Motorcycle electrics explained: Keyless ignition

Rupert Paul of Rupe’s Rewires has been designing and building custom wiring looms for six years. Here’s his take on what to look for when you buy aftermarket electrics…

If you want the keyless ignition system used by some of the latest bikes, the only option I’ve come across so far is the Motogadget M Lock.

It’s a little disc that sits anywhere on the bike, and when you pass another little disc near it the motorcycle switches on. Pass it again and it switches off.

It’s quite easy to hook up on a new build loom – either to a Motogadget M Unit or to a relay that turns the bike on – and it means you can do away with the ignition switch.

The drawbacks are that it costs £115, sips current from your battery all the time (so you might need to think about a charger if you’re not using the bike very often), uses tiny cables, and only switches one pair of contacts unless you buy a two-contact relay.

Get more advice on all forms of motorcycle electrics by clicking here