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Honda’s Affordable New Performance Moto Is Its Most Rider-Friendly Yet

Thanks to its compact size and innovative tech, the speedy bike looks super-approachable right out of the gate.

Close-up of black Honda motorcycle engine and exhaust against a red background.Honda
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By Steve Mazzucchi

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In line with a larger industry trend, Honda has been releasing more and more motorcycles with its revolutionary E-Clutch system, which essentially makes the use of the clutch lever optional.

Because the brand makes such a wide range of two-wheelers, the move has boosted approachability in everything from cruisers to naked bikes to adventure motos.

Matte gray Honda sport motorcycle with black seat and neon yellow accents on tires and body.
The sleek new CBR400R FOUR E-Clutch makes the sport bike life more accessible than ever.
Honda

Now the tech is coming to a small-displacement sport bike, making nimble, adrenalized riding more accessible than ever.

Built on the same platform as the retro-styled CB400 Super Four E-Clutch and rolling out shortly after it does is the fully faired new CBR400R FOUR E-Clutch.

New (and old) riders welcome

Even those who are skeptical of the (ahem) shift away from classic manual transmissions should not discount E-Clutch.

Rather than being a pure automatic, the system allows for optional clutch actuation.

Close-up of a black Honda motorcycle engine featuring a Honda E-Clutch component and silver footpeg assembly.
Because the bike still has a clutch lever, this little bit of branding is the only obvious indication it’s a different beast.
Honda

See, when your foot connects with the gear shift lever (pulling up or pushing down), the clutch automatically pulls in, then releases once you’ve made the shift. 

That means experienced riders can operate it pretty much like any other bike, while newbies can ease into the process with greater safety and enjoyment and much less (if any) stalling.

Matte black Honda CBR 500R sport motorcycle with full fairing and dual disc brakes.
In addition to the Beta Silver Metallic color scheme seen on most of this page, the bike will also come in this darkly dazzling Matte Ballistic Black Metallic treatment.
Honda

As the tech is beginner focused, it makes sense that Honda tends to put it on smaller bikes, and the CB400 Super Four E-Clutch, merely a prototype earlier this year, is no exception.

Rolling out to select Honda Dream dealerships this fall (and hopefully many more thereafter), the bike features a 399cc inline four-cylinder engine making a claimed 57.2 horsepower at 11,500rpm and 28lb.ft of torque at 9750rpm.

Matte gray sport motorcycle with black and neon yellow accents parked on asphalt at night with industrial buildings in the background.
The CBR400R FOUR E-Clutch may be small on displacement, but it’s big on style from just about any angle.
Honda

Those numbers may not blow your hair back, but on this nimble little 412-pounder they should still feel sporty and fun.

Adding to the first timer appeal is a relatively low seat height of 30.7 inches, plus handlebar and peg placement that is fairly relaxed for this style of bike.

Motorcyclist in black helmet and jacket riding a silver Honda sportbike on a city road at night.
As cool as rendered images of the bike might look, making the jump from prototype to production is much cooler.
Honda

Throw in the 5-inch full-color TFT dash and four riding modes and you have a sweet daily driver-level ride that even old-school curmudgeons (this writer included) can appreciate.

Availability and pricing

The Honda CBR400R FOUR E-Clutch rolls into select Japanese Honda Dream dealerships in September at a price equivalent to $7,395.

Given its highly approachable nature, the bike seems destined to make its way stateside down the road.

Silver Honda CBR 400R sport motorcycle with black seat and neon yellow accents on tires and body.

Honda CBR400R FOUR E-Clutch

About the Author:

Now managing editor, Steve has served in a variety of roles with GP since 2019. Having previously written and edited for such publications as Men’s Health, Men’s Journal, Esquire and ESPN, he enjoys covering a range of topics — but mostly those pertaining to cycling, snow sports, pocket knives and motos — and dreams of a utopian world in which everyone’s bike seat is at the proper height.

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