A patent image has emerged recently from Honda showing a new style clutch lever which is electronically monitored and works by sending feedback to a hydraulic pressure control which engages or disengages the clutch as required.

Currently you operate the levers and throttle manually on a motorcycle with no electronics, bish, bash, bosh, just you and your machine, but Honda in their quest for safety and efficiency think that computer operated clutch-by-wire is the way forward for a safer and better riding experience. The position of the clutch lever would be monitored electronically and feedback sent to the hydraulic pressure gauge to control the clutch, once the optimum clutch position had been selected by the computer.

Using this new system the clutch would be disengaged while not in use, instead of the current system where its default position is engaged, unless the lever is pulled.  The slipper clutch when it was invented, was a great help in matching the engine speed more precisely during gear changes to make it more accurate and reducing engine braking, but Honda hope this new electronic system will make the clutch even more easy to operate.

So is this something you would like and are pleased to see or do you like the feedback from your fingers on the clutch lever? Slightly crazily it seems, Honda are including a 'reactive force generator' to act against the lever to make it feel more like an old style clutch - ??

As usual with more technology comes a higher price tag...is it worth it, do you want a light and smart clutch for more money or would you prefer to stick to your old style creaky lever?

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