They're for being seen really, you can leave the side lights on for safety if you want, though I leave my dipped beam on instead as it's brighter. Plus if you're comming up to somewhere with a person checking passes for getting in somewhere, then when it's night you can be kind and use those to be seen but not blind the people. There's no actual requirement to use them, but it's safer to at least use them during the day if not dipped beam, but that's down to personal choice.

 

Just bought a 99 F4 recently, woot. My mechanic told me that when shutting of the bike, bring the revs to around 3-3.5K, let go of the throttle, and as the revs fall hit the kill switch. This apparently clears the carbs/valves better than just letting it idle before shut off. Personally I've never heard of using the key to kill the engine, I'm pretty sure the kill switch is standard operating procedure. It's not a car. I guess it could be argued that it's better for the battery to use the key, but like I said, I've never heard of that.

EDIT: ha! this thread is 18 months old. WWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

 

+1 to using the kill switch.. the course said to use it but not sure what the benifits are? Maybe is a sure fire gaurantee that the bike is going to die

 

I have always used mine...just a habit...

and whats Phoenix talking about with the lights being able to turn off? he must be in another country b/c mine is low beams/high beams....and thats how bikes have been for years...b/c your suppose to ride with your lights on all the time, they made it standard like the I was thinking in the early 90's.

 

only the euro models have the switch to turn off lights...Jules's F3 has it too

 

thats what I figured...I always have my brights on...helps people to see you.

 

Any bike that comes from a country without DRL laws might have an off switch. My CBR250RR was a Japanese import bike and has Off, Parking Lights (just illuminates the headlight housing softly), and Headlights. There is a second toggle for highbeam / lowbeam. My CBR600F4 which is a Canadian model just has highbeam/lowbeam.

 

i own a 1999 uk model it comes with the 3 settings for the lights.