Using On / Off switch
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 656
Likes: 2
From:
RE: Using On / Off switch
Never really heard of any issues with the thumb kill switch wearing out, pretty reliable on late model harleys. Most of the bikes i've owned have mostly been from the late 70's and earlier, and either they didnt' have one, or if they did have the switch they were raggedy contact switches that dirtied up easily and I always bypassed the wireing as they were known for failing and leaving you with a dead bike. But because of all these old bikes I've gotten in the habit of always using the key switch, plus i figure that you gotta eventually turn the key switch off anyways, so why not just do only the key. Not to mention the face you'll save when you can't restart your bike at a busy gas station because your forgot to flip your kill switch back on!!!! I've never done it, but I've laughed a few guys that have done it, even had to tell one guy to check his kill switch once after he was convinced something was wrong with his bike and man did he get red in the face!!
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 11,317
Likes: 11
From: Tucson, Az
RE: Using On / Off switch
ORIGINAL: GothMetalGuitarist
The proper way is to shift to neutral, off switch, key off.
The proper way is to shift to neutral, off switch, key off.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 375
Likes: 1
From: Jackson NJ
RE: Using On / Off switch
My first bike didn't have a kill switch so I got into the habit of using the key. My wife took the MSF a couple of years ago and she uses the switch because that is what the instructors told her. In other forums I've seen an argument put forward that using the kill switch on a bike with fuel injection may mean that you don't allow the injection system to depressurize properly, seemed like a pretty weak arguement to me. I think the important thing is to establish a safe routine and stick to it, that way you don't forget things. For me its Kickstand, Key off, get off, key out and on seat, gloves off and on seat, helmet off, gloves in helmet, keys in pocket.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,525
Likes: 8
From: Wheeling, WV
RE: Using On / Off switch
Switch, key and then petcock.I also put mine in nuetral every time cause I don't want to hit the switch and then the grounddue to it lunging forwardsuddenly.Been doingit that way since I was about 5 yrs old....Never been biten. I won't park in a spot where I'm concerned about my scoot rolling anyway, and I'll put it in gear when I'm ready to roll. 
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 8,641
Likes: 26
From: Ozark Country
RE: Using On / Off switch
ORIGINAL: whaap
It might take a long time for it to happen but parking your bike in neutral is going to reach up and bite you in the butt someday. The only time (key word being only) that I park my bike in neutral is in my garage where I know the floor is flat and level and I can roll the bike around. Other than that, my bike will always be in first gear when parked.
ORIGINAL: GothMetalGuitarist
The proper way is to shift to neutral, off switch, key off.
The proper way is to shift to neutral, off switch, key off.
And even though I always pull in the clutch while starting a bike, I also 'click' the transmission into neutral before firing it up.
Come to think about it, I also don't leave any of my cars or trucks in neutral when parking them. Just doesn't seem like a smart thing to do.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,961
Likes: 3
From: Boise, Idaho
RE: Using On / Off switch
Yep.... thumb switch is the way to go.... Some new riders have made the mistake of reaching for the key and letting the clutch out at the same time while in gear. This is one of the reasons the MSFrecommends hitting the kill switch first. If you are leaving your key in the ignition... that is another problem entirely.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 8,641
Likes: 26
From: Ozark Country
RE: Using On / Off switch
Actually, using or not using the 'on/off switch' is just a personal preference.
The on/off switch is just another safety item Harley added over the years, just like the bank angle sensor to shut down the bike, and the automatic throttle return spring. The on/off switch is just a fast and quick way to shut down the bike, especially if you are not that experienced of a rider and get into 'trouble' while riding.
Although I will say that using it makes more sense on the Sportsters, as the ignition location is down on the front of the bike and not that easy to reach, especially if you need to bend over, find the key, and turn the bike off in a hurry.
On the big twins the ignition is located on the console right in front of the rider, and it is very simple to use. Besides that, a round key is only used to lock and unlock the ignition. Once unlocked you just rotate the lever to turn the bike on or off, and no key is needed.
The on/off switch is just another safety item Harley added over the years, just like the bank angle sensor to shut down the bike, and the automatic throttle return spring. The on/off switch is just a fast and quick way to shut down the bike, especially if you are not that experienced of a rider and get into 'trouble' while riding.
Although I will say that using it makes more sense on the Sportsters, as the ignition location is down on the front of the bike and not that easy to reach, especially if you need to bend over, find the key, and turn the bike off in a hurry.
On the big twins the ignition is located on the console right in front of the rider, and it is very simple to use. Besides that, a round key is only used to lock and unlock the ignition. Once unlocked you just rotate the lever to turn the bike on or off, and no key is needed.
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Using On / Off switch
ORIGINAL: Booey420
I use the switch to turn it off.Then I turn the key off.Inever leave the key in it so it will never run the battery out.
I use the switch to turn it off.Then I turn the key off.Inever leave the key in it so it will never run the battery out.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,502
Likes: 0
From: Somewhere in, WA
RE: Using On / Off switch
I always put the bike in neutral, turn off the on/off switch and then turn off and remove the key. Just the way I've done it since day one.
I have to agree that with use, all parts have the potential to fail, but that's part of life.
I have to agree that with use, all parts have the potential to fail, but that's part of life.