Yeah, and anyone reading the posts from way back, when the bike was relatively new, would think KiPass was the cause of Covid 19..... and that was one of its better products. Thankfully, the whole KiPass issue has died down so far it is not even providing me with any amusement anymore. Of course, as you say, it never was much of a problem beyond the fact that it was new and generated all the usual 'I hate it' thoughts because it was new.
KiPass itself has never failed that I am aware of. It is a Mitsubishi system and so has been used in many, many more vehicles than just the C-14 and so is well proven.
The particular application in the C-14 did generate a bit of a weak spot though, and that was due to a poor design and poor execution; that flaw is the activation switch itself which is what we activate when we press down on the main key. Occasionally, and very occasionally, one will stick down and end up disabling the bike. This is because it was not designed in a fail- safe manner, which would be with a direct, mechanical coupling with the moving part of the ignition switch. If that were the case, and the switch stuck then first of all the owner would notice it and second, and much more importantly, the owner could use additional force to lift the switch back into the 'UP' position. But that task was left up to a spring and when the switch sticks, the spring cannot generate enough force to overcome it and the system is defeated. Kawasaki did address this problem by installing a stronger spring and that absolutely did reduce the number of incidents.... but it did not eliminate them. Still, it was originally pretty rare and has become even more so.
Again, full transparency: I manufacturer and sell an KiPass activation switch bypass. And I still suggest that anyone concerned about this install one not because it is likely to fail in the first place but because the bypass absolutely guarantees that it cannot and will not strand an owner of a C-14. I have one on my original '08 and will have on on my new (new to me) '16 for that exact reason- so I cannot be stranded by a sticking activation switch. And I posted how to install a home- made bypass a long time ago: it takes nothing beyond installing a fuse holder and fuse into a circuit on the bike. In fact the only reason I even bother to offer the bypass as a product is because it seems a lot of people are not comfortable making changes to the wiring on the bike.
But all the way back to Conrad's point, I completely agree in that it is not much of an issue and never was. And yes, I have photos of me spraying a garden hose into the ignition without the key in place.... and everyone lived and KiPass still worked. Then there was the series of drinks I submerged the fob into: water, soda, wine and finally a fairly lousy Scotch and water. I even had the fob actually transmit and work to start the bike while submerged in soda- pretty impressive. But that was way back in the olden' days of the KiPass wars, long before the more recent tuna wars that went on on the other forum (I think it was actually tuner but I am from New England where 'R's are not used much). Good times.
Anyone new reading the above would think that issues with KIPASS are a common thing, especially with older model years.
I have a 2008, bought new in 2009. I've had zero problems with KIPASS, ZERO.
One might ask what I do as far as preventative maintenance on the system to keep it trouble free? What do I spray into the ignition to keep the system working?
Water and only water. I wash the bike a couple of times a year and water, soapy water while washing and then rinse water, that's it. I then use my leaf blower to dry the bike, including the ignition assembly.
I believe that years ago Brian posted a clip/pic of him doing the same thing, spraying water into the ignition, temping fate I know.
YMMV
