SIDESTAND

 

How does a motorcycle side stand sensor work?

It is a switch that opens the starter motor relay circuit when the kickstand is down. Therefore, even if you complete part of the starter relay circuit by pressing the start button, the fact that the kickstand is down and the kickstand switch is open prevents the starter relay from closing.

The sidestand switch, neutral switch and clutch lever switch work together to keep the rider from riding off with the sidestand down. The ignition is cut if motor is running, bike in gear and stand down--as soon as clutch lever is released. The sidestand switch is a 2 piece assembly. It is a Hall effect type with no physical contacts. The circuit is made/broken by a magnet moving through the field created by an energized switch. The magnet is on the sidestand. The switch/field part is bolted to the frame. The sidestand switch can be bypassed with a plug in device from KTM or DIY by removing the 2 pieces, leaving the connections intact and securing the magnet piece to the fixed piece so that that the circuit is complete--making the ECU think the sidestand is down. Sidestand switch failures are very common.