Lol! Nice catch!

MICRider · 06-10-2011, 03:47 PM

I was doing some shopping at Staples this morning (day off work, yay!), and when I came out I unlocked my helmet and put the key in the ignition. Strapped my helmet on and was going to do up my jacket. I figured I would start the bike and let it warm up while I zipped my jacket. Parked in neutral and neutral light was on, hit the start button and the dang thing lurches forward off the stand!! I just (and I mean just!) caught it before it fell all the way to the ground and broke something expensive and plastic

. A fellow parked nearby said "Wow! Are you ok?" and then he said "There should be some sort of a safety for that!" There is a sidestand safety switch and also a neutral light so that sort of thing shouldn't happen but it did. It's done it a few times before, but never threw itself off the stand before. Lesson learned though, as the MSF course will tell you, mount the bike and rock it to ensure it's in neutral... I wont be trusting the light (or safety switch) again! Anyone else with a late model KLR in the stable might want to watch for this, I've heard of it happening before. Though, it is a good test for ones reflexes! :P

FastDoc · 06-10-2011, 04:05 PM

Good catch.

Just like with a gun never trust the safety.

I guess you found that out. 8)

MICRider · 06-10-2011, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FastDoc

Goos catch.

Just like with a gun never trust the safety.

I guess you found that out. 8)

Lol, indeed I did! I also found out I can move faster than I thought for an old fat guy

. I should have known better since it's done it before, must be some sort of a false neutral thing. Next time I'll be more careful (plus, it's kinda embarrasing!)

FastDoc · 06-10-2011, 04:36 PM

I almost dumped my Harley the same way once. Harley has an excellent well engineered kickstand that locks in place when extended under the weight of the bike. That feature saved me.

SamM · 06-10-2011, 05:18 PM

Those safety switches can and do fail. I always remove them from my motorcycles. Training yourself not to need them or use them is safer, in my mind anyway. These switches are the answer to a problem that doesn't exsist.

Honestly, you don't need them.

SamM

SpudRider · 06-11-2011, 01:33 AM

I'm glad you caught the bike, and avoided damage, Stew!

I understand the KLR650 plastic is quite expensive. 8O

My Zong doesn't have any safety switches, and I'm glad it doesn't. However, I appreciate the safety switches on my more powerful, Honda XR650L.

I'm not trying to disagree with Sam, but I encourage you to see if you can fix the safety switches on your KLR650. I'm sure someone has written about this problem in the several fine, KLR650 forums.

Nevertheless, I also agree with FastDoc; never trust the safety switches, or the neutral indicator light.

Spud

Weldangrind · 06-11-2011, 03:13 AM

I'm glad it didn't fall on you. Nice catch indeed.

dmmcd · 06-11-2011, 07:35 AM

My SV has a clutch switch, so the clutch must be pulled in for the starter to engage. I was kind of surprised when I could start my XF without the clutch...

Good catch. I've had several embarrassing moments, and the SV has hit the ground several times, but it's all part of the learning.

suprf1y · 06-11-2011, 08:34 AM

My KLX has the opposite problem. After the bike warms up, even if it's in neutral, the light won't come on, and the starter won't turn. The clutch safety will get it going.

I went riding at our club's property on my KDX last night. The bike almost fell over 4 times, including once while I was under it adjusting the front suspension. 2 more times, it almost went down on the track. I managed to save it every time. After I got home, and washed it, I put it on the foot lift stand to lube the chain. Once the bike was up, and I went to get the lube, the stand dropped (it's never done that before), the bike fell off, and hit the floor like a ton of bricks.
That stupid bike was determined to go down last night, and it finally got it's way

MICRider · 06-11-2011, 11:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpudRider

I'm glad you caught the bike, and avoided damage, Stew!

I understand the KLR650 plastic is quite expensive. 8O

My Zong doesn't have any safety switches, and I'm glad it doesn't. However, I appreciate the safety switches on my more powerful, Honda XR650L.

I'm not trying to disagree with Sam, but I encourage you to see if you can fix the safety switches on your KLR650. I'm sure someone has written about this problem in the several fine, KLR650 forums.

Nevertheless, I also agree with FastDoc; never trust the safety switches, or the neutral indicator light.

Spud

It's funny because it's an intermittent thing and only does it once in a blue moon... It has done it since I bought it though with only 2400 Km's on the clock. Maybe 6 times in the year and a bit I've had it? I think it has something to do with that Kawasaki "Easy find" neutral... I'll have to do a little research

Edit: Kind of makes you wonder as well, why didn't Kawi put the rad on the non sidestand side? Plastics are pricey enough but the rad is ridiculous $$$ :roll:

MICRider · 07-22-2011, 11:03 PM

Just a little update for anyone that might own a KLR as well. From reading up on the net it sounds like the lurch is not all that uncommon. What was recommended to me (and it seems to work) is to pull in the clutch lever before hitting the start button... Hasn't done it since! Yay!! I'm still not precisely sure what causes the occasional lurch on these bikes as after the last time mine did it, I hit the starter again and it started and didn't lurch so it definitely was in neutral... I'm thinking it has something to do with the fluid film of the oil "sticking" parts together for a moment, long enough to kick it off the stand anyway! Now I just make sure I pull the clutch before I hit the start button and it seems fine

SpudRider · 07-23-2011, 01:09 AM

I'm paranoid; I always engage the clutch before pushing the start button.

I think you have adopted a good practice, Stew.

Spud

06-10-2011, 03:47 PM	#1
MICRider Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 3,274	Lol! Nice catch! I was doing some shopping at Staples this morning (day off work, yay!), and when I came out I unlocked my helmet and put the key in the ignition. Strapped my helmet on and was going to do up my jacket. I figured I would start the bike and let it warm up while I zipped my jacket. Parked in neutral and neutral light was on, hit the start button and the dang thing lurches forward off the stand!! I just (and I mean just!) caught it before it fell all the way to the ground and broke something expensive and plastic . A fellow parked nearby said "Wow! Are you ok?" and then he said "There should be some sort of a safety for that!" There is a sidestand safety switch and also a neutral light so that sort of thing shouldn't happen but it did. It's done it a few times before, but never threw itself off the stand before. Lesson learned though, as the MSF course will tell you, mount the bike and rock it to ensure it's in neutral... I wont be trusting the light (or safety switch) again! Anyone else with a late model KLR in the stable might want to watch for this, I've heard of it happening before. Though, it is a good test for ones reflexes! :P
	0

06-10-2011, 04:05 PM	#2
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	Good catch. Just like with a gun never trust the safety. I guess you found that out. 8) __________________ Happy to serve.
	0

06-10-2011, 04:36 PM	#4
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	I almost dumped my Harley the same way once. Harley has an excellent well engineered kickstand that locks in place when extended under the weight of the bike. That feature saved me. __________________ Happy to serve.
	0

06-10-2011, 05:18 PM	#5
SamM Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: West Virginia Posts: 1,194	Those safety switches can and do fail. I always remove them from my motorcycles. Training yourself not to need them or use them is safer, in my mind anyway. These switches are the answer to a problem that doesn't exsist. Honestly, you don't need them. SamM __________________ 2013 Jeep Wrangler Sahara MOAB 2005 BMW E53 X5 2011 Schutt Industries LTT-HC LQG trailer 2017 Coleman CT200U 1978 Yamaha SR500E 1979 Yamaha XS650 Special II
	0

06-11-2011, 01:33 AM	#6
SpudRider Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Idaho Posts: 25,054	I'm glad you caught the bike, and avoided damage, Stew! I understand the KLR650 plastic is quite expensive. 8O My Zong doesn't have any safety switches, and I'm glad it doesn't. However, I appreciate the safety switches on my more powerful, Honda XR650L. I'm not trying to disagree with Sam, but I encourage you to see if you can fix the safety switches on your KLR650. I'm sure someone has written about this problem in the several fine, KLR650 forums. Nevertheless, I also agree with FastDoc; never trust the safety switches, or the neutral indicator light. Spud __________________ Spud "Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, and beat you with experience." Mark Twain 2015 Zongshen ZS250GY-3 (RX3) 2006 Zongshen ZS200GY-2 (Sierra 200) 2005 Honda XR650L 2004 Honda CRF250X 1998 Kawasaki KDX220 Mods made to my Zongshen ZS200GY-2: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=6894
	0

06-11-2011, 03:13 AM	#7
Weldangrind Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sardis, BC, Canada Posts: 25,977	I'm glad it didn't fall on you. Nice catch indeed. __________________ Weldangrind "I figure I'm well-prepared for coping with a bike that comes from the factory with unresolved issues and that rewards the self-reliant owner." - Buccaneer
	0

06-11-2011, 07:35 AM	#8
dmmcd Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Souderton, PA Posts: 367	My SV has a clutch switch, so the clutch must be pulled in for the starter to engage. I was kind of surprised when I could start my XF without the clutch... Good catch. I've had several embarrassing moments, and the SV has hit the ground several times, but it's all part of the learning. __________________ 2008 Yamaha WR250x 2006 Honda CRF250R Sold: 2002 Suzuki SV650S, 2009 Qlink XF200
	0

06-11-2011, 08:34 AM	#9
suprf1y Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: SW Ontario Posts: 408	My KLX has the opposite problem. After the bike warms up, even if it's in neutral, the light won't come on, and the starter won't turn. The clutch safety will get it going. I went riding at our club's property on my KDX last night. The bike almost fell over 4 times, including once while I was under it adjusting the front suspension. 2 more times, it almost went down on the track. I managed to save it every time. After I got home, and washed it, I put it on the foot lift stand to lube the chain. Once the bike was up, and I went to get the lube, the stand dropped (it's never done that before), the bike fell off, and hit the floor like a ton of bricks. That stupid bike was determined to go down last night, and it finally got it's way
	0

07-22-2011, 11:03 PM	#11
MICRider Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 3,274	Update on lurching KLR Just a little update for anyone that might own a KLR as well. From reading up on the net it sounds like the lurch is not all that uncommon. What was recommended to me (and it seems to work) is to pull in the clutch lever before hitting the start button... Hasn't done it since! Yay!! I'm still not precisely sure what causes the occasional lurch on these bikes as after the last time mine did it, I hit the starter again and it started and didn't lurch so it definitely was in neutral... I'm thinking it has something to do with the fluid film of the oil "sticking" parts together for a moment, long enough to kick it off the stand anyway! Now I just make sure I pull the clutch before I hit the start button and it seems fine
	0

07-23-2011, 01:09 AM	#12
SpudRider Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Idaho Posts: 25,054	I'm paranoid; I always engage the clutch before pushing the start button. I think you have adopted a good practice, Stew. Spud __________________ Spud "Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, and beat you with experience." Mark Twain 2015 Zongshen ZS250GY-3 (RX3) 2006 Zongshen ZS200GY-2 (Sierra 200) 2005 Honda XR650L 2004 Honda CRF250X 1998 Kawasaki KDX220 Mods made to my Zongshen ZS200GY-2: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=6894
	0