If you’ve ever grumbled about “automatic” motorcycles, you’re not alone. For a lot of riders, pulling a clutch and nailing shifts is part of what makes riding feel like riding. Take that away and it can start to feel like you’re just steering a scooter. But Honda’s E-Clutch lands in this weird middle ground that actually works for both purists and the rest of us.
Here’s the gist. With E-Clutch there’s still a real clutch and a real lever. You can use it whenever you want. Hard launches, slow crawling, clutch-up wheelies, or just feeling connected to the machine, it’s all still there. The system just handles the clutch when you don’t want to bother. Shift with your foot, and E-Clutch takes care of engagement and rev matching. No stalling. No left-hand workout. That’s why it feels way less wimpy than a true automatic gearbox, or (gasp) a scooter-esque CVT setup.
The difference becomes even clearer when we compare it to other tech like Yamaha’s AMT or BMW’s automatic systems. Those get rid of the clutch lever entirely and let the bike make more of the decisions. Cool if you want ease, but it’s more of a philosophical shift (pun intended). Honda’s approach keeps you in control first, and that’s why a lot of traditionalists are willing to give it a fair shake.
That said, automatic bikes absolutely have a place. They make riding easier for beginners and commuters, especially in stop-and-go traffic. If letting someone skip clutch work gets more people onto two wheels, that’s good for the sport. Riding should be accessible, not intimidating, and we've never been ones to gate keep.
This is where one of Honda's most enjoyable street bikes, the 2026 Honda CB750 Hornet, enters the picture. It’s been getting great buzz in the US and in Europe because it nails that middleweight naked bike vibe: strong but manageable power, sharp handling, and modern tech without being too complex. It's a wheelie machine, a canyon carver, and a capable daily ride. And for 2026 Honda decided to add the E-Clutch to the package, and on a bike like this it actually makes sense.
And because the Hornet uses throttle-by-wire, the E-Clutch system does more than just open and close the clutch. It smooths shifts by adjusting ignition and fuel while it times clutch engagement. On downshifts it will automatically blip the throttle so revs match. You can even pick how the shift feels: soft, medium, or hard. It also works with ride modes so Sport lets it be lively and Rain keeps things mellow.
And if you grab the clutch lever manually, E-Clutch steps out of the way almost instantly. You’re back in full manual mode with zero penalty. That flexibility is exactly what makes this iteration interesting. You get convenience without surrendering control to a computer.
So is E-Clutch the perfect gearbox solution? For strict purists maybe not. But of all the “automated” tech out there, this is the one that's the least like a compromise. You keep the mechanical connection when you want it, and you get help when you don’t. That’s a combination plenty of riders, even the skeptical ones, can live with, especially on a bike as fun as the Hornet.
Source: Honda
