I did a search on this subject and found that the bike should start in gear as long as the clutch is pulled in. On my bike, it must be in neutral to start, even if the kick stand is up and clutch is engaged.

 

Has the clutch lever been replaced? When I replaced mine with a shorty lever, it was thicker than the stock one and would not engage the clutch switch to allow the bike to start in gear. check that first. It may have come unplugged...if it is still plugged in, you can try to bypass it by jumpering the two wires together just to see if the bike will start in gear (be sure you have the clutch pulled in when you hit the button though). If it starts, there is something wrong with the clutch switch.

 

Mine was doing something similar. It ended up being that little relay under the seat on the rear fender had come slightly unplugged. Make sure its all well connected.

 

It's your starter lockout switch (clutch switch). As mudjunkie recommended, jumper it out and try and start in gear with the clutch pulled in. Usually that switch ends up getting buggered up with dirt if you drop the bike. If it is anything else other than that I would be surprised (unless it's the wiring associated with the switch).

I defeated that along with the kickstand switch when I first got the KLX to avoid being stranded because of a failed safety switch that is only there for those who can't remember to pull the clutch in or the kickstand up

Cheers,

Anthony

 

+1 get ride of it an and the kick stand switch.

 

bump...just curious what you found out.

 

+1....

 

The little button that engages\disengages when the clutch lever is pulled seems to not be working. I went ahead and closed the loop and did away with it, now everything is fine. Thanks for the suggestions! Now for the kickstand mod.

 

Ok that is exactly what I had to bypass when the little relay under the seat on the rear fender of my bike had come slightly unplugged. I'd be willing to bet if you check these connections you might find the problem...