sidestand/starter switch '97 R850

[flymymbz]

Just brought home the R850R from MN this weekend.

So far, I LOVE this bike. One thing though, that annoys me. You have to have the side stand up to start the bike. Even in neutral with the clutch in. :banghead

I don't have an issue with it killing the engine should you shift into gear with the stand down (yup, been there, done that), but it just doesn't make sense to have it up just to start it.

Any way to disable just that part of it while leaving the "kill if in gear" part intact?

[Andy VH]

Sure! Just remove the switch at the sidestand and connect the two wires together. Done!

I had a minor crash with my 94 R1100RS back in 98, broke my left leg, but the only damage to the bike was the sidestand switch got crunched. When my brother went to pick up my bike from the impound, it wouldn't start. From my hospital bed I told him to check that switch. Sure enough, was busted. He pulled the wires connected them, started the bike, rode it home for me.

I later soldered the wires together. Been like that for over 90,000 mile now!

[lsouth3]

I like the feature because using the sidestand switch as a "kill switch" keeps old f***s like me from absentmindedly dropping the bike because the sidestand was still up. Don't bother to ask how I figured all this out. :banghead

[osbornk]

I like the feature because using the sidestand switch as a "kill switch" keeps old f***s like me from absentmindedly dropping the bike because the sidestand was still up. Don't bother to ask how I figured all this out. :banghead

I did the same thing in front of a grocery store in front of a lot of people. Nobody offered to help pick it up. Mine recently malfunctioned and it no longer works as a kill switch. I gotta fix it before I let it fall again.

Ken

[Hoffy20]

The IBMWR web site has directions for adding a relay to allow starting with the side stand down when the neutral light is on. I did the mod on my 95 RS now can start on the side stand or pick up a fallen glove without shutting down.

[flymymbz]

Thanks guys!

I kinda like the 'kill in gear' feature.....I can be boneheaded enough to ummm... forget... to put the sidestand up. But why they made it so you can't even start the bike with it down..... dumb.

Its up on the lift right now, I'm swapping out all the fluids and installing a Fuzeblock. We'll see how difficult it is to fix the switch.

Dee