2016 Bonneville T100 - Removal Of Nagging Interlock Switches

Only a moron would...etc...etc...
You missed out the word "intentionally".
There's one born every minute of course but such "failsafe" devices also protect against an occasional lapse in memory for whatever reason.
I can't remember the last time I did it (engage 1st with the sidestand still down) but I have done it. The only person who doesn't make a mistake is the person who doesn't do anything.
I'm not saying they are absolutely necessary but they will have saved someone somewhere some grief.
I bought a new RX1000 in 1986 which had an intermittent misfire which was eventually traced to the sidestand switch so they have been around a while.

In these times of liability litigation, lawsuits and compensation claims, I agree, it's now probably more to do with manufacturers covering their own arses.

 

Colour me moron!

 

While your information may be helpful to those who wish to bypass these systems I'm afraid your rationale just shows you as either that elusive perfect human being or so arrogant that you never admit to making mistakes, and to say that anyone who does make them is a moron shows more about you than them

 

"No rider but a complete moron would not know to always have the bike in neutral in order to start the engine, and no rider but a complete moron would ride off with the kickstand down. There, I said it. 20 years ago, and long before – motorcycles didn’t have these show-stopping features. So why did Triumph begin installing them, whenever that was?"

You omitted to mention that much of this "safety first" stuff was incorporated into motorcycle design and construction, either directly or indirectly, as a result of safety legislation that was enforced on the manufacturers by the likes of Ralph NADER et al.

SO ....... perhaps the underlying reason is because there are lots of complete morons in the US - traditionally THE largest single market for any vehicle manufacturer?

I also think you'll find that most of the 'safety' features you mention have been in use on Japanese built motorcycles for at least as long, probably longer, than they have on Triumphs (Hinckley started manufacturing for sale in late 1991) so naming and shaming Triumph for this 'trend' is a little bit ironic to say the least!

And in case you're in ANY doubt - I spent a year wandering around the US on a motorcycle (just because I could) and have many very good, close American friends, so I'm not in any way US-phobic and I'm definitely NOT aiming a slight at either you or the very useful advice and guidance you've provided in your piece. I just think your perspective might be somewhat narrowly focused on this.

 

Blimey, all pile in although to be fair

SO ....... perhaps the underlying reason is because there are lots of complete morons in the US

They did elect Emperor Chump not once, but twice. Or thrice, if he is to be believed.. .

 

I reckon I'll stick with it. The only bike I have ever had a SSW issue with is the one I mentioned in post #2. I'm not aware of any of my biking friends having issues either so I wonder just how common the issue is.
If I'd had your experience and been let down with a non starting bike I might think differently but I haven't so I don't.

If this post puts the kibosh on my new Scrambler and it develops an illusive non start problem I will come back to this thread and remove it.

 

When I bought my Ducati in 01 you had to start it with the prop stand up irrespective of it being in gear or in neutral which was a total pain. With a connection from the gearbox neutral switch to the prop stand switch with an inline diode I can now start it on the prop stand, but only in neutral.

I find it totally incomprehensible for anyone to deliberately remove these safety interlocks when they are working as they should. They say you can make every effort to ensure something is idiot proof, which is what Triumph have done, but you can’t make it bloody idiot proof.

if a bike modified in this way were to be sold on to another party without notifying them of these modifications and the implications of having done so there could well be some legal ramifications arising.

 

Good point, especially across the pond where lawsuits are thrown around like confetti.