The 2024 Honda CB650R is the naked Neo Sports Café member of Honda’s inline-4 middleweight family, and it debuts the E-Clutch alongside its fully faired sibling, the CBR650R. The list price is $9399, $500 less than the CBR650R and unchanged from 2023.
The styling is updated from front to back. The top of the LED headlight slants rearward for a more aggressive look, and the radiator shrouds, more angular tail section, and LED taillight are new. Pearl Smokey Gray is the only color.
The E-Clutch handles the clutch work. Two actuator motors on the engine case operate a standard transmission and cable-actuated clutch, so the CB650R can stop and pull away without the rider touching the lever. The rider still selects gears with the shift lever, and the package adds 4.5 pounds.
Once underway, the system behaves like a well-sorted quickshifter at almost any rpm or throttle position. A half-clutch function slightly engages the clutch on every shift to smooth the driveline, including the jump from 1st to 2nd. Shift lever input has Hard, Medium, and Soft settings, set independently for upshifts and downshifts.
Manual control stays available. Pull the clutch lever and the system disables for five seconds, or select the fully manual mode. With the system active, the only sure way to stall the engine is to reach for the lever, a habit veteran riders need to unlearn.
A five-inch TFT display replaces the old LCD dash, pairs with a smartphone via the Honda RoadSync app, and signals when a different gear is needed. The left-handlebar switchgear is backlit, and chassis tweaks add stiffness at the headtube. The twin-spar steel frame carries a 41mm Showa inverted fork and a Showa shock, and radially mounted 4-piston Nissin calipers grip 310mm front discs.
The high-revving engine, agreeable ergonomics, and all-around versatility make the CB650R a fun street bike for riders of any skill level. Honda aims the E-Clutch at newer riders, and it also reduces effort when commuting or lane-splitting.
Benda motorcycles are beginning to make a ripple on US shores with four intriguing and competitive models, courtesy of its partnership with Keeway Group. We were impressed with the Napoleonbob 500 and have now gotten our gloves on the persuasive, entry-level 2026 Benda Chinchilla 300, with its modest MSRP of $4999. It would be difficult to design a more welcoming entry-level cruiser than this easy-handling, visually appealing boulevard bobber. Editor Don Williams and Associate Editor Kelly Callan discuss the Benda Chinchilla 300 and how it actually rode for them.
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Our guest this episode is Jesse Merriman, Chief Technician for Jeremy McWilliams at the Arch Motorcycle racing project. Arch Racing was founded by Gard Hollinger and Keanu Reevs to compete in the Moto America Super Hooligan race series. Teejay Adams chats with Jesse about the Arch motorcycle and the challenges of extracting the absolute most from an air-cooled V-Twin racing engine and custom chassis.
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Here’s quick reminder to check out our monthly digital magazine. It’s filled with everything you want to read on motorcycling, including some things you’ve probably not seen elsewhere. It’s absolutely free and you will find it on the Apple App Store and of course on Google Play as well.
Don’t forget to leave us your comments on our social media—we’re on all the usual platforms at Ultimate Motorcycling. We love hearing your feedback… so good or bad, please let us know what you think. If there’s something you’d like us to cover, we’d love to hear those ideas too!
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![2024 Honda CB650R Buyer’s Guide [Specs, Price]](https://ultimatemotorcycling.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/2024-honda-e-clutch-models-first-look-cbr650r-cb650r-5-768x512.webp "2024 Honda CB650R Buyer’s Guide [Specs, Price]")
