2026 Honda Insurgent 300 E-Clutch Evaluate

February 10, 2026

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2026 Honda Insurgent 300 E-Clutch Evaluate — Welcoming new riders for the reason that ’80s, the littlest Honda Insurgent turns into much more beginner-friendly with its newest evolution. (Photographs by Adam Campbell)

The Honda Insurgent 250 was launched in 1985, and within the many years since, it grew to become the go-to suggestion for newbie motorcyclists, and for good cause. It was a easy, small, no-frills cruiser that caught round for years with minimal modifications, sporting its ’80s-era styling into the 2010s.

Then in 2017, Honda gave the Insurgent a critical faceliftshifting from an air-cooled 234cc parallel-Twin to a liquid-cooled 286cc Single, changing the ’80s look with trendy blacked-out bobber styling, and including a second mannequin that will function a step up: the Honda Insurgent 500. In 2021, the Insurgent 1100 was added to the lineup. Now there are eight Rebels to select from, together with commonplace variations, SE variations, T (touring) trim choices, and Twin Clutch Transmission choices, in varied combos.

I started my very own moto journey on a 2014 Honda Insurgent 250which I purchased on my twentieth birthday from a Navy man who was quickly to be deployed and keen to offer a university scholar a great deal. It wasn’t a powerful bike that turned heads whereas I bopped round city, however I used to be happy with it and proud that it was mine. I saved it properly previous the time many riders would have moved on to a extra highly effective bike, partly to save cash and partly as a result of I appreciated it an excessive amount of to see it in another person’s fingers. And I’m removed from the one rider whose motorcycling story started with a Insurgent. The Insurgent 250 was typically used within the MSF Primary RiderCourse, giving many riders their first expertise on a bike.

However time strikes on, and so has the Insurgent. In January, we have been invited to Los Angeles to check the brand new 2026 Honda Insurgent 300 E-Clutch. From the pictures on this evaluation, you may assume it seems precisely the identical as final yr’s mannequin, and also you’d be largely appropriate. The one replace for 2026 is the addition of the E-Clutch, and Honda received’t provide a mannequin with out it for 2026. Though a single replace doesn’t seem to be a lot to put in writing dwelling about, this one is extra vital than it seems.

The E-Clutch system is a intelligent little bit of expertise that provides a whole lot of utility for no more room than it takes up. The bike nonetheless has an everyday handbook transmission, however the E-Clutch takes over the clutch work when the rider chooses to make use of it. The system is operated by two electrical motors that interact and disengage the clutch, utilizing info taken from the digital management unit, similar to shift-lever load, gear place, throttle place, rpm, and wheel pace. A 3-part clutch-lever shaft permits the transition between handbook management of the clutch, motor management utilizing the E-Clutch, and override management that permits the rider to momentarily use the clutch.

In easy phrases, the E-Clutch does the rider’s clutch work for them, and though the bike nonetheless comes with a clutch lever, the rider can select to disregard it utterly, shifting with the foot lever as they usually would however by no means touching the clutch lever. This versatile system additionally permits the rider to show the E-Clutch off utterly, or riders can flip it off for just a few seconds by grabbing the clutch lever.

Though it might appear to fill an analogous position as Honda’s Twin Clutch Transmission, the 2 programs present fairly completely different experiences. The DCT makes use of two clutches, one for odd gears and the opposite for even gears, to supply a totally automated journey with out the rider needing to shift. Riders can change a DCT bike into Guide mode and shift through buttons on the left switchgear, however bikes with DCT don’t embody a clutch lever or foot shifter. In distinction, the E-Clutch is extra like an extra-duty quickshifter.

Our day in L.A. began at Bike Shed Moto Co.in entrance of which sat a line of 10 matte-black Rebels. After breakfast and a technical presentation with the nice people of Honda, we walked out and claimed a motorbike. Turning on the bike and popping it into 1st gear with out utilizing the clutch lever, opened the throttle a bit, and the bike easily inched ahead.

As we rolled out on our counterclockwise loop round L.A., I ignored the clutch lever for the primary few miles and let the E-Clutch do its factor. Instantly, I observed that the E-Clutch solves all of the complaints I had in regards to the DCT, which I examined on the 2023 Honda Insurgent 1100T DCT. I discovered the DCT to be a bit jumpy at gradual parking-lot speeds, and using the rear brake to assist easy issues out by no means felt as intuitive as feathering a clutch. Nevertheless, the E-Clutch was each bit as easy and predictable at gradual speeds as I can handle with handbook clutch, with no herky-jerky actions. And if I needed extra management, all I needed to do was attain out and seize the clutch lever to show the E-Clutch off for just a few seconds.

GEAR UP

Whereas cruising north to the Griffith Observatory after which west on Mulholland Drive towards our lunch cease in Studio Metropolis, I found that the system works greatest if the rider retains the throttle regular whereas shifting. Shifts have been clear and fast, whether or not slow-rolling by means of visitors or chasing different journalists alongside twisty pavement.

Though the Insurgent 300 returns in any other case unchanged apart from the E-Clutch, this was my first time aboard one. I used to be happy to find that what I beloved about my 2014 Insurgent 250 carried over into the brand new technology. It’s really easy to journey that it virtually appears like dishonest. The seating place is pure and upright with all controls inside shut attain, though I’ll add a caveat that I’m a shorter-than-average rider at 5-foot-1, and tall riders will most definitely really feel scrunched with the shut placement of the footpegs. The bike is a light-weight at 379 lb, however it feels even lighter than that. The 286cc Single labored fairly properly for our around-town journey. One of many drawbacks of my Insurgent 250 was that its 70ish-mph high pace made freeway stints a bit scary. The additional 10-15 mph supplied by the 300 offers simply sufficient further energy to offer the rider some confidence when touring at increased speeds.

Relating to chassis elements like brakes and suspension, the Insurgent will get the job achieved with out drama or glamor. In different phrases, they’re completely ample however nothing particular. Single calipers entrance and rear pinch 296mm and 240mm discs respectively, and ABS is commonplace tools, offering a pleasant security web. Suspension is nonadjustable and features a 41mm telescopic fork with 5.5 inches of journey and twin shocks providing 3.7 inches of journey. These elements labored simply high quality for our L.A. journey, offering compliance and confidence whereas sustaining an attainable value level.

Out of all of the bikes that Honda might’ve added the E-Clutch to, it will likely be most appreciated on the Insurgent 300. Every part that made the Insurgent an incredible newbie bike earlier than is maintained, and including the E-Clutch has the potential to really open doorways for brand new riders. Studying to journey, particularly for individuals who haven’t pushed a handbook car earlier than, could be overwhelming, however with the E-Clutch, new riders can save that step within the studying course of for after they’re snug with different methods like steering, braking, and throttle management. Then after they’re prepared, merely switching off the E-Clutch transforms the bike into an everyday ol’ bike, permitting them to study clutch work on a motorbike they’re already snug and conversant in.

It’s additionally vital to notice that the 4 bikes now in or coming to Honda’s lineup with the E-Clutch are all city-oriented machines. The E-Clutch debuted on the 2024 CB650R bare bike and CBR650R faired sportbikeand a second-generation system with throttle-by-wire will quickly be added to the CB750 Hornet. This choice is sensible, because the E-Clutch shouldn’t be solely a useful gizmo for brand new riders but in addition an enormous aid throughout stop-and-go visitors. Through the first half of our journey day, I swapped between utilizing the clutch lever and utilizing the E-Clutch, however between our late lunch and our rush-hour journey again to the Bike Shed, my left hand was completely happy to let the bike do the work. Riders who typically discover themselves in visitors will enormously admire not having to make use of the clutch lever in the event that they don’t wish to.

For 4 many years, the Honda Insurgent has been getting new riders into the saddle and exhibiting them the thrill of motorcycling. It isn’t up to date typically, however when it’s, these updates are in service of the numerous extra riders Honda expects to start out their journeys on a Insurgent. The brand new E-Clutch will likely be a major chapter in that story. If you happen to can, give it a attempt.