The E-Clutch is like a Quickshfter BUT BETTER! 2024 Honda CB650R CBR650R Review

[@JCintheBCC]

8:27 - This is the key point I wanted to know about the e-clutch. If it doesn’t take anything away, it means the system is just a safety net that’s there when you botch a gear. All of the fun, less of the scary.

[@CanyonChasers]

Not only is it a safety net, it adds a level of fun I wasn't expecting.

[@chaseontwowheels]

Totally agree with your thoughts on the E-clutch man. Was great getting to meet ya in person and ride! Looking forward to seeing ya at another press launch!!

[@CanyonChasers]

Couldn’t agree more. You were just as affable and fun in real life as you are in your videos. Which is so refreshing. Maybe next time I can show you some of my favorite local roads. But I’ll come ride in North Georgia anytime!

[@stevena3446]

I know there’s a segment of riders that say anything other than standard clutch and shifter takes away from and dumbs down the sport, but having a DCT has allowed me to keep riding. And that’s what is important to me. The e-clutch sounds great.

[@CanyonChasers]

Right! Knee's in the breeze! I don't ride because I love the clutch. I ride because I love riding!

[@paulocelso68]

I've riden a Honda NC 750X DCT. Amazing bike and it's so nice to ride in town as on roads !

[@robocombo]

Throttle-on-downshift is a cool trick! Thanks for demystifying this, I would definitely consider it on a touring bike!

[@paulocelso68]

The best review about e-clutch I've seen! Congratulations from Brazil, Manaus/AM, Jungle Forest.

[@CanyonChasers]

Wow, thank you!

[@rodrigosouto9502]

I'm from Brazil too. Porto Alegre/RS. Greetings!

[@paulocelso68]

@@rodrigosouto9502 bã tchê… irmão gaúcho na área ♥️😎

[@unwrangler11]

The E clutch definitely has a place in the cycle world. It is not for everyone, but some riders are going to appreciate it for what it is.

[@CanyonChasers]

I would encourage you to hold off on the "not for everyone" part until you ride it. I think it might just be for everyone. It completely blew me away with how good it was. Want to use the clutch? Use the clutch. Don't want to use the clutch? Don't use the clutch.

[@faizrahman6308]

@@CanyonChasers "Want to use the clutch? Use the clutch. Don't want to use the clutch? Don't use the clutch." - THIS! This is the most sensible take ever!

[@billyarsenault1970]

Gee thx that’s some profound insight.

[@neodurden6793]

Yes, this e clutch thanks to it's design is the best up/down clutchless shifter I have ever used. Never skip a beat at any rpm at any gear smooth as butter

[@Pandidand]

I love how you praise how well the e-clutch „just works“ and for me it just sounds like „Honda doing Honda things“. I love how that brand makes new features really feel finished and not half baked „the customer is the beta tester“ kind of attitude.

[@tompGA]

As an MSF Ridercoach, I would love to teach the BRC with eClutch bikes so that new students can focus on riding first, then learn clutch use if they want. Bring this to the 300 series of bikes. Also, welcome to North GA, you were on my regular route.

[@CanyonChasers]

Funny enough, Honda told me that when they approached MSF, they were very unhappy about the E-Clutch and said they wouldn't use the technology for new riders. :(

[@American_Devil]

I think this is great for new riders who can focus on skill building and not worry about the clutch so much until later when they’re more comfortable and ready.

[@D.i.n.i.c.h.t.h.y.s]

test rode the CB650R e-clutch some months ago (Europe). This is how a quickshifter should work, love it. It's a couple of hundred EUR more than the normal model here though

[@CanyonChasers]

Personally, I’d pay a couple hundred more. It’s worth it IMHO.

[@BeginnerMoto]

I think this is great and practical tech for new and experienced riders alike. It would be awesome if they put this tech on the 300 CC models. There will always be the purist out there that will complain about this type of tech and to them, don't buy it it's not for you. Thanks for the video!

[@CanyonChasers]

I'd put odds on this thing ending up on most Honda's. However, I suspect MSF will have issue with these on trainer bike.

[@carlosescuza3524]

As soon as I heard that you are a Veteran, I subscribed to your channel. I LOVE our country and served in the Army for 28 years. Best job of my life. God bless USA!

[@CanyonChasers]

Who-ah!! I was army too! Thanks for serving, brother and thanks for subscribing!

[@carlosescuza3524]

@@CanyonChasers you can also share with Honda that thanks to your detailed review of the CBR650-e, I am considering purchasing it as my 5th bike 👍🏼🇺🇸

[@rackhousemoto]

Great video - always love your content. I have a quickshifter on my BMW and have had a few pucker moments when using it to downshift and stepping out the rear wheel a bit. This looks like there would be none of that. Also glad you got to experience my backyard, North GA has some of the best roads in the country (60 and Wolf Pen Gap in your video especially!)

[@CanyonChasers]

Oh my gosh! The riding was soooo good! Fantastic roads!!

[@Wheeliecooper]

Had mine for 2 months now - love it, I have the gray one like yours too.

[@CanyonChasers]

It's such a great looking bike!

[@2020Max1]

I'm a relatively new rider, been riding for just about a year and a half. I've wanted to ride a motorcycle for the better of the last 35 years but due to a service-related injury that resulted in some minor nerve damage in my left arm, using a clutch was fatiguing and took much of the enjoyment out of riding. Then a couple years ago I got my license and purchased an NC750X DCT. It was perfect for me twist and go with no clutch to worry about. The one thing that I do miss with it through is the tactile feeling and connection that you get with the bike as you run though the gears. Now that Honda is bringing the e-Clutch to the market I think that I'll look into trading into it as it seems to be a combination of both the automatic and manual worlds.

[@johnsaporta4633]

Love your video on this. Buzzing Spite, singing in your helmet, sharing the love! And if an effective auto clutch increases joy, then you win. Singing is cool! Thanks for breaking it all down too, that is initially why I tuned in.

[@CanyonChasers]

Thank you!!

[@norevlimitr1602]

I never used to use the clutch at all to upshift before quickshifters came out, only on downshifts. Low speed, high speed, after doing it for 35 years I got very smooth at it.

[@CanyonChasers]

That was one of the hardest parts of testing this. Ignoring decades of muscle memory.

[@norevlimitr1602]

@@CanyonChasers Exactly. Took me months to stop bilipping the throttle when I got my first bike wit a QS.

[@JynRoh]

Glad to see a lot of the community accepting it, enthusiasts can be a strange bunch some times i've met a few people that hate things like abs, im sure this will be even higher on their list lol!

[@CanyonChasers]

Right!?!? Its like we are our own worst enemies. Gatekeeping is awful! If this brings in more new riders or makes riding more accessible, I'm all in. In this case, it also made the riding more fun. Whats not to love?

[@AlexZarenin]

On my 1980 2-stroke Jawa 350 (made in Check republic) motorcycle there was no any special electronics, BUT besides a normal cable-activated clutch, it had a very smart thing - a small cam on the shifter lever (inside the engine case) that would disengage the clutch purely mechanically when the shifter was off the central position. You just had to learn to release a shifter a timny bit slower - and you do not have to use the clutch handle! After a little bit of practice, I learned to start riding from a standing position without a clutch - just kick in the first gear and release shifter a little slower. While riding, I never had to use clutch for shifting! Simple and reliable solution without any electronics and electrical motors inside the engine - why everything has to be so complicated these days?

[@LifeOfBurch]

Such a good video man! Couldn’t agree with all your points more. And I may be biased…but I think my favorite part was that cameo at the end 😂🤘🏻

[@matthewkissel6132]

Glad you enjoyed AMP and North GA. I'm lucky to live in the area and enjoy both the track and the mountain roads on the regular.

[@CanyonChasers]

Lucky! And that track was a delight! So much fun!!

[@tryan715]

I really enjoyed the end. I watched the Life of Burch video a week ago and I remembered him talking up the fast boy👍

[@CanyonChasers]

Thank you. I was there with a bunch of fellow creators. I’d never met any of them before but we all got along great and were all laughing and having a ton of fun.

[@GaryStevens-k2o]

Well done we enjoyed every moment , personally I loved the songs makes me want to try this bike great job. Phylis

[@jimstartup2729]

In over 25 years of riding in have been effortlessly making clutchless upshifts and it helps keep you connected with solid throttle control.. downshifting smoothly is an art with an analogue bike but satisfying... It is part of riding for me... These things have their place but for me I don't want a bike that drives like a videogame.. I want to control it myself. Honestly I get more enjoyment from giving all the input needed to keep it smooth. Can't say I ever had anxiety from having to do it all myself.

[@sammemrys8195]

Clicked for the content, stayed for the singing.😉 My favourite: 🎵 It's all about that blip. 🎶

[@rodrigosouto9502]

You should come to Brazil. Here we have Honda Biz and Pop with semiautomatic transmission. Not an e-clutch but a nice centrifugal clutch.

[@albertleffler962]

Watching the machine shift taught me so much. Thanks.

[@CanyonChasers]

Glad to help

[@deauvilledad07]

Well, I'd heard about this and now you've actually ridden one. With your level of praise it must be good and like you say it could revolutionise who could now become a rider. As for the singing with a little coaching there could be an opening for you somewhere. Stay safe and ride well 🤓

[@CanyonChasers]

Haha. I think it would take a lot of vocal coaching. Unless it was for a Bob Dylan tribute band. Then maybe I’d have a shot.

[@MD-MC]

Adds a whole new dimension to cornering!

[@wobblysauce]

650s were my go-to recommendations and now this is just another level on it.

[@lphsabrina]

Both a Great Review & Video

[@defaultuser3410]

I sing when I ride too, like when I'm on a country road, I sing "Country road, take me home..." only I don't have to stop, because no one can hear me.

[@izzysykopth]

A buddy of mine just bought a brand new ZX10 with the auto blip feature and swears by it. He asked me to try it out by stabbing a down shift while at lean. I tried it at low rpms a couple of times just to make sure it worked then tried it at higher rpms and have to say it was pretty effective at mid rpms. I just couldn’t bring myself to trust it near the top of the rpms. It was a HUGE leap of faith to trust it at any rpms. Growing up on dirt bikes a common technique is stab a few gears to initiate rotation into a turn. Since this is not desirable on pavement(unless you’re a Moto GP rider backing into a turn) I always make sure I’m done downshifting before entry. Because of this I think rev matching and shifting are the only areas of my riding that there isn’t a lot of room for improvement. Everyone I ride with comments about how precise I control the clutch and transmission. Now if I could polish up the areas where I need lots of improvement…😂😂😂so I think you nailed it when you said it’s not for everyone. Certainly not for me. Besides I love rev matching!!!

[@CanyonChasers]

Auto blip is a quickshifter that shifts down as well as up. It's absolutely amazing. But it does indeed work way better at higher speeds as thats what it's designed for.

[@izzysykopth]

@@CanyonChasers I’m old school I guess I like rev matching 😃

[@creedm3040]

Awesome video! Very well presented. That's a very good point about people being challenged being able to ride this bike. Veterans especially . But I'm not sure about people coming into the sport. Personally I love the clutch and gear. But hey , that's just me. I want to feel as much of the motorcycle as possible. Maybe more people will come into this wonderful world e love. Best!

[@CanyonChasers]

I too love the clutch. But I see so many new riders who didn't grow up with manual transmissions in their cars, and coming to grips with it while learning to ride is a struggle. They are focusing more on the clutch then they are on stopping and making it through the corner. I think this gives them some time to figure things out.

[@trichtertus6221]

It seems like the e-clutch is a logical evolution of a quick shifter and auto blipper. Most who use one or both of these, will like the e-clutch too

[@CanyonChasers]

Exactly. Well said.

[@randym5051]

Great video! It looks like the new BMW R1300 GS Adventure has a similar system available but with NO clutch lever. Would love for you to get a ride on one and let us know your thoughts on that too! Also curious how the Honda would handle downshifting into an overrev. Does it just ease the clutch out?

[@crnamrlja]

Great video! Have you tried MV Agusta models with SCS clutch system? If so, how do they compare?

[@CanyonChasers]

I haven't yet. I'm really hoping I get more of these opportunities. I feel like most bike reviews don't tell me what I want to know as a rider, so I think I have something I could add.

[@AsianVoodoo]

Love to have it on my commuter/street bike. It would make stop & go traffic much more tolerable around the streets. Could be fun on the track but I think the additional weight vs quickshifter + autoblip would still be the better option there.

[@CanyonChasers]

Right. Commuting would be fantastic. On track it was performing as well as quick shifters on much more expensive bikes.

[@mikelatimer9647]

When you come to a stop in first, does the e-clutch act like a hill hold feature, with the transmission preventing the bike from rolling back? If you wanted to roll back a bit, I guess you'd just pull in the clutch? BTW - Great to run into you in the mountains the other day!

[@CanyonChasers]

You know. I don’t know. I don’t think so… But… Let me ask Honda and get back to you.

[@Ryan-mv5wi]

​@@CanyonChasers what did Honda sat

[@thedownwardmachine]

The e clutch would be great on the Africa Twin, where the inability to use a clutch with the DCT forces you to have to relearn certain off road techniques.

[@CanyonChasers]

I agree! That’s the only place it wasn’t awesome. There’s a lot of situations where I want to be slipping the clutch.

[@bradleyalexander5821]

Excellent explanation of clutchless transmissions. Bonus points for the graphics. Very well explained. I do ride those exact roads on a regular basis. Please take down this video, us locals want to keep this our secret. 🤫

[@CanyonChasers]

Those roads are so good. I was following Honda so I don’t think I could ever find them again.

[@brentcollins9727]

A great way to get beginners out on the road

[@avothfis]

Nice shout out to Spite😅 and the shout back at the end.

[@all8849]

I think leaving the clutch handle was a clever move on Honda's part. Bikers tend to be conservative when it comes to innovation and changing driving habits. I really like the E-Clutch and I hope it makes its way to other models. Heck I'd probably buy a Goldwing if it has an E-Clutch!

[@gregorpajnic4739]

Cant wait till this becomes option on my nx500. Im definitely upgrading then.

[@CanyonChasers]

Agreed! I’d love to see it on all the bikes. At least as an option.

[@jamescampolo7824]

I was thinking about buying one of these but I can't find anywhere if it has cruise control. After having a Rebel 1100 DCT with cruise, I won't buy another bike without it.

[@待-k9i]

Sorry i understand it works on low rpm downshift Does it work on high rpm like 8k 9k?

[@CanyonChasers]

It world fantastic at high revs

[@andulasis6283]

Dumb question but would you suggest it for a beginner who mostly will ride it in a city?

[@CanyonChasers]

Yep. A city rider (new or experienced) would really, really appreciate it.

[@andulasis6283]

@@CanyonChasers thanks

[@my2wheels]

Willing to add on to my Rebel 1100.

[@waltermajors877]

when changing gears do you need to back off of the throttle?

[@CanyonChasers]

You do not. Unless you want to. But you can stay wide open on the throttle if you want.

[@NoName789dfgnjkld]

I rode both the Honda cb650r and the cbr650r with an e-clutch in Thailand for ~30/45min each. I honestly don't find that it adds value compared to up or down shifting without a clutch at the right rpm or just using the clutch lever. I also really disliked downshifting from 2nd to 1st the e-clutch prevents you from downshifting to 1st "too early" which is annoying. That makes me question how you managed to downshift with the throttle fully open. I could be wrong but I feel like the bike I was riding wouldn't have let me shift down if rpms were too high. Maybe there is a way to tweak the shifting points in the settings and make it a bit more smooth. So yeah for now it's just not for me, I am happy enough with a slipper clutch only for every day riding.

[@EwePeople]

I like to slip shift or float gear changes like driving a semi.

[@CanyonChasers]

Haha! I do that in my Tacoma too. They joys of manual transmissions!

[@marksmallman4572]

what, could you translate that to uk english please.

[@CanyonChasers]

@@marksmallman4572 Floating gear changes is when you put the engine at a neutral throttle position, so you can move between gears without having to use the clutch. It's ultra-smooth, but requires a delicate hand. Highly entertaining!

[@theaverageviewer6331]

I hope they put this on the Transalp I'd buy it straight away.

[@CanyonChasers]

Seriously! I totally agree!

[@guramguram6706]

This sounds amazing and if this becomes industry standart then that cluth lever will be redundant and maybe back brake can move up there?....

[@CanyonChasers]

What I loved about this is the clutch lever is still there when you need it. There are a lot of situations on a motorcycle where I want to slip the clutch for more precision.

[@dddon513]

If and when it breaks or malfunctions, the base functionality of the clutch and gear box remains unaffected? I would hope. Like with a qs. It can be off or broken without making the tranny unusble.

[@velcrofishsticks6002]

They're separate systems that can control the same thing. You can completely ignore the E clutch and shift manually

[@CanyonChasers]

Correct. If it fails, or turns off, it's just a normal clutch. I suppose the motor could die with the clutch open... But it's default position is would have the bike working like normal.

[@robpizz]

Did you ever find yourself still blipping the throttle manually on downshifts? Or was that really necessary...

[@CanyonChasers]

Not too badly. I ride a lot of bike with auto-blipping downshift quickshifters so it was pretty easy to adapt.

[@avothfis]

It provides options to manual or assisted shift. Best of 2 worlds. But it seems we might lose some shifting skills if we depend on it too much maybe?

[@CanyonChasers]

That’s a real possibility. I got home and kept stalling my bike. But at least this isn’t a system where you don’t have a choice.

[@robpizz]

As a novice group track rider at best, my biggest weakness is the combination of braking/blipping/downshifting using the clutch heading into the usual hairpin turn one on most tracks. Everyone easily passes me on the brakes before the turn in spot, mainly due to my anxiety of braking and coordinating the clutch. Would this e-clutch help me greatly be eliminating one thing to think about there? My current bike is a zzr600 not even a slipper clutch there. Blipping ughh lol.

[@CanyonChasers]

The e-clutch is great for that! It really eliminates the need for a lot of thought about the clutch lever. And keep in mind, that every single racer, and about 99.898% of track riders are running quick-shifters for that very reason! What I loved about the e-clutch is how much better it performed in more normal/real-world riding scenarios than a quickshfiter. So its a quickshifter, but better!

[@Tracer9GTRider8]

I think this is a fantastic innovation!

[@CanyonChasers]

I agree

[@Tracer9GTRider8]

@@CanyonChasers btw, watch your mail...sending something your way as a token of appreciation for your vids. I hope the PO box is still active!

[@jamescampolo7824]

What happens if you have a problem with your left foot i.e. arthritis or something. Don't you still have to shift an e-clutch? I like my DCT because I don't need to use my left hand or foot.

[@CanyonChasers]

Yes, you still need to move the shift lever.

[@michaelhord]

He's riding on my track. Suches to Wolf Pen, Russell B parkway, back around 129 to Neels gap and back down, and back to Dahlonega which should be pronounced Dal a NAY Ga like Talledegga.

[@CanyonChasers]

Awesome track. I loved it!!

[@jasonpatterson2143]

It's just a better Quick Shifter and I won't ever buy another bike without one. On a track day you use the clutch once when you leave the pits, then it's all quick shifter. I love the DCT in my R8, I would love to see Ducati do a DCT version on a bike.

[@CanyonChasers]

Exactly!! That’s the brilliance of this. Yes. It’s new rider friendly. But it’s also great fun for experienced riders alike.

[@JoelBirdie]

Would like to try it out! Btw if you want to experience more powerful smooth inline 4 with an element of fun while shifting, just ride cb900c or cb1000c customs 😁👌

[@CanyonChasers]

Yesss! I've not had the opportunity to ride either of them. I've only been on i4 superbikes. Nekkid bikes with mandlebars are such a good time!

[@michaelvachon1334]

Not for me. Part of the enjoyment of cycling (personally) is being totally engaged with the machine. While I've not tried a Honda E-Clutch bike, I have done test rides on the DCT Gold Wing. I really dislike the fact that a control module is making gear selections for me. I had one experience where I expected the unit to down-shift, but instead it up-shifted! This totally threw off my balance and line of attack in a curve! This E-Clutch/DCT 'technology' also adds yet another layer of electro-mechanical complexity to the machine (in simple terms - more sh*t to break!). Similar to the increasing 'safety' tech being thrown into cars/trucks these days; much of this is only making drivers less aware and less accountable for their actions on the road. My view is that making things easier isn't necessarily better. Being fully involved in all aspects of the motorcycle while enjoying the ride is just where I want to be. Do I really need to shift .02 seconds faster (yeah, I made that number up just to illustrate this point)? Perhaps if I was on a race track, but that's not where I ride...

[@CanyonChasers]

I would encourage you to not make that decision until you ride one. This is nothing like DCT, becaue I agree, I have no love of DCT. But this is more like a really, really good quickshifter. Which, if anything, makes you feel more connected to the bike because its quicker to respond to my inputs.

[@doughoffman9463]

With E-Clutch YOU still control when/if a shift occurs and which gear is selected. The E-Clutch cannot do these things for you. The E-Clutch simply removes the need to disengage the clutch with the left hand--- ever. Even while stopped and in gear. Even when accelerating away from being fully stopped (and in gear). Don't confuse E-Clutch with DCT: two totally different animals.

[@Ryan-mv5wi]

The cb650 might be the best comuter bike now

[@DjChronokun]

it seems great, but just one thing creeps me out about it: the fact that you can be stopped, in gear, without the clutch lever pulled in, and the only thing keeping you from moving is the e-clutch inferring from your closed throttle that you don't want it to disengage the clutch, but if you rev it, then it will, and you will start moving something about that is just too 'semi-automatic', having a manual clutch, not a DCT, not a centrifugal clutch, a manual clutch that you'd normally use to stop or control power at low speeds, but it's being overridden by automation, but then (if I understand correctly), if you use the clutch manually, it disengages that automation, and behaves like a manual clutch, so the behavior just switches what can be the 'expected behavior' if the behavior switches back and forth automatically like that?

[@wobblysauce]

There is no need to rev when stopped.

[@CanyonChasers]

It’s super intuitive. If you want to rev, squeeze the clutch or slip it into neutral. You can even slip it into neutral with the clutch out if you wanted. It’ll switch back to e clutch mode automatically within 2 seconds if you are moving or 5 seconds if you are stopped. But it’s so intuitive I never really thought about it.

[@wobblysauce]

@@CanyonChasers Indeed, Quick shifter with a Rekluse clutch, gave it the smarts, this is like the best of all of them.

[@Highway9mm]

Now can we see how fun eclutch would be on a cbr600rr

[@Samuel10463]

I think you missed important moment - if I want to feather the clutch while in e-clutch mode, can I just grub clutch lever and do it, and then after I'm done release the lever and bike will go back into e-clutch mode by itself? Can I feather the clutch while in e-clutch mode?

[@CanyonChasers]

Yes. You totally can. If you use the clutch it automatically disengages. If you don’t use the clutch it automatically engages. It’s crazy. It’s never in the way.

[@hawaiielite]

Are clutch up wheelies still possible?

[@CanyonChasers]

Yes. There's a five second delay from when you intervene with the clutch - or you can just turn the system off.

[@zeplin4078]

Great video, thanks for sharing. Speedy Gonzales 😂

[@CanyonChasers]

Mrs CanyonChasers wants to make me a shirt thats says "I'm Gone Gone". Haha!

[@ApexRadius]

I also have to ask, though, does using the clutch add significant mental load for most experienced riders? It's so second-nature that I don't ever consciously think about it. It's automatic. I do have to consciously think about using the quickshifter, though. I have to remind myself not to use the clutch.

[@CanyonChasers]

It’s really easy to stop using it. But I could never stop myself from squeezing the clutch when I came to a stop.

[@RuiOMartins]

I'd just like to make a statement here: the scooter has a clutch! A specific type of clutch, centrifugal in the particular case. 😁😁

[@CanyonChasers]

Yes sir. You are absolutely correct.

[@I_am_archie]

I've been doing it wrong. Haven't been blipping. 😮

[@CanyonChasers]

Not necessarily. But blipping is fun (although it takes a while to get good at it)

[@I_am_archie]

@@CanyonChasers I'll gonna try it with my Vision. 🤠

[@WJRobbins125]

That is my part of the world...welcome to no shoulder off the side of a hill into trees world. ;) My takeaway then, a more intelligent adaptable quickshift?

[@CanyonChasers]

Yes. That’s well summarized. And you guys get to ride in the shade. Out here we have no shoulder and then rocks and cliffs.

[@WJRobbins125]

@@CanyonChasers Perhaps we do one of those house swaps one year...you can enjoy the shade and I can enjoy not putting on a wet helmet when I stop after riding a few hours. :) UT was beautiful too so there's that. :)

[@oldhead_]

I don’t like that there is not an option to Not have the e clutch though…should be an option..well explained though and appreciate it

[@CanyonChasers]

If you ride one, you'll likely feel differently. It doesn't add any cost to the price of the bike, but it add's a lot of fun! I couldn't really come up with any meaningful negative about the system. Maybe the extra few lbs, but that's pretty insignificant.

[@bigcornel9302]

Does it mean DCT days are numbered?

[@CanyonChasers]

I doubt it. All the Honda models that offer DCT out sell the standard model. Except for the Africa Twin.

[@jameshisself7375]

Sadly I caught the Meghan Trainor reference. If any of you see me out riding, please just kill me. How does it handle 3-4 quick downshifts under hard braking on corner entry? As in is it manageable with a little back end slip? If you are at a stop, clutch out first gear. Does it just take off if you gas it? Something like a centrifugal clutch? It seems great for the new rider or for someone with left hand limitations. But I have other bikes and relying on this for one and not the other would be a headache. Which means even on this bike I would still use the clutch out of habit and for consistency. Which makes the feature dead weight for me.

[@CanyonChasers]

I did that several times in the video. I'd bang three and four downshifts into a corner. No drama. I couldn't unsettle the bike. If you are at a stop, in first gear, with the clutch out. It'll sit there until you roll on the throttle, then it'll slip the clutch for you. When I got home, I stalled my personal bike several times. So yeah, thats a very good point. No treble! haha!

[@Viewer123-tn9ow]

So you CAN downshift with the throttle open, do you know how difficult it is to get a straight answer out of "Moto tubers" who've "reviewed" this bike

[@CanyonChasers]

Yes. It was the best part about how it works. I started doing it when I didn’t need to just because it was so fun.

[@exothermal.sprocket]

If the question has to be asked (gimmick or game-changer), then it's not a game-changer.

[@albay5348]

java motors had this technology 50 years ago

[@MrTeamspeedy]

I think it's a tool, but I'm worried it's going to put so many MSF coaches out of work due to the whole difficulty in riding a motorcycle is the clutch and throttle control. Definitely dumbs down the sport, but I'm also a strictly manual only kind of automotive enthusiast too so I'm biased to things that cause people to be less aware of there surroundings and zone out. I don't see a reason for it on any sport bikes. Cruisers and commuting bikes? Sure.

[@CanyonChasers]

I thought of it like this... Whats more important? Working a clutch or making it to the exit of a blind corner? Or stopping in time when a car pulls out in front of you? If we took the time trying to explain the clutch and focused on those skills instead, I suspect it would ultimately help riders make it through those first few years.

[@chadneil1888]

What track is this?

[@CanyonChasers]

It was Atlanta Motorsports Park - Not Road Atlanta.

[@palamidagheo4520]

once you learned to use the clutch you don't think about it anymore, it became automatic. e clutch is a good system for beginners. but once you learned you don't need it. it is a game changer for beginners and a gimmick after that period

[@nickhellen6303]

Love your style and even though that was a “mini review “, I thought it was great. As I think I understand it, you can actually turn it off. If so, then there should be nothing for the ‘purists’ to gnash their teeth and wail about. Should they complain about a 2 or 3 kg weight increase, just ask them how much has their sprung or unsprung mass increased. It seems like an automatic car with the manual “flappy paddles” on the steering wheel.

[@CanyonChasers]

I wish I’d had more time with the bike. But what would you liked to have seen? When I read/watch reviews the thing I want to know about more than anything else is “what is it like to ride?” The specs and features are listed on the manufacturers website.

[@camilo94011500042]

I love my CB650R its such a pleasure to ride. Honestly the gearbox is so easy you dont really need a quickshifter let alone an e clutch to clutchless shift.

[@CanyonChasers]

That’s a very reasonable point. The transmission is already really good.

[@jeffsappington9704]

Remember kickstarters?

[@CanyonChasers]

I do! Ever ride an old Bultaco. If you kicked it wrong, the engine would actually run backwards.

[@cmii9966]

Honda, please put the e-clutch on the 2025 Goldwing. DCT is boring to me

[@CanyonChasers]

I'd love to see it on a lot of bikes!

[@Samuel10463]

I thought that Honda Monkey uses this technology for a few years now?

[@CanyonChasers]

I got to test the Grom and Monkey a few months ago. They are normal, old fashioned clutches. Some of the four wheelers have DCTs. Where there are always two gears engaged.

[@Samuel10463]

@@CanyonChasers Then it was Honda Cub. I remember on e of them had this clutch thing...

[@iNFiN3]

They need to find a better place for it, just sticks to much out for me, but I agree that its a good alternative for people to get.

[@CanyonChasers]

It's brand new tech, right? I kept thinking if this is gen1, what will Gen2 look/feel like?

[@iNFiN3]

@@CanyonChasers Well see, it seems like something that could be retrofitted on models later on like you said, but people also rave about the new MT09 quickshifter that its realy good in slow speed shifting and can also be used with open throttle on downshifts, and thats all just software, but the major brands are working on their automatic solutions, so will be interesting to see next year what BMW, KTM and Yamaha come out with, well this year, probably at EICMA.

[@CanyonChasers]

@@iNFiN3 To be honest. I'd much rather have this than a full automatic. This was really nice in the limited traffic we were stuck in. Very real world.

[@davidreed9217]

The E-Clutch really looks like a major advance in the Bike World, it's so common sense. Honda will be fitting it to all new bikes as an option now?, well no, the new CB 1000 Hornet has a standard Quick Shifter option no E-Clutch, very disappointing, I thought the 1000 SP with an E-Clutch would have been a winner.

[@malarona]

Its a technology..... sooner or later we will hv to face it....clutch will be long gone😂😂😂😂

[@CanyonChasers]

The electric revolution is coming. We gotta enjoy these clutches while we can.

[@ApexRadius]

It's awfully clever and possibly more useful to experienced riders who commute or who have an injury/condition that limits their ability to ride. It just gives you the option to use the clutch when you want to. Not as sure it's so great for new riders, though, if it becomes an e-crutch. Learning fine clutch control is really valuable.

[@CanyonChasers]

What I thought was great about this is it allows a new rider to figure out the clutch in a very forgiving way. For a lot of the new riders I coach, a motorcycle is the first manual transmission they’ve ever seen. So there is a lot of confusion about when it’s needed.

[@ricardo6861]

It looks horrendous on the side of the engine imo

[@T0n189]

9:20 , and also 10:44 This is what's wrong with this transmission in this particular bike. The bike has not rbw, so in downshift it doesn't blip the throttle, you are a smart and experienced driver, but it's crazy you needed to blip the throttle on this transmission to smooth the downshifts. I mean, came on Honda, put this system on a bike equipped with rbw and show the full potential instead of a bike where Honda didn't want to invest money and left it with a cable operated throttle....

[@CanyonChasers]

I didn't need to blip to smooth the downshifts. I kept falling back into muscle memory. It was glassy smooth, with and without blipping on downshift. In fact, I could not unsettle the bike, even banging out three downshifts at a time into a corner.

[@jeffgarner3903]

Keep singing

[@CanyonChasers]

Haha. Thanks.

[@rafaellastracom6411]

It will prove to be a bridge too far. Motorcycles are not for everyone. I am not trying to be a snob about it but this is a point that needs to be stressed. There are people who simply do not have the coordination nor the dexterity required to ride a motorcycle safely. This technology will not be too big of a problem here in Europe as the A2 program does not allow you to pass the test with such a transmission, it has to be done with traditional controls and for good reason. I remember taking my A2 test and meeting people who where on their 15th+ test and still failing. After seeing them take the test on the course it was obvious why, they simply did not have what it takes. This technology will be an issue in the US where there is no testing requirement. It will enable people who do not have what it takes to take the plunge and get a motorcycle to then realize they have serious deficiencies in other areas like being able to take a turn safely or brake correctly. Don´t get me wrong, if you already know how to ride a motorcycle this tech is awesome but for noobes it will prove to be a dangerous gateway.

[@velcrofishsticks6002]

How about instead of gatekeeping people from riding you get them a better training program. If people were on their 15th test and failing then that's a complete failure of their instructor and any program they went through. Also, DCT exists so this isn't a gateway for dangerous new riders, that make believe ship already set sail.

[@gojim_]

I hate gatekeepers so much man. Honestly the worst people in any hobby

[@rafaellastracom6411]

@@gojim_ You want to talk about it champ?

[@gojim_]

@@rafaellastracom6411 lmaaaooo resulting to insulting because other people are finding about your treasured hobby and enjoying it hahaha stay sad dude

[@icyGrip666]

Considering how you praticly can't get a new sports car without the flappy paddles now, I don't want this. That being said if you comute or have a disability I understand.

[@CanyonChasers]

You shouldn’t say that until you ride it. For an experienced rider it’s more like a really good quick shifter.

[@maciejgajda1492]

E-Clutch... so why we learn to ride motorcycles? Save E clutch for commuters, scooters and other stuff. If you can't learn using clutch do not ride motorcycle buy a scooter... It looks awfull sticking out ... I would like to have option not to have it at all Honda in 2024 mount it in every CBR650R that why i consider other bikes to buy. I don't need fast sport bike(like 600RR), just middleweight is enough. I drive motorcycles since a was kid a lot of them... Now I'm 47 don't need speed just to have a good looking bike around 100HP. It is just my opinion oposite to every wooow on this thing...

[@ariesmarsexpress]

I had to have a manual transmissions when I was younger because they were cheap. I am not doing manual anything if I don't have to. People who think using a manual shift car or bike is somehow better, are masochistic. Manual shift bikes should have gone the way of the horse and buggy a long time ago.

[@CanyonChasers]

Seriously. When I was a kid, automatic transmissions were for rich people. You paid extra for them. Now it's the other way around. You pay more for a manual transmission because more folks want the convienence of the automatic.

[@yygffgg]

Yeah.. that was the good ole days! You could push off, jump in & pop that clutch and be off down the road. We had so much fun with them manuals… after the learning curve and our dad bringing us to the steepest blacktop road to learn. Some things will never be as simple or fun as it once was.

[@888jackflash]

Hm. Complexity.. (and cost)... for WHAT, again? My bikes shift beautifully without Short Bus aids. Not sold.