To just reach over turn the key and hit the start button WITHOUT making sure it is in neutral is stupid. You would not turn start your car without making sure it is out of gear would you?
There are a lot of devices on modern cars that allow stupid people to survive being stupid and avoid damage to vehicles. Starter interlocks are pretty common on cars. Getting them to start often requires brake application, and certain other conditions before the stater will engage.
Personally, I think it is stupid to remove a safety device, particularly when it doesn't hurt anything and provides benefit, just because you think you are smarter/superior than everyone else on the planet. Further, it could be argued that it is irresponsible to recommend someone else remove a safety device, without you also assuming some of the responsibility for any damage or injury incurred by following your errant recommendation.
It is easy to lose track of gear engagement details when working on the bike. Need to bump the crank a bit to make a valve or timing adjustment? Just bump the starter button. Without the safety device, you could wind up the the bike on its side, or fallen off the motorcycle lift. If you think that device is worthless to you, I wish you good luck. People, even you, are fallible.
Telling everyone that is worthless to all, is arrogant and stupid, and almost certainly borne of ignorance, imo.
If you are arguing that the modern vehicle "smart" devices are producing a generation of less competent drivers, then I agree. However, at the same time, statistics show that personal injury involving vehicles is lower per capita than it was in the 70's. I don't for a moment think it is because the majority of divers today are more competent, and/or have a better rapport with their machines.
Still, I'm not going to advocate disabling the anti lock brakes, traction assist, and air bags on my wife's car. Such things may help her survive in a collision even if she made no error in her own driver ability.
The main reason they put in that safety switch was so if the motorcycle was at a stop light and the engine dies that you could just pull in the clutch and hit the start button even if it was in gear.
You may wish to rethink that argument, as you can do that with or without the SSM, only with the SSM you don't need to have a concern about the bike lurching during the panic.
Really, if you are stopped and in gear, the engine is going to die UNLESS the clutch is pulled in.
