Check kickstand switch for 2012 Kawasaki Ninja 250

itsanantk · July 24th, 2024, 11:54 PM

I'm looking to purchase a 2012 Ninja 250 but it has a problem of shutting off when going into first gear. I've looked into It and it's likely that the problem is with the kickstand switch being faulty. However to make sure I'm not purchasing a bike I don't know how to fix, I was wondering if it would be a simple process to check the problem upfront before completing the sale. I would just have to unplug the kickstand switch from the bike to test to see if it works. All I would need is access to the end of the wires to connect it to a multimeter ans see if the circuit opens and closes as the kickstand is up and down.

Triple Jim · July 25th, 2024, 05:18 AM

If you look at the switch closely you may find that its plunger isn't springing out when the stand is retracted. If that's the case you might be able to pull it out and be able to ride.

If not, for the purpose of test riding the bike, you should be able to unplug the switch and short the two contacts of the plug with something like a scrap of wire. Just tape it up for the temporary test. And if you do this, be sure to retract the stand when you ride!

Welcome to the board Anant!

itsanantk · July 25th, 2024, 08:52 AM

I'm very new to bikes (this would be my first bike) so do you know if the switch would be exposed for an easy unplug or if I'd have to remove any side fairing or a seat. I would prefer to check the issue before purchasing the bike so I'm not sure if it's easy enough to just check it out right away upfront.

Triple Jim · July 25th, 2024, 09:22 AM

The switch button is pressed by the kickstand up near its pivot. That's where the switch is mounted. If you lie down and put your head near there, you'll easily see it and its connector and the wiring.

If the connector is unplugged or if the wires get cut, it'll behave like the stand is down and the engine won't run when in gear with the clutch lever released.

itsanantk · July 25th, 2024, 07:13 PM

Oh I see, so I should be able to access it temporarily without removing anything like the fairings or covers? I would properly fix it at home but I would want to see if I could temporarily fix it there so I could ride it back instead of towing.

July 24th, 2024, 11:54 PM	#1
itsanantk ninjette.org newbie Name: Anant Location: Surrey bc Join Date: Jul 2024 Motorcycle(s): None yet Posts: 3	Check kickstand switch for 2012 Kawasaki Ninja 250 I'm looking to purchase a 2012 Ninja 250 but it has a problem of shutting off when going into first gear. I've looked into It and it's likely that the problem is with the kickstand switch being faulty. However to make sure I'm not purchasing a bike I don't know how to fix, I was wondering if it would be a simple process to check the problem upfront before completing the sale. I would just have to unplug the kickstand switch from the bike to test to see if it works. All I would need is access to the end of the wires to connect it to a multimeter ans see if the circuit opens and closes as the kickstand is up and down.

July 25th, 2024, 09:22 AM	#4
Triple Jim Guy Who Enjoys Riding Name: Jim Location: North Carolina Join Date: Jul 2016 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250 Posts: A lot. MOTM - Oct '18, Aug '17, Aug '16	The switch button is pressed by the kickstand up near its pivot. That's where the switch is mounted. If you lie down and put your head near there, you'll easily see it and its connector and the wiring. If the connector is unplugged or if the wires get cut, it'll behave like the stand is down and the engine won't run when in gear with the clutch lever released.
	1 out of 1 members found this post helpful.

July 25th, 2024, 05:18 AM	#2
Triple Jim Guy Who Enjoys Riding Name: Jim Location: North Carolina Join Date: Jul 2016 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250 Posts: A lot. MOTM - Oct '18, Aug '17, Aug '16	If you look at the switch closely you may find that its plunger isn't springing out when the stand is retracted. If that's the case you might be able to pull it out and be able to ride. If not, for the purpose of test riding the bike, you should be able to unplug the switch and short the two contacts of the plug with something like a scrap of wire. Just tape it up for the temporary test. And if you do this, be sure to retract the stand when you ride! Welcome to the board Anant!

July 25th, 2024, 08:52 AM	#3
itsanantk ninjette.org newbie Name: Anant Location: Surrey bc Join Date: Jul 2024 Motorcycle(s): None yet Posts: 3	I'm very new to bikes (this would be my first bike) so do you know if the switch would be exposed for an easy unplug or if I'd have to remove any side fairing or a seat. I would prefer to check the issue before purchasing the bike so I'm not sure if it's easy enough to just check it out right away upfront.

July 25th, 2024, 07:13 PM	#5
itsanantk ninjette.org newbie Name: Anant Location: Surrey bc Join Date: Jul 2024 Motorcycle(s): None yet Posts: 3	Oh I see, so I should be able to access it temporarily without removing anything like the fairings or covers? I would properly fix it at home but I would want to see if I could temporarily fix it there so I could ride it back instead of towing.