Do the switches on motorcycle handlebars use magnetic reed switches? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: e100
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 19, 2021, 04:00:57 am
content: If not, how do they make them waterproof to survive being hit by rain drops at 100 mph?

author: newbrain
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 19, 2021, 04:12:52 am
content: Not in any of the four motorcycles I've owned.Classic mechanical contacts, with decent sealing.

author: e100
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 19, 2021, 05:33:58 am
content: Quote from: newbrain on December 19, 2021, 04:12:52 amHow are the slider types sealed? Is the slider actually turning a shaft with an O-ring seal?

author: sleemanj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 19, 2021, 06:25:38 am
content: I think maybe you overestimate how big a problem water is.It's a 12v system, the switches are not submerged (normally, but in my trail bike days it has been known), rainwater isn't very conductive, and they are facing to the rider not the oncoming onslaught.In all my bikes, they have been simple slide switches, nothing more.Here's a video of some fellow disassembling some typical switches,

author: e100
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 19, 2021, 06:54:30 am
content: Quote from: sleemanj on December 19, 2021, 06:25:38 amThat's a 20+ year old scooter. Are modern motorbikes the same?Presumably some of todays models are using ECUs and therefore the switches are only switching a few milliamps. Wouldn't water ingress and leakage currents be a problem for those?

author: PlainName
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 20, 2021, 11:24:05 pm
content: QuoteWhy would using an ECU mean only a few milliamps? An ECU might onlyneedmA for triggering, but you could arrange for several amps to be going through that switch if you wanted and the ECU would be just fine with that.

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 20, 2021, 11:33:34 pm
content: I'm sure some modern motorcycles will use entirely electronic controls, but I bet its in the minority.Cheap electric motorcycles and scooters use mechanical switches, with hall effect sensors for the throttle control.Throttle is much more critical, you'd never want to use a slide pot or something unreliable where the throttle can easily jump to 100% or 0% at the wrong time.There is a basic level of plastic sealing for these, and grease, some will have an additional silicone cover to keep more water out. High end bikes might have proper rubber seals.

author: I wanted a rude username
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 23, 2021, 08:30:51 am
content: Quote from: e100 on December 19, 2021, 06:54:30 amMotorbike technology tends to be conservative and lag behind automotive technology ... e.g. in many cases not adopting EFI until the mid 2000s! Maybe it's due to the low volumes of big bikes and low profit on small bikes. Whatever the reason, my bike has an ECU but still switches the full current of everything through the handlebar switches, with the sole exception of the starter contactor. The switches are mosty bespoke as already described, plus a couple of microswitches.

author: Ground_Loop
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 23, 2021, 11:25:56 am
content: I have a fairly new high end dirt bike (meant to be ridden in muck and water) and all the switch contacts are basic mechanical with a healthy coat of grease. The housings have a hint of protection, but nothing super effective.