How to start a Honda Click with alarm (Honda SMART Key System)

Table of contents

1. What is Honda SMART Key System
2. How to start a motorcycle with Honda SMART Key System
3. Video on how to start a motorcycle with Honda SMART Key System
4. How to open the trunk with Honda SMART Key System
5. How to properly turn off a motorcycle with Honda SMART Key System
6. How to lock the steering wheel with Honda SMART Key System
7. Is it safe to use the Honda SMART Key System?
8. How to disable Honda SMART Key System
9. Is it convenient to use the Honda SMART Key System?
10. What to do if Honda SMART Key does not work
11. Is it possible to get a second Honda SMART Key System key
12. Is it possible to start a motorcycle without Honda SMART Key
13. Is it possible to open the trunk without Honda SMART Key
14. What to do if I lost your Honda SMART Key
15. Do not store Honda SMART Key inside the motorcycle and other tips

What is Honda SMART Key System

In recent years, new Honda motorcycles do not use classic ignition keys, but are sold with the Honda SMART Key System installed. It includes an electronic device with two buttons and an LED in the form of a key fob (example in the photo in the header of the article), as well as an ignition switch, made in the form of a rotary toggle switch in the place where the motorcycle key should be inserted.

In addition to controlling the ignition switch, the Honda SMART Key System also has security alarm functions. In general, this system has many settings: turning the sound on and off, turning the security alarm on and off, setting the sensitivity of the alarm trigger, setting the sound level, etc.).

Perhaps I will discuss these functions in a separate article – there is much information and you can’t guess without instructions. But in this note I will answer the main question of a person who received a motorcycle and a key fob, but did not receive any keys – how to start the motorcycle?

How to start a motorcycle with Honda SMART Key System

1. First of all, the key fob must be fairly close to the motorcycle – less than two meters away.

2. Honda SMART Key System must be active – this is usually the case and no action is required from you. But you can verify this by pressing and quickly releasing the ON/OFF button (this is the one with the image of a key, in the photo above it is the bottom one).

3. Then press the ignition switch. Yes, don't turn it, just press it from above. Exactly as shown in the following photo.

4. You will hear a double beep and the key symbol will light up on the toolbar.

5. Now you have 20 seconds to turn the ignition switch to “i” (On) mode.

After turning the ignition key, the motorcycle display will turn on.

6. Now you can start the motorcycle – to do this, hold the brake with your left hand and press the ignition button.

Video on how to start a motorcycle with Honda SMART Key System

How to open the trunk with Honda SMART Key System

The procedure is very similar to the one described above:

1. It must be located with the electronic key fob next to the motorcycle.

2. Press the ignition switch once.

3. After the double beep, turn the ignition switch to “SEAT” mode.

4. Press the trunk release button (it is located next to the ignition switch, to the right of it).

How to properly turn off a motorcycle with Honda SMART Key System

When leaving the motorcycle, always set the ignition switch to the ⭕️ (Off) or 🔒️ (Lock) position.

If you leave the ignition switch in the "i" (On) position, anyone can start the motorcycle even without a Honda SMART Key.

If you leave the ignition switch in the "SEAT" position, anyone can open the trunk of the motorcycle even without a Honda SMART Key.

The ignition switch will lock automatically when you move away from the motorcycle or after 20 seconds.

You can immediately lock the ignition switch by pressing it once.

In any of these cases, the indicator that the ignition switch is locked is one beep.

How to lock the steering wheel with Honda SMART Key System

1. You must be located with the electronic key fob next to the motorcycle.

2. Press the ignition switch once.

3. After a double beep, turn the steering wheel all the way to the left and the ignition switch to 🔒️ (Lock) mode.

Is it safe to use the Honda SMART Key System?

Honda SMART Key works at a fairly close distance – about two meters.

If the Honda SMART Key is located far away, you will not be able to start the motorcycle.

In this case, you need to follow basic safety measures – do not store the Honda SMART Key in the motorcycle when you leave your vehicle.

If you are near a motorcycle, then, theoretically, an attacker could start it against your will. For example, in the following situation.

In situations like these (if you're concerned about being close enough to the motorcycle to unlock the ignition switch, but far enough away to hinder an intruder), you can disable the Honda SMART Key System.

How to disable Honda SMART Key System

To turn off the Honda SMART Key System, press and hold the ON/OFF button (with the key image) on the key fob until the indicator changes color. Red color means that the Honda SMART Key System is disabled and the electronic key will not allow you to start the motorcycle even if you are near it.

The green LED means that the Honda SMART Key System is enabled and you can start the motorcycle as shown above.

To turn the Honda SMART Key System back on, press and hold the ON/OFF button again until the indicator changes color.

To check the current status of the Honda SMART Key System, press and quickly release the ON/OFF button – the LED will light up. Green color means Honda SMART Key System is enabled and you can use the smart key to unlock the ignition switch.

Is it convenient to use the Honda SMART Key System?

Yes I liked it very much.

In any case, we always carry a regular key with us, but in addition it needs to be inserted into and removed from the motorcycle. With Honda SMART Key, you just need to get on the motorcycle, without having to reach into your bag pocket for the key.

Similarly, when leaving the motorcycle, there is no need to take the electronic key and put it in the pocket of the bag, since it is already there.

What to do if Honda SMART Key does not work

If Honda SMART Key does not work, then

1. Try enabling the Honda SMART Key System using the ON/OFF button on the key fob

2. Make sure that the electronic key is not blocked by iron objects (they can shield radio waves)

3. The battery in the Honda SMART Key may be low (the battery should last for 2 years) – replace it.

4. The motorcycle battery may be low.

5. Intense electronic radiation may affect the operation of the Honda SMART Key System.

Is it possible to get a second Honda SMART Key System key

Yes, to do this, bring your motorcycle and Honda SMART Key to your dealer.

Is it possible to start a motorcycle without Honda SMART Key

Yes, it's possible. You can enter the ID tag code and start the motorcycle. How to do this will be discussed in the next article.

Is it possible to open the trunk without Honda SMART Key

Yes, use the emergency key for this.

What to do if I lost your Honda SMART Key

The dealer can give you another Honda SMART Key, for this you need to provide an ID tag and an emergency key.

Do not store Honda SMART Key inside the motorcycle and other tips

As already said, as long as the Honda SMART Key is near the motorcycle, anyone can unlock the ignition switch. Therefore, if you leave the vehicle, be sure to take the key with you.

Also, DO NOT store the ID tag and emergency key next to the Honda SMART Key so as not to lose them all at the same time.

When washing your motorcycle, do not keep the Honda SMART Key in it, as water will render it unusable.