I've never tried it on my Buell, but on other (Japanese) machines all you have to do is remove the switch and then hook the wires together (ok, you do have to tape them up, tuck them out of the way, etc., but it's still simple).
It will shut off the bike if the sidestand is down, you have it in gear and try to release the clutch. You can still start the bike with the stand down as long as the bike is in neutral.
i have an 07 firebolt that i bought brand new. the sidestand switch worked when i bought it but it doesnt now. so i think your info is bad "When they go bad the bike just will not start, period." mine still runs like a champ, with the kickstand down. i have told my dealer to order the part several times so it can be fixed when i come in for something else but as of yet they have not. its kinda dangerous.
mines an 08 i xb12scg and it will start in or out of gear with stand down, it will take off with stand down i pull up to a gas station kick it down lean it over on it then put it in neutral and shut her down[confused] I ride some friends bikes and always forget about the stand and kill it to my suprize everytime Once i thought i had it in neutral with it on its stand as i was beside it i started it let go of the clutch and she justabout ran off without me.
What's going on with this post? The later models obviously don't have a sensor!! ???
Mine is an '06 and it starts and drives the same whether the "jiffy stand" is up or down.