Maybe stupid electrical type question
Maybe stupid electrical type question
Just noticed today that whenever I pull up at a cafe or bar, whatever, I always stop the old girl with the key rather than the kill switch.
I guess the main reason I do that is so that, in my advancing years, I don't make a right **** of myself by trying to restart the bike with the kill switch in the off position.
But is there any reason that one is better that the other?
I guess the main reason I do that is so that, in my advancing years, I don't make a right **** of myself by trying to restart the bike with the kill switch in the off position.
But is there any reason that one is better that the other?
Senior Member
Joined: May 2007
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From: Philly, PA USA
Yeah, there is one reason at least. I had problems years ago with my kill switch, where my bike didn`t want to restart after using it. Ever since then I've stopped using it. Now, I just use the key to shut it down or I drop my kickstand in gear.
I logged in this morning to ask the same question. When I left work last night my bike wouldn't start. I tinkered with wires and checked fuses and at some point turning the kill switch on and off several times I heard the fuel pump charge up and it started. My question is, do I need to look at fixing it or is it acceptable to just drop the kickstand. Any other thoughts on the matter?Thanks for the info!
Retired Super Moderator - At large E=MC2
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From: Tulsa,OK
The purpose of the kill-switch is to be able to shut-off the engine in the event of an
accident. The point of always shutting down the bike with the kill-switch is muscle-memory,
in preparation for that same accident. At least, that's the best I've been able to find
in researching on the subject.
The switch is supposed to be designed for a heavy, duty-cycle for that reason.
It shouldn't hurt the bike to use it habitually. Either method should be fine.
PotAtoe, potAHtoe...
Ern
accident. The point of always shutting down the bike with the kill-switch is muscle-memory,
in preparation for that same accident. At least, that's the best I've been able to find
in researching on the subject.
The switch is supposed to be designed for a heavy, duty-cycle for that reason.
It shouldn't hurt the bike to use it habitually. Either method should be fine.
PotAtoe, potAHtoe...
Ern
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Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Bir Tawil
My thinking is that the kill switch is to be used by someone other than the rider. They were put there for first responders to use if you were down. They are all placed in the same spot to find easily.
Some bikes have keys down below behind the riders legs. First responders can't get to them if the bike is laid down on that side. At an accident, it would be like an Easter egg hunt looking for the key to kill the bike.
You have to turn the key regardless of the switch. I don't use mine because the less things I use the less things wear out.
I may use mine from time to time when I can't find neutral or I want to kill the engine with both feet down and both hands on the bars,with a rider on back.
Other than what I mentioned, what's the thinking behind using the kill switch? " I'm going to kill the engine with the switch and now I'm really going to kill it with the key."
Some bikes have keys down below behind the riders legs. First responders can't get to them if the bike is laid down on that side. At an accident, it would be like an Easter egg hunt looking for the key to kill the bike.
You have to turn the key regardless of the switch. I don't use mine because the less things I use the less things wear out.
I may use mine from time to time when I can't find neutral or I want to kill the engine with both feet down and both hands on the bars,with a rider on back.
Other than what I mentioned, what's the thinking behind using the kill switch? " I'm going to kill the engine with the switch and now I'm really going to kill it with the key."
Redcoat, & Maxwell's Silver Hammer, MVN and curmudgeon
Joined: Dec 2007
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From: Mud hut, Zululand
And Ern's spot on too !
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We had this debate in off topic earlier this year or may be a bit longer ago ??
Bloody thing went for pages !!!! lol
As for me .... shoot ! , I use the ****ing key most of the time , but if om on a hill , or up a steep drive and want to hold the front brake on , I do hit the kill switch with my thumb .... then take my hand off to turn the key off ...
I think to be honest , the kill switch is just there?? ....
I seriously do not think that anyone at any time designed them for specific use at any particular time ...they have been on bikes forever and hey , they still are ....
I believe they are just convenient to use whenever you want ? , or need too ?...
The idea of them being there to shut off during or after an accident is a bit thin guys ....
Om mean ,
EG/ yu sliding down the road ! , yu **** hurts? yu arm is killing you? , yu bike is spinning around crazy .... hey , the first thing I go for is the kill switch !! ... lolol yer yer , sure after you get up and if you can run ? you go and kill the engine " IF " it is still running ???
and BTW ... If you go down on the RHS hard , handle bars turned in !! and the kill switch and most of the controls take a major hammering and prolly do not work !
In my experience the engines tend to die by themselves after just a few seconds on there sides anyway .... so no kill switch necessary under those circumstances hey ...
but at the end of the day .... I believe ,as I said , I do not think that there is a better , or best way to shut down at all , it just depends on the individual rider ...
.... TK
Bloody thing went for pages !!!! lol
As for me .... shoot ! , I use the ****ing key most of the time , but if om on a hill , or up a steep drive and want to hold the front brake on , I do hit the kill switch with my thumb .... then take my hand off to turn the key off ...
I think to be honest , the kill switch is just there?? ....
I seriously do not think that anyone at any time designed them for specific use at any particular time ...they have been on bikes forever and hey , they still are ....
I believe they are just convenient to use whenever you want ? , or need too ?...
The idea of them being there to shut off during or after an accident is a bit thin guys ....
Om mean ,
EG/ yu sliding down the road ! , yu **** hurts? yu arm is killing you? , yu bike is spinning around crazy .... hey , the first thing I go for is the kill switch !! ... lolol yer yer , sure after you get up and if you can run ? you go and kill the engine " IF " it is still running ???
and BTW ... If you go down on the RHS hard , handle bars turned in !! and the kill switch and most of the controls take a major hammering and prolly do not work !
In my experience the engines tend to die by themselves after just a few seconds on there sides anyway .... so no kill switch necessary under those circumstances hey ...
but at the end of the day .... I believe ,as I said , I do not think that there is a better , or best way to shut down at all , it just depends on the individual rider ...
.... TK
September 2009 ROTM Winner - Faster than a Speeding ..........
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From: UK
Explain to me again, which old lady you're a puttin' in that there museum and which one you're a keepin' at home?
If the bike goes in the museum, make sure you give it to them really dirty. That way they'll have to give her a thorough good clean for ya
No, no it won't, but I don't think I've ever had my fan running when I've stopped. New Zealand just isn't like that. We don't have the slow mo traffic issues that some countries do.