Ignition vs kill switch
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Vegas, baby!
So you " move the bike, just a bit" before every time you push the starter switch? That would work of course, but pulling in the clutch lever is just a form of insurance in case I am ever in a hurry and I didn't think of doing that.
Ron
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Joined: Aug 2009
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From: west Michigan
If your 04 is fuel injected there is a very good reason for it. Starting the bike with the ignition switch before the fuel pump has built up pressure is hard on the fuel pump and so is shutting the fuel pump and engine off at the same time using the key. Using the engine cut off switch allows the fuel pressure to remain stable anytime the engine is running.
I think the MoCo encourages the use of the kill switch to ensure that the operator doesn't accidentally let go of the clutch lever if the bike is stopped in-gear prior to engine shut down.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 759
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From: Hampton, VA
The ignition switch starts the fuel pump, and the starter button starts the engine. I always wait until the fuel pump builds pressure before activating the starter. But if I didn't, it still wouldn't hurt the fuel pump, which supplies fuel to the injector module faster than the injectors can dispense it. I don't see where shutting down the engine and fuel pump at the same time is going to hurt anything. How would it be hard on the fuel pump, which runs on-demand at a constant speed? When the bike sits for more than a minute or two, the line pressure between the fuel pump and injector module will drop, which will require the fuel pump to build pressure when the ignition is turned on again. I don't see where the kill switch enters into this process.
I think the MoCo encourages the use of the kill switch to ensure that the operator doesn't accidentally let go of the clutch lever if the bike is stopped in-gear prior to engine shut down.
I think the MoCo encourages the use of the kill switch to ensure that the operator doesn't accidentally let go of the clutch lever if the bike is stopped in-gear prior to engine shut down.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
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From: Upstate New York
My '11 Fatboy kills itself if the bike goes down. I know this for a fact. 
The display even indicates that it did this.
I always use both. I use kill engine as soon as I stop, but often want to look at mileage or miles left as I get off the bike, which is when I turn off the ignition.
The display even indicates that it did this.I always use both. I use kill engine as soon as I stop, but often want to look at mileage or miles left as I get off the bike, which is when I turn off the ignition.
I just see using the kill switch as needlessly complicating a simple act. I mean, why shut off one switch when you can shut off two? Yes, even back then, my owners manual said to use the kill switch to shut off the engine. I saw no logical reason to do it that way, so I don't.
Last edited by Uncle G.; Oct 17, 2013 at 04:48 PM.
Novice
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 18
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From: Ozarks
I never hit the kill switch to turn a bike off. I just turn the key and take it out. The only use I have ever had for a kill switch is to screw with a buddy by watching him try to start a "dead" bike for a few seconds.
Thread Starter
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Club Member
Joined: Jul 2012
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From: San Angelo, Texas
Maybe your fancy new bike shuts itself off when you tip over, pretty sure my '94 doesn't.
I just see using the kill switch as needlessly complicating a simple act. I mean, why shut off one switch when you can shut off two? Yes, even back then, my owners manual said to use the kill switch to shut off the engine. I saw no logical reason to do it that way, so I don't.
I just see using the kill switch as needlessly complicating a simple act. I mean, why shut off one switch when you can shut off two? Yes, even back then, my owners manual said to use the kill switch to shut off the engine. I saw no logical reason to do it that way, so I don't.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 108
Likes: 1
From: Poplarville, MS
On my '12 Fatboy, I hear the fuel pump come on when I turn the run/stop kill switch on after the ignition switch is on. It may be they want you to do it this way to spread the load off the main ignition switch. Also, since the kill switch controls the fuel pump, maybe shutting it off to stop the engine relieves the pressure on the fuel injectors/pump system vs just using the main ignition switch would leave it pressured up ??? I have always used the ignition switch and never the kill switch, but recently am learning to use it as the manual says....gotta be a reason and wish they would speak out on it for us!
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From: Los Angeles
On my '12 Fatboy, I hear the fuel pump come on when I turn the run/stop kill switch on after the ignition switch is on. It may be they want you to do it this way to spread the load off the main ignition switch. Also, since the kill switch controls the fuel pump, maybe shutting it off to stop the engine relieves the pressure on the fuel injectors/pump system vs just using the main ignition switch would leave it pressured up ??? I have always used the ignition switch and never the kill switch, but recently am learning to use it as the manual says....gotta be a reason and wish they would speak out on it for us!
It's very easy to shut the bike off and turn it on the textbook way. And it makes a lot of sense. But some folks prefer the way they have done it for years.
Whatever floats your boat. I'm a bit of a creature of habit myself.
That said, some of the justification for doing it a different way is reaching a bit. For instance, I would find it impossible to leave my ignition on after using the kill switch method to shut off the bike. I have no idea how anybody could walk away from their bike with the ignition on. You'd almost have to try to do it.
Last edited by SoCalSoftailSlim; Oct 17, 2013 at 11:41 PM.
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From: OKC
You can "move the bike" to find out if is in neutral? Where did you read that? I start in neutral usually, and have for 45 years.
So you " move the bike, just a bit" before every time you push the starter switch? That would work of course, but pulling in the clutch lever is just a form of insurance in case I am ever in a hurry and I didn't think of doing that.
Ron
So you " move the bike, just a bit" before every time you push the starter switch? That would work of course, but pulling in the clutch lever is just a form of insurance in case I am ever in a hurry and I didn't think of doing that.
Ron
so, what do you do if your clutch cable breaks as you start your bike? gonna be a fun few seconds.... always start in neutral...lol
BTW, I don't move my bike. trust the light, esp since now there is an interlock that prevents starting in gear w/o clutch pulled in.
Last edited by jakenok; Oct 18, 2013 at 09:03 AM.