Honda e clutch

[Mick_J]

I was at a dealers yesterday and they had one of the new Honda 650 e clutch bikes is so I had to ask "what is that thing hanging from the clutch case".
The dealer got the keys and said I'll show you, it's easier than trying to explain it.  He started the bike with the system engaged and without touching the clutch put it first gear, nothing, so he went through the box to sixth and still nothing and then went back down to first but as soon as he put a few revs on the bike started to move.  Then he pulled in the clutch lever and the system disengaged and he could pull away using the clutch as normal.  The system can also be disabled within the menus.  The bike can be ridden in either condition (on is the default) but I suspect once people get used to it why would you touch the clutch lever so it will probably disappear from Honda's in the future.  I didn't ride it but it does look interesting.

[Hooli]

Sounds like a cheaper version of their DCT thing thingy.

[marty6187]

Sounds like the Rekluse replacement clutch system used widely in motocross which works on a centrifugal system, negates the need to use the clutch and prevents engine stalling.

[GSXKING]

2025 GS1300 comes with that as standard 🙄

[Mick_J]

Hooli, according to the dealer it's only added £100 to the price of the standard CB650, DCT costs an extra £1000.

marty6187, I think its exactly the same effect but it's an electro mechanical device more like a semiautomatic car but with full override capability.

GSXKING, if the 1300 has the exact same system it wont cost a £100 more but more likely £500 - £1000 more.

[grog]

More totally un needed crap IMO

[Hooli]

More totally un needed crap IMO

Yup. If you can't manage a normal clutch then you shouldn't be riding.

[grog]

My thoughts exact Hooli.

[MickyJB]

I could not imagine or like riding a bike without a clutch. I may have said similar 30 years ago when I got my 1st Auto Car ... 😂

[Andre]

Bike has to have a clutch. Car has to have a clutch. (Most) Humans are a very lazy bunch. Want to be comfortable at all times and don't consider that body and mind are there to be used. Virtual "reality" and autonomous driving 

[KiwiCol]

I recall (many moons ago) how I scoffed upon encountering my first automatic 4wd off roader, (Landcruiser I think it was) seeing an auto in a 4wd was nuts & just wouldn't handle the punishment, nah, manual the only way to go.   And look where we are today, how wrong that impression was & it'll probably be the same with this e-clutch tech type stuff.  Our bikes will be dinosaurs & ridden by dinosaurs - long may it continue!   Each to their own.   

[kquacker]

Bike has to have a clutch. Car has to have a clutch. (Most) Humans are a very lazy bunch. Want to be comfortable at all times and don't consider that body and mind are there to be used. Virtual "reality" and autonomous driving 

I'm resurrecting an old thread here but the DCT on the Honda is the business when ridden in manual mode. Its just another version of a quick shifter with full rider input required.

[gsxbarmy]

Bike has to have a clutch. Car has to have a clutch. (Most) Humans are a very lazy bunch. Want to be comfortable at all times and don't consider that body and mind are there to be used. Virtual "reality" and autonomous driving 

I'm resurrecting an old thread here but the DCT on the Honda is the business when ridden in manual mode. Its just another version of a quick shifter with full rider input required.

Well I have to say when I rode a Honda with DCT round the Lake District for over 1k miles (whilst my BMW GS was being fixed after my accident),I absolutely hated the damn thing, even when ridden in manual mode. An absolute pig to setup and get right, and even worse to use. Terrible in auto mode (however it was set up) and whilst (slightly) better in manual mode, still horrible to use IMO. Never again. 

[Mick_J]

I think the e-clutch will catch on as it's a normal bike with a clutch lever (If you want to use it) and a quick shifter if you don't use it.  At traffic lights there is no need to hold the clutch in as the bike will do it for you (if you let it).  So effectively if you don't want to use the system you don't have to but you gain a quick shifter for £100 and if you do it's impossible to stall the bike.  The second generation will integrate better with the engine cases and will be virtually invisible.  It's not an automatic, you will still have to change gear manually with the gear lever. 

[kquacker]

I think the e-clutch will catch on as it's a normal bike with a clutch lever (If you want to use it) and a quick shifter if you don't use it.  At traffic lights there is no need to hold the clutch in as the bike will do it for you (if you let it).  So effectively if you don't want to use the system you don't have to but you gain a quick shifter for £100 and if you do it's impossible to stall the bike.  The second generation will integrate better with the engine cases and will be virtually invisible.  It's not an automatic, you will still have to change gear manually with the gear lever. 
[/quotes
I agree. The new version should be vastly improved on what is on my 1200dct. Only thing I miss is the ability to feather the clutch when required.