BMW sidestand switch failure

Hey anyone know about sidestand switches failing on BMW's? (ie. the
engine disable-switch). Since many riders use the side stand as a
kill switch - it seems that failing at the wrong time could lead to
disaster.

Also: there is a mod to BMW sidestand switches so the bike will run when
in Neutral and the stand is down. Anyone have experience with this?

 

Smart manufacturers wire the switch so that it kills the engine when
closed.

 

It failed at least twice on my 850R - but the failure was that it would
stop killing the engine. (my 1996)

The newer models are wired this way. (my 2003)

 

He was making a left turn in neutral?

I was very annoyed at the older models not letting me use the sidestand
whenever I needed to get something out of the side bags.

 

I own a 01 R1150RT (Canada had these in 01) and it runs in neutral with side
stand down, of which I like. (It's BS to have to put your bike up on the
center stand, or sit on it to warm it up) Because of sidestand switch
failure concerns I got myself in the habit of regularly killing the the bike
with the sidestand switch vs the kill switch or key. Typically I leave the
bike in gear as a parking brake anyways.

 

Go hang out at your local dealer and play with the locking sidestands
on the CHP bikes that are lined up to have their clutches replaced.
Then you'll see why the knucklehead crashed.

 

Quit getting it wet and the connections won't corrode and fail.

Reminds me of the quality Lucas connectors of old. They tarnished and
rusted before they left the dealer showroom. Got worse when you washed the
bike. Needed to carry an emery board as standard fixit tool on the road
during rainy season.

B~

 

It's a BMW, not a Harley. It gets used in the rain.

My older one (the 850) spent 7 years and 72k outside. The new one
is luckier - it lived on 6 months before getting a garage.

 

My R1100RS is modified this way. I seldom use the side stand but try to be
aware that it could be a problem if I took off with the stand down.
I have owned a number of bikes ( like more than 30 ) and in the old days, I
can't recall any bikes having a kill switch wired to the side stand.
I do recall a couple of doinks after forgetting to fold up the stand but
none were more than a brief oops kind of thing.