Electricity

Shadow and light!
Batteries, fuses, plugs, ignition… There are plenty of reasons why your motorcycle electrical system can pose problems. Let's look at them in detail…

The battery

Modern motorcycles have increasingly complex electrical systems: they need to power performance lighting systems, heated hand grips, alarm, radio, sockets for heated clothing and even a passenger intercom.

So, there is high draw on the battery, especially during repeated urban driving, over short distances during which the alternator does not have the time to recharge the battery.
Increasingly more bikes are fitted with automatic headlights: cold starting can be a pain. It is estimated that the normal lifespan of a battery is two years, but it may need to be recharged regularly, as a preventive measure, especially in the cold seasons.

   

 

Fuses

The fuses act as a safety switch in case of an overload on an electrical circuit.
On a standard motorcycle, without accessories, the fuses should never blow, and if they do, this is the sign of a fault on an electric circuit.

On the other hand, when fitting different accessories, this may mean that the power draw required is too high in relation to the motorcycle's capacities

The spark plugs

The ignition and spark plugs are also a part of your motorcycle's electrical system. On some models, the ignition module burns out; this is an expensive component, to be claimed under warranty wherever possible.
As for the spark plugs, simply follow the usual servicing and inspection recommendations (generally every 6,000 or 12,000 km).

The spark plugs should not pose problems, unless there has been a drastic (and forbidden) modification to the carburation set-up and the exhaust on your motorcycle.
Certain motorcycles are known for the mediocre watertightness of their electrical equipment.
It's a good idea to fit an additional mud-flap to the front mudguard, and to spray a sealant into the plug wells and on the suppressors.

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