One of the biggest advantages of electric motorcycles has always been their simplicity. No clutch, no gears, no stalling – just twist the throttle and go. They’re basically big, fun scooters, at least in terms of operation. But Honda appears to think there’s still something worth preserving from the old-school riding experience, especially for off-road riders.
A newly revealed Honda patent shows the company developing a simulated electronic clutch system for electric motorcycles, complete with torque-boost launches and even haptic feedback designed to mimic the feel of a combustion engine.
And surprisingly, it might not be as gimmicky as it first sounds.
The patent is illustrated on Honda’s CR Electric Proto motocross bike, the same electric dirt bike concept the company has been quietly developing for competition use. Instead of using a traditional mechanical clutch, the system uses electronics to alter how the motor responds based on clutch lever position.
Pull the clutch halfway in, and the system proportionally reduces motor output. Pull it fully, and power is cut entirely, regardless of throttle position. But the more interesting part is how Honda intends to recreate the behavior riders actually use clutches for.
According to the patent as reported by AMCN, riders could preload the throttle while holding in the clutch lever, then rapidly release the lever to trigger a burst of torque – essentially simulating the hard launches motocross riders rely on with gas bikes.
Honda believes that could be useful in competitive riding situations where precise power modulation matters, especially on loose terrain or during aggressive starts.
Honda also appears to be working on recreating the feel of a gas bike, not just the control inputs. The patent describes multiple vibration motors placed in the handlebars and near the clutch lever to provide haptic feedback that simulates engine vibration and even the “bite point” sensation of a clutch engaging.
In other words, Honda may be trying to make an electric dirt bike feel mechanically alive, or at least the old-school idea of what a breathing dirt bike used to feel like.
Electrek’s Take
I’ll admit that my knee-jerk reaction to fake clutches and simulated transmissions on electric motorcycles has usually been, “Why?”
One of the best things about electric motorcycles is that they eliminate much of the mechanical baggage. But motocross may actually be one of the few places where a simulated clutch might make a bit of sense. I get that it’s long been an integral part of power delivery in performance riding like that, though the beauty of electric motorcycles is that you can drop that insane torque with the same twist of the wrist you’d use to carefully modulate just a bit of power on takeoff. Those who come of age on electric motorcycles learn this to be intuitive, though I can see how riders switching from combustion engines to electric motors might be helped by a system that feels more familiar to them.
Off-road riding often relies heavily on precise power control and explosive launches, and many riders have developed decades of muscle memory around clutch use. Recreating some of that behavior electronically could offer real performance benefits while still keeping the advantages of an electric drivetrain.
Sure, I still find it to be slightly gimmicky, but it comes in a well-engineered solution that might have some purpose. And if manufacturers are going to simulate old-school motorcycle behavior, Honda’s approach at least seems more thoughtful than simply adding fake gears for nostalgia’s sake.
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