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A few Questions
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 19,982
Likes: 6,111
From: Florida
I NEVER use the kill switch at all;it stays on all the time. Wanna know why?? If you use the kill switch, you will invariably,one day, hit the start button by accident while the motor's running, and you WILL NOT like the sound it makes OR what it does to your bike. Told a buddy of mine this, and the VERY NEXT time he rode up to me he went to kill his bike and hit the start button. TOLD YA SO!! My GF did the same thing after taking my Fatboy for a ride;that was a year ago & I'm STILL giving her crap for it!
I would forget the kill switch is even there. I would also take some of the stuff the owner's manual says with a grain of salt. The OM for my carbed Fatboy says after starting cold, "ride with the enrichener in full out position for 2 miles". In full out position, my bike would be revving at about 4 grand. I wouldn't make it very far before I blew my engine or ran into the house at the end of my block.
The manual also says to change your oil every 5K miles. Yea, RIGHT!!
I would forget the kill switch is even there. I would also take some of the stuff the owner's manual says with a grain of salt. The OM for my carbed Fatboy says after starting cold, "ride with the enrichener in full out position for 2 miles". In full out position, my bike would be revving at about 4 grand. I wouldn't make it very far before I blew my engine or ran into the house at the end of my block.
The manual also says to change your oil every 5K miles. Yea, RIGHT!!
Last edited by dickey; Dec 2, 2010 at 01:59 AM.
Cruiser
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 186
Likes: 0
From: Osan, South Korea
I always use the ignition switch on the console and never hit the kill switch on the handlebars. I only do this because I am forgetful. If you use the kill switch, then you have to remember to turn the ignition off or you will drain your battery. I guess you can figure how I found that out.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,968
Likes: 34
From: Lockport Township, IL
I have never used the kill switch on any of my bikes and I have never "fried" anything. My wife ALWAYS uses her kill switch, and I have had to charge her battery more than a few times, because after she parks it, she forgets to turn off the ignition. The only drawback to shutting it off with the ignition is that you loose electric power to the brake light. I like to shut the bike off about one half of a block from home and coast in quietly to not disturb the neighbors. If you use the kill switch, you still have a brake light. If you use ignition, you have no brake light.
Club Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 30,914
Likes: 16
From: Springfield, Ohio
I just reach down and pull the plug wires off
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