New Harley Owner....a couple questions
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 2,059
Likes: 4
From: Florida
I use the kill switch when i"m pulling in late at night and don't want to wake anyone up so I can coast into the garage and still have a headlight. Otherwise, I just turn the ignition off. If you want to save a few bucks, take the tire off using the procedure you read in the 60 dollar HARLEY service manual. (don't buy cheap shop manuals) and take it to a shop to be mounted. Inspect the brake pads and service the bearings while you're in there. Congratulations on your new ride!!
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
From: Surprise, AZ
If you use the kill switch you can look really cool as you cut the motor and coast a few feet to the parking spot.
Seriously, Harley probably instructs people to use the kill switch to cut the motor and not the ignition because some duffass would likely reach down to turn off the ignition switch with his left hand when the bike was in gear.
Seriously, Harley probably instructs people to use the kill switch to cut the motor and not the ignition because some duffass would likely reach down to turn off the ignition switch with his left hand when the bike was in gear.
If the bike sits a lot as most do, I would recommend installing a Battery Tender or similar style battery maintainer. They keep the battery at full charge, the battery likes that and will live longer.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,825
Likes: 15
Welcome and good luck with your new bike. 1st thing to get is service manual ,torque wrench, and stay on this forum and you will learn a lot . I would find a good local dealer or local Bike shop that does Harleys. Stay with the oils he has been running in bike. The manual will tell you maintenance schedule ,different torques, tire pressures and etc. enjoy the ride
Tourer
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 251
Likes: 0
From: Australia
Congrats on the new bike, I've only ever used the ignition switch my kill switch is always left in the run position. Tires and alignment you need to check with a dealer; ask your local HD dealership service department.
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 165
Likes: 9
From: New York
I always use the kill switch and would highly recommend you do also. Mainly for safety reasons, which is the reason it is on the bike in the first place.
My buddy never used his.... then when he was riding a parkway in NY traffic after a fill-up he had a problem with the fuel. The engine was revving and then starving. He could not go to the left for the traffic, and had to move into the median. When he got onto the median he could have just hit the kill, but he forgot all about it....cause he never got into the habit of using it. He dumped it instead. Now he uses it on his new bike.
My buddy never used his.... then when he was riding a parkway in NY traffic after a fill-up he had a problem with the fuel. The engine was revving and then starving. He could not go to the left for the traffic, and had to move into the median. When he got onto the median he could have just hit the kill, but he forgot all about it....cause he never got into the habit of using it. He dumped it instead. Now he uses it on his new bike.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,716
Likes: 8
From: General Sherman's Christmas Location 1864
it's a good habit to turn the kill switch off every now and then.
Keeps the contacts clean, which is good for any bike..
you may need it sometime
But ...kill switch, ignition and reverse it, during start up .....naaaa...
The brake master cylinder leak...
Be aware the reservoir lid has 2 small notches or "vents"..
thats probably where the fluid is leaking out and taking the paint off .
If it's the Cap area....
Keeps the contacts clean, which is good for any bike..
you may need it sometime
But ...kill switch, ignition and reverse it, during start up .....naaaa...
The brake master cylinder leak...
Be aware the reservoir lid has 2 small notches or "vents"..
thats probably where the fluid is leaking out and taking the paint off .
If it's the Cap area....
Last edited by katobird; Jun 7, 2013 at 04:28 AM.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,513
Likes: 116
From: OKC
You may use either switch to turn the bike off.
anybody who changes tires on bikes can install a tire on an HD wheel.
You might find it a bit harder to get the bike up to yank the wheels off, might need a new jack. Harbor Freight & Sears have them, use search here and there are a zillion threads on it.
read the manual you got, and you'll find that this is a very simple machine, not a lot that can't be done by someone with reasonable mechanical skills.
oil? use search: its like arguing religion here, lol. owners manual gives you the basic requirements & the capacities.
anybody who changes tires on bikes can install a tire on an HD wheel.
You might find it a bit harder to get the bike up to yank the wheels off, might need a new jack. Harbor Freight & Sears have them, use search here and there are a zillion threads on it.
read the manual you got, and you'll find that this is a very simple machine, not a lot that can't be done by someone with reasonable mechanical skills.
oil? use search: its like arguing religion here, lol. owners manual gives you the basic requirements & the capacities.
Tourer
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 327
Likes: 0
From: SW Missouri
It looks like you have all of the answers but Congrats on the bike! Glad you asked because I had wondered the same on the kill switch. I had never done that before either, but that was how the guy at the dealership told me to do it. I have been trying to retrain myself to do that but it didn't make sense to me? Why turn it off...twice?