It sounds like whatever tells the bike the clutch is pulled in, isn't.

 

I'm hoping that it's not an expensive fix. Everything else is great as long as she is in N to start.

 

700 bucks should do it. It's not very good on the bike to start it in gear anyways.

 

When I tried to start the bike this morning, it would not start. Battery read 13.25 volts so I knew it wasn't the battery. Everything was tight but it still would not start.

When I stop my motorcycle, I generally leave it in first gear and bring down the kickstand. I've done it this way forever. Just for grins, I put the bike in Neutral and she fired right up. I put her back in first gear with the clutch in and she would not start. I put her in second gear, clutch in, and she would not start. Putting her in N and she fired up. I think I've figured out the problem.

It there a part or switch that might be shorting out that keeps her from starting in gear. even though the clutch is engaged?

Was the side stand/kickstand down through this?

If the side stand was up during that test, then it looks like your clutch switch is faulty.

K1600 Clutch switch, anyone order one lately, where, how much? | BMW K1600 Forum


www.k1600forum.com replace clutch switch - Google Search

 

Have you checked the operation of the clutch switch embedded in the clutch lever? Also, have you got an adjustable clutch lever? If you have, change the adjustment, that will change the operating range of the lever.

 

Clutch switch.

DIY: repair your clutch switch -- free and easyish

The part: R1200R (15-18) | R1200R (2015-2018) - BMW Motorcycle Parts (#9 - SET OF DUAL MICROSWITCHES - 32728537609 | Products)

 

Yep, once you said the stand was down and the bike in gear, I knew it was the clutch switch.
The guys above have the part for you

 

Yep, once you said the stand was down and the bike in gear, I knew it was the clutch switch.
The guys above have the part for you

I'm not following - don't you mean if the stand is up and the clutch pulled it should start ?

My experience has been that it will kill the engine if you have the clutch pulled in gear and you put the stand down, and sure it won't start in gear with the stand down.

 

About once every year I have struggles starting in 1st gear. Then I pull the microswitch from under the clutch lever housing and spray it with electrical contact cleaner (or MAF cleaner), put it back on and it starts working again... Not as comprehensive as the DYI referred above, but worked for me 3 years in a row...

 

Can you go over in detail how to do this? My 2014 will only start if it’s in neutral 98% of the time.

 

Thanks for all of the feedback.

If the kickstand is down, bike in first gear, clutch pulled in, NO START
If the kickstand is UP, bike in first gear, clutch pulled in, NO START

If I then put the bike in NEUTRAL, kickstand up or down, the bike starts.

 

Clutch switch.

 

61 32 8 526 970
Przełącznik podpórki - BMW F, G, K, S Rowery, Hexhead, Oilhead, Skuter; 61 32 8 526 970, 61 32 8 535 708, 61 31 8 388 642 / BMW (euromotoelectrics.com)

 

61 32 8 526 970
Przełącznik podpórki - BMW F, G, K, S Rowery, Hexhead, Oilhead, Skuter; 61 32 8 526 970, 61 32 8 535 708, 61 31 8 388 642 / BMW (euromotoelectrics.com)

That's the kick stand switch.

 

Sounds like the clutch switch or maybe the kickstand switch. I'll probably start with the clutch switch first.

 

Ta część jest odpowiedzialna za blokowanie silnika, gdy podpórka jest otwarta 61 32 8 526 970

 

Zamknij podpórkę i uruchom silnik ze sprzęgłem wciśniętym na 1 biegu

 

@slawomirskrzypczak … no idea what you are trying to communicate on this English language forum.

 

Google translate (from Polish) says he's saying it's the kickstand switch, and instructions on how to start the bike in gear with the clutch pulled in. Which won't fix the OP's issue as it's the clutch switch that's not working right, not the kickstand switch.

 

Just an observation guys..... I've got adjustable levers on my bike. If the clutch lever is adjusted to bring the lever as close to the handlebar as possible the bike won't start in gear even though the clutch still works correctly, the lever doesn't fully operate the clutch switch. If I back the lever off just one click the bike starts in gear every time. Might be worth checking the lever adjustment if you are having trouble starting in gear.

Edit.... Apologies guys, just realised I said something similar in an earlier post.

 

Not a BMW, but exactly the same thing on my last FJR. It was the clutch switch.

 

Clutch Switch

 

If the switch went bad, replacement involves removal of most of the fairings, air box and fuel tank, as the wiring harness isn't detachable from the switch. The other end of the wiring harness goes under the fuel tank.

 

If the switch went bad, replacement involves removal of most of the fairings, air box and fuel tank, as the wiring harness isn't detachable from the switch.

I'm going to try fixing it (Remove and clean) first. It's more of an inconvenience right now as the bike will start in Neutral.

 

As others have noted, sounds like the clutch relay. I had a problem like that on my old GSA. While it may seem like just a minor inconvenience, it's something you really need to get fixed. It's all fine until you stall it in an intersection and there's a cager somewhere nearby not paying attention. Best of luck.

 

Thanks for the pic, @badaim

 

If I recall correctly,

The test for a failed clutch switch would be trying to activate cruise control - and it if does work then checking if it switches off when the clutch is pulled in.

 

If I recall correctly,

The test for a failed clutch switch would be trying to activate cruise control - and it if does work then checking if it switches off when the clutch is pulled in.

There's two clutch switches - the one that activates close to the fully released lever position is used for the cruise control and the second switch activates when the lever is close to the handlebar is the interlock for starting/running when in gear.

So the CC test doesn't apply.

 

Mine only starts in neutral, thought this was the norm. I know if the kickstand is down and you put it in gear it kills itself. Are you trying to start it in gear with the kickstand down, if so make sure it is up before starting. Hope it helps!

 

In answer to your question, no. I have not worked on the clutch switch yet and simply put the bike in Neutral to start. Kickstand is up. She fires up without a problem. I'll eventually get to the switch.