Side Stand Switch

[David.]

Have I got this correct, you should not be able to ride off with the side stand down.

Look closely at this photo, is there a problem with the side stand switch on this RT.

[milleplod]

Isn't it the centre stand hanging a bit low - just going on the kink in it? The one on my 1200ST could sit like that sometimes if I didn't give it a helpful kick! I eventually dismantled it and cleaned off the accumulated road muck that was causing the problem.
Pete

[David.]

Zooming in, defo. looks like the side stand, Plod usually use the side stand for a quick get away.
It's partially tucked up which I think exaggerates the kink in it. He'll soon find out on a LH bend.

(To zoom in on the photo, left click on it, then expand to actual size).



Here's a close up of the side stand, I'm picking up on the foot peg bit too.

[gadgetgaz]

Are you sure that's not the centre stand that's hanging low? As you say, the sidestand switch would prevent the engine running.
In in case I'm sure, if it hasn't already been discussed, someone else in the team will straight away spot it and mention it.

[David.]

Side stand switches can and do fail. They are mounted in a vulnerable area, not protected from road dirt & debris etc. Have seen a couple of videos where the switches have failed, resulting in being unable to start the bike. The owners have chosen to electrically by-pass the switch. Presumably, they can fail whereby the bike can also be started and put in gear whilst the stand is not fully retracted.

The switches do look rather cheap & nasty. If that little peg breaks, the switch doesn't know what position the stand is in.

[7vwh]

It might have just failed to flick back to horizontal when the officer tried before setting off. I’ve just gone out to mine and from horizontal (position of rest) the side stand got to the position in the photo before the switch kicked in and cut the engine.

[7vwh]

Also with regard to the switches failing I investigated a fatal crash many years ago where the side stand switch activated whilst the machine was moving, cutting the engine and causing the machine to take a wider path on a right hand bend and ultimately a loss of control. Side stand was still in the stowed position and electrical testing turned up the fault.

[David.]

Also with regard to the switches failing I investigated a fatal crash many years ago where the side stand switch activated whilst the machine was moving, cutting the engine and causing the machine to take a wider path on a right hand bend and ultimately a loss of control.

A sobering thought, this ex-cop (US) by the sound of it, by-passed the side stand switch on his RT, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHXGGXKYk_E

[David.]

It might have just failed to flick back to horizontal when the officer tried before setting off. I’ve just gone out to mine and from horizontal (position of rest) the side stand got to the position in the photo before the switch kicked in and cut the engine.

A fair cop, thanks for the "field testing", you can't beat it.

It proves that the switch is open/closed at the mid-point of it's travel. Hence the bike cop being able to set off with the side stand partially deployed. The original question asked, "is there a problem with the side stand switch on this RT". It would appear not, however, it would be far better if the switch cut the engine when the side stand is fully down and allowed the engine to run (in gear) only when fully retracted.

[hammo]

Wow do not like the sound of that !!!! am i right in saying that :vader: there is a chance your bike will cut out if the side stand fails and drops while you are in motion ? surely that is a serious safety malfunction .

[Beagle]

It takes quite a bit of pressure to push down my side stand. Seems if the function of this is subject to frequent maintenance checks there should not be a problem as it was designed to be safe.

[David.]

A mechanical failure seems most unlikely, the crash and non-start situations were both caused by an electrical failure of the switch.

Perhaps the switches are only electrically tested by default if trying to set off with the stand fully deployed, when hopefully, the engine cuts out.

Or, a non-start situation when the stand is fully stowed away.