Ducati Monster Forum

If you've got a '99 or earlier m900, what does your kickstand switch do (or did it do in its stock configuration)?  Only illuminate the sidestand light, or does it actually disable starting with the sidestand down?  How about in neutral? 

It only sends a signal to the stand down warning light. At least that's all my '98 did. Not that it stopped me from riding off with the stand down once or twice.  :o

+1

Yup, just turned a light on when the stand is down. Mine is still spring loaded though so I have yet to ride off with it down.

Awesome thanks everybody.

On the 99 and earlier bikes, the sidestand is mounted on a parallel-to-ground mount (unlike the newer bikes, but you could use a newer style bracket/stand if you ever needed to - bolts right up to the sump with no issues, I did this to use a billet sidestand).

The sidestand "hazard" light is the only thing that is triggered when the switch is activated by the sidestand in its 'out' position.

If you ever end up getting the newer style sidestand, the old style sidestand switch will no longer hook up, but you can unplug it and just remember to retract the sidestand before taking off (or the first left turn is more than an "adventure").

Does the same rule apply to a 2000 M750?  I don't need any warning idiot light, and if I can clean up more wiring by removing the darn thing then I'm going to take it off totally.

Can't answer that without giving it a look-see. BUT, I'd hazard a guess that it would since that 2000 is a carbie as well. I'm guessing that the ignition cut out was on the fuelies.

Well I do know for a fact that my bike will not start with the sidestand down.  Needs to be in the upright position for start up which really sucks!

Model year 2000 introduced the newer style side stands, switches and the interlock.

There are three wires going to your switch @ the sidestand pivot.  Trace the wires back on the bike and they go to a two wire connector.  If you permantently jumper those wires, it will eliminate the interlock function.

The way I do that is to solder the two wires together on the sidestand side of the connector and then remove the switch.  That allows me to remove the connector plug and the 1" of wire to put in my pocket as an anti-theft device should I ever need it.

FYI the side stand sensor can be removed on the fuelie bikes. As can the clutch safety switch that prevents it from being started with the transmission in gear and clutch engaged. Rider beware my bike has no safety features  [evil] But I like my machines to do exactly as I ask them no matter how stupid they may think it is.  [evil]

I bought a harness off eBay that allows it to start in neutral with the stand down. if you forget to put it up and put it in gear it dies. for around 25 bucks it works like a champ.

I took all my idiot switches off on purpose. If I want to start it in gear I should be able to.  [laugh]
Seriously though, I don't like all that stuff, I think it dumbs us down and makes us less diligent. Mine will start in gear with the kick stand down, it don't care.


The truth is that some of the parts were damaged in a wreck, I saw no point in replacing them when they were not needed. I grew up with motorcycles that were not idiot proof. I don't need that stuff to know better than to hit the starter button without checking what gear it's in.