Why is there no sidestand switch??
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 28,842
Likes: 16,582
From: Wisconsin, USA
This has been one amazing thread. I thought a bunch of Harley riding guys would be tougher than this. But it seems there are a lot of guys here afraid of the boogie man.
I simply asked about a sidestand switch and the fear welled up and panic errupted.
No one said anything about government requirement.... yet people began crying about lack of government controls.
No one said anything about Harley making a change... yet people began freaking out that there may be something different.
I asked about this for my bike and people began screaming that they didn't want it for their bike.
I called this a safety device and people were scared to death that they may be viewed as "not grown up" if such a thing even existed.
No one said anything about anyone's bike but mine and you guys freaked like a bunch of school girls. You guys panicked about an issue that didn't exist and you covered up your panic with macho statements and direct insults as if the tough facade somehow made you manly. Geez... I've seen tougher guys riding Vespas.
So.... I wondered what it is about this that made you guys feels so threatened and insecure. After all... you have several safety devices and interlocks on your bike, car, appliances, etc... yet I'd bet not one of you have removed any of them because "they aren't needed". There are many states that don't require helmets, yet when someone asks about a helmet recommendation, no one gives them **** about it. I wondered why you are afraid of a side stand interlock switch.... but not a helmet. Then I realized... most Harley riders own helmets, but no one has a side stand interlock switch. So, it was easy for you guys to lash out against the boogie man of one, but you would be scared shitless to claim that anyone who wears a helmet, or doesn't remove the clutch interlock switch, etc. is a ***** because there are too many people in those categories.
This thread is not funny. This thread is sad.
I simply asked about a sidestand switch and the fear welled up and panic errupted.
No one said anything about government requirement.... yet people began crying about lack of government controls.
No one said anything about Harley making a change... yet people began freaking out that there may be something different.
I asked about this for my bike and people began screaming that they didn't want it for their bike.
I called this a safety device and people were scared to death that they may be viewed as "not grown up" if such a thing even existed.
No one said anything about anyone's bike but mine and you guys freaked like a bunch of school girls. You guys panicked about an issue that didn't exist and you covered up your panic with macho statements and direct insults as if the tough facade somehow made you manly. Geez... I've seen tougher guys riding Vespas.
So.... I wondered what it is about this that made you guys feels so threatened and insecure. After all... you have several safety devices and interlocks on your bike, car, appliances, etc... yet I'd bet not one of you have removed any of them because "they aren't needed". There are many states that don't require helmets, yet when someone asks about a helmet recommendation, no one gives them **** about it. I wondered why you are afraid of a side stand interlock switch.... but not a helmet. Then I realized... most Harley riders own helmets, but no one has a side stand interlock switch. So, it was easy for you guys to lash out against the boogie man of one, but you would be scared shitless to claim that anyone who wears a helmet, or doesn't remove the clutch interlock switch, etc. is a ***** because there are too many people in those categories.
This thread is not funny. This thread is sad.
I don't want any more electronic switches then absolutely necessary. Just another thing to leave you stranded, if it fails.
I will admit that people seem cranky on HDForums lately. But when you start a thread you are going to get some macho flaming. Don't take it personal. We are on big happy dysfunctional family here. If we were all well adjusted, happy people, we wouldn't be risking our lives for an adrenaline rush!
Dude.... you so totally missed the whole point of the original post....
You know.... I am a first time Harley owner. I have been riding since I was 13. One of the things that made me want to
try a Harley was the inherent camaraderie (is that a term drop also?) that comes with the brand. However, I ask a simple question about a safety switch and I get a bunch of guys poking me in the chest with
insinuations that safety switches ain't manly!! Another new guy posted a thread recently about doing his own 1000 mile service and the foul mouth rants that followed were nothing short of embarrassing.
I'm starting to wonder if that camaraderie that I was looking to take part in was just an illusion.
You know.... I am a first time Harley owner. I have been riding since I was 13. One of the things that made me want to
try a Harley was the inherent camaraderie (is that a term drop also?) that comes with the brand. However, I ask a simple question about a safety switch and I get a bunch of guys poking me in the chest with
insinuations that safety switches ain't manly!! Another new guy posted a thread recently about doing his own 1000 mile service and the foul mouth rants that followed were nothing short of embarrassing.
I'm starting to wonder if that camaraderie that I was looking to take part in was just an illusion.
As far as the camaraderie you speak of is concerned it's not just Harley guys. To be honest the metric riders I have met are more prone to that than the Harley guys,but that's neither here nor there. Most of us riders share a love for the road and the freedom a bike makes us feel inside.
The camaraderie comes from inside,not the brand bike you ride.
And I hated the stupid side stand kill switch. My yamaha had it.
You just need to change a fee habits and the stand will be a non issue.
Keep it in the wind
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 183
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas
I don't want any more electronic switches then absolutely necessary. Just another thing to leave you stranded, if it fails.
Originally Posted by Shredding rubber
And I hated the stupid side stand kill switch. My yamaha had it.
You just need to change a fee habits and the stand will be a non issue.
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
From: Holland, NY
I suspect the reason there is no switch is that Harley's jiffy stand design is so good, it raises itself (usually) when you ride off with it up. The locking tab does not engage when the bike is vertical, and a gentle left will fold in a lowered sidestand--ask me how I know!
Jim Bo--as to the quality of the responses to your innocent question--I'm not surprised. I quit hanging around with Harley riders many years ago, and I don't miss them much; I got tired of listening to this sort of bilge from guys who ride 3000 miles a year. I'm only on this forum because it is late at night in the little country hospital where I work, and the ER is slow tonight. I hope you like the new bike, I love my harleys, still have my first one, a 1980 FXE. I ride too much for that biker crap, over 400K miles on the five harleys I've owned. What does politics have to do with it?
Ride safe!
Jim Bo--as to the quality of the responses to your innocent question--I'm not surprised. I quit hanging around with Harley riders many years ago, and I don't miss them much; I got tired of listening to this sort of bilge from guys who ride 3000 miles a year. I'm only on this forum because it is late at night in the little country hospital where I work, and the ER is slow tonight. I hope you like the new bike, I love my harleys, still have my first one, a 1980 FXE. I ride too much for that biker crap, over 400K miles on the five harleys I've owned. What does politics have to do with it?
Ride safe!
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
From: S.E. Ks.
You can call me an idiot for taking off with my sidestand down... and you'd probably be right. But this is a safety issue to me. I don't see how the Harley lawyers let this condition exist because it is a product liability case waiting to happen......
Please save me from myself, I might get hurt!
Please save me from myself, I might get hurt!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,814
Likes: 5,120
From: SW Ohio
Harleys are void of all electronic interlock switches that can fail and cause the bike to not start. Think of it as an entrance exam to the "Stay Wide Awake or Die MC Club".
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,493
Likes: 94
From: Belgium
"to activate the starting system, the clutch interlock circuitry requires that the clutch be disengaged .... etc etc "
Page 81 of the 2009 owners manual. (too lazy to scan it in)
Oh yes and I got an international model with the jiffy stand interlock switch ... so do the police bikes sold in the US.
And let's not forget the numerous electronic doodads that are on the bike that can fail and prevent the bike from starting ...
On the 2012 with the canbus wiring you can't even extend or alter certain wires anymore.
Last edited by Rakthi; May 24, 2012 at 06:07 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 28,842
Likes: 16,582
From: Wisconsin, USA
I suspect the reason there is no switch is that Harley's jiffy stand design is so good, it raises itself (usually) when you ride off with it up. The locking tab does not engage when the bike is vertical, and a gentle left will fold in a lowered sidestand--ask me how I know!
Jim Bo--as to the quality of the responses to your innocent question--I'm not surprised. I quit hanging around with Harley riders many years ago, and I don't miss them much; I got tired of listening to this sort of bilge from guys who ride 3000 miles a year. I'm only on this forum because it is late at night in the little country hospital where I work, and the ER is slow tonight. I hope you like the new bike, I love my harleys, still have my first one, a 1980 FXE. I ride too much for that biker crap, over 400K miles on the five harleys I've owned. What does politics have to do with it?
Ride safe!
Jim Bo--as to the quality of the responses to your innocent question--I'm not surprised. I quit hanging around with Harley riders many years ago, and I don't miss them much; I got tired of listening to this sort of bilge from guys who ride 3000 miles a year. I'm only on this forum because it is late at night in the little country hospital where I work, and the ER is slow tonight. I hope you like the new bike, I love my harleys, still have my first one, a 1980 FXE. I ride too much for that biker crap, over 400K miles on the five harleys I've owned. What does politics have to do with it?
Ride safe!
