Roughly 1,000,000 years in the past (give or take), I first realized to journey a motorbike. It was the mid-2000s, and whereas I do not bear in mind every part clearly from that point, I can let you know for a incontrovertible fact that I used to be positively some combination of each excited and nervous about your entire endeavor.
The neighborhood faculty car parking zone the place I took my very first MSF Fundamental RiderCourse had all of us go right into a classroom for the classroom portion. Additionally they had a little bit trailer out within the car parking zone that was filled with the bikes we would be using for coaching.
Since I would already attained all 27 inches of the inseam size that I will possible ever have (such lofty heights, I do know), the instructors fairly rightly caught me on a first-gen Honda Insurgent 250. I am unable to let you know for certain what mannequin 12 months it was, however it would not actually matter a ton, as that first gen principally stayed the identical for a really very long time.
I realized loads that weekend, as I am certain you may recall in case you additionally took the Fundamental RiderCourse at any cut-off date. Since my state allowed us to take the motorbike license check on the finish of the weekend with the MSF instructors, I handed that milestone on the Insurgent 250, too. Fortunately, I handed the very first time, and was extraordinarily thrilled to take my certificates to my native DMV location and have my driver’s license up to date with my shiny new M endorsement.
Actually a proud second for any rider, proper? And the Insurgent 250 I rode in my MSF course was completely part of that. As, sadly, had been the bruises the unusual little steel field that jutted out to both aspect slightly below the saddle left on my thighs. I used to be glad to have the ability to journey that bike; do not get me improper. However in case you’re a rider who would not have tremendous skinny legs, and/or you’ve gotten very quick legs, it is subsequent to inconceivable to spend hours and hours on a kind of with out it actually leaving a mark on you in a manner you may not essentially love.
Quick-forward a number of years, and Honda gave its Rebels a much-needed refresh, which it has been refining ever since. Now, how you’re feeling about styling and design preferences will ceaselessly be a subjective factor, so your emotions on the trendy Rebels and the way they give the impression of being might fluctuate. However after using one throughout the streets of Los Angeles, I am right here to let you know that it is positively much more comfy to spend hours on than the first-gen one.
A bunch of Rebels is known as a yell, no?
Picture by: Janaki Jitchotvisut
The redesign is not information, although, though even for the reason that first main revamp for the 2017 mannequin 12 months, Honda has made extra refinements to the next-gen Insurgent 300. In 2020, it obtained a bunch of upgrades: higher suspension, help/slipper clutch, modern-looking LCD show, LED lighting, and a extra comfy saddle. This package deal stayed largely undisturbed by way of the 2025 mannequin 12 months, after which Honda did what everybody in all probability noticed coming for 2026, and it added the E-Clutch.
The E-Clutch Is Not An Computerized
Though Honda’s been rolling out the E-Clutch on just a few fashions within the US market up to now, this was my first hands-on expertise with it. When Honda first introduced that it could be coming to the Insurgent 300, as one of many many people who realized on a small displacement Insurgent again within the day, I assumed it made absolute sense. And now, having ridden it for myself, that concept has solely been strengthened by actuality.
Now, since studying to journey, I’ve ridden loads of different bikes, in addition to twist-and-go scooters, and even just a few Can-Am three-wheelers, which provide yet one more variation on gear shifting as you journey. I’ve ridden bikes with cable-actuated clutches, in addition to hydraulic ones. For years (and hundreds of miles), I commuted on a twist-and-go Suzuki Burgman 400, which I nonetheless preserve round as a result of it is extremely helpful and good at carrying issues that won’t essentially match even a mega high field.
Picture by: Adam Campbell
I wished to make all that crystal clear, so you may perceive what I imply once I say that the Honda E-Clutch is totally not an automated. It is one thing else totally.
While you journey the Insurgent 300 with E-Clutch (or some other Honda with E-Clutch, actually), you continue to must shift both up or down along with your foot. That half would not change. The one factor that does is whether or not you select to make use of the clutch lever or not.
That is to not say that it would not take some getting used to; it does, particularly in case you’re used to utilizing an everyday previous clutch lever. Actually, you do not even have to make use of the clutch lever while you’re coming to a whole cease, except you wish to. That is in all probability the half that took the longest to get my head and my arms round, if I am being trustworthy.
When you’re using and shifting with out utilizing the clutch lever, you may discover a little bit mild on the sprint that tells you the e-clutch is engaged, and that it is permitting you seamless shifting capabilities. However in case you select to drag the clutch lever in, that mild will exit.
And in case you pull the clutch lever in as you downshift into first whereas rolling to a cease, you WILL must both shift it into Impartial earlier than letting go of the clutch lever, or else begin rolling ahead once more. In any other case, you’ll stall it, similar to you’d do on a motorcycle with no e-clutch. Why? Since you pulled the clutch lever in, thus participating handbook mode. Nevertheless, in case you roll ahead and let the clutch lever out, it should routinely return to utilizing the e-clutch as a matter after all.
Picture by: Adam Campbell
Different Key Issues To Know
When requested about what occurs if the E-Clutch unit on the engine fails or is broken, Honda reps informed us that you’re going to nonetheless be capable to use it like a traditional clutch. That is positively a wise transfer on Honda’s half, as a result of whereas the E-Clutch is a pleasant choice to have (particularly when you get used to it), there’s at all times the worry of fancy new tech being only one thing more that may go improper. At the least if one thing does go improper right here, the bike will nonetheless be usable as a traditional motorbike, and that is a very vital factor.
In case you’re utilizing the E-Clutch and also you downshift into first to return to a cease, you’ll nonetheless be capable to roll ahead with no resistance. Nevertheless, while you swap the ignition off, it should revert to a traditional state of first gear, that means you may have the resistance you need while you’re parking on a hill. It is positively factor to know for the needs of parking, in addition to in case you’re using in a really hilly space and also you wish to begin utilizing the clutch friction zone to manually preserve your self from rolling backward or ahead at a cease signal or site visitors mild.
Till subsequent time, LA!
Picture by: Janaki Jitchotvisut
What’s The Driving Expertise Like?
The 2026 Honda Insurgent 300 E-Clutch, as I stated, takes a little bit getting used to in case you’ve by no means ridden with an E-Clutch earlier than. However the engine sounds fairly good, and the dealing with is kind of good, notably for the city using eventualities we skilled in LA. Whether or not we had been ripping up the twisties on Mulholland or eagerly lane splitting down the freeway whereas the automobiles round us had been barely transferring, these are the eventualities the place the Insurgent 300 completely excels.
The show does offer you indication in case you ought to actually be in a decrease or greater gear than you’re, however the E-Clutch makes it eminently simple to shift up and right down to your coronary heart’s (or bike’s) content material. Positive, a little bit 298cc bike is not going to set any land velocity information, however it’s loads to maneuver most individuals round a metropolis. It is also tremendous simple to park, and it is even simple to stroll backward in case you’ve pulled into an area and you should again it out in a particularly congested space (like, say, the Griffith Observatory). The mix of practicality, functionality, and funky come collectively properly right here, all in a bite-sized package deal.
Honda touts just a few completely different advantages with regard to the E-Clutch: comfort, releasing up your mind to do different issues (like take within the sights round you and pay extra consideration to the street), and naturally decreased left-hand fatigue in city using conditions like those we had been participating in. They usually’re not improper to take action, as a result of the E-Clutch can certainly do all of these issues.
Whether or not you are a rider who’s simply getting the dangle of getting out and discovering out what motorcycling is all about, otherwise you’re getting again into the game after a while away, or possibly you are simply searching for a little bit runabout that is good for congested metropolis using, it is arduous to search out fault with the Insurgent 300 E-Clutch.
Particularly since Honda is not asking for any extra cash for the E-Clutch. The 2026 MSRP is simply US $5,395, and it is available in your selection of black or grey (sorry, fellow shiny shade lovers). For metropolis people searching for an accessible, pleasant little cruiser expertise, you could wish to give this one a go.
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Supply: Adam Campbell
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