Ignition vs kill switch
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,389
Likes: 26
From: Windham,Maine
Another topic that always gets mixed reviews. Till I bought my first new Harley in 76 never had a kill switch why bother that is after all what the ignition switch already does.
To this day never think about a kill switch again why bother. Old Schooler
To this day never think about a kill switch again why bother. Old Schooler
Tourer
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 415
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio, TX
I know you guys won't care, because you are all old school rebels. 
But from the HD manual:
*To shut the engine off, push the top of the OFF/RUN switch to the OFF position.
*See Ignition Switch. Turn the ignition switch to the OFF position to turn the electric power completely OFF.
Now, when you want to start your bike again:
*Put the engine OFF/RUN switch (6) in the RUN position and the transmission in neutral. Neutral (green) indicator lamp should be illuminated.
*See Ignition Switch. Turn the ignition switch to IGN and push the START switch to operate starter motor.
Seems simple to me to go by the book. But whatevs.
But from the HD manual:*To shut the engine off, push the top of the OFF/RUN switch to the OFF position.
*See Ignition Switch. Turn the ignition switch to the OFF position to turn the electric power completely OFF.
Now, when you want to start your bike again:
*Put the engine OFF/RUN switch (6) in the RUN position and the transmission in neutral. Neutral (green) indicator lamp should be illuminated.
*See Ignition Switch. Turn the ignition switch to IGN and push the START switch to operate starter motor.
Seems simple to me to go by the book. But whatevs.
BUT I am pretty sure my neutral light does not function if the ignition switch is off????
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,044
Likes: 13
From: Broken Bow Oklahoma
dealer said on my 13 limited the idle setting in the ECM would be effected if I didn't let the rpm get stable before switching off with the run/stop sw. he said a lot of people have "high idle" because thay rev it up and turn off the ignition saving a false -0- in the ECM. I don't know if it's true but sounded good to me.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,513
Likes: 116
From: OKC
This is why I always turn off my ignition switch to kill the engine and shut off all electrical functions: batteries are not cheap https://www.hdforums.com/forum/gener...ery-180-a.html
Last edited by jakenok; Oct 17, 2013 at 12:37 PM.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,043
Likes: 25
From: Malaysia
dealer said on my 13 limited the idle setting in the ECM would be effected if I didn't let the rpm get stable before switching off with the run/stop sw. he said a lot of people have "high idle" because thay rev it up and turn off the ignition saving a false -0- in the ECM. I don't know if it's true but sounded good to me.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,553
Likes: 13
From: Sussex, South of England
Best reason sofar!!
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 351
Likes: 18
From:
Well, I know of a dumb *** while riding through the Mojave Dessert on a ride from TX to CA got to day dreaming, changing hand positions and hit the kill switch. Finally, one of his riding buddies walked up and said "turn on the kill switch and let's go". Really embarrassing. Don't ask me how know about this story.