Back in the day, motorcycles were simple machines. A chassis, two wheels, an engine and brakes were all that was included in early motorcycle models. As the decades progressed, motorcycles became feature-rich. This compelled motorcycle manufacturers to equip their motorcycles with electronic control units or motorcycle engine management units.
The engine management system of a motorcycle can be defined more or less as the electronic brain of the vehicle.
The role of MEM is to take rider and sensor inputs from the bike in which the unit is installed. After the engine management system takes the inputs, the same are processed and then pertinent signals are sent to the concerned electronic components. The result is that the electronic components that receive the output signals from the MEM unit, act on the same.
For example, there are multiple sensors working in tandem within a modern motorcycle. All of these sensors offer their accumulated data consisting of air pressure, temperature, throttle position, and RPM to the MEM unit. The MEM unit then processes the data and sends instructions to other electronic components like the fuel injection system. The fuel injection system then optimizes the amount of fuel it injects into the cylinder. This allows the combustion process taking place within the cylinder of the bike’s engine to conclude efficiently. The outcome of the above steps is that the bike will offer an impressive throttle response to the rider. At the same time, the overall fuel efficiency of the bike will also get a boost.
Modern MEM units are also capable of adjusting the timing of the valves in premium motorcycles. This simple step allows the motorcycle engine to offer impressive low RPM torque and high RPM power.
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A MEM unit in a modern bike is also programmed to efficiently control onboard electronics such as the ones mentioned below.
If the motorcycle engine management system of a motorcycle becomes faulty, the bike’s check engine indicator may turn on. On top of this, inaction could lead to deteriorating fuel economy and the overall performance of the affected bike. If action is still not taken then the bike could stop working altogether!
Engine management systems in vehicles are as important as having an engine or transmission. In simple words, modern motorcycles are not designed to run without their MEM unit. To put things into perspective, a bike without a MEM won’t even start.
Why?
Well, the MEM controls the fuel injection system. Hence, the absence of a MEM equals to a non-functioning EFI. The result is a bike that won’t even start!
Engineers test the MEM units of modern bikes by connecting the unit of a bike with their specially designed diagnostic computers. The MEM unit is connected to the computer of an engineer using an OBD port. Here OBD stands for onboard diagnostics. Engineers check the MEM units of motorcycles whenever the vehicles are brought into the service center for periodic servicing. This check is carried out to ensure that the MEM unit of a bike is working as it was programmed to or not. This check will also be carried out to troubleshoot the MEM unit if the same is acting out.
Yes, it is possible to replace the OEM-installed MEM unit of a modern motorcycle with a high-performance aftermarket unit.
Additional Read: How Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) Has Improved Motorcycle Performance
Yes, it is also possible to re-tune the OEM-installed MEM unit of a modern motorcycle. This process is known as remapping. With a remapped MEM unit, a stock motorcycle’s overall performance and road behavior can be enhanced. However, the overall fuel efficiency of a motorcycle with remapped MEM unit will suffer. On top of this, the brand that made the motorcycle will not cover the motorcycle by offering a warranty. The moment the stock MEM unit is remapped, OEM issued warranty is rendered void!
For more details, please feel free to talk with an engineer at a bike service centre.
