Miss my Flash to Pass Switch

vstrom · Sep 16, 2010

All my other bikes have had a flash to pass switch. I do find myself missing it on the ST.

While on the subject of ST... you all have made me see ST all over the place by emphazing it sooooo much here... lol. I now see ST (Street) and I'm looking for an real ST.

Mark · Sep 16, 2010

You have a "manual" one! Use the starter switch...

RealST · Sep 16, 2010

vstrom said:
All my other bikes have had a flash to pass switch. I do find myself missing it on the ST.

While on the subject of ST... you all have made me see ST all over the place by emphazing it sooooo much here... lol. I now see ST (Street) and I'm looking for an real ST.

Here I am!

What is a Flash to Pass switch?

rjs987 · Sep 16, 2010

I had one of those on my Burgman 650. Only worked on low beam since the flash was to high. I ride high beam (modulated) from sun up to sun down. On my ST I use the starter button. It does spin up the starter motor a little but it doesn't even catch up to the gears on the road so no bad issue there. Besides, seems the BDCs notice a light going on/off more than just hi/lo, and it's a change up from the modulation.

tlartist · Sep 16, 2010

So any issues with using the starter switch? Do you just keep pressing over and over to get the desired effect? Really no issues?
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Mark · Sep 17, 2010

Your starter switch cuts power to the lights and runs the starter; and although I haven't kept it up for long, pressing it multiple times doesn't seem to do anything other than flash the lights.

Uncle Phil · Sep 17, 2010

The ST1100 U.K. version had one (which you could order from over there). Several folks use them as PTT buttons. I don't know if they have the same set up on ST1300s, but I don't think so cause I don't remember one on the ST1300s I rented over there. But then the old memory ain't what it used to be either ... ;-)

Kempo-STer · Sep 17, 2010

Starter switch for years....

BTW cars dont have one either...(signal light)

Mark · Sep 17, 2010

Kempo-STer said:
BTW cars dont have one either...(signal light)

Try a Subaru... I saw one albeit years ago on the highbeam/lowbeam handle.

Avtrician · Sep 17, 2010

In Oz, its a high beam flash switch. Its a trigger like switch lever on the front of the left grip. On ex police bikes its quite likely that it doesnt work as it has been converted to a PTT switch.

juddspaintballs · Sep 17, 2010

I put a european FTP left switch housing on and converted the button to PTT for my Icom radio. If I remember correctly, the wiring and plugs are different for the US bikes and I quite literally just changed out the top half of the shell, leaving the original light switch and wiring in place. I know several people who have used small momentary switches and put them in the FTP location for a PTT as well, so I don't see why you couldn't use a momentary switch and wire up your own FTP switch either.

mshell · Sep 17, 2010

Yep, I had on on my Triumph Sprint and USED it....wish I had one on the 1300.

mike

BlueyM · Sep 17, 2010

ST 1100 Pan (in Oz) has a high beam flasher as described earlier, plus a high/low beam switch, but no "headlight off" switch. The lights are permanently on when the engine is running, as required by law. (I think since about 1985 or so. My old 1984 Beemer R65 has a headlight off switch.)

Interesting that US bikes don't have the same setup.

W0QNX · Sep 17, 2010

I use the starter switch to drop the lights and signal others. It doesn't spin the starter because starter won't spin with the clutch out and bike in gear??.

Raymond

Rick Gibson · Sep 17, 2010

My 05 came with a twist to pass.

Viggo · Sep 17, 2010

I'm pretty sure the starter motor does not spin if in gear and clutch is out so the only effect is to kill the headlight (and tail lights too? I haven't verified this.) All other accessories stay hot.

I've used this more often to signal a trucker that he may change lanes in front of me. Keep in mind that flashing your headlight on/off may have a different meaning than flashing high/low beams. All such signals may be misinterpreted by cagers since there is no universal meaning to them so be careful.

rjs987 · Sep 17, 2010

My Toyota Corolla has one and so does my Nissan Murano. No issues using the starter switch on the ST since I only flash it a few times very briefly. I have heard something spin up when I do hit it. If not the starter, then what? I think only a scooter has a cut-out for the starter motor since you must hold one of the brake levers to start those. But I think the starter on the ST will spin without holding the clutch. May be wrong about that... think I may test it tonight with the bike in neutral and not holding in any levers while pushing the starter.

I had the left control cluster apart the other day and notice there is a removable cover for a switch or something on the front side of the upper half of the cover. My guess is that is where a PTT or high beam flash switch would fit. Would have be a VERY low profile on the backside/inside part of the switch since there is only about a 3/8" space (or less) from the housing to the handlebar.

rjs987 · Sep 17, 2010

Viggo said:
... All such signals may be misinterpreted by cagers since there is no universal meaning to them so be careful.

All such signals WILL be misinterpreted by cagers... most cagers don't know what communication on the road is and show indication, more often than not, that they are puzzled by any signal other than turn or brake signals. And they only partly understand those! The best you can hope for is that any signaling you do will cause you to be noticed and don't expect more than that.

W0QNX · Sep 17, 2010

rjs987 said:
I think only a scooter has a cut-out for the starter motor since you must hold one of the brake levers to start those. But I think the starter on the ST will spin without holding the clutch. May be wrong about that... think I may test it tonight with the bike in neutral and not holding in any levers while pushing the starter.
QUOTE]

It will start in neutral without the clutch in but not in gear.

Raymond

RCS · Sep 17, 2010

I use my hazaard lights. People move to the right and begin to slow down really, really fast. Hmmm...don't know why?

Miss my Flash to Pass Switch

vstrom

Mark

Gotta make tracks

RealST

rjs987

Robert

tlartist

Tom Laux

Mark

Gotta make tracks

Uncle Phil

Kempo-STer

Mark

Gotta make tracks

Avtrician

juddspaintballs

Dual Sport Touring

mshell

BlueyM

W0QNX

Blacksheep Tribal Member

Rick Gibson

Viggo

rjs987

Robert

rjs987

Robert

W0QNX

Blacksheep Tribal Member

RCS