CBR400R "E-Clutch" Debut in Japan at Cycle Show! Check out the details in the photos first!

This year, Honda will again exhibit at various venues of the Motorcycle Show, one of the largest motorcycle events in Japan. The announcement of its exhibit lineup has begun. The new "CBR400R E-Clutch Concept" is currently the focus of much attention there! While an E-Clutch model had been announced for the CBR500R for the overseas market, this is the world premiere of a 400cc model for the Japanese market. While detailed specs are still unknown at this point, we would like to report on the photos that have been released as a preliminary report!

Long-awaited by middle-sport fans! The 400's first E-Clutch!

The "E-Clutch" announced by Honda for 2024 is a new mechanism that allows shifting gears without the need to operate the clutch lever. In 2025, models equipped with the E-Clutch were introduced in the 250 class, including the Rebel 250 and CL250, and these models proved more popular than the conventional manual models. Although the cost of these models is about 50,000 yen more than the standard models, they are very popular among all user groups because they make "clutch operation at half-clutch and stop" much easier even for beginners, and the clutch can also be operated as before. At the Osaka/Tokyo/Nagoya Motorcycle Show in the spring of 2026, Honda will unveil three new E-clutch models at once. Among them, the "CBR400R E-Cluch Concept" is the only model in the middle class. The E-Clutch model of the CBR500R, which shares the same chassis and design as the base model for overseas markets, was already announced in China last year. However, this is the first time that a 400 model for the Japanese market has been unveiled. From the outside, the styling is similar to that of the CBR400R, but the E-clutch unit is mounted on the clutch cover on the right side of the engine. Since the design is similar to the E-clutch unit on other models, it is safe to assume that the functionality of the clutch is also similar.

The new CBR400R E-Clutch Consept will make its world premiere at the MC Show in March.

The base model is the CBR400R, which is currently Honda's only 400 full-cowl sport. There seems to be little difference in appearance.

The CBR400R will undergo a model change in 2024 to its current specifications. It features a modernized fairing and TFT LCD gauges.

In China, the E-clutch has already been announced for the overseas version of the CBR500R. We are happy to experience it in Japan as well!

Detailed specs and release date have yet to be announced.

The CBR400R itself, the base model of the CBR400R, will be the first specification addition since 2024, and we are curious to see the changes in performance and equipment, but as it is currently a "concept," detailed specs and release date have not been announced. However, the "E-Clutch" is a "concept," so no detailed specs or release date have been disclosed. If this is the case, can we expect to see variations on siblings equipped with engines of the same components? ...... We will find out more information at the Motorcycle Show!

The E-clutch unit is mounted on the clutch cover on the right side of the engine. It is painted in one color, matte black.

The unit does not protrude from the body, and the engine is similar in size to the previous model.

Opposite the engine, the shift pedal is the same as before; the E-clutch is not an automatic transmission and requires a manual transmission license to drive.

The body color and logo are identical to the existing "Grand Prix Red," but one can only wonder what will happen when the car goes on the market.

The E-Clutch unit is a simple design, and has only increased the vehicle weight by a few kilograms, and the price has been set at about 50,000 yen extra to the STD, so we look forward to hearing more about how the CBR400R will fare.

Reference: CBR400R (2024) main specifications

Overall Length x Width x Height: 2,080 x 760 x 1,145 mm - Wheelbase: 1,410 mm - Seat Height: 785 mm - Weight: 191 kg - Engine: Liquid-cooled 4-stroke, parallel twin-cylinder DOHC 4-valve, 399 cc - Maximum output: 46 PS/9,000 rpm - Maximum torque: 3.9 kg-m/7, 500 rpm Fuel tank capacity: 17 liters ・Transmission: 6-speed return ・Brakes: F=W disc, R=disc ・Tires: F=120/70ZR17M/C (58W), R=160/60ZR17M/C (69W) ・Price: 863,500 yen Go to gallery (9)