Since getting my 13 RK about a year ago I have been shutting it down as per manual's recommendation: using the "kill" switch instead of the ignition. A buddy who has an 08 Ultra told me that his dealership told him to leave the "kill" switch alone and use ignition only as the less-durable switch is subject to premature failure. Anyone else hear this before but if not curious to know how are you shutting the bike down?

 

We need to tell you to do it like the lawyers made it...Then when they are not looking, do it like you want to. Thats a silly statement about the switch. However since mine only gets used when I loan it to my son, it ought to last a lifetime. There is another silly switch just like it on the starter, so you may want that dealer to put a kick starter on yours just in case...HA

 

I thought it was kind of strange too. I never use the kill switch on my metric v-twin and was surprised that the HD manual recommended it. I guess I'll try to "reprogram" my habit to get by without it though.

 

i use the kill switch whenever im leaving it in gear when i park. that way theres no chance i might accidently let out the clutch while the kickstands down, lol

 

I have used the kill switch for years. I don't see where it really matters one way or the other.

 

My understanding is that they recommend the kill switch to ensure it works. If the switch never gets used, the contacts can corrode and not work if used in an emergency.

Kind of like why its good to use the door locks on your vehicle every once and a while vs the key fob. If you never use it and the battery dies, if your lock is corroded and doesn't work (issue in the northern states) you cant enter your vehicle.

 

Had my last Harley for ten years. Only used the kill switch to shut it down. Never broke the switch, never failed, and never had to replace it. Nor by the way, have I ever heard any of my buddies ever having to fix theirs.

 

Well, if you use the kill switch then you still have to turn off the ignition switch. Why not just turn off the ignition switch? Works for me.

 

Although I do not remember the exact reason given to me years ago, an electrician buddy of mine explained that it's the difference between turning a lamp off by using the switch, as compared to yanking the cord out of the wall. There is some valid electrical reason for using the switch. Maybe someone here can explain...

 

I've had ignition switches on the oil tank, below the seat and on the steering neck. Cutting them off with the engine cut off switch while my hand is already there on the right hand grip made sense. It's convenient with touring HD's that the ignition is right there in front of you. Had an 08 road king that had to be cut off with ignitions switch to keep high rev down until they did the patch.