Does bike know when it's running?

[Scoobynut_imp]

AZ, I doubt accidentally engaging the starter like that will do any lasting harm. When I was a kid, we had an older and a newer Toyota Corrolla. My mom used the wrong key in the older one, somehow got it inserted, twisted the key, but it stuck in the 'start' position. She drove all over town, probably 10 miles total with the starter engaged the whole time! Yeah, it did ruin the starter, but she made it home! A couple little accidental and brief starts like you did are nothing in comparison so I wouldn't worry about it.