Motorcycle Stalls when Clutch Released - how to fix

This is a detailed description of a classic motorcycle problem, characterized by an engine stall when the transmission is in gear and the clutch handle released. The ignition wiring diagram is shown for a Kawasaki VN800 motorcycle, but many bikes with sidestands will have similar variations. The easy diagnosis and repair are carefully described.

DIY motorcycle repair is inherently dangerous, so do not attempt home repair without consideration of risks to your person and your bike. The information contained here is offered for free in good faith, but with no guarantees as to safety or accuracy. Never rely on one source for critical information, be sure to read widely. Any misadventure you encounter if you decide to repair your own bike is your responsibility.

[popsxbox]

Thank you! I have a 2005 Vulcan VN 800 A all original stock bike. Just started having this problem. Followed your video process and boom there lied the problem. I have a Jack so I used it to hold the bike up and cleaned the part, it was stuck as well, so after all that and reinstall the bike works as it should. Thanks again! Safe rides to all from Texas!

[OzonoOzono]

I can’t thank you enough for this video, I’m a beginner biker so I had this stalling problem, I thought it was just the lack of practice but then when a friend tried to help and explain me how to do it he notice that the bike died if no gas was pumped while releasing the clutch and told me that was a problem, (he’s not a mechanic though) we ‘been checking the internet for two or three days searching for tutorials and after we saw this and try it on the bike everything works like a charm, I can finally ride in a way I fell safe and confident, no more drag race starts nor stalling

[CanadianGuyinAlberta]

Thank-you! Adding in the ground wiring diagram really made a difference for me to help understand what's going on

[MarcHeimbigner]

Think you just saved me a trip to the dealership for a costly repair. Thanks for the insight!

[squirrel]

i will go for a drive and ill be coming to a stop after driving for a bit then when i shift into 1st or neutral coming to the stop my engine dies. i am getting a new carb soon it is having issues. ill check back in with ya after it comes in and gets installed. thanks for you time and videos !

[jeffhunter]

Wasted Hrs reading the manual. Watched your vid problem solved.thank you

[RobertoGonzalez-vbrh]

That was a perfect diagnostic off that bike I also had the same problem on my 2006 Kawasaki Eliminator 125 CC and yes that was the problem

[elcheapo]

Always a great vid. This procedure applies to many similar switches...door jamb, parking brake, brake light, etc.  Thanks for sharing!

[wayneboudreau]

Thanks so much for the video i had the exact problem and it was the switch, cleaned and lubed now works

[slogger]

Thanks for the informative video.
I managed to sort the stand switch problem on my Triumph, thanks to you!

[austingreen]

Thank you so much for your input! This was what was wrong with my bike! Thank I’m back riding

[adskoyee]

Huge thanks for this!! Problem solved thanks to this video🙏🏻

[karlkelley]

This video presentation was terrific. Well done!

[stephenjankowski]

Yoo! Thank you this helped soo much! Bike is on the road again thanks!

[martinbattaliou]

Nice one Dave, I was wondering what to do with a similar problem on a BMW 1200GS, and I simply sprayed the foot stand switch with WD-40 and now it is all good.

[josemallabo]

That was great. Now I have to fix my bike.

[supersonic]

Currently having an issue with my ZX-7R, the bike idles and starts fine, I put it in gear and put the kick stand up, when trying to pull off it cuts out exactly the same as your video. I bypassed the clutch switch and the bike runs and pulls off fine. Replaced the clutch switch and same issue. Now I’ve bought a new kick stand switch to see if that’s the issue but I’m running out of ideas. Are there any other switches that could be causing this issue? The neutral switch for example?

Great quality video by the way 👍🏼

[ericsales]

hi sir,
i have here almost same problem, when I press the clutch lever and step on the gear shifter the motor got stall.
i already bypass the the kickstand switch still got the same problem.
can you help me locate the shifter sensor, maybe this got to do with the problem

[mj]

Great job! What if the motorcycle does not have a kickstand? I am having the same problem with my can am. Every time I press the clutch it cuts out on me. Any suggestion?

[ryan.maccallum]

Just came across this video, my 2001 800a with start fine idle perfectly, nut as soon as I give it throttle, in neutral or in gear it dies, could the kickstand switch do that?