Honda Hopes You Like The E-Clutch, Because It's Got Big Plans For The Transmission

Over the weekend, the 2026 Osaka Motorcycle Show hit the ground running, showing off all kinds of new motorcycles and concepts to the thousands of visitors that flocked to its halls. It's one of a cluster of three major Japanese motorcycle shows that take place at the beginning of each calendar year: Osaka, Tokyo, and Nagoya, bringing the latest designs that the two-wheeled world has to offer to the fans.

Unsurprisingly, Japan's Big Four motorcycle OEMs frequently show off things that haven't been seen elsewhere at these shows, and the 2026 Osaka show was no exception. As I learned directly from the mouth of an American Honda representative a couple of months ago, the brand is keen to apply its E-Clutch technology to as many bikes as it can.

With that in mind, the introduction of the CB400 Super Four and CB400R Four E-Clutch concepts probably shouldn't come as much of a surprise to anyone. Also, does anyone truly believe that these are actually 'concepts' and not the next-best thing to being greenlit for production?

Mind you, Honda Japan says they're concepts, so for now, that's what we'll call them. But they're giving serious "we're ready to be fruitful and multiply" vibes, especially given the fact that they're both built on that agreeable little 400cc platform.

Who's the E-Clutch aimed at, primarily? New and returning riders, according to Honda. In countries with tiered motorcycle licensing systems, you'll likely start on a smaller-displacement machine than 400cc, and then work your way up from there. Depending on where you're located geographically, 400cc might even be seen as a "big bike," because it's all relative and if the majority of motorbikes around you are 110s or 125s, then 400 is clearly ginormous. 

Here in the US, though, 400cc is usually about the minimum you need to get on the highway with reasonable comfort. It is possible that you can do it on a 350 (and I have), but I wouldn't recommend it for any serious length of time, because it's just not really any fun at all.

Still, having now experienced the E-Clutch on a different Honda model, I think it makes a lot of sense, as far as this type of accessible system goes. The fact that you have the choice whether to use the clutch or not is key, as is the fact that it will still operate like a normal clutch if the E-Clutch unit gets damaged, so you won't be stranded. Those are smart development moves on Honda's part, in my opinion.

If either of these bikes goes into production, will we be likely to get them in the US? That's unclear, as a quick glance at the current American Honda lineup shows either small-displacement machines below that threshold, or 500s and above. There are a couple of 350s, but they're either dual-sport or dedicated off-road machines. At the time of writing, we don't get any street-focused Honda 400s sold as new. 

But you know what? Honda sometimes makes multiple displacements of the same basic idea. For example, while we get the Rebel 300 E-Clutch in the US, it's sold as the Rebel 250 E-Clutch in some other markets (including Japan).

So is it possible that we could get a 500cc version of either of these two bikes instead? I mean, it's purely speculation at this point, but it doesn't seem entirely improbable. The US does currently have a CBR500R available in our market, as well as a CB500 Hornet. And not for nothing, but the CBR650R is already available with an E-Clutch here. 

I'm not saying that it's for sure in the cards yet, but I am saying that I won't be surprised if it happens. And neither should you.

In the meantime, if you're reading this and you're in Japan, Honda says it's bringing both of these concepts to the 2026 Tokyo Motorcycle Show as well. So if you're there, you can see them in person and see what you think!