Using the Kill switch.

[Jez]

I've never used the kill switch. I was taught to just switch off the ignition, so that's what has stuck.

Might give it a try tomorrow.

 

[VEGASRIDER]

The Engine Cut-OFF switch AKA Kill Switch is a safety feature. As other members have mentioned, muscle memory by way of habitually using it may pay off one day.

The switch is conveniently located so that your hands will never have to leave your handle bars. Since your bike should always be in first gear when parked (It's your emergency brake), using the switch is the most convenient and safest way to turn off your engine while you are still in gear, since you never have to remove your hands from the handle bar. Others use their sidestand which will work too. But the point is, both hands remain on the handlebars, helps you keep the bike balanced until you are officially off the bike safely.

I remove my key once I dismount.

Yes, by not turning off the bike with your key you have the chance of leaving it on, draining your battery.

It's your bike, turn it off anyway you like.

So isn't anyone going to create a thread on how to start the bike?

 

[Hellgate]

Throttle stuck open. That's the #1 reason for kill switch.

But all throttles in the US most be push/pulls so its a moot point.

 

[Fred]

But all throttles in the US most be push/pulls so its a moot point.

Nope. Not all. I have a pull only throttle on the K whiner.

And it's gotten stuck.

That sucked.

 

[VEGASRIDER]

I think I've used the kill switch, ummm, let's see, errrr, never??? 25 years of riding never touched it. I guess I don't understand what "emergency" requires the use of a kill switch.

On my race bike I have a simple Radio Shack toggle switch were the ignition was. Just flip the bike on and off. I see the key as the same thing. On, off. On, off.

Throttle stuck open. That's the #1 reason for kill switch.

Well when you have a bunch of newbies who have never ridden before out on that motorcycle range, you see a lot of crashes or at least a lot of bike being dumped. And if the bike is still running, what's the first thing I do? I turn off the bike with the kill switch. No matter what type of bike it is, I always know where it's going to be. Unlike the key, it could be anywhere, there are some real strange places where the ignition key is located.

 

[RJ2112]

Well when you have a bunch of newbies who have never ridden before out on that motorcycle range, you see a lot of crashes or at least a lot of bike being dumped. And if the bike is still running, what's the first thing I do? I turn off the bike with the kill switch. No matter what type of bike it is, I always know where it's going to be. Unlike the key, it could be anywhere, there are some real strange places where the ignition key is located.

Dumping a dirt bike.... that teaches you to reach for the kill switch first.

 

[Hellgate]

Nope. Not all. I have a pull only throttle on the K whiner.

And it's gotten stuck.

That sucked.

Yeah the K is like '78 or something. :Flip:

I am 99% sure all new bike are push pull

But really I don't care....

Cheers!

 

[OZXJR]

I was taught to only use the kill switch in an emergency and the key all other times,this was a long time ago but it was drilled into me so I still do it.
Bit like all your fingers on the brake lever,my instructor would scream blue murder if I used 2 ,so I still use all of them 25 years later.

 

[Stumbles06]

I always use the kill switch. Grew up riding dirt bikes, so I guess it came from that.

:rockon:

 

[Nefilim]

Motorcycle Safety Foundation teaching is to use the kill switch, not the key, to stop the engine. The reason is the same for most things in motorcycling - make your habit the thing that is the right thing to do in an emergency, as you will do what your habit is when the cards are down. In this case, the emergency is needing to shut off the engine quickly for some reason. Faster to do that with the kill switch than the key.

This is actually very true. I completely forgot about the kill switch until reading this thread and it's right next to my hand all of the time.

 

[Kazza]

I was told not to use the kill switch to turn the engine off all the time, that I should use the ignition switch. Has anyone heard of that? I use the kill switch all time to kill the engine, then the ignition to shut everything off.

Any opinions

Thanks.

Doc

The dealer told me not to use the kill switch when I bought my bike. It's for emergency only. I don't know the reason why but he made it emphasied not to use it.

I just use the key........

 

[Rumpole of the Bailey]

I love weighing in to an argument!
Just my nickel's (2 cents) worth.

1. If I turn the bike off with the key, I know the battery is imobilised and won't go flat.

2. Next time I start the bike, all I do is insert the key and hit the starter. No searching for a reason why it won't start or excess cranking of the engine (not recommended in the owner's manual) because the kill switch is on.

3. I always take the keys out when I stop the engine. Just a habbit I have.

Cheers and a good topic.

ps
Being an older rider, I remember when kill switches first came out!!!
As a teenager, on summer holidays in the early seventies, I assembled mini bikes out of the crate in a family friends Honda dealership. My own bike at the time was a BSA Bantom, definitely no kill switch and it leaked petrol on ya when ya dropped it and kept going!
These new Honda 50's and SL70's all had red kill switches, what I considered a good feature.
Cheers and oh yeah... Memory Lane is closed!!