Ok, I get it you guys love the KIPASS system, so last rant and I'll shut up and color
I was headed to Savannah from picking up a new-to-me '10 and going 70mph in the left lane of I-77 in Columbia, SC. At the start of the ride, the TPMS reported the pressures as 42/43 f/r.
So, there I was in the left lane. The TPMS alerted me to a low pressure (28psi). I stayed in the left lane for a few seconds to see if the tire was going down quickly.
28, 26, 24, 19...all in 30 seconds. Just as I got onto the shoulder and got the 4-ways on the pressure read 10psi and was down to 5psi as I coasted into a gas station at the (luckily) next exit.
At first warning (28psi), the bike was still riding normally. I think I would have not noticed that it was going down until it was in the low teens.
TPMS saved me from at least an emergency situation or, at most a likely crash.
YMMV.
The mad pow-ah of KiPass is the only reason my bike has >109,000 miles on it and never evah left me walkin'. I never bought into the radiator protection, "pinning" bags, expensive oils, and a host of other measures suggested to me for this bike. I always had the faith in the "KiPass".
For those not in the know, all the mad pow-ah resides in the FOB
At 200,000 miles when I'm parting my C14 bike out on the fleabay, I'll be smiling at those who knocked the KiPass
I betcha' you think electronic ignition and fuel injection are good too, don't cha'? Well don't cha'? And you probably think they are here to stay rather than the flash in the pan that they really are..... why any minute now, we'll be back to the good ole' days of carburetors, wooden boxes with ignitions in them and both cars as motorcycles that start the way they should: by being cranked over manually! We don't need (and never did) no stinkin' electronical stuff!
Yah, I don't want none of that fancy 'lectronic stuff, give me a kick starter, a manual choke, an ignition spark advance lever, and a side operated shifter on an air cooled, rod bearing, solid steel hunk of an engine. Who needs riding??? It is more fun just trying to get it started, keep it running, and fighting it and the noise and vibration!! And don't dare add a kickstand, I like just laying it over when I am done
I was headed to Savannah from picking up a new-to-me '10 and going 70mph in the left lane of I-77 in Columbia, SC. At the start of the ride, the TPMS reported the pressures as 42/43 f/r.
So, there I was in the left lane. The TPMS alerted me to a low pressure (28psi). I stayed in the left lane for a few seconds to see if the tire was going down quickly.
28, 26, 24, 19...all in 30 seconds. Just as I got onto the shoulder and got the 4-ways on the pressure read 10psi and was down to 5psi as I coasted into a gas station at the (luckily) next exit.
At first warning (28psi), the bike was still riding normally. I think I would have not noticed that it was going down until it was in the low teens.
TPMS saved me from at least an emergency situation or, at most a likely crash.
YMMV.
I was a slow convert to KiPass...but now I like it just fine. Much better in fact than the fob systems on my Corvette or the wife's Focus. But it took me some time, and it took some customizing. First, I fixed my glove box so that I could open it anytime I wanted, fob or no fob, engine running or not running. Next, I cut off a spare key from the locksmith, JB Welded it into a radio knob for use on the side cases, seat, and gas hole. Then I put the fob into the glove box, where it will reside until the end of time...or at least until it needs a new battery. In the very rare times I might need security, I can either remove the fob and carry it with me, or I can remove the stove knob ignition key and carry it with me. But based on where and how I ride and park my bike, leaving the fob in the glove box is no risk at all. (Some have speculated that, outside of actual C-14 owners, very, very few people would ever be able to figure out how to start the bike in any event.)
Ok, you just sold me on the tire pressure sensors. I now place them in the PROs section!
Seriously, that is a great example of how they can be useful and potentially prevent serious issues.
A McCruise is my favorite farkle and works as good or better then my SUV.
Yeah, see it is this kind of nonsense that keeps Kawasaki using KiPass.
I betcha' you think electronic ignition and fuel injection are good too, don't cha'? Well don't cha'? And you probably think they are here to stay rather than the flash in the pan that they really are..... why any minute now, we'll be back to the good ole' days of carburetors, wooden boxes with ignitions in them and both cars as motorcycles that start the way they should: by being cranked over manually! We don't need (and never did) no stinkin' electronical stuff!
And, of course, and
Brian
I rather like the FOB because I don't like taking off my gloves and hunting for a key with my riding gear on. But Kawasaki was too cleaver with their Kipass design thus adding some risk for getting the rider stranded.
Harley's security system is very simple, if you have the FOB, the starter will engage, otherwise it won't. Isn't that all we really want.
Some folks complement Yamaha for leaving the old school key system in the FJR, but a common FJR complaint is the keys are too soft and "often" break. FJR owners learn to carry a spare.
Beary
Ok, you just sold me on the tire pressure sensors. I now place them in the PROs section!Don't forget kids, this can happen too. And the sensors give no warning before the tire explodes. It even popped the beads.
Seriously, that is a great example of how they can be useful and potentially prevent serious issues.
Thanks
So what I understand your are saying Brian is that the Kipasss only controls the key relay, not the starter at all. So by disabling the relay, the Kipass has no function at all and will not prevent starting the bike. Interesting.
I think a security system with a FOB that disables only the starter switch can be purchased for less than $30. Hmm, thinking, thinking....
Beary
Nope. The ECU will not work without first being activated by KIPASS. The bike won't start and it won't run. Even if you defeated the mechanical solenoid that keeps the stove knob from turning to "on", the bike would not start or run. Even if you then tried to bump start it would not start or run.So, if I disable the solenoid to where the knob can turn without the fob, then it would work like a Harley? What is the downside of that?