Bypass Side Stand Switch

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Bypass Side Stand Switch

(Applies to K100RS4V, K1 and K1100)

Introduction:

The 4V K bikes have a side stand switch that keeps the bike from starting or running if the side stand is deployed. The safety purpose of this is to keep the rider from riding off with the side stand down. Some riders find this annoying. There are two ways to bypass the side stand switch. You can either bypass it completely or bypass it so that the bike can run still run in neutral with the side stand deployed.

Basic Bypass:

The easiest way to disable the side stand switch is to short the two side stand switch wires near the connector under the right side cover. You can either DIY this or purchase a connector from BMW - Part 61121459998 - Contact Ring. ($28.79 as of September 2021)

The side stand switch connector is located under the right side cover. Here's an example of an installed contact ring:

The downside of this approach is that if you forget to put the side stand up before you start riding then your first left hand turn will cause the side stand to hit the ground. Depending on the turn this may or may not cause you to crash. Usually though it just messes up the turn a little and causes the side stand to retract.

Start/Run In Neutral With Side Stand Down:

Later model K bikes will start and/or run with the side stand down if the bike is in neutral or the clutch is pulled in. It's a fairly simple electrical modification to get a 4V K to behave similarly.

K1, K100RS4V, 1992 & 1993 K1100:

For these bikes all you need to do is connect a wire between from black/green wire of the right hand combination switch (Pin 6) to the green/red wire from the side stand switch.

How it works: The black/green wire from the right combo switch provides power to the start button when the bike is in neutral or the clutch is pulled in. The side stand switch green/red wire sends power to the fuel pump relay.

1994 And Later K1100:

A normally open relay is necessary to do this. If you're using a standard Bosch relay then connect it as follows:

86: Tap into black/green wire of right combo switch connector (Pin 6)

85: Ground

30: Ground

87: Tap into brown/blue wire from side stand switch

I use a small printed circuit board 12V relay though.

Here's how to make these: Waterproof Micro Relay

How it works: The black/green wire from the right combo switch provides power to the start button when the bike is in neutral or the clutch is pulled in. The side stand switch brown/blue wire grounds the Motronic and starter relays. The relay grounds the brown/blue wire when the start button has power.

Tapping Into Wires:

I recommend using Posi-Taps for 18 gauge wire. They're much easier and more reliable to use than Scotchlok connectors that can cut through the wire that you're tapping into.