Yeah last year down in Central Oregon the dry dusty conditions caused my side stand switch to stay in when I put up the kick stand. I would have to reach down with my hand and pull it back out, it got old real fast. So when I got home I followed the wires up under the seat and plugged them together. Problem solved.

 

I'm sorry about the lame thread, I checked and my bike does indeed start while in gear so long as the kickstand is up. It works like I would expect it to so, like a truck does.

I plan to remove the kickstand safety switch since I believe that the only reason it is there is to prevent someone from grabbing the clutch, starting the bike in gear, and then releasing the clutch for warm up while they stand beside the bike. I don't think it was ever intended to notify the rider if the stand comes down while underway.

This warm northwest weather has been great for little 1 hour after work rides exploring the local historic roads around Lake Tapps near Mt. Rainier.

 

I want to ride over by Mt Rainier some day. I see it from a distance when I go to Puyallup and Tacoma a few times a year. I hear its pretty cool over there.