Honda E-Clutch extends to Transalp for 2026

Honda Powersports today announced the return of one of its most versatile and widely popular motorcycles for 2026—the Transalp—engineered to deliver confidence, capability and comfort across a wide range of riding environments. Headlining the news is an updated Transalp, now equipped with Honda E-Clutch and customer-requested upgrades including adjustable suspension and an off-road skid plate. Together, these changes bring automated-clutch convenience and improved off-road capability to the popular middleweight adventure platform.

The Transalp is the first adventure model to feature Honda E-Clutch, which offers the convenience of clutch-free starts and shifts while retaining the direct engagement of a traditional manual transmission. This advancement enhances accessibility without compromising rider control, ensuring the bike remains equally suited to daily commuting, long-distance touring and off-pavement exploration.

"The adventure category's popularity continues because riders want motorcycles that can truly do it all," said Colin Miller, Manager of Experiential Marketing at American Honda. "With the addition of Honda E-Clutch to the Transalp, we're making that experience even more intuitive and approachable. The Transalp reflects our focus on expanding adventure for a broad spectrum of customers."

2026 Transalp E-Clutch
Honda's Transalp is built for adventure, combining versatility, capability and long-distance comfort in a well-balanced package. For 2026, it receives an important upgrade in the form of Honda E-Clutch which, in combination with throttle-by-wire technology (TBW), provides smooth shifting and excellent low-speed control on pavement and dirt. A new aluminum skid plate provides added protection and a boost of stylish ruggedness, while new, fully adjustable front and rear suspension allows riders to tailor performance for varying terrain. With comfortable ergonomics and ample fuel capacity, the Transalp E-Clutch is a versatile companion for adventure enthusiasts seeking both performance and practicality.

• Colors: White; Deep Pearl Gray
• MSRP: $10,199
• Available: July

Honda E-Clutch

Introduced on the 2024 CB650R and CBR650R, then extended to the 2025 Rebel 300 and CB750 Hornet, Honda E-Clutch brings next-level riding enjoyment and performance to the Transalp, allowing riders to start, stop and change gears without operating the clutch lever. The clutch and transmission hardware remain identical to those of a conventional motorcycle, yet the system allows consistent gear changes that are faster and smoother than a quick shifter, prevents stalling, and manages transitions smoothly—boosting convenience and rider confidence in stop-and-go urban traffic and on challenging inclines.

To smooth gear changes, the system uses precise clutch control while also adjusting ignition timing and fuel injection based on parameters such as vehicle speed, throttle-opening angle, engine rpm, pressure on the shift pedal, clutch-motor reduction-gear angle, engine-countershaft speed and gear position. The clutch operation itself is performed through an actuator unit, with two compact motors housed in a dedicated assembly on the right side of the engine.

In addition to these core clutch-control functions, Honda E-Clutch works in conjunction with the Transalp’s throttle-by-wire system for even greater refinement. For instance, during downshifts, throttle blipping matches engine rpm to rear-wheel speed for smoother transitions. The system also adjusts the throttle-butterfly opening range depending on riding-mode selection. For example, RAIN mode supports confident control in wet conditions, while SPORT sharpens response for more spirited riding. Rear-wheel hop during aggressive downshifting and braking is mitigated through partial clutch engagement, improving stability. In off-road conditions, the system monitors both front and rear wheel speeds even when rear-wheel slip occurs, and achieves reliable upshifts by selecting an appropriate clutch-based shifting method.

Riders can tailor shift feel by selecting the force required at the shift pedal. Three settings are available—HARD, MEDIUM, and SOFT—each of which can be chosen independently for upshifting and downshifting.

In addition to enjoyment and convenience, Honda E-Clutch brings ultimate flexibility, allowing riders to use the clutch lever manually at any time if they choose. When the clutch lever is used, Honda E-Clutch temporarily pauses, then automatically reactivates—after less than a second at higher engine speeds or after five seconds at lower engine speeds. When E-Clutch is paused, manual operation is indicated by a letter “M” on the instrument panel. The technology also advises the rider to shift down (via a symbol on the instrument panel) if it detects that the motorcycle is in a high gear at a certain speed.

For extra legroom on the Transalp, the mounting structure of the E-Clutch system has been adjusted by dividing the clutch-lifter shaft in two and adding a gear train, offsetting it 1.6 inches away from the rider's foot. Also, the anti-vibration rubber and stays of the standard clutch-cover design were found to be unnecessary in testing, following optimization of the engine-cover design, ultimately saving .7 pounds

SPECIFICATIONS