Honda CBR650R E Clutch " Is DCT Dead"

THIS IS DEFINATLEY THE FUTURE, A MIX OF AUTO AND MANUAL
RIDE ONE TELL ME I'M WRONG, BUT WHAT ABOUT DCT

[@AWSmoto]

Great video no one seems to be reviewing this new system. I had 22 Nc750x dct but changed it for a NT1100 with quick shifter. This system on a NT would be brilliant. Thanks for sharing

[@MicroVenetian]

Just ordered a CB650R with E-Clutch can’t wait to ride it. I’ve heard it’s like having a quick shifter but better I’m sold already but this video has sealed the deal. Looks like a lot of fun I’m really looking forward to mine coming

[@birchwoodbiker]

you love it the bike is brilliant and that eclutch makes it an all rounder, slow traffic and pulling away is amazing, enjoy ride safe

[@antoniom4016]

I've seen a few reviews on this e-clutch, but your happiness & excitement about it has sold me on it big time! I can see a big smile on your face 👍🏾👌🏾.

[@birchwoodbiker]

Antonio you love it, best of both worlds👍👍👍

[@whammo11224]

Hours of watching technical videos didn't explain it as well as you did! I'm sold!

[@birchwoodbiker]

Go and ride one it's amazing how quick you can adapt between clutch and e clutch👍👍👍

[@garykeighley712]

What a bike you got me so excited watching it reminds me of how I use to feel when I owned my brand new VFR vTEC in red back in the day the ride quality and the look of it was amazing, then got into big tourer’s and lost that light flickable feeling , you’ve got me thinking 🤔 at 61 can I still ride like that 😁

[@birchwoodbiker]

us oldies are minds going back like yesterday, but our bodies do something completely different, the final vid and ride was amazing, worth the stiff knock and back aik 🍻🍻🤣

[@dougmaverick3287]

I'm so glad you mentioned that with the CBR 650r you're leaning forward and you can feel it because that's not for me, I think I might be much better off with just the cb650r I plan on going for long rides so I'd rather have a more comfortable seating position and ergonomics.

[@birchwoodbiker]

The CB650r would be the one for me there great bike👍👍👍

[@simonlye007]

Good review Paul, enjoyed it as much as you enjoyed the ride. No doubt Honda will offer the e-clutch on more upright models soon.

[@birchwoodbiker]

Yes I can see that on a number of bikes, but it's also how each of the bikes deal with it, it's magic, but Im still swade to the DCT👍👍👍

[@stephanematis]

At 14, my first bike was a Honda CT70 and the clutch-less behaviour was excellent. When I "graduated" to bigger bikes, I was befuddled why anyone wanted a clutch per-se. I feel like 40 years later we are back to "why clutch ?" I guess I was spoiled in childhood :)

[@birchwoodbiker]

I had the c70 just popinto gear and twist, I suppose it stays with you👍👍👍

[@konstantinoskoul3984]

Hey man great vid!! I'm on the wait for mine to arrive ~1.5month to get to me :/ Trying to find some bobbins(falling protection or something) to prepare but can't seem to find something to fit with the e-clutch. You got any ideas?! Can't w8 for your next on the twisties :) Enjoy!

[@birchwoodbiker]

You have a smile all day, when you hit 12k and above it's a beast the engine noise changes, R&G Racing or sportsbike shop, or even better ask the dealer, Ride safe but have FUN👍👍👍

[@dodgerboe]

Sounds like it's the same as the Mv Agusta SCS system they've had out for years now... very smooth and responsive on the Turismo Tourer and Brutale Street bikes I road, giving a race like exhaust blip up & down on the quick shifter when in sports mode was brilliant.

[@birchwoodbiker]

I'll have to have a read but it's exceptional tech

[@SOLOMOTOUK]

Definitely different that is BB 👍🏍️

[@birchwoodbiker]

Derek go and ride one UNTRUE👍

[@birchwoodbiker]

Derek go and ride one UNTRUE👍

[@SOLOMOTOUK]

@@birchwoodbiker our Honda shut down only 1/2 mile away it was now my nearest is Stratford upon Avon about 25 miles away be honest with you don’t know why they opened up a Honda shop in Coventry again the 1st one didn’t do very good and closed down 👍🏍️

[@Rinkydink73274]

First vid I've seen on the E clutch..👍

[@birchwoodbiker]

It's honestly fantastic👍👍👍

[@alfiealfie2083]

DCT owner here, though this is very convenient and innovative technology once again from Honda. But i just doubt it will replace nor kill DCT. This is still a full manual transmission which means triggering the gear lever by foot. They say BMW has a similar technology to be released soon with electronic/gear lever by wire....maybe lots of motorcycle riders cant get off from the foot lever feel. DCT though has the advantage of full auto if needed for more convenient riding comfort.

[@birchwoodbiker]

Sorry missed you comment, your right with the DCT, the NC is much better and more torque at lower speed, but in fairnes as soon as your in e-clutch mode it very much like the dct, only difference it doesn't change gear, I'm intrested in BMW new system I would say that is closer👍👍👍

[@Kevin97587]

I would really like this e clutch on my transalp 750. I hope they make it available as an option in the future for existing models

[@birchwoodbiker]

I was thinking on the NC and the Hornet it's Brilliant👍👍👍

[@marksimpson5218]

I don’t know about existing models, but I bet they fit it to most new machines.

[@antoniom4016]

Does anyone knows if or when will honda brings this to USA market?

[@davidreed9217]

Great review, I love comments by a real punter, I've read some reviews by the "Experts" and they can be biased for or against certain manufacturers so you don't know what to believe. You have put your hand in your pocket and bought a DCT bike but admitted the E-Clutch is even better. I understand as the bike doesn't have Ride By Wire it doesn't have autoblipper, that would have been the icing on the cake. It's a shame Honda didn't bring this out for the CB750 Hornet, it would have killed the opposition.👍

[@birchwoodbiker]

I'll be suprised if it doesn't end up on the likes of the Hornet, and the ICING on the cake is the price, to fit a quick shift and the blipper, would probably be in excess of £400 it's £100, and it's better than any quick shifter I've ever used, just go and get a ride it will blow your mind, I still love the DCT, but that isn't even as smooth as the E Clutch UNTRUE👍👍👍

[@davidreed9217]

I can see Honda running with the E-Clutch when it gets accepted and building into the crankcase so it won't be seen, like DCT. As for the price, I think £100 is a loss leader to get as many sold as possible, then it gets added to the likes of the upcoming CB1000 Hornet.

[@birchwoodbiker]

@@davidreed9217 You could be right, It's £100 extra on brand new bikes, if they turn it into a accessory I recon it will be priced at the same as quick shifter's👍👍👍

[@antoniom4016]

Don't be surprised if honda introduces it to the Hornet or other model. I guess as a reputed brand they have to do the research and proceed with caution which model to try this system on, I assume.

[@thematlockbiker]

Just the video I was waiting for and looking forward to seeing A Honda E Clutch review by someone who, like me, owns and rides a NC750X DCT If they put this E Clutch on a Transalp it would decimate sales of the Africa Twin. They’re not daft, I don’t see them doing it. I can see them putting it on the NX500 though

[@birchwoodbiker]

I think it will just go on all the CB range, it would transform the manual NC, it's unbelievable tech

[@birchwoodbiker]

I've bought the cb650r naked to sit next to the NC call Youles get a test ride,

[@thematlockbiker]

Oh wow, congratulations I did look a couple of months ago whether I could equip the CB650R E Clutch for touring the same as my NC750X DCT. I’m happy to say it looked like it would

[@icedidi]

When they announced the eclutch I wanted one, sadly I don't think it will be retro fit to the transalp. Gj mate

[@birchwoodbiker]

I love the DCT but that e lunch is untrue, it will be on many more models within 5 years

[@davidsandilands1285]

@@birchwoodbikerIt’s a significant weight advantage over the DCT system, and less servicing

[@birchwoodbiker]

@@davidsandilands1285 and cost £100 but that is buying the bike from new, what it will be as accessory ????

[@jimporter]

DCT has a big advantage for me, no gear lever. I have drop foot and can’t use one so the DCT bikes are the only ones I can ride without modification to add a kliktronic unit with thumb selectors. Honda could go the extra mile and add an option for an electronic gear selector with up down buttons and it would be great.

[@birchwoodbiker]

Your right Jim, they are both great tech, I'm still more towards DCT, but it was brilliant knowing how that e clutch works, they probably would be able to do tiptronic, but doubt that will happen👍👍

[@MotoGoato]

Cracking system ... wont replace DCT just yet though as DCT is fully automatic and this E Clutch is only semi automatic.

[@birchwoodbiker]

Yes 100% I'm still leaning towards the DCT, I do think the E Clutch will wear out the clutch quicker, Honda actually say only move off in 1st gear, which we all know what we will do, great tech👍👍

[@dctdave.buttybach]

Hi Birchy, I agree with ya, chuck that on a Transalp or the new 2025 NC or a utilitarian motorcycle for the masses & Honda will sell millions of em! Riding right handed a lot of the time tells me it’s not for you in the riding position stakes 😉 E Clutch on the manual NC 😎 c’mon Honda get it sorted 😃 Ride Safe Ride NC DCT Dave & Butty Bach 🙂

[@birchwoodbiker]

Dave it's fantastic, it's not DCT it won't pre select the gears and won't be as fuel efficent or as quick from 0-30 but like you say this on the manual NC it would sell in droves👍👍👍

[@Nik-hm4bj]

if you put moto on the side is eclutch gearbox touch the ground ? cause it looks like pretty big box

[@birchwoodbiker]

Yes it petrudes a good inch, I don't know on the cb650r the handlebars may save it

[@Nik-hm4bj]

you can turn off eclutch for longtime, or its always start with eclutch on ?

[@tonycromby2704]

I feel like this is more confusing having the clutch level present, the DCT on the NC750 with no clutch lever is easier to use and you don't have to think is it on or off etc

[@birchwoodbiker]

Yes it is a mind tingler for the 1st 20 mins, but you adapt really quick, best is to get a ride then you know for sure👍👍👍

[@starkey75]

What's the e clutch levels like did you try them, what difference was it ?

[@birchwoodbiker]

There are 3 Hard medium soft, I have to ask Honda if this demo bike has the quick shift added as well as the e clutch BUT it's bloody AMAZING👍👍👍

[@starkey75]

@@birchwoodbiker I'm getting the naked cb650r, I nearly went for a dct, but I'd end up losing the clutch skill over time, so this is a winner,

[@davgb7904]

Naturally the DCT changes automatically in auto setting. What is the difference between this and the DCT in manual mode with the additional footshift kit, other than the advantage on the DCT (?) that you don't need to change down when coming to a halt? You still always need to execute a change on the e-clutch?

[@birchwoodbiker]

Hi Davgb the, I don't have the electronic foot shiter, but in manual the dct stays in what ever gear your in, but it changes up or down quicker with paddles, I wouldn't say it's smoother, the dct has to swap from one clutch set to a other in every change, and the clunk and feeling in manual seems a bit more present👍👍👍

[@theminacktheatre8454]

@@birchwoodbiker I had a 2018 DCT NC for a couple of years, and whilst I don't miss it being on a manual bike as much as I thought I would, the technology is fantastic (my car is DSG, same thing, and I'd never choose a manual cart again!). I had the foot shift kit mainly to stop my hand and foot twitching, and I could never find the paddles when I wanted, which was usually the very moment I wanted to concentrate on 'steering'. The foot shift makes the DCT the best quickshifter in the business...or perhaps, until now!? In manual the DCT, as you know, still drops down as you come to a halt, so even then is in the right gear if you haven't changed and stops in neautral. Sounds like you still have to downshift with the e-clutch? Not a big deal, just curious. Interesting your other video about the risk to the e-clutch unit (on the CB anyway) and being stranded if you damage gear lever - neither of which so likely on the DCT. It seems from your comment that the e-clutch is silky manual changes compared to the slightly clunky 'manual' downshifts with the DCT (agreed, it does click and clunk, although still seemless)..

[@birchwoodbiker]

@theminacktheatre8454 The DCT still has better lower grunt, but it is comparing with inline four, I still for me think DCT has it if your happy without clutch

[@davgb7904]

@@birchwoodbiker that' a good observation. I wonder how things would compare twin to twin - say an e-clutch NC - or four to four, with a DCT four. Many NC owners wish for DCT on other models (not really getting the positive aspects of the bike which don't always translate to others - for example I didn't get on with the NT. I'm seriously considering returning to an NC DCT, but it would have to accept the foot shift kit, pre-21 - which the later models don't apparently!

[@birchwoodbiker]

@davgb7904 I thought the electronic shift was available see you learn new things every day, Youles have ask me to ride the NT, love the looks but just to big for me to want to buy one👍👍👍

[@johna6968]

I could do with that whilst currently nursing my broken left wrist 😩

[@birchwoodbiker]

IF YOU HAD A BROKEN LEFT FOOT AS WELL THE DCT WOULD BE PERFECT 🤣🤣🤣👍👍

[@ianhalliwell8604]

Obviously it's not just the clutch you like it's the engine and the whole way the bike is built. Would you like this new system if it was on a NX500 or your 750, bikes that don't have such a powerful engine. You may like it even more or you may not.

[@birchwoodbiker]

It's an amazing bit of kit, and for me If honda can put it on all bikes, it would be a increase in sales for them, it no only helps if you have issue's with hands grip it frees you up, and if your comuting in heavy traffic, so yes I hope Honda don't just restrict it, I still love the DCT but a NC750x with this, I would be buying it with the savings in weight and money👍👍👍

[@malcolmpatton9314]

If you are pulling away in 3rd because you can all the e-clutch is doing is slipping the clutch which eventually will cause the clutch to wear out prematurely good technology but treat with respect otherwise is going to cost you down the track,less complicated than the dct as when that fails only a specialist at Honda will be able to fix it. My bike is the Honda cb500x and my car is a Toyota and it’s a manual. Driving a manual bike and car on a twisty road is wear I am happiest.

[@ThePresidentofMars]

So if i understand the difference an eclutch is for people that dont want to ir cant use their left hand but still like chnaging gear and the dct is pretty much just an automatic

[@birchwoodbiker]

Ah now you havent ridden iether 🤣🤣 primealary your on the right track, E Clutch which is in affect a quick shifter up and down, that allows you to ride without it, pull up in traffic not have to touch your clutch and won't stall, OR the lavy side the DCT it's got 6 gears no clutch lever, and you can use the paddles like gear change👍👍👍E Clutch £100, Quick Shifter £350, DCT £1000

[@ThePresidentofMars]

@@birchwoodbiker thx alot for clearing that up. Im still on my 125

[@peterwatson1637]

It should be on all on everything over 125cc hondas

[@birchwoodbiker]

it's brilliant

[@clivehale397]

Absolute witchcraft......like you say a game changer....😊😊😊

[@birchwoodbiker]

I hope Honda push this out it's fantastic, I still love DCT had a right night thinking about the differences👍👍👍

[@matthewbinnie6194]

Shame using the clutch lever disengages the e-clutch until you go back into neutral. If you accidentally pull the clutch lever you lose the e-clutch for a while, mind I suppose you could always take the lever off?

[@birchwoodbiker]

Yes and you do go for it esspecially going down the box, but after 3 rides on it it starts to come naturally👍👍👍

[@thematlockbiker]

@matthewbinnie6194 I was thinking the same about removing the lever. I’m coming up 72 yrs old and suffer arthritis in both hands, worse in my left. I still tour in tents and hostels. I’ve added a “ledge” to my NC750X DCT to replace the lever so I have somewhere to rest my fingers - so for me I’d leave it on

[@matthewbinnie6194]

@@thematlockbiker perhaps one could disconnect the clutch cable. I too ride a dct because of my left hand.

[@ProphetAndLoss]

Should the title be 650, not 600?

[@birchwoodbiker]

Thank you never even noticed🤭

[@birchwoodbiker]

THANKS I HAVE CORRECTED IT

[@justanadventurebiker]

How is the eclutch on Hill starts

[@birchwoodbiker]

No issue, if you jump to near the end of my last video on it, i pull away in 6th gear uphill UNTRUE, get a test ride 👍👍👍

[@marktintinger7492]

Thats an expensive chunk of tech to take off in a bike spill.😮Protrudes a bit too much for my liking.

[@birchwoodbiker]

It's only £100 fitted new But your 100% HOW MUCH IF YOU HAVE TO REPLACE IT💰💰💰

[@kevinf-b5065]

If you're going to ask someone questions at least mike them up!

[@birchwoodbiker]

Soz Kevin must start using the wireless mics

[@davidoram3423]

But it's not automatic!

[@birchwoodbiker]

i KNOW I DIDN'T SAY IT WAS, IT'S A VERY UPDATED QUICK SHIFT SYSTEM THAT ENGAGES THE CLUTCH WITHOUT THE RIDER👍

[@125ZJK]

Sir you made some very very bold statements about the e-clutch. I'm now intreauged. 😊 Great video, thanks

[@birchwoodbiker]

David I did mean it's like a DCT Appologies I did through Glazebrook say DCT, but ride one untrue🤕🤕🤣

[@koshtie]

5 Years to develop 2 seconds to know it's not for me ? more to go wrong, i will stick with a manual ? if i don't want to change gears i will get a scooter , that's just my opinion & i know a lot will like it.

[@birchwoodbiker]

Totally with you, it's not going to be for younger and die hard rider's, and your pretty right will it break, I don't think there will be many issue's Honda would of done there work, and the bikes would of been ridden harder than me or you could ever ride them, I do think they will burn through clutches quick, even more than the dct🤔👍👍👍What do you ride

[@jimporter]

You’re still changing gear on this just not using a clutch.

[@antoniom4016]

By the comments I can see some people is scared of new technology/changes. I see this as a brilliant idea. I see e-clutch as a combination of auto-manual. The first car I owned was stick shift. I live in Boston Mass, crazy traffic during rush hour made me switch to automatic. I do miss manual transmission, only if I could own two vehicles. I might buy a CB650R e-clutch very soon. Great job, honda. I hope honda brings it to the USA and adds the option on CBR1000 naked.🙏🏾👍🏾👌🏾

[@connor3288]

Still has clutch cable. You should sell your motorcycle and ride a bicycle or walk, less to go wrong...

[@koshtie]

@@connor3288 If i want to hear from an Arsehole i can Fart, But thanks for your advise ? Well done.....

[@damon1957ful]

Just one question WHY !!!!!!its not needed.

[@birchwoodbiker]

well me being an older guy said the same about fuel injection when most of my bikes in 80s 90s 2k were carburettor, technology embrace it don't fight it 😂😂😂🍻👍

[@SandyToesDetecting]

i cant hear the mechanics voice, so non the wiser.

[@birchwoodbiker]

Sorry, if you got headset on it's a bit better, the software I used has made it bad SORRY