Has anyone done the bypass of either the side stand switch or the clutch switch yet? If so, do you have any tips or how to info.
Here you go: http://advrider.com/forums/showpost.php?p=20637479&postcount=217 HF P.s. I'm not aware of any "clutch switch" that needs disabling. The bike can already be started in any gear with the clutch pulled in. I believe that to be the most desirable condition. So, it's All Good!
Good stuff on the side stand switch, thanks. The clutch switch bypass "might" not be needed, but think of this scenario: The pesky neutral switch makes the bike "think" it’s in gear, because has finally failed completely. The clutch switch is buggered, perhaps from a fall or just because it has failed. The bike won’t start. If it was not for the issues with the neutral switch, I would probably agree the clutch switch was no big deal. I just don’t trust that neutral switch from completely crapping out one day and I have had clutch switches fail before.
Interesting......I've never encountered that problem in 40 years of riding. If your neutral indicator failed, and the system thinks it is "in gear", wouldn't the bike start if you simply pulled in the clutch? HF
You are saying you have never had or seen a clutch switch fail? I dont know, I have seen it to be pretty common for the clutch switch to fail from even a simple drop. I have also found it a fairly common thing on dual sport bikes to disabled it along with the side stand switch. I have done both on my last few bikes.
Strange. I've stalled my Terra many times off road and I can't get it to fire unless I get it into neutral. It's quite a pain when maneuvering up/downhill obstacles. It's been the reason I've put the dang thing on its side so many times. I'm getting good at picking it up though. That's a bonus. Heavy bugger.
^ There you go. His clutch switch has failed. Bike wont start in gear with the clutch pulled, it has to be in neutral. This happens a LOT. Now add the issues some of us have had with the neutral switch and you are stuck. Bypass that clutch switch and its no longer an issue.
Nope....never happened to me before. But now, I've probably jinxed myself. Don't even know where this clutch switch is. Never hunted one down, obviously. Is it a open or closed circuit to activate? HF
I can’t say I have had it happen to me a lot, but it has happened. When I rode with the KLR crowd though, I would see it all the time. If someone fell that did not have it by passed it would fail most times. Most of the time you could just put the bike in neutral and it would start. Many times you could monkey with the switch and get it working again. When I started with DRZ's bypassing it almost became a necessity. The DRZ (and other Suzuki’s I have had) HAD to have the clutch pulled to start even when it was in neutral. If the clutch switch failed, your bike does not start. On the DRZ's you could remove the whole switch & 2 wire assembly from the clutch lever back to where they had 2 connectors in the headlight area. You then simply connected the 2 loose ends in the headlight area with each other as one was male the other was female. Really clean & really easy. Other bikes I have had to cut and join the 2 wires. I assume that is a closed circuit, similar to the side stand switch. I don’t know what BMW does, but I doubt it will be as simple & clean as the DRZ. Shoot they have a 3rd wire in the side stand switch....what is that for? There is a wire assembly going to the clutch lever. How many wires are in there....I don’t know?
