I'd be more concerning with the thumb tab shearing off from the weight of the bike, I swear sometime it looks like its gonna give...then it doesn't. The first time scared the bejeezus outta me.
Carry a SPARE! I've had them fail on me TWICE in 7 years of riding. It's an inexpensive part and easy/quick to replace, but what a pickle you're in if you don't have a spare. Or one of your riding buddies or a rider on the side of the road might be saved by your spare spring.
Never had one fail but FYI, I had a '96 and now have a '99 cop bike and there's no kill switch attached to the kickstand. Maybe newer bikes have that. But you can't start the bike unless you hold the clutch in.,,
I never had one fail but I know of several who have had problems after loading the scooter in the back of a pick up and catching the spring when reaching the "breakover" angle!
ummm, until it breaks, lol. You would think something like that would last indefinitely unless it is damaged. I learned along time ago in the Army " Its better to have and not need, than to need and not have". No spare on my bike, gots a centerstand and ziptie.