Master Switch

atomsplitter said:

Actually it's a regulation from the US NHST Administration. It's due to theft deterence on keyless model vehicles wherein thieves can copy a keyless code to steal the vehicle with an active ignition system. To get around the 'active' ignition problem Triumph installed the switch to inactivate the ignition system. Viola, legal for import. Canada gets them because they are on the same continent with US (you're welcome Canada).

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The U.S. doesn't have an NHST administration. Every time someone makes this claim, they can never explain why other keyless imports aren't required to have it (just Triumph for some reason), and one of two things happens:
A. They provide a link to the regulation that requires the ignition kill switch on the handlebar, which isn't the same thing, or...
B. They're unable to provide a link to the regulation because it doesn't actually exist.

Also, your reasoning doesn't make sense. The switch exists along the input circuit for the ignition relay. If you turn it off, all you do is prevent the ECM from causing that relay to function. The ECM doesn't attempt to energize the circuit until after successful negotiation with the FOB. Upon success, it then attempts to energize the ignition circuit but can't if that switch is turned off because it can't cause that relay to close, so the instruments/lights/etc. don't receive power.

Edit: Confirmed about the keyless system. It doesn't care whether that switch is on or off and attempts to communicate regardless. On both my Rocket and Tiger, if I turn that switch off and press the rocker to turn on the ignition, the bike still attempts to communicate with the key and, after failing to (because I have my fob turned off), flashes the expected error code. Which is exactly what should be expected, given where the wiring diagram says that switch is located.

"The US doesn't have a NHST administration." Sorry, the NATIONAL HIGHWAY SAFETY AND TRAFFIC ADMINISTRATTION, which is part of the U.S Department of Transportation. The regulations are a nightmare to dig thru but if you want to spend the time (like billable hours from the lawyers) you may find there is a reason that ONLY Triumphs sold on this continent have that goofy ass switch located on them. My 2022 Speed Triple RS has it, but none of my other Triumphs do. So ask yourself WHY would Triumph go to the completely unnecessary expense of putting that silly switch on any bike if not being compelled to do so by a nanny government regulation (it's NOT a law, but has the FORCE of law). The 'kill' switch on the handlebar regs have been on the books since 1974, this reg came out with the advent of the key fob. The Federal Register has additional information if you want to sort thru a few thousand pages:
Federal Register :: Request Access

atomsplitter said:

"The US doesn't have a NHST administration." Sorry, the NATIONAL HIGHWAY SAFETY AND TRAFFIC ADMINISTRATTION, which is part of the U.S Department of Transportation. The regulations are a nightmare to dig thru but if you want to spend the time (like billable hours from the lawyers) you may find there is a reason that ONLY Triumphs sold on this continent have that goofy ass switch located on them. My 2022 Speed Triple RS has it, but none of my other Triumphs do. So ask yourself WHY would Triumph go to the completely unnecessary expense of putting that silly switch on any bike if not being compelled to do so by a nanny government regulation (it's NOT a law, but has the FORCE of law). The 'kill' switch on the handlebar regs have been on the books since 1974, this reg came out with the advent of the key fob. The Federal Register has additional information if you want to sort thru a few thousand pages:
Federal Register :: Request Access

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You don't have to sort through everything, you can just use search tools. It's not in there, which is why nobody can ever provide a link to it. It doesn't exist. In this thread you even made up a fake story about preventing theft of the keyless code, which is demonstrably untrue of this switch on these bikes.

"The U.S. Federal government mandates it" is just something someone made up as an explanation, with zero supporting evidence, that other people read and parrot mindlessly online. This also explains the wide range of supposed reasons for it, that never seem to pan out. "It's to turn off the engine after a wreck". No, other mechanisms already do that. "It's to prevent fob code theft". No, fob communications are unaffected. "It's only for imported motorcycles". No, multiple imported motorcycles with keyless start don't have it. "Firefighters are trained to use it". No, they aren't.

There are a host of possible reasons why Triumph chooses to include it. Maybe it's a recommendation they choose to follow, or their lawyer sucks at his/her job, or there's a state requirement and they don't want to ship two different configurations to North America.

Edit: It takes only seconds using the CFR's built-in search to find the regulations on motorcycle equipment: Title 49, Subtitle B, Chapter V, Part 571, Subpart B, § 571.123
"S5.1. Each motorcycle shall be equipped with a supplemental engine stop control, located and operable as specified in Table 1." Table 1 indicates it must be on the right handlebar. That's it. No additional switch is indicated as necessary, and certainly not one that's applicable only to Triumphs. Nothing at all about keyless systems.

Einar said:

You don't have to sort through everything, you can just use search tools. It's not in there, which is why nobody can ever provide a link to it. It doesn't exist. In this thread you even made up a fake story about preventing theft of the keyless code, which is demonstrably untrue of this switch on these bikes.

"The U.S. Federal government mandates it" is just something someone made up as an explanation, with zero supporting evidence, that other people read and parrot mindlessly online. This also explains the wide range of supposed reasons for it, that never seem to pan out. "It's to turn off the engine after a wreck". No, other mechanisms already do that. "It's to prevent fob code theft". No, fob communications are unaffected. "It's only for imported motorcycles". No, multiple imported motorcycles with keyless start don't have it. "Firefighters are trained to use it". No, they aren't.

There are a host of possible reasons why Triumph chooses to include it. Maybe it's a recommendation they choose to follow, or their lawyer sucks at his/her job, or there's a state requirement and they don't want to ship two different configurations to North America.

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Check out 49CFR Part 571 revision to the term "starting system."

atomsplitter said:

Check out 49CFR Part 571 revision to the term "starting system."

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Are you referring to the Federal Register from 2011 that you posted, which contains only a discussion and recommended changes to the regulations? Nothing in there even proposes adding a second ignition kill switch on motorcycles. In fact, it specifically notes that motorcycles already have an engine kill switch in plain view of the driver, which is what the discussion is about (for other motor vehicles). And there certainly isn't a standing regulation in the CFR requiring a second kill switch in addition to it for Triumphs.

Leave it on all the time. My mechanic told at the sale that turning it off causes some issue that I can not recall.

I use it every time when shutting off bike. No problems and original battery. Reaching down becomes second nature and great theft deterrent. If that switch ever fails it would be easier to replace than the kill switch on the bars. YMMV.