While OBD2 connectors have become standard in cars since 1996 due to US government mandates, the world of motorcycle diagnostics is a bit different. Unlike cars, motorcycles were not required to adopt the SAE OBDII standards. This has led to a diverse landscape of onboard diagnostic systems in motorcycles, with various manufacturers implementing their own methods. Some of these systems have become more prominent than others.
Many modern motorcycles, even without an OBD2 connector, utilize a CAN BUS (Controller Area Network) system.
For example, consider these manufacturers and their adoption of CAN BUS:
- Harley Davidson: All models from 2013 onwards are equipped with CAN BUS.
- BMW Motorcycles: Many BMW motorcycles starting from model year 2008 and later incorporate CAN BUS technology.
- Ducati and Triumph: These brands also utilize CAN BUS, often with similar connector types to BMW. Adapters are available that cater to Ducati, BMW, and Triumph CAN BUS systems.
Alt text: A close-up view of a CAN BUS adapter cable with connectors designed for BMW, Ducati, and Triumph motorcycles, shown against a white background.
So, what serves as the motorcycle equivalent of OBD-II?
In essence, many motorcycle manufacturers have embraced the CAN BUS protocol, but they often deviate from the OBD2 standard connector. Instead, they employ proprietary connectors specific to their brand. However, for those manufacturers supporting the CAN BUS protocol, converters are available. These adapters allow you to bridge the gap between the motorcycle’s proprietary connector and standard OBDII scan tools, enabling you to access diagnostic information.
The absence of regulatory pressure to standardize motorcycle diagnostics has resulted in manufacturers developing and maintaining closed, end-to-end systems, often with proprietary connection types.
Proprietary Systems Beyond CAN BUS
It’s important to note that not all motorcycle manufacturers have gravitated towards CAN BUS. Some, like Suzuki, have chosen to maintain their own unique proprietary systems. Suzuki’s onboard diagnostic system is known as SDS, or Suzuki Diagnostic System. SDS employs its own proprietary communication protocol. This approach mirrors historical trends in network protocols, similar to how companies like Microsoft and Apple initially developed proprietary systems before the widespread adoption of TCP/IP as a global standard.
While CAN BUS is a significant standard in motorcycle diagnostics, numerous other proprietary BUS network protocols exist across different manufacturers, too many to comprehensively list. The examples of CAN BUS adoption mentioned earlier are just a few illustrations of movement towards standardization, not an exhaustive list.
Looking ahead, industry leaders such as Bosch, Siemens, and NGK are actively promoting standardization efforts in motorcycle diagnostics. However, widespread adoption across the industry may still take several years. One of the primary factors influencing the pace of standardization is cost. As CAN BUS technology becomes more cost-effective, it is likely to become financially advantageous for holdout manufacturers to comply, eventually driving broader adoption and standardization in motorcycle diagnostic systems.
Interestingly, online searches using manufacturer names combined with terms like “can bus programmer” reveal considerable interest in hiring programmers for brands like Ducati and Harley Davidson. This suggests a growing demand for expertise in these systems. However, much of the detailed technical information remains behind password-protected portals, primarily accessible to authorized dealers and certified technicians.
