2024 Honda CBR650R and CB650R Announced for US with E-Clutch Standard

Yes, that’s right, the 2024 CB650R and CBR650R will only be available in the U.S. with an automatic clutch, whereas other markets are offering it as an option. This marks the first example of this latest generation of electronic clutches as standard equipment on a model for the U.S. market. We recently covered the technology, including Honda’s version of it, here, but here’s a quick overview.

The system consists of an actuator unit with two motors that operate the clutch, automatically disengaging and engaging it as required for shifting gears. The electronics take into account the vehicle speed, throttle position, engine speed, clutch-motor reduction gear angle, engine countershaft speed, gear position and pressure applied to the shift pedal when controlling the clutch. The engine’s ignition timing and fuel injection are also electronically controlled to offer smooth shifting.

Unlike competing automatic clutches from other manufacturers, Honda opted not to offer automatic shifting, leaving gear changes entirely up to the rider using a traditional foot lever. Honda claims its E-Clutch offers “ultra-fast, consistent gear changes”. The system also automatically controls the clutch when coming to a stop or pulling away, preventing the engine from stalling.

Honda also left a cable-actuated clutch lever intact on the left handlebar, allowing riders to override the automatic clutch for full manual control at any time. The E-Clutch will automatically reactivate either when the engine reaches a preset rpm, or after 5 seconds at low revs. Riders can also fully disable E-Clutch completely.

In addition to turning it off, riders can also set the level of force required on the shift pedal to make a gear change. Both upshifts and downshifts can be independently set to either HARD, MEDIUM, or SOFT.

Apart from the actuator unit, the engine and transmission of the CBR650R and CB650R are unchanged from last year’s models. Both models continue to share a 649cc DOHC 16-valve Inline-Four, with a wet multiplate assist/slipper clutch, and six-speed gearbox. Honda Selectable Torque Control (i.e. traction control) comes standard, and can be turned off if preferred.

Both models share the same 41mm inverted Showa Separate Function Fork (SFF), with 4.7 inches of travel. Showa also provides a preload-adjustable rear shock, with the CBR650R offering 5.0 inches of travel and the CB650R offering a smidge more, at 5.1 inches of travel. The braking components are also shared between both models, with dual four-piston radial-mount Nissin calipers up front with 310mm discs, and a single one-piston caliper with a 240mm disc at the rear. Two-channel ABS comes standard.

2024 Honda CB650R

The 2024 CB650R gets a refreshed take on Honda’s “Neo Sports Café” styling, with a new sloped headlight, updated radiator shrouds, redesigned seating, and a sharper tail design with new LED tail lights.

Other highlights include an underseat USB-C port, a 31.9-inch seat height, and a claimed wet weight of 456 pounds.

For the U.S., the 2024 Honda CB650R will come in Pearl Smoky Gray, while its MSRP of $9,399 is the same as the 2023 model. Expect it to arrive in dealerships in September.

The CBR650R also gets a styling update, with new upper and lower fairings and redesigned dual LED headlights. The tail was also reshaped, with the seat offering a more compact design.

The underseat USB-C port and 31.9-inch seat height are the same as the naked model, but the sportbike fairing bumps the CBR650R up to a claimed wet weight of 466 pounds.

In the U.S., the 2024 CBR650R will be available in Grand Prix Red, while maintaining the same $9,899 price as the 2023 version. Look for it in showrooms in September.