New 2026 Honda Motorcycles: E-clutch End of Manual Shifting?!?

Mar 2, 2026 Michael Le Pard 2026 Motorcycle Models, News, What’s New
New 2026 Honda Motorcycles: E-clutch End of Manual Shifting?!?

Published Mar 2, 2026 by Michael Le Pard

New 2026 Honda Motorcycles: E-clutch End of Manual Shifting?!?

In yet another move away from what consumers want and ask for, Honda has released 15 new models with leverless shifting for 2026. At least the models are fun and exciting with lots of new CB, CBR and if you can believe it “affordable” Gold Wings! New 2026 Honda Motorcycles: E-clutch End of Manual Shifting?!? Some models are now unfortunately available as only as e-clutch now, is your favorite model listed?

Colin Miller, Manager of Public Relations at American Honda doesn’t seem to be able to read the room as he stated “Honda’s E-Clutch system represents a major step forward in motorcycle technology, offering riders the freedom to enjoy seamless shifting without sacrificing engagement or performance.” Unfortunately, that’s not entirely true. Clutchless shifting removing a very critical and important engagement point to what a motorcycle truly is. While scooters have offered for a very long time automatic type transmissions, riders have turned to motorcycles for more engagement and e-clutch technology destroys that experience. It’s like removing the sound, vibration and smell of a motorcycle (oh wait, Honda is trying to do that too).

And if you are ok with buying one consider TMW’s warning: if you care about selling your motorcycle on afterwards you’ll find a much smaller pool of buyers. That may hurt your resale value. Honda has just announced MSRP reductions include $1,000 on the CB500 Hornet and CBR500R, $700 on the CB650R E-Clutch and CBR650R E-Clutch and $650 on the CB300R. In addition, the NX500 gets a $500 price reduction. That gives you the idea right here that there models need that extra little shove out the door as they sit on the showroom floor. Dealers are forced to order models that are slow sellers and I feel sorry for them if they get many of these e-Clutch bikes in.

In the end, riders don’t want LESS engagement, MORE intrusive technology and HIGHER prices for things they are being forced to buy by companies that are increasingly out of touch with buyers, like Honda.

I’ve been reviewing motorcycles for over 3 decades and I’ll give Honda the heads up on how to fix this. It’s: riders don’t want MORE engagement, LESS intrusive technology and LOWER prices. And while we are at it, scrap the EV bikes, 97.8% of polled readers are adverse to those. Even a Honda Monkey would agree on that one.

We, as motorcyclists, are already in a world where sales are hurting, pricing climbing and new riders are fewer. Motorcycle’s for Honda may not be a important part of their company, but please Colin Miller engage actual riders and ask them what they want, and it isn’t this. Call me, I can help.

With that out of the way, they are cool looking bikes and are worth a look:

 

New 2026 Honda Motorcycles: E-clutch End of Manual Shifting?!?

 

Supersport

 

 

Sport/Standard

 

 

Touring

 

 

Cruiser

 

New 2026 Honda Motorcycles: E-clutch End of Manual Shifting?!?

Adventure

 

 

Electric

 

 

MiniMOTO

 

 

Dual Sport

 

 

Scooters

 

 

Trail

 

Competition

 

New 2026 Honda Motorcycles: E-clutch End of Manual Shifting?!?

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