A few Questions
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 9,208
Likes: 374
From: Central Illinois, Between I-80 and I-74
I noticed you have an '08 so the answer isn't simple.
Most instructors will tell you to use the thumb switch first. There are two reasons for this. 1. It keeps the switch clean and working properly.
2. It becomes instinct, if you need to shut a bike off in an emergency.
Now for the '08 complication. If you accidentally rotate the throttle as you hit the kill switch it may reset the idle speed of your bike. (This was a little bug with the throttle by wire system, I think they corrected it in later years). Using the ignition switch reduces the possibility of this because you will probably remove you right hand from the throttle to reach for the ignition switch.
Now for the fix. If you find that your bike want to idle at much more than 1100 RPM it is easy to fix. Simply cycle the ignition switch on and off 4 or 5 times waiting a few seconds at each position without touching the throttle or starting the bike.
Most instructors will tell you to use the thumb switch first. There are two reasons for this. 1. It keeps the switch clean and working properly.
2. It becomes instinct, if you need to shut a bike off in an emergency.
Now for the '08 complication. If you accidentally rotate the throttle as you hit the kill switch it may reset the idle speed of your bike. (This was a little bug with the throttle by wire system, I think they corrected it in later years). Using the ignition switch reduces the possibility of this because you will probably remove you right hand from the throttle to reach for the ignition switch.
Now for the fix. If you find that your bike want to idle at much more than 1100 RPM it is easy to fix. Simply cycle the ignition switch on and off 4 or 5 times waiting a few seconds at each position without touching the throttle or starting the bike.
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: south west Georgia
I noticed you have an '08 so the answer isn't simple.
Most instructors will tell you to use the thumb switch first. There are two reasons for this. 1. It keeps the switch clean and working properly.
2. It becomes instinct, if you need to shut a bike off in an emergency.
Now for the '08 complication. If you accidentally rotate the throttle as you hit the kill switch it may reset the idle speed of your bike. (This was a little bug with the throttle by wire system, I think they corrected it in later years). Using the ignition switch reduces the possibility of this because you will probably remove you right hand from the throttle to reach for the ignition switch.
Now for the fix. If you find that your bike want to idle at much more than 1100 RPM it is easy to fix. Simply cycle the ignition switch on and off 4 or 5 times waiting a few seconds at each position without touching the throttle or starting the bike.
Most instructors will tell you to use the thumb switch first. There are two reasons for this. 1. It keeps the switch clean and working properly.
2. It becomes instinct, if you need to shut a bike off in an emergency.
Now for the '08 complication. If you accidentally rotate the throttle as you hit the kill switch it may reset the idle speed of your bike. (This was a little bug with the throttle by wire system, I think they corrected it in later years). Using the ignition switch reduces the possibility of this because you will probably remove you right hand from the throttle to reach for the ignition switch.
Now for the fix. If you find that your bike want to idle at much more than 1100 RPM it is easy to fix. Simply cycle the ignition switch on and off 4 or 5 times waiting a few seconds at each position without touching the throttle or starting the bike.
Novice
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
According to the schematic for my 04, the kill switch takes power off of a pin on the security module and the main switch takes power off of that plus the lighting, fuel injectors, accessories, etc. Both the security module and the ECM remain powered regardless of which switch (or both) are chosen (how else would the alarm work?). I'd say it doesn't matter except for the issue of keeping the kill switch clean and habituation of hitting it first to kill the engine in an emergency. My $.02.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,936
Likes: 20
From: Driftless Area
Kinda a strange post until the advent of ecm's and all. Just kill the motor and be done with it. Are they going to include this info in the MSF school?
Sometimetimes technology is not your friend!!
Sometimetimes technology is not your friend!!
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,225
Likes: 2
From: Southern California
Kill switch on the handlebar and than the switch on the tank.
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Joined: Feb 2009
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Likes: 30
From: Mile 49.5 Alaska Hwy. B.C.