Posted on 10/21/2025 7:07:11 AM PDT by eyeamok
The E-Clutch does away with that and thereby arguably does away with the essential thing that makes a motorcycle something different than a Moped or a Scooter (or a car – with an automatic transmission – for that matter).
(Excerpt) Read more at ericpetersautos.com ...
I’d better turn on the light so we can ride my Honda tonight
Motorcycle Ping!................
Not everyone can manually shift a car much less a motorcycle.....I strongly suspect this was done to expand the customer base to those who can’t.
A shrewd business move if you ask me.
As a long time rider of two wheelers, there are times when a motorcycle operator will need to use both hands AND both feet all at the same time to ride properly.
Right hand throttle
Left hand clutch
Right foot brake
Left foot shifter
Done it a million times......I can assure you, that’s not for everybody.
Paddle shift killed the manual transmission we all grew up with.
“It’s just the same!”
Only... not really.
Yeah, sure, why make motorcycles easier to ride and safer?
I suspect companies have done their market research and plan to rent motorcycles to tourists who don’t want to be seen on a scooter. These tourists don’t own motorcycles and won’t learn how to use a manual clutch by the time they finish their vacation.
Because everybody might want one and you won’t be so special anymore?
Shifting is what makes it FUN.
I buy special boots just so I can enjoy shifting.
I LOVE riding because you do more than just SIT there. 🏍
IIRC this was tried back in the 70s only the manufacturing technology hadn’t caught up with the concept.....this time it’ll work.
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I’ve got a bigger problem with E bikes than this......some of those people are a freakin’ menace to society....not to mention themselves.
Right foot brake
Left foot shifter
My 67 Triumph is the opposite it can get confusing sometimes.
Kinda surprised they didn’t do this decades ago. Honda has long been the “starter bike”, then people that really like it go and buy something else. Or not. I remember in the 90s reading the average Goldwing buyer was over 60, and it was their first bike. Entry level controls seems like a no brainer.
If the motorcycle is electric (and I don’t know if it is), why have a clutch at all?
Of course Triumph is backwards......the brits can’t even get a car steering wheel on the correct side! 😁
uh, you left out right hand front brake.
Most critical if you want to stop fast.
“why have a clutch at all?”
Even an electric has a motor......you really don’t want it running at high RPM all the time, so you need a clutch to shift the trans yes?......that’s my take anyway.
Moto Guzzi had an auto transmission way back in the 70’s. The Convert was the model I believe. Just a fancy California.
Early Sportsters had the foot controls reversed too. I rode a ‘74 Sportster once, and at one point I downshifted instead of braking.
I think the Feds standardized that in ‘75.
Front brake is always secondary and never to be used without the rear brake as well....front brake only in the rain is bad juju.....that’s the way I was trained by professional instructors anyway.
Nothing new. Honda produced ATVs with electric shifting over 20 years ago. No manual operated clutch. Just push a button to change gears. Up shift button, downshift button. Worked great.
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