Hi guys
I was riding my bike in 2nd gear and had to use my horn but accidently turned off the engine.. Does this harm my engine at all? I stopped turned it back off and rode..

Thanks

 

Won't hurt anything, but how did you hit the kill switch instead of the horn? They're on opposite sides of the bars.

Cheers!

 

I live in NY. I got cut off and i panicked. . I forgot where the horn was... thanks

 

I did that on the highway in west Texas. Although i was reaching for cruise control and was in 5th gear. Just get it in neutral and restart.

 

I hear ya. Glad the situation didn't get ugly!

Cheers!

 

I think you meant that you stopped, turned it back ON and rode... You aren't panicking while typing are you?

There is no reason to stop if you cut the engine off while moving. Just pull in the clutch and restart the engine while still moving. There is no harm done if this happens. You may want to go to a parking lot and practice this.

I'm glad all turned out fine.

Now for the critique (aka constructive criticism);
The first problem is that you panicked. That alone will get you into trouble.
Then, you need to know where the controls are. I understand hitting the turn signal when reaching for the horn but they are next to one another. You reached for a switch on the wrong side of the handlebars.

It shouldn't be necessary to put it in neutral. Just pull the clutch in and start the engine.

 

My 2011 has to be in neutral to crank it over. Has been that way since new.

 

never having this issue (so far)...
couldn't you just put the kill switch back in the run
position and just pop the clutch. i have done
it plenty of times in my car. or are there lots
of nice new safety(?) features now days?
my bike will start in any gear.

 

I have a 2012 FLSTC and I can start it in gear with the clutch disengaged. If I am not mistaken, you should also. Don't quote me on this but I believe Harley began using a clutch safety switch around 2007 which should allow you to start the bike in gear with the clutch disengaged (lever pulled in). If you can't, you may have a defective clutch safety switch. Owners will sometimes break the switch or use the wrong lever when changing the clutch lever. It is unlikely your case since you said your bike has been that way since new. Another reason may be a misadjusted clutch where the plates aren't separating enough when you pull the clutch lever in. You can sense this if the bike lurches forward considerably when trying to start the bike in gear with the clutch disengaged.

 

If you're still moving, just put kill switch back in Run position. The engine will start running again without using the starter.