Temporarily stranded
Also it’s a good idea to always shut down a bike with the kill button, safety is first reason, keeping the hands on bars and mechanics have told me it’s better on the electrical system to shut down that way.
As far as taking hand off,be real. You never take a hand off bars?
I use ignition switch. Habit. Easier to replace. More robust contacts. Plus why do something twice? If you want to over analyze less likely to leave bike on,if you do not use kill switch
Last edited by Rounders; Jun 1, 2024 at 12:06 PM.
So to be clear it’s not an old wife’s tale it’s actually SOP, and I knew you would say something contrary.
The process it’s actually the proper way, and if you had Dirt Bike like I did, they only shut off on the bars, so the muscle memory was there long before I ever rode a Harley.
Think about it, especially from a newbie point of view, I take my left hand off the clutch and shut my bike off, and 500 to 800 lbs of motorcycle just took off.
I started on Dirt bikes in 1973, raced MX for years, and still drag race bikes and cars, and probably have more miles no handed then some have miles. So you can do you, and two functions or not it’s the safest way.
I can remember to do both.
Last edited by Paintslinger16; Jun 1, 2024 at 12:29 PM.
People can disagree. I have done it my way for long time just like. Believe I me am not doing it the opposite just so I can contradict you. So don't get angry
This thread is about a guy turned off with kill switch, which is why his battery went dead.
I put in neutral, then turn bike off, stand down.
I would like to hear a technical explanation why this is bad for the machine
I believe it’s because shutting off the electrical connection first is just better on the system then just
pulling the plug, less shock load. More so with todays ECM and BCM and TPS and all the other components and computers that are part of transportation today.
Personally It probably don’t matter 999/1000 but that one time. And yes you can do it your way and never have a issue, but my way is backed up by the factory.
its the same reason a iPhone or laptop suddenly doesn't work, and a reboot and all is well again it cleared what ever conflicts
Either way you are killing spark. This procedure has been around since before BCMs and probably ECMs too.
I would not be surprised this was around before fuel injection. Though carbs were around before we put warning labels on coffee.
Your argument is it is easier electronics. But either way you are killing power. I am not sure they are doing some kind of shut down sequence like a PC.
I tend to think , like what you wrote if you take your hands off the bars, children will die so the lawyers made them write something
Even if I take both hands off bars, it will just stall . Were you riding Harleys before clutch interlock nannies? Always funny starting bike in gear with people watching.
I don't think it really matters. But I think I have presented valid reasons not to do it your way.
I plan on getting the heavy duty tender kit from Amazon for my UC but will keep the copper tube in my saddlebag, it might help out a fellow rider someday!
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
it’s probably been in the manual since before the McDonalds coffee lady won the lawsuit.
It was only my guess, and because it makes the most sense, flick it off with your right thumb? on pretty much every single modern bike of any brand or is it the dash? The right side up by the neck? The middle left? Or towards the rear on the right or was this bike the left? That’s just on Harley’s.
Dash switches are FL and the bigger FL Softails the rest can be anywhere.
Remember my oldest owned bike was a ‘81 and I have a ‘92 now, you tell me if I always had clutch safeties.
its probably been in the manual since before the McDonalds coffee lady won the lawsuit.
It was only my guess, and because it makes the most sense, flick it off with your right thumb? on pretty much every single modern bike of any brand or is it the dash? The right side up by the neck? The middle left? Or towards the rear on the right or was this bike the left? Thats just on Harleys.
Dash switches are FL and the bigger FL Softails the rest can be anywhere.
Remember my oldest owned bike was a 81 and I have a 92 now, you tell me if I always had clutch safeties.








