Ignition vs kill switch
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 9,332
Likes: 3,873
From: Upstate New York
I haven't used the kill switch since I started riding street bikes in '81. On my dirt bikes, I had to, because they had no ignition switch.
Thread Starter
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Club Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 2,697
Likes: 10
From: San Angelo, Texas
You guys who talk about it being for emergencies when the bike is on the ground do know that Harley and every manufacture of street bikes out there have a built in safety that kills the bike if it goes over, right?
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 53
Likes: 3
From: Sunshine Coast Australia
Who really cares how ya do it? Whatever works for you.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 884
Likes: 0
From: n
thank you, surprised it took 4 pages for that and I know it works from experience. I use the ignition switch for no particular reason other than habit. For me, the kill switch is the battery kill switch since about the only time I use it is when pulling up on a trailer and into a wheel chock.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,513
Likes: 116
From: OKC
I seldom use the kill switch on a Harley with a tank mounted ignition switch, habit I guess. Might flip it to the "off" position if I go in somewhere and leave the locks unlocked.
Some bikes, it doesn't make sense to use kill switch, my XR1200 & Buell S3 have the ignition somewhere else than the tank, always key operated, so it's a done deal.
Some bikes, it doesn't make sense to use kill switch, my XR1200 & Buell S3 have the ignition somewhere else than the tank, always key operated, so it's a done deal.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 253
Likes: 4
By using the kill switch you can turn off the bike while both hands are covering the clutch and brake. Its a safety thing.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 9,243
Likes: 3,267
From: west Michigan
Kill switches were first required on motorcycles when the ignition switches were on the left side of the bike and not visible to the operator. Back then, bikes would sometimes "run away" due to a kinked throttle cable on pre-CV carbs or possibly pre ignition on a carboned-up two stroke. I've had both happen to me. I don't use the kill switch, because it's redundant and I always put the bike in neutral before shutting down, but I don't fault other riders for using theirs.
