its expensive hipster junk..
.it dont do anything better then a stock system..
Stryn - this is an extremely myopic view. If I were to follow your logic, then you are saying that once a system is invented, then no further enhancements or technical change should occur. That's absurd.
A prime example is the fact the choose to ride and maintain a 40 year old motorcycle, but, manufacturers still create fuel injected, electronically controlled variable vale timed, multi-cam, ABS and multi-piston, free floating calipered bikes that sell like hot cakes! Are all these bikes "expensive hipster junk"? No, they are evolution of technology.
I agree, the original components on the SOHC worked, some aspects worked well and still do. Hence, their enduring popularity and reliability. Yet, many of these components are either very hard to come by, difficult to "refresh" or simply not of a
new owners choosing. That neither makes them inadequate, or hipster junk.
But I will point out specially, that you are incorrect when you say, "they can do anything better than stock". For a fact, the M-Unit does and can, provide functionality not even possible on the stock system. Further, it includes features not found on the original bike, which further enhance the bike.
If you choose not to use these, that's great. But if others do, then have a bit more respect than to opine in your negative and derisive tone. After all, the title of the thread was specifically calling out to "Newbies" on some fundamentals of electrical. You obviously aren't one, so why bother to even read or respond?
My view is this: whatever new components that enable, or encourage new, less experienced owners to adopt motorcycling and rebuilding vintage bikes, all the better! The world (and this forum) benefits from more common membership, not less.
Don't you agree-