Suzuki GS450 Cafe Racer: Motogadget M-Unit Blue Review
Here is a look back and review of the Motogadget M-Unit Blue that I installed in my Suzuki GS450 cafe racer, including a video at the bottom of the page. I wasn't familiar with the Motogadget products when I first started planning what I would update on the Suzuki GS450L. Most of the wiring on the bike was in decent shape considering it was almost 40 years old. Then I came across the Motogadget M-Unit on Youtube and at motorcycle parts supply stores with online presence like Revival and Dime City. Revival's videos helped me understand what the M-Unit capabilities were and really sold me on the device. About the same time, I was tearing down the motorcycle and found some damaged wires from the stator and realized I could give this old bike some very modern features while still maintaining a more classic, traditional look. Among those new features were keyless ignition, diagnostics, streamlined wiring, custom configurations, and the convenience of using my phone to access the M-Unit.
Planning process
My planning for the M-Unit consisted mostly of studying the documentation and videos from Revival Cycles. Here is a link to Revival Cycles. It would have taken a lot longer to update the wiring and add the M-Unit if they didn't have such great information! Most of the parts referred to in this article were from Revival.
I decided I would go with the M-Unit Blue and stick with the general structure of the wiring as it was on the current bike, although updated with new wire and components where it made sense. I also ordered the M-Unit Wiring kit.
That plan didn't last long and I ended up changing much more than I expected later on. Turns out my planning was a bit lacking.....
Assembly
After receiving the M-Unit and studying the manual. I went to work on the mounting location. The bike would keep the side covers since I prefer that solid look on the sides. So I mounted it on a new angled aluminum sheet in front of the rear wheel near the battery. From this location, there would be good access to it and plenty of room for routing wires.
Using the wiring kit, I wired up the ignition, charging, and battery. At this point, I was already pivoting on the plan to use a separate main fuse and starter solenoid like on the stock system. If I was going to the trouble (and expense) of using the M-Unit, I should do it right and use a cleaner setup for these components, so I opted for the starter solenoid kit from Revival. That decision also resulted in the need for some specialized tools. The main one being a terminal crimper for that kit. Since I was trying to do this the "right" way, I also got a ferrule crimper to use on the wire ends that enter the M-unit. Both of these purchases were a good move. I used them multiple times, and will in the future as I transition to more robust electrical connectors on the bike. You may be picking up on the theme that there was a lot of tool and part creep as I dug into the project.
From there, I moved on to wiring the inputs which included handlebar controls, brake switches, etc. I had planned to use the original handlebar controls. Here again it was possible to reuse them but not great use of the features of the M-Unit because it limited the configurations I would be capable of using. So I ended up buying Motogadget push button M-Switches, 3 button on the left, and a 2 button on the right. Those switches are a bit pricey, and tricky to wire I found out later. There was a lot of wires running back to the m-unit from the handlebars. Hmm, the M-button can send most of those inputs back with a single wire. Less wires, less work right? So add that to the list. The m-button did reduce the wires greatly from the front of the bike to the m-unit. However, it puts them all within the handle bar. There was quite a bit of trial and error to fish the wires from the left side of the handlebar to the right and center of the handlebar. Then more tweaks as I wired up the switches and grounds with the correct wire length and still have it fit inside the bars even with my bar end mirrors and not damaging any wires. This was probably the most challenging part of the wiring process. Not overly difficult but very tedious and frustrating at times. Once the inputs were connected to the m-unit, the diagnostic features start to come alive. As a switch is pressed, the corresponding input on the m-unit lights up on the device to confirm they are connected properly.
Wiring the output was much simpler. And more satisfying! Feels good to wire up the new headlight and be able to turn it on with the new switch (or the phone app). I didn't have many issues with the output wiring. Had a high and low beam wire mix up and added the diodes in the turn signal to indicators circuit, but not much else.
From there, I moved on to organize the wires, cable tie, wrap, and generally make it look good. Finally, I created a wiring diagram for reference in the future. I intend to go back and update some of the cheap connectors I used to more professional harnesses now that I know everything is working properly. Sounds like a good winter project.
Results
Let's start with the M-Unit Blue. My favorite feature by far is Keyless-Go through the Mo.Ride app. Keyless-Go provides a keyless ignition just modern cars and trucks. As you approach the motorcycle, at a pre-configured range, it unlocks the ignition so you can turn it on and start it while the key is still in your pocket. Very cool transformation for a 40 year old bike. Bluetooth and apps aren't guarantees, so always keep your key with you, but it has worked for me every time so far.
Where the electrical system was once a black box unless you probed it with a multimeter, now there is a window into the electrics of the bike. With the Mo.Ride app on my phone, I can see a live view of the voltage and amperage draw for each system as long as I am within Bluetooth range of the bike.
There are also many different configurations for the built in alarm, turn signals, brake lights, and other systems. For example, you can have the brake light rapidly flash when you first apply it to provide more visibility to those following you. The turn signals can automatically turn off based on time or distance travelled. Some of these features may not work depending on what lights you have on the bike. For example, my LED turn signals fade in the direction of the turn, and the soft flash setting resulted in the fade not working and a dim signal. Not the M-Units fault, just something to keep in mind as you select components for the bike.
The M-Button did clean up the wiring to the M-Unit from the front of the bike. It didn't make it easier to wire the bike, it actually made it harder, but I still like it for how the wires were easier to organize and reduction in wires routed back through the bike.
The M-Switches are also good quality, although a bit hard to work with for routing wires and attaching to the handlebars. I'm used to having the turn-signal switch on the left side of the handlebar for both left and right signals. The typical set up with the m-switches is to have the left on the side left and the right signal switch on the right side. That took a while to get used to, especially if twisting the throttle while trying to turn on the signal.
In summary, I am very satisfied with the M-Unit Blue and the other Motogadget components I used with it. It is actually one of the main highlights of the customizations on my bike. The M-Unit complements the lighting and electrical system changes and provides some "wow factor" with the keyless ignition. Before adding it to your motorcycle, if you are a first-timer, don't underestimate the cost and time adders that come along with it. It will complicate and create some trickle-down changes to your bike that you hadn't originally intended. That said, most of those changes will also improve and modernize the bike.
I'd love to hear from others with a Motogadget M-Unit and hear your experiences and any tips that you have learned during installation or use.
Looking for more information? Check out this article on components used in my cafe racer build.
