Newbe Question - Does the newer Ninjas (or any bikes) have OBDII connectivity?

[Wanderer]

Do any newer bikes support OBDII connectivity to their EPU like cars?

[MrAtom]

I'm pretty sure there are diagnostic ports on some motorcycles, but I'm not so sure there is a set standard. Mine's carbureted, so someone who's fuel injected could better answer your question.

Also, I'm curious @choneofakind did your Ecotrons fuel injected kit have some kind of diagnostic system?

[Elongo06]

There is a Diagnostic port under the pillion(seat) on Ninja 300's. I haven't messed with mine though.

[Wanderer]

Originally Posted by Elongo06

There is a Diagnostic port under the pillion(seat) on Ninja 300's. I haven't messed with mine though.

Does anyone know what protocol or standard this port is based on? Meaning, is it OBDII compatible?

Thanks

[Alex]

No, there is no standard for motorcycle diagnostic ports like OBD for cars. Would be nice if it got there at some point.

[corksil]

The diagnostic port on all of my motorcycles is the same form-factor. It is always round, near the back of the bike, and it's the same hole that loud noises come out of while riding.

To interface with the diagnostic port, I typically position my nose within ten inches of the port and inhale.

[Rifleman]

Originally Posted by Alex

No, there is no standard for motorcycle diagnostic ports like OBD for cars. Would be nice if it got there at some point.

That is true, but the TLR has a 6 pin plug under the seat, if you get an FI light, you can just put a wire jumper between pins 1 and 2 and it will go into FI mode. It will display the error codes and you can find out what sensor, fuel injector, or other monitored condition is out of spec.

and that was on a 2003 bike... got to be some self diagnostic machines out there today.

[Alex]

Most modern FI bikes have some sort of diag port, and some type of electronic access, yes. Cars had similar things in the years before OBD as well. What makes OBD standards interesting is just that, standards. Same port, same protocols, etc. For bikes you need manufacturer-specific gadgets.

Car manufacturers didn't just decide to standardize, they were required to in order to sell cars in the US. Would likely have to be similar regulations to move motorcycles in the same direction. With the market as small as it is comparatively, it doesn't seem likely to be a priority of any legislator.

[Rifleman]

Originally Posted by Alex

it is comparatively, it doesn't seem likely to be a priority of any legislator.

you got to get a legislator with a brother in law in the molded plastic plug housing manufacture industry.

then he writes legislation that requires the use of his BIL's plug and volia' instant zillionare.

[rgx107]

OBD is mandatory for new bikes in EU from Jan 1st 2017, I suppose also with a standard for the connector.

[corksil]

Manufacturers can make more if they sell machines with proprietary interface units.

Having a standardized connector and interface protocols would put a lot of performance shops out of business because the lowest bidders would quickly develop/sell/inundate the market with tech required to interface with a wide range of models.

I also think it would be terrible for the actual machines because suddenly any un-qualified idiot could afford the [cheap] tech to interface with the machine and do things to it's various mechanisms that they don't understand enough about. I'm referring to engine tuning and that changes of that nature.

Keeping a standardized plug and interface protocols from becoming mainstream would be in the best interest of the manufacturers for the purpose of selling more products.

If you need proof of this, look at the development of OBD over the years. OBD1 simply flashed trouble codes, stored after a problem occurred. It took a degree of skill to read the codes and diagnose the problem. That kept mechanics employed.

With the advent of OBDII and cheap [widely available] scan tools, anyone could afford the tool for their particular car and that enabled any end-user to get waaaay over their head in terms of performing certain mechanical tasks. Some degree of skill is required to replace sensors, rewire things, or change out mechanical parts as needed.

Many modern cars trigger numerous SRS/ABS/PCM/ECU codes at the slightest sign of a hiccup within the diagnostic circuitry. Because the diagnosis tools are so widely available, any car owner without mechanical expertise suddenly feels empowered to undertake massive mechanical projects without proper training or experience.

Youtube has played a massive part in this because it enables anyone to feel competent enough to undertake things which should otherwise be left to a qualified mechanic.

There's a big difference between an enthusiastic idiot with tools and a qualified technician.



Need proof? Look at the picture ^^^^^

[adouglas]

Much truth in this. I have direct experience from troubleshooting a misfire in my car. The code is only part of the information you need to fix something. Plus, for some reason people seem to be allergic to dropping a few bucks on the factory maintenance manual.