The whole KIPASS system (and the ignition switch) are a hi-tech answer to a question nobody was asking. It is cantankerous. It is prone to failure. (Mine did.) Just look at all the posts on this forum on this topic. What was wrong with a plain old metal key? You know, the kind you take out of your pocket, stick in the ignition, and turn? And you could get a spare made for $3 at Home Depot.Don't start talking about theft protection. Here in L.A., if thieves want your bike, they just snatch it off the street with 4 burly thugs or a tow truck and drive away with alarms blazing. Nobody bats an eye.And you STILL have to carry a key (FOB) around in your pocket. It just saves the horrible, horrible inconvenience of having to dig around for your key with your gloves on. Jeez, you might have to take them OFF! Just horrible.A big wart on an otherwise beautiful bike.
The KIPASS system is not prone to failure. The ignition switch issue has only happened to a very small number of riders based on what evidence we've seen here. I like the system and am glad the bike has it. YMMV of course.
Why I oughta.....
I used to like KIPASS, until I lost one of my keyfobs on a ride last week, now it's stressing me out.If anyone finds a fob in Death Valley, it's probably mine.
Hey, I know a guy that that exact same thing happened to only it involved a firearm. He used to like firearms but then shot himself in the leg and now he is not so keen on them anymore. Brian
Yes, but his loss was probably covered by insurance...Has anyone had luck having the transponder cloned by a locksmith onto a Ford car transponder? I'm 0 for 2 with my local locksmiths, but according to the infamous youtube video, it can be done:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdaFCRSicGM
That's the good thing about a key only system, one can't lose the key! Oh wait, maybe one can? Cloning the transponder? Why would you mess with that? If you have at least one fob left just buy a passive fob for ~$35 and get the bike programed to 'see' the fob and you're good to go.
With cloning, you wouldn't have to have the bike programmed (or even in the same vicinity), and it doesn't take up a slot. But that's all moot since I can't find anyone locally that can do it, so the OEM passive card is the best solution.
If I remember correctly, the passive fob's slot can be overwritten, unlike the active fob's slot.
