2025 Honda CBR650R E-Clutch — Price, Specs & How the E-Clutch Works
- Ben Grayson

- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
If you’re curious about the 2025 Honda CBR650R with the new E-Clutch system, this post breaks down everything: what you get, how much it costs in the UK, and how the E-Clutch actually works in everyday riding. Use this as a quick reference whether you’re a seasoned rider or thinking of stepping up to a middleweight sportbike.
💷 Price & On-The-Road Info
In the UK, the CBR650R with E-Clutch has an “on-the-road” price of £8,799.00.
That’s the official price from Honda for a brand new 2025/2024-model CBR650R
So if you’re budgeting for one, ~£8.8k (plus any extras like dealer prep or accessories) is what to expect.
🔧 Engine & Core Specs
Here’s a breakdown of key specifications for the 2025 CBR650R E-Clutch:
Specification | Detail |
Engine type | 649 cc liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, 16-valve DOHC inline-4 |
Bore × Stroke | 67.0 mm × 46.0 mm |
Compression Ratio | 11.6:1 |
Max Power Output | ≈ 70 kW (≈ 94 hp) at ~12,000 rpm |
Max Torque | ≈ 63 Nm at ~9,500 rpm |
Transmission | 6-speed gearbox with E-Clutch (wet multi-plate clutch) |
Frame / Chassis / Suspension & Brakes | Showa 41 mm SFF-BP upside-down front forks, rear monoshock with adjustable preload; dual 310 mm front discs with radial-mount four-piston calipers + ABS; 5" TFT colour screen with connectivity. |
In short — the CBR650R remains a powerful, high-revving 650cc inline-4 sportbike with solid chassis components and modern electronics. The E-Clutch doesn’t compromise the engine’s character; it simply changes how you use the clutch and shift gears.
🧠 What Is the E-Clutch? How Does It Work?
The E-Clutch is a relatively new offering from Honda — on the CBR650R (and its sibling, the more naked-style CBR650R’s stablemate) it gives the rider the option to ditch the clutch lever for a more relaxed or performance-oriented style of shifting.
Here’s how it works:
Instead of manually pulling a clutch lever when starting off, shifting up or down gears, or coming to a stop — the E-Clutch system takes care of clutch engagement/disengagement via an electronic actuator mounted inside the engine’s clutch cover.
When you operate the gear shift pedal (up or down), the system senses parameters like throttle position, engine RPM, gear lever pressure and wheel speed — then automatically modulates the clutch (using actuator motors) and momentarily cuts fuel/ignition to ensure a smooth, seamless shift.
The result: clutch-lever-free gear changes — even from a standstill or in traffic — without the jerks or “shift shock” you might get in a rushed manual shift.
But, crucially: the clutch lever remains on the bike. You can still use it at any time if you want full manual control. Pulling the lever overrides the E-Clutch — and the system will reactivate automatically after a short while (once engine RPM or conditions allow).
Also, you can fully disable E-Clutch via a switch if you prefer classic manual riding.
Essentially, E-Clutch aims to combine the best of both worlds: the convenience and smoothness of an auto-clutch, with the engagement and flexibility of a traditional manual gearbox.
🏍️ What That Means for Everyday Riding (And for You)
Easy commuting and city riding: Stop-go traffic, tight junctions, and frequent gear changes become much less demanding — no need to constantly lever in/clutch out.
Smooth cornering and sporty riding: Upshifts and downshifts can be smooth, precise and rapid, without the typical clutch-lever coordination or risk of jerky transitions.
Still traditional when you want it: If you enjoy the “classic” clutch feel — maybe for more spirited rides or in familiar corners — simply pull the lever and take full manual control.
Flexibility & confidence boost: For newer riders, or those transitioning up from smaller bikes, E-Clutch lowers the barrier to entry to a 650cc sportbike while retaining the fun and control of a standard gearbox.
✅ Final Thoughts
The 2025 CBR650R E-Clutch delivers everything that made the CBR650R a hit — its potent inline-4 engine, nimble chassis, modern electronics and sporty ergonomics — while adding a highly usable new transmission option.
If you want the thrill of a manual gearbox without the constant clutch work (especially in traffic or urban riding), E-Clutch could be a game-changer. And it also offers a neat “middle ground” for riders who want a relaxed ride sometimes, but a sportier feel other times — all on the same bike.
For many riders, E-Clutch doesn’t replace the joy of manual shifting — it just gives you another option. And that flexibility might be enough to tip you into the 650 cc world sooner than you thought.










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