Bike died when switched to 1st gear?

[flyingmachine]

93 w/ 12K miles.  So I took her out for a ride yesturday.  When I got back to the house, a few friends of a mine asked to show them how a bike works.  We talked shop a bit with the bike idelling for about 5 mins.  When I got back on the bike and put her in gear, it aburptly died when the shifter is pressed.  Took about 3 times on/off w/ the key to get it started again.  When it didn't start, nothing was happening, no crank, no sound, when I push the starter button.  On the 4th attempt(take key out, put back in and turn) it started as if everything is fine.  What's the problem?

thanks,
 

[Trwhouse]

Hi there,
It sounds like your sidestand safety switch is bad or your sidestand was down.
That's what that switch is designed to do -- if the bike is put into gear with the sidestand down, the ignition is immediately killed so you can't ride off with the sidestand down and hurt yourself.
The switch can go bad over time, or you didn't realize it and the sidestand was down the first couple times you tried to ride away.
Best wishes,
Todd

[scottpA_GS]

Check your sidestand switch and clutch switch. Also its not a good idea to let the bike sit and idle for 5 mins without air blowing on it  

[flyingmachine]

haha, thanks guys, that may be it, I'll 2x check the sidestand next time.  sorry about the newbie question, it's my 1st bike.  unfortunately, i didn't get an owner's manual w/ the bike.

[GeeP]

Sidestand must be up, clutch pulled in, and kill switch "ON" to crank the engine.  Sounds like you forgot the sidestand.   

I *might* have done that once or twice myself.   

Oh, it needs to be in neutral too.   

[RVertigo]

It could be as simple as not having the side-stand up or not having the clutch pulled in (both required if trying to start in 1st gear)...  But, if you're in N and have the clutch pulled all the way in, there could be a problem with one or both of the switches...

If the switches aren't bad and are engaging properly, then it really sounds like there's a loose wire somewhere.

[jeff721]

It sounds like your sidestand safety switch is bad or your sidestand was down.

agree

[pingpong]

It sounds like your sidestand safety switch is bad or your sidestand was down.

agree

I've done that once the first week. Lesson learned, never again.