic
Ask any rider who spends hours filtering through EDSA, Commonwealth Avenue, C5, or any major road on a manual motorcycle and they’ll probably tell you the same thing that traffic is exhausting. Not because of speed, but because of repetition. Clutch in. First gear, then release. Clutch in. Second gear. Clutch in. Back to first gear, then clutch in while at a complete stop. Repeat hundreds of times (and an arm pump) before finally reaching home. Honda believes it has a solution.
The Japanese manufacturer is continuing to promote its E-Clutch technology, a system designed to remove much of the effort involved in operating a manual transmission without taking away the riding experience that many enthusiasts enjoy. Well, at least for its big bikes.
At first glance, E-Clutch sounds similar to an automatic transmission, but Honda says that’s not the case. Riders still shift gears using the traditional foot lever. The difference is that the system automatically manages clutch operation when starting, stopping, and changing gears.
In practical terms, that means riders can pull away from a stop or shift gears without touching the clutch lever. Those who prefer doing things the traditional way can still use the clutch manually whenever they want.
According to Honda, the technology was developed to make motorcycles easier and more enjoyable to ride in everyday conditions, particularly in stop-and-go traffic where constant clutch work can become tiring.
While scooters dominate local sales because of their affordability, convenience, and maneuverability, plenty of riders still prefer manual motorcycles for their engagement, simplicity, and sense of control. E-Clutch appears to be Honda’s attempt to bridge those two worlds by offering some of the convenience of an automatic while retaining the character of a manual bike.
The technology first appeared on the CB650R and CBR650R, but Honda is already expanding its use to more of its export models. That suggests the company sees E-Clutch as more than just a niche feature, which could even become standard in its future models.
