Kill Switch
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,996
Likes: 417
From: Cranbourne, VIC Australia
A. I don't own a car or truck anymore. But,
B. When I did, I never found myself trying to hold the brake with my hand, hold the clutch with my other hand and then wondering how I should or could reach under my tank on the left side of the bike to hit the ignition all while balancing my car on some likely on level surface...
C. What do you suggest we do when the bike doesn't even have an ignition, only a kill switch, is it ok if we use it then?
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,806
Likes: 1,754
From: New Bern NC
Well,
A. I don't own a car or truck anymore.
B. When I did, I never found myself trying to hold the brake with my hand, hold the clutch with my other hand and then wondering how I should or could reach under my tank on the left side of the bike to hit the ignition all while balancing my car on some likely on level surface...
C. What do you suggest we do when the bike doesn't even have an ignition, only a kill switch, is it ok if we use it then?
A. I don't own a car or truck anymore.
B. When I did, I never found myself trying to hold the brake with my hand, hold the clutch with my other hand and then wondering how I should or could reach under my tank on the left side of the bike to hit the ignition all while balancing my car on some likely on level surface...
C. What do you suggest we do when the bike doesn't even have an ignition, only a kill switch, is it ok if we use it then?
B. The brake is in the right hand so the ignition can be easily reached with the left
C. The answer is as obvious as why you don't use the kill switch to turn off the truck
What else can I help you with?
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,674
Likes: 84
From: New Jersey
Well,
A. I don't own a car or truck anymore. But,
B. When I did, I never found myself trying to hold the brake with my hand, hold the clutch with my other hand and then wondering how I should or could reach under my tank on the left side of the bike to hit the ignition all while balancing my car on some likely on level surface...
C. What do you suggest we do when the bike doesn't even have an ignition, only a kill switch, is it ok if we use it then?
A. I don't own a car or truck anymore. But,
B. When I did, I never found myself trying to hold the brake with my hand, hold the clutch with my other hand and then wondering how I should or could reach under my tank on the left side of the bike to hit the ignition all while balancing my car on some likely on level surface...
C. What do you suggest we do when the bike doesn't even have an ignition, only a kill switch, is it ok if we use it then?
I was thinking of posting a similar snide reply.
As another poster mentioned, growing up on dirt bikes, the kill switch is a natural and automatic gesture for me.
I'm sure it really doesn't matter to the bike how it's shut off but it is much safer to keep both hands in the "control" position while shutting down the bike in gear. And if you aren't parking that 1000 pound beast in gear every time...
Tourer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 256
Likes: 7
From: Western NC
I often use the kill switch when I'm riding double just because it seems easier than taking my hand off the bar. Just my thoughts tho. Oh and you shouldn't have to worry about leaving the switch on and killing your battery, because if you don't turn and look at your bike as you walk away, you might have bought the wrong bike. lol
I usually stop, in neutral, drop the stand, lean the bike onto the stand, turn off the petcock, and then turn off the key or switch. With the newer bikes I don't have the petcock, so it looks funny when I reach around the bottom of the tank.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,996
Likes: 417
From: Cranbourne, VIC Australia
Let me guess you think everyone has an ignition on the dash panel of the tank? You are aware that it can be, and often is located in other positions right?
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 2,316
Likes: 2,388
From: Jackson, OH
No right or wrong here as far as I'm concerned. Do what is right for you, and what works best. For me, the kill switch is a redundant way to shut down the ignition. By that I mean the ignition switch is primary and must always be turned off. The kill switch is a secondary route to shutdown but it doesn't eliminate the need to also use the ignition switch. I can only see occasional situations (in normal use) where the KS might be useful for me...but that's just for me. I 100% rely on the main ignition but know I can employ the KS if I'm in a situation where it would be useful. The very few times I've used the KS it seems I forget to check it at the next startup. "What?....no fire?...wait a min...oh yeah...dang it...okay, let's roll".