General topics » Bike not starting in gear.

Question for the panel. On the 1200RS are you supposed to be able to start the bike in gear (with clutch pulled to bar and side stand up)? I know if you put the side stand down in gear it will cut the ignition but I thought you could start it in gear, mines not allowing this, has to be in neutral.

Jay

I had the same issue on a 2016 R1200RS and ended up replacing the clutch dual microswitches up on the left handlebar to correct the problem.

OEM lever fitted and I can hear both the clutch micro switches being activated (i.e. two clicks), one at the start of the lever travel and one towards the end of travel (when bike not running).

I know the first mirco switch is working as I my go to method to deactivate the cruise control is a small squeeze on the clutch lever and that's working.

Not staring in gear is not a biggy at this point, I don't usually start it in gear, rarely in fact, which is why I asked as I wasn't sure and it wasn't until I stalled it the other day (again another rare occurrence) did the problem appear.

I did ride in some biblical amounts of rain last weekend for a few hours, so maybe something is still wet/damp. I will look at the wiring and connectors this weekend. I might even try a battery disconnect reset, incase something ECU wise needs a reboot.

Thanks for the information

Jay

Curiosity got the better of me and I snuck into the garage during my afternoon tea break, disconnected and unscrewed the clutch dual micro switch (a T9 bit).

Both switches made a click when pressing down on the hinged metal strip. I tried a continuity test and could get both switches to be open and closed circuit. One switch is closed circuit when not depressed and the other is open circuit when not depressed. Depress them (push them down) and they swap, one goes open, the other goes closed circuit.

I gave it a gentle wipe down with some WD40 and a spray of contact cleaner, reinstalled on the bike, and the bike now starts in gear. Not sure what of the factors fixed the issue, I like it when there a simple solution

Jay

I changed the levers many years ago and found the little grub screw very tricky to swap over.

I guess the switches are sensitive. I know it takes only a tiny touch on the lever to disengage the cruise control.

I stop the bike in gear almost every time. So I’m a 100% (almost) “starting up in gear” rider.

Glad my switches have held up.

I had exactly the same problem a couple of years ago and by fiddling with the clutch lever switch positions they made better contact and all was good.