Ignition vs kill switch
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 4,214
Likes: 661
From: Prior Lake, MN
Bunch of wussies. Real men pull the plug wires or block the exhaust with their bare hands to shut down the bike.
Revving the engine constantly until the gas tank runs dry is another acceptable method, especially after midnight.
So so many ways........................
Revving the engine constantly until the gas tank runs dry is another acceptable method, especially after midnight.
So so many ways........................
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 13,529
Likes: 34,708
From: Pine Flat Dam/South Bay Area, CA
If you have a FI bike just lay it on it's side & the tip sensor will kill the engine.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 4,214
Likes: 661
From: Prior Lake, MN
However, if you admit "laying down" your bike, you'll have to endure relentless teasing from the peanut gallery for admitting it.
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 142
Likes: 13
From: BF Egypt
The MoCo tells you to use the kill switch because they want you to have both hands on the bars when you shut the engine off. They don't want to get sued because someone lost control of his or her bike while trying to shut the engine off. If that doesn't "compel" you to use the kill switch, then it doesn't. So what?
As others have said, it sounds like the lawyers trying to make it idiot-proof. It is a CYA in case they get sued, "I was just trying to turn my bike off and when I let go of the clutch the biked lurched forward and ran over my cat!" "Well you were not following the proper sequence as spelled out in the manual....."
As I posted previously - which no one has addressed - an old timer told me if you rev the throttle as you hit the kill switch it might cause the engine idle set point in the computer to be reset to a higher level.
That seems a little far fetched IMO (and yeah, I know, no one gives a ratsass). I will use the ignition switch with my right hand....and will leave the bike in 1st gear too.
So here is a semi-related question. I have a 1926 Dodge Brothers Coupe and a mechanic told me to always start with the trans in neutral because the clutch pressure plate still puts a load on the engine when starting. So the question is, does starting my bike in first gear with the clutched engaged put more of a load on the started than starting it in neutral?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 9,243
Likes: 3,267
From: west Michigan
Not looking to argue.....
As others have said, it sounds like the lawyers trying to make it idiot-proof. It is a CYA in case they get sued, "I was just trying to turn my bike off and when I let go of the clutch the biked lurched forward and ran over my cat!" "Well you were not following the proper sequence as spelled out in the manual....."
As I posted previously - which no one has addressed - an old timer told me if you rev the throttle as you hit the kill switch it might cause the engine idle set point in the computer to be reset to a higher level.
That seems a little far fetched IMO (and yeah, I know, no one gives a ratsass). I will use the ignition switch with my right hand....and will leave the bike in 1st gear too.
So here is a semi-related question. I have a 1926 Dodge Brothers Coupe and a mechanic told me to always start with the trans in neutral because the clutch pressure plate still puts a load on the engine when starting. So the question is, does starting my bike in first gear with the clutched engaged put more of a load on the started than starting it in neutral?
As others have said, it sounds like the lawyers trying to make it idiot-proof. It is a CYA in case they get sued, "I was just trying to turn my bike off and when I let go of the clutch the biked lurched forward and ran over my cat!" "Well you were not following the proper sequence as spelled out in the manual....."
As I posted previously - which no one has addressed - an old timer told me if you rev the throttle as you hit the kill switch it might cause the engine idle set point in the computer to be reset to a higher level.
That seems a little far fetched IMO (and yeah, I know, no one gives a ratsass). I will use the ignition switch with my right hand....and will leave the bike in 1st gear too.
So here is a semi-related question. I have a 1926 Dodge Brothers Coupe and a mechanic told me to always start with the trans in neutral because the clutch pressure plate still puts a load on the engine when starting. So the question is, does starting my bike in first gear with the clutched engaged put more of a load on the started than starting it in neutral?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 9,243
Likes: 3,267
From: west Michigan
Not looking to argue.....
As others have said, it sounds like the lawyers trying to make it idiot-proof. It is a CYA in case they get sued, "I was just trying to turn my bike off and when I let go of the clutch the biked lurched forward and ran over my cat!" "Well you were not following the proper sequence as spelled out in the manual....."
As I posted previously - which no one has addressed - an old timer told me if you rev the throttle as you hit the kill switch it might cause the engine idle set point in the computer to be reset to a higher level.
That seems a little far fetched IMO (and yeah, I know, no one gives a ratsass). I will use the ignition switch with my right hand....and will leave the bike in 1st gear too.
So here is a semi-related question. I have a 1926 Dodge Brothers Coupe and a mechanic told me to always start with the trans in neutral because the clutch pressure plate still puts a load on the engine when starting. So the question is, does starting my bike in first gear with the clutched engaged put more of a load on the started than starting it in neutral?
As others have said, it sounds like the lawyers trying to make it idiot-proof. It is a CYA in case they get sued, "I was just trying to turn my bike off and when I let go of the clutch the biked lurched forward and ran over my cat!" "Well you were not following the proper sequence as spelled out in the manual....."
As I posted previously - which no one has addressed - an old timer told me if you rev the throttle as you hit the kill switch it might cause the engine idle set point in the computer to be reset to a higher level.
That seems a little far fetched IMO (and yeah, I know, no one gives a ratsass). I will use the ignition switch with my right hand....and will leave the bike in 1st gear too.
So here is a semi-related question. I have a 1926 Dodge Brothers Coupe and a mechanic told me to always start with the trans in neutral because the clutch pressure plate still puts a load on the engine when starting. So the question is, does starting my bike in first gear with the clutched engaged put more of a load on the started than starting it in neutral?
In the mid 1960s, motorcycle injuries and fatalities were at "epidemic" levels. Those little Japanese bikes were so cute and so cool that it seemed like everybody wanted one or wanted to ride one. Way too many people who had not a clue about how to ride a motorcycle, tried and failed. It was then that the feds mandated several "safety modifications" for motorcycles, including kill switches. I was about thirteen then and I remember the carnage.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,060
Likes: 157
A "wet" clutch is never totally disengaged, so there will be drag (load) when the the engine is started with the bike in gear w/clutch lever pulled in. IN MY OPINION, there's less of a load on the starter when the bike is started in neutral with the clutch engaged. I can't tell you about your '26 Dodge.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,389
Likes: 26
From: Windham,Maine
Obviously we were all taught or learned differently. Back when I first started riding kill switches had not been invented yet so for me they still do not exist. My take on the matter is just another electrical devise to one day fail and leave you stranded.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 3,807
Likes: 1,488
From: SW Washington State
There are a few systems that fire up on our modern bikes, some are off the main sw and some are off the kill sw. I choose to fire them up and shut them down separately, rather than all at once. Why? hell if I know.