10 Clutchless Motorcycles For Enthusiasts Who Still Like Gearshifts
Purists often dismiss clutchless motorcycles as glorified scooters. They assume that skipping a clutch lever means handing total control over to a computer. That is not the case anymore; a growing segment of riders loves the tactile mechanical rhythm of clicking through gears, but hates constantly feathering the clutch in traffic. Modern tech now bridges that gap. Automated clutches and smart manual modes let you stop in gear, pull away cleanly, and control every shift yourself, all without touching a clutch lever. Here are 10 clutchless motorcycles on sale today that keep shift control firmly at your foot or fingertip.
Honda Dax/Trail 125
Price: $4,199
The Honda Dax and Trail 125 are twins based on one of Honda’s many versions of its mini engines, and it is surprisingly easy to love. It has the same powerplant as the other mini engines, with a 124 cc air-cooled single-cylinder engine that generates 9.3 horsepower at 7,000 RPM and 8 pound-feet at 5,000 RPM, fed through a four-speed semiautomatic gearbox.
The styling is inspired by the original ST-series minibikes from the late 1960s, and it seems to have found quite the cult following today as well. The Trail 125 looks quite similar to the Dax, but is more of an underbone-type chassis with larger wheels: 17-inch spoke wheels to the Dax’s 12-inch alloy wheels. It also has a larger fuel tank and weighs a little bit more. Weirdly though, it is the Dax that has the better ground clearance. Both are offered with single-channel ABS and disc brakes all around.
Honda Super Cub C125
Price: $3,899
The Super Cub needs no introduction at all, but in case you don’t know, this is the vehicle that has sold the most in history — yes, more than the VW Beetle as well. Over 100 million Cubs have been sold over the history of its production. It is also the Cub’s marketing campaign that made Honda two-wheelers famous in the US market with the “You Meet the Nicest People on a Honda” campaign.
The Super Cub’s powerplant is the same as the Dax and Trail, but it generates 9.7 horsepower at 7,500 RPM and 7.7 pound-feet at 6,250 RPM. Zero-to-60 is nonexistent because the top speed is 59 miles per hour. The headlining figure here is 156.8 MPG, which is why it doesn’t require any more than a one-gallon tank. Honda has officially pulled it from showrooms as of this year, but if you’re lucky, you can possibly buy one of the last new examples that are still on sale in the US market.
Honda Rebel 300 E-Clutch
Price: $5,439
The Rebel 300 is possibly the perfect first bike for new riders because it is now available with Honda’s E-Clutch system, which eliminates the need for the clutch lever. You do have to change gears yourself, but otherwise the result is the same as if it had the centrifugal clutch from the Super Cub. It goes quite a bit faster than the step-through as well, topping out at around 86 miles per hour
That is thanks to its liquid-cooled four-valve single-cylinder engine that displaces 286 cc and generates 25 horsepower and 18 pound-feet. It also has disc brakes, but ABS is not available even as an option. A reverse-LCD instrument cluster is present, along with the Rebel’s distinctive styling and Honda’s legendary reliability.
Honda CB750 Hornet E-Clutch
Price: $7,999
The CB750 Hornet feels sporty, comfortable, and easy to live with. It is compact and light, and is styled quite aggressively. Honda has even given it some very good kit, too. It makes one of the highest horsepower figures in its segment, with 91 horsepower and 55.3 pound-feet of torque from its 755 cc 270-degree parallel-twin.
Additionally, Showa suspension and Nissin brakes with wave discs and radial front fixed calipers are present. From an electronic point of view, ride modes, HSTC traction control, wheelie control, power modes, and adjustable engine braking are part of the base package, in addition to a five-inch TFT instrument cluster. Oh, and there’s also an E-Clutch that takes clutch usage out of the equation.
Honda CB650R/CBR650R E-Clutch
Price: $8,699/$9,199
The 650 cc four-cylinder products from Honda are essentially twins, but one is a sport bike, and the other is a naked. They both have a 649 cc engine that generates 93.8 horsepower and 46.4 pound-feet of torque. It’s the same output as before, but the E-Clutch is now standard fitment on both.
The CBR650R is an easygoing sport bike that can be ridden daily, especially now given its other features like the five-inch TFT display with Bluetooth connectivity and navigation. The CB650R has a tougher time of it because if you want an easygoing semi-automatic naked bike, Honda has another one available as well, which is smaller and lighter and makes just as much power, but with more torque. Still, if you value the smoothness and sound of an inline-four, there is no doubt that this is the most practical naked bike.
Honda XL750 Transalp E-Clutch
Price: $10,199
The Transalp used to be the most powerful adventure bike below $10,000, but with the addition of the E-Clutch system, the price has crept to just over $10,000. It still embarrasses more expensive rivals with 91 horsepower and 55.3 pound-feet from its 755 cc parallel-twin engine that it shares with the CB750 Hornet. There is also an assist and slipper clutch with the E-Clutch system.
Elsewhere, you get a five-inch TFT, and it has always had a by-wire throttle, so you can tune the power delivery, traction control, engine braking, and disengage the rear ABS. You can also customize the feel of the shift lever, which is very interesting. It gets slightly basic suspension, but it can handle both tarmac touring and dirt roads without too much trouble.
MV Agusta Brutale 800 RR SCS
Price: $19,998
The Brutale needs no introduction, and especially in RR form. MV Agusta dropped a surprise on us all by giving it the option of a semiautomatic gearbox, which made riding this exotic much easier in traffic. It had the same power and torque outputs as the current motorcycle: a 798 cc inline three-cylinder engine with a counter-rotating crankshaft that generated 140 horsepower and 64 pound-feet of torque.
Being an exotic brand, it came equipped with all the possible electronics, including a by-wire throttle and six-axis IMU. The duo enabled four selectable engine maps, eight levels of traction control, cornering ABS, wheelie control, rear wheel lift mitigation, and launch control. A 5.5-inch TFT instrument cluster was also present. The most interesting design element of all was the transparent window that showed off the Rekluse clutch hub spinning on the SCS.
MV Agusta Turismo Veloce RC SCS
Price: $20,598
The Turismo Veloce RC SCS is the sport-touring/crossover version of MV Agusta’s 800 cc platform, but despite being a premium middleweight, it is no less exotic. It is one of the best-looking bikes not just in this segment, but across any segment, and it helps that it is powered by a 110 horsepower, 62 pound-foot-generating 798 cc inline three-cylinder that absolutely howls when given the beans.
Instead of being a temperamental Italian exotic, it is eminently usable because of the addition of the Smart Clutch System. In fact, you should try to pick up one used, despite MV Agusta dropping its price for a new example, because this is a high-end motorcycle that has suddenly turned into a bargain. You get the single-sided swingarm, three signature exhausts, and all the standard features like side cases, GPS, cruise control, heated grips, and styling that has aged spectacularly well.
MV Agusta Dragster 800 SCS
Price: $22,098
First off, $22,000 is a lot of money for what is essentially a middleweight naked bike. You get 140 horsepower and 64.2 pound-feet from its three-cylinder 798 cc engine. The SCS means you get the Rekluse centrifugal clutch as well as the hand lever. Unlike a lot of middleweight naked bikes, you also get a top speed in excess of 150 miles an hour.
The superlatives continue with suspension from Marzocchi and Sachs that is fully adjustable, a single-sided aluminum swingarm, an adjustable steering damper, brakes from Brembo, and in an interesting twist, tubeless spoke wheels. Nearly everything that you look at on the Dragster is CNC billet aluminum, which is what gives it its exclusivity. MV Agusta calls it a work of art, and we are quite inclined to believe it. However, this is the kind of art you should buy pre-owned and save yourself quite a bit of money.
Can-Am Spyder F3
Price: $22,299
While not a two-wheeler, the Can-Am Spyder F3 still qualifies for this list by virtue of being steered by a handlebar and having a motorcycle-like seat that you straddle. It isn’t much different from the others in its range: the Rotax 1,330 cc inline three-cylinder that generates 115 horsepower and 96 pound-feet of torque. This engine is paired with a six-speed semiautomatic gearbox with an electro-hydraulic clutch, and it has paddle shifters on the handlebar. Unlike the other gearboxes here, it also has a reverse gear.
Sachs provides the suspension here, with the front brakes provided by Brembo. Joining hands is a very impressive electronics suite that includes traction control, stability control, ABS, hill hold control, and power steering that increases the assist at parking lot speeds and reduces it on the highway. Add a massive 10.25-inch TFT touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, dual USB ports, and cruise control from the factory, and it has the ability to put a smile on your face even when you wouldn’t dare take out a two-wheeler. We had the same thoughts during our review of the Spyder F3 S.
Sources: Honda PowerSports, MV Agusta USA, BRP
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