Hitchcocks Forum

Just discovered after 9 month's ownership there's no sidestand switch on my bullet 350 2003.Cant see one on the electrical circuit diagram I have.Is this standard on this model?

My 500 Bullet (Thumper) is from 2003 too. He doesn't have one either. And I wouldn't want one!

No. After you fall off a couple times, you will remember to flick it up.

Why on earth would anyone NOT want a side stand switch , probably the most essential safety feature on a modern day motorcycle?

A side-stand switch is not necessary on my Electra X (ish) although it has one, because it was assembled in a shed in Oxfordshire in 2006 and is wired so the electric start won't operate with the side-stand down, and the engine also will not run with the side-stand down.
(Just one of the many quirks the bike has.)

Very fortunate in the past not to have came off on a left hand turn with bikes that didn't have one.

That being a 1980 Kawasaki KZ750 and a 2000 GPZ 500 (faulty switch).

I don't think they come with a sidestand as standard. They are usually an aftermarket fitment.



I find the samrat one on my bullet usually flicks itself up if it's inadvertantly left down, albeit giving me a bit of a fright in the process.

Yes stinkwheel, my 2008 350 didn't come with a sidestank and yes, the Samrat one I have flicks up without too much drama.

Perhaps I should mention that Thumper wasn't born with a side stand. I fitted it myself. I use it only to support him while I get off. Then he goes onto the centre stand and I swing the side stand up. That's it.

Which probably explains why I haven't fallen off yet... (Leon et al..)!