shameful breakdown

I broke down at the weekend. I left Leeds and was travelling up the M1 on my way home. On passing the Tadcaster turn off i took my right hand off the bars to push my glove on slightly. I then returned it to the bars while still in the middle lane and proceeded to throttle on...

..at that point nothing. I twist again and still nothing. Due to the engine braking im starting to lose speed and quickly. Cars are gaining up behind me and a car on the inside line is starting to catch me up. Thinking about showing my intention, i take a glance over my left shoulder and put out my left arm showing that i am clearly signalling to move over. The car on the inside lane slows to let me in and i briskly pull over into the hard shoulder. Im jumping down the gears at this stage trying to scrub off speed (Forgetting that theres no drive) and on letting the clutch out, the back wheel locks and i start to wiggle along the hard shoulder as i fight for grip again. Pulling the clutch in, I stop the bike, get off and try again. Still nothing. At this point thoughts of the RAC are creeping in, im pulling my phone out to see what battery ive got left - 2 bars

Before phoning the RAC, i thought it best to check the bike over to see whether something is obvious to me. I check all the cables around the throttle, look to see if the ignition lead has come free, remove the seat to check if the fuse box is still ok.

I turn the key off and back on. The lights light up and then try the starter. Still nothing.
Again i go looking around the throttle to see if it could be anything....

.....At this point i see the large red button to the left of the twist grip, also known as the kill switch and yes its turned to kill. I flick it the other way then turn the key again. The lights come on as usual. Press the starter button and result!!

Dont be stupid like me, if theres a problem always check to see if the kill switch has been pressed first!!! It appears that on putting the hands back on the bar, ive pushed it by mistake. Thankfully i didnt call the RAC (Highly embarrassing) but i did spend a good 10-15 minutes stuck on the hard shoulder of the M1!

happened to me too!

there was a story in Bike magazine about some guy who broke down. Got a taxi to the nearest bikehsop and bought a new bike to get home. The bikeshop went to pick up the broken down bike and discovered the kill switch was on!

I praise you for not wasting the RAC's times, but I have to laugh at your mistake.

Like this:

I guess you had the clutch in when you pressed it then!

I've done the same, and I think I posted on the forum.

Pulled up at roadworks, stuck it in neutral waiting at the lights, hands off the bars.

Lights go amber, clutch in, in gear. Lights go green, hand on throttle and set off. Only don't, because the engine has died. LCD panel says "Chec". Worrying, I run through the usual checks, all the levels, the throttle cable etc (much as you did rob).

Unable to resolve it, pull over to the side of the road (quiet back road, no cars have come along yet), go to pull out the mobile phone, hoping I have signal in this remote area of N. Wales.

Just before I called suzuki assist, I looked at the bars and called myself a few names before putting the phone away. Kill Switch Must of caught it with my hand when I went for the throttle.


You're not the only one rob!

Originally Posted by Baph

I've done the same,
You're not the only one rob!

Mate of mine nearly gave himself a hernia pushing his Triumph home 3 miles when it wouldn't start after going to the shops.

Guess what the problem was. :P

He put it down to 'them bloody kids'

Muppets! The lot of 'em!

I had a similar experience when my bike wouldnt start - even called the dealer to ask some advice etc... check this check that. Could hear it whirring through when turning the key on but not turning over. 10 minutes of tinkering, thinking and sweating - I found the problem. Bike was in gear

Originally Posted by Gmonsta

I had a similar experience when my bike wouldnt start - even called the dealer to ask some advice etc... check this check that. Could hear it whirring through when turning the key on but not turning over. 10 minutes of tinkering, thinking and sweating - I found the problem. Bike was in gear

Done that!