Master Ignition Switch ?

Vector said:
Leave it in the on position. All is does is disable the key fob from connecting.
Click to expand...
That's why I use mine as the kill switch. It becomes second nature after a while. It might not be law but useful. It disables the keyless antennae power that constantly drains the battery. I also think that keeps it from being detected by any smart keyless scanners to steal.
 
Would it? The ignition master switch sits between the ECM and the primary side of the ignition relay, so it should only have an effect when the ECM attempts to energize that relay.

Poor man's diagram: ECM-----ignition master switch-----relay primary side-----negative
 
My Speed Triple RS has the ignition switch and it IS mandated by US importing laws. With the current technology to scan key fobs for theft the US Gov't made the requirement for imported keyless bikes to have a fob "off switch." It's not required outside the US or Canada so current models around the globe NOT in the USA or Canada don't have that switch. Here's the notation from the owner's manual:
 
The manual says that they include it for motorcycles sent to the U.S. and Canada but does not say that it's required by law. Again, other bikes don't have it that are keyless and imported (e.g., the BMW R1300GS Adventure, the Honda Gold Wing, and the KTM 1290 Super Duke GT, as far as I can tell). If this is some import law, perhaps targeting British motorcycles specifically, then where is it? Every U.S. law and regulation are published publicly on the internet. If it exists, it should be easy to find and link to.

I'm not saying there isn't one, I'm saying if it exists, I'd like to see it and to figure out why it seems only Triumphs are impacted. Maybe it's a Canadian law and they hate the UK. Maybe it's a law in a specific state or province, and Triumph doesn't want to deal with the hassle of building them differently. Maybe Triumph's lawyer billed 10 hours for 5 minutes of "work" and misread a regulation once. Maybe it's a British export law because they hate the Yanks. Maybe it used to be a law but was removed years ago and Triumph never caught on. Or maybe it's made up.
 
From what I've found it is Code of Federal Regulations Part 49, there is a website if you want to rummage about a billion pages to find the one or two sentences that cover why Triumph has to install that switch in the US (Canada just gets the benefit of being on the same continent).
 
So.....here I go again unnecessarily going down the rabbit hole by wondering more about the "Master Switch" on the side vs the handlebar
multi-function switch.
One rider suggested he uses the master switch to turn off the bike, saving wear and tear on the more expensive handlebar OFF switch. Another
rider heard turning off the master switch would sometimes cause a problem(?).

I like the idea of saving wear and tear on the more expensive switch. However, I realize today's computer controlled vehicles are essentially
computers driven by dozens of sensors. To me, the "Master Switch" is the same as the "Panic Button" killing the power not allowing the computer
to properly execute it's shutdown routines. Pressing the the handlebar OFF button allows proper shutdown?

I told you I'd be over thinking this

Larry
 
Last edited:
Our bike uses the same handlebar button to turn on the bike and start the bike. How does using the on/off button on the side to turn off the bike save the handlebar button from wear and tear?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Master Switch
2
Replies
16
Views
610
stingray
Ignition on/off switch removal for disconnecting fuel line
2
Replies
14
Views
1K
Journeyman
Upgrade to racing ignition coil?
Replies
3
Views
668
atomsplitter
High Beam Switch, what were they thinking?
Replies
3
Views
686
Protonhound
Unable to switch engine modes.
Replies
1
Views
657
Dr.D
Menu
Log in
Register