2014-2024 Touring Models This Section Is For Rushmore and Gen 1 M8 Touring models from 2014 to 2024
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Using the kill switch - mandatory?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 13, 2015 | 11:05 AM
  #11  
woodmnctry's Avatar
woodmnctry
Tourer
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 336
Likes: 11
From: 8K' in CO
Unhappy

I a kill switch kinda guy --- so much in fact that I have managed to use that switch when actually going for the turn signal --- great fun!
 
Reply
Old Apr 13, 2015 | 11:11 AM
  #12  
JMC22's Avatar
JMC22
Ultimate HDF Member
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 6,044
Likes: 336
Default

I was "taught" to use the kill switch when I shut the bike off - so that is where I go first ti shut her down...
On a side note, am I the only one that sometimes hits the kill switch with my big hands sometime while riding?
I hate it when I do that....
 
Reply
Old Apr 13, 2015 | 11:14 AM
  #13  
Roadglide33's Avatar
Roadglide33
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 366
Likes: 4
From: Ohio
Default

This is really a topic of conversation???
 
Reply
Old Apr 13, 2015 | 11:29 AM
  #14  
Tripleshot's Avatar
Tripleshot
Tourer
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 435
Likes: 1
From: St. George, Utah
Default

ok, I'll chime in. When I bought my wideglide in '05 I was told to use the kill switch because failing to use it to shut down causes an electrical drawdown and can drain the battery faster. These were the days when I didn't have a trickle charger. Made good enough sense to me. I always shut down with the kill switch and now with the limited, muscle memory has me turn on with key, wait for accept screen, then use right hand to turn off kill and start the motor. Life is good. Go enjoy it on your Harley.
 
Reply
Old Apr 13, 2015 | 11:32 AM
  #15  
SafetyMan's Avatar
SafetyMan
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,970
Likes: 85
From: San Antone
Default

Originally Posted by Roadglide33
This is really a topic of conversation???
Yes.

Thank you for your well thought out and informative input!
 
Reply
Old Apr 13, 2015 | 11:38 AM
  #16  
Dinger's Avatar
Dinger
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,226
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by SafetyMan
Yes.

Thank you for your well thought out and informative input!
At least, it's not another "I broke my bike installing mirrors" thread....
 
Reply
Old Apr 13, 2015 | 12:13 PM
  #17  
Gwaxley's Avatar
Gwaxley
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,745
Likes: 36
From: Lafayette La
Default

Originally Posted by Dinger
At least, it's not another "I broke my bike installing mirrors" thread....
Or I was wondering why my shifter felt funny, oops where is it.
 
Reply
Old Apr 13, 2015 | 01:42 PM
  #18  
DocKile's Avatar
DocKile
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 133
Likes: 4
From: San Antonio, TX
Default

Using the kill switch is inline with the MSF BRC standards. FINE-C to start and Engine cut-off switch, ingnition key then fuel valve (Switch,Key,valve) to shut down. It is standard teaching and I am sure, to remian consistant with the New Rider Course teachings (HD Riding Academy) they have to explain the procedure in that manner.
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-1

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

The Best and Worst Harley-Davidson Moves of 2025

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Apr 13, 2015 | 02:27 PM
  #19  
jdgresham's Avatar
jdgresham
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 304
Likes: 12
Default ????

What's a kill switch?
 
Reply
Old Apr 13, 2015 | 02:32 PM
  #20  
ultraclassic53's Avatar
ultraclassic53
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 633
Likes: 4
From: missouri
Default

Only reason I can think of for going straight to the main switch is lights...... There has been plenty of times I hit the kill switch then got distracted and forgot to turn the main . My friends like to make sure I'm about as far as possible from the bike before they point it out and make me all the way back to turn it off
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:50 AM.

story-0
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-2
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-3
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-4
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-5
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE
story-8
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

Slideshow: Graeme Billington's left-hand-drive Shovelhead is as much about problem-solving as it is about classic Harley form.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2025-12-30 11:27:08


VIEW MORE
story-9
The Best and Worst Harley-Davidson Moves of 2025

Slideshow: A clear-eyed look at what actually worked for Harley this year, and what quietly undermined its progress.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2025-12-29 17:10:48


VIEW MORE