The Most Common Electrical Failures in a Motorcycle

If you have ever owned a motorcycle, you have probably experienced some kind of electrical failure, as this type of vehicle is more exposed to the outdoors and, therefore, its components wear out more easily.

Moreover, as electronic elements are becoming increasingly important for its operation, these types of problems can prevent you from using it for a while. To avoid this happening to you, we will now explain what the most common electrical failures are, so you can detect them in time and prevent certain future damages to your motorcycle.

Types of Electrical Failures in a Motorcycle

Electrical failures in a motorcycle can occur due to a problem in the power supply, meaning the circuit is unable to send enough electricity to the other components. Or a failure in the component itself that prevents it from functioning correctly.

Although a motorcycle's system is not overly complex, and you can check with a multimeter if everything works well, we do not recommend modifying any element, as you could cause a much bigger problem in the motorcycle.

Which Electrical Components of a Motorcycle Experience the Most Failures

Among the electrical systems and mechanisms that make up a motorcycle, some components are more susceptible to damage over time and use. The following are the components that require the most attention:

Relays

Relays are responsible for ensuring that many components of motorcycles operate perfectly. The problem related to motorcycle relays is that over time they wear out at their contacts, preventing electricity from powering the circuit. The most common failure usually occurs in the engine relay; you can detect it because you will notice that the engine has more trouble starting. To fix it, it is only necessary to replace the defective relays with new ones.

Fuses

Another electrical component that often suffers failures is the fuses. They are responsible for protecting the electrical components, preventing them from experiencing more severe problems. To detect if there is a problem with a fuse, you can use a multimeter to check the electrical continuity.

Often, problems with fuses indicate that there is a greater electrical failure in one of its components. To check this, you only need to replace the fuse and see if it blows again.

Wiring and Connections

This is undoubtedly one of the worst electrical failures a motorcycle can experience and one of the most difficult to detect, due to the large number of cables and connections a motorcycle has.

The issue is that many of them are exposed to weather conditions or the continuous vibrations of the motorcycle, making them more likely to get damaged. Therefore, it is important to inspect them frequently so you can act proactively to resolve issues.

Battery

Many electrical failures in a motorcycle occur due to battery problems, whether it is discharged, needs to be replaced, or is simply too old. A clear symptom of a battery problem is that the engine has trouble starting or the lights do not have enough power.

Alternator

A clear sign that there is a problem with the motorcycle's alternator is that the battery does not function properly, even after being recharged. Unlike cars, motorcycles do not have an indicator to show this, so it needs to be checked manually.

Lights

Most problems with motorcycle lights are related to filament breaks within the bulb. When you change the bulb, avoid touching the glass with your fingers to prevent smudging. If the bulb is in good condition, you will need to check the fuses and the relay mentioned earlier.