Honda adds electronic clutch to Rebel 250
By Ben Purvis
Semi-automatic transmissions are a fast-growing trend, with Japanese, Chinese and European manufacturers all jumping on the user-friendly tech - but Honda is both a pioneer and an outlier in the field, is taking its own distinct direction.
The company's complex Dual Clutch Transmission, in production for more than 15 years in a variety of different models, was well ahead of the trend towards semi-auto solutionsand remains a leader in the technology, offering genuinely seamless shifting thanks to the two clutches. However, the development of quickshifters and simpler, cheaper and lighter automated manual transmissions like BMW's 'ASA' (Automated Shift Assistant) and Yamaha's Y-AMT (Yamaha Automated Manual Transmission) has led to recent growth in the field.
Honda's response is the E-Clutch, initially launched on the CB650R and CBR650R, which automates the operation of the clutch during starts, stops and gearchanges, while retaining the standard clutch lever for riders who'd prefer to have complete control themselves. While not able to offer a fully-automatic mode, the E-Clutch is far cheaper than other automated manuals and offers many of the same benefits. Since the technology is largely incorporated into a small unit, attached to the clutch cover, it's simple for Honda to adapt it to almost any conventional bike in its range.
The Japanese market Rebel 250 cruiser has become the second platform to get the E-Clutch option, and while currently only offered in Honda's home market at this stage, its engine shares most of its parts with the global Rebel 300, as well as machines like the CRF300L, CRF300 Rally, and CB300R. That means the E-Clutch components used on the 2025 Rebel 250 should be directly compatible with those machines, opening the door to a host of new models with the technology in the near future.
Unlike DCT, which adds around 11 kg of weight to every bike fitted with the system and requires a completely different set of gearbox internals, the E-Clutch uses a standard gearbox and the electronic actuator and control computer for the system adds only 3 kg to the weight of the Rebel 250.
