Technology is accelerating and we’re finding a lot of it making its way into motorcycles. Cars have been ahead in this technology race for quite a while, but finally, aftermarket companies are addressing the needs of motorcyclists, especially the builders and DIY crowd, giving all of us a chance to add features that used to come in a lot of separate packages. The MotoGadget m.unit packs a lot into one little microprocessor controlled box. I’ve noticed it popping up, recently, and I didn’t know anything about it, so I did a little research and it’s impressive.
If you’re restoring an old bike, creating a new wiring harness can be head scratcher, but with the m.unit, it’s a whole lot simpler and easier. With an additional piece called the m-button, all of the handlebar controls can be wired to a single small cylindrical unit hidden inside the handlebars which interprets each switch or button input (starter, horn, turn signal, etc.) and sends the appropriate signal back to the m.unit over one small easily hidden wire. Custom builders will like that. The m.unit control box does all of the actual switching and doubles as a fuse box, opening the circuit when it detects a fault and resetting after the problem is corrected and the M.unit works with both 6 volt and 12 volt systems, so the antique crowd isn’t forgotten.
The unit gives you a lot of extra options so you can decide what that simple switch does when it’s pushed or flipped. The brakes light, for instance, has many modes, continuous, fade in and out, flashing at a choice of frequencies and various combinations of those modes. The turn signals can be set to shutdown after various delay times, they can be set to flash or fade in and out plus they can also all be used as running lights at your choice of intensities. Current measurement can detect a burned out light. There’s an alarm system, too, that can be set to different levels of sensitivity if someone tries to steal your bike.
The m.unit blue, an updated version of the m.unit, using Bluetooth, pairs with your smartphone which can set all of the configurations noted above, it can receive alarm or fault events and transmit to your headphones, it tracks mileage to signal maintenance needs, it can ping the unit for help locating the vehicle and there’s a whole lot more.
There are a lot of features I didn’t mention, but you already get the idea. Accessories like these will become commonplace as digital electronics gets into the hands of builders and restorers through aftermarket companies that see the huge potential of bringing microprocessor control to the do it yourself biker. I like it.
You can find all of the MotoGadget products on eBay.
F. Del monte says
For vintage bikes and yet it is negative ground. Shame it’s not ground independent.
Scott says
I wasn’t aware that vintage motorcycles ran on anything with diodes, or any other sort of polarity-sensitive equipment for that matter. Negative ground has been industry standard for virtually anything with wheels for over 40 years ON PURPOSE, and there’s a variety of reasons why your comment 1) is incredibly poorly thought out, and 2) shows that you clearly do not have a terribly clear understanding of how the m.Unit is installed, or how your motorcycle’s electrical system ACTUALLY works. Electrons only flow one way, and if you actually purchased an m.Unit and thoroughly went over the directions included with it, I’m sure you and anybody else would have no problem wiring it into a classic motorcycle. From what I’ve seen, it’s incredibly straightforward, and I personally plan to pick one up for my bike as well.
BigHank53 says
If you’re updating a vintage bike to the point where you’re replacing the wiring harness, switches, and electronics, it’s another thirty seconds worth of work to make the bike negative ground.
Meehawl says
But will it survive the inevitable global EMP pulse that occurs when zombie hordes take over the banking cartels and rule with a pulpy fist. Might have to shield it with some sort of Nicholas Cage or something.
Still a bloody good idea though.
Rich says
But how (exactly) does this tech work? In other words, using two (or three) buttons to activate several functions. How does one toggle to a different function? – multiple button pushes to activate L turn signal then more button pushes to activate the horn? My configuration would have left/right turn signals, head light on/off, head light hi/lo, horn and engine off switch. This would be a fantastic space saver for my left handle bar end but if I have to remember ‘codes’ to activate the horn, forget it! Sorry, this old dog needs to know before throwing down $ for this set-up.
Paul Crowe says
Just use your switches like you always have, no special sequence of multiple button pushes necessary, just push the horn button and the horn blows, push the start button and the bike starts. The m-button takes the input from the switch, converts it to a digital signal the m-unit control box understands where the actual switching happens, blowing the horn, starting the bike or whatever you want. Cool, huh? This is the kind of stuff that gets people interested in learning a little bit of electronics in the digital age when they see real applications like this that simplify things they’re already working on. You gotta be careful, though, you might get hooked on it and then who knows what you’ll do next.
Arnel Pio says
Love motogadget products started installing them on Harley Fxrs just last year using the munit V2. I dedicated a Instagram page just for the product “motogadget_fxr”. I recently sold 3 munit blues and decided I needed one for my personal ride.
Michael Lynch says
So you still have all the handlebar buttons and other switches, as well as all the wires to the various accessories, This hardware basically replaces some pieces of wire that connect the old switch to the item controlled. The “m-button” is just a multiplex unit, “button” is a misnomer. So now, instead of wiring switches direct to the controlled item, you have the old switch connected to the “m-button” connected to the “m-unit” that connects to the circuit being controlled. Not sure I see the advantage for me. Additional complexity for complexities sake? I also see that the switches now need to be grounded since that seems to be how they signal the m-button to trigger a function. Too bad, since most handlebar switches are not grounded, creates more issues, not fewer. This would be great if you had a fairly primitive bike that needed a totally refurbished wire harness. Not so great on a properly functional and fairly complex modern bike with good electrical system. P.S. Also, not impressed with a guy who rides a motorcycle without eye protection.
Charlie says
The m is best paired with smaller, discrete switches, and LED lights. You’re quite right that just sticking it on with a full set of conventional “stuff” isn’t much of an advantage.
But!! If you are creating a new wiring harness, it is a huge advantage. Combine the m with their handlebar switches ( https://motogadget.com/shop/en/m-switch-401.html ) and you clean up the bars beautifully, and still have full functionality of all the bits you need to be road legal.
If you use the old gear with LED’s, you need to add more “stuff” to the harness to make them work right, ex., resistor to get blinkers to pulse correctly. You also don’t have any diagnostics as the M has, and you need a fuse block ….
The M is certainly expensive, but it has a lot of functions. If it’s not worth it to you, that’s a personal choice. I won’t be adding one to my Superduke R, but it’s on the list for the T-500 rebuild.