Most stock sportsters have the ignition switch in front of the gas tank. You have to reach around the tank to shut it off. I re-located mine to the left side top engine mount , now I don't have to scuff up my tank to turn the bike off. It is there for safetyreasons and you can shut it down and still keep both hands on the bars. Mark...

 

Haha!!!! I love that! OOPS! Sorry for getting off topic. [sm=offtopic.gif]

 

I'm certain that it is a DOT law that all Motorcycles have a kill switch as a safety feature - I believe they are required for all bikes manufactured after 1974 but I maybe off on the year - [/align]

 

Seems like I read or heard somewhere that you should use the kill to stop the motor as it has something to do with the electronics and will screw it up if you do not use it. Now that is one LONG sentence! Tim

 

Depends on how everything else is wired.
On the cheap import training wheels bike the OL had, shutting off the key switch disconnected the battery from the voltage regulator. This allowed the charging system to run wild untill the engine stopped. I was curious about all the electrical problems hte thing had untill I hooked up a voltmeter to it and killed the engine with the key. The voltage spiked to about 36 volts.

 

I use the kill switch to shut off the bike every single time, then pull the key off the ignition. It became my habit now and I cannot live without a kill switch.

Tell you a story, the other day my buddy was riding his 883C off the parking, a woman came in front of him and he has to stop the bike quickly. He locked the steering and ready to drop the bike, there was still enough time for him to kill the ignition before he dropped the bike on the ground very slowly, thank god, there isn't any damage to the bike.

 

I use the switch to stop the motor. Its what I was taught in class.
But, why the ignition has 2 positions plus off to this day pisses me off. If you turn it one click you can take the key out but the electronics are still on.