ignition or kill switch
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 4,607
Likes: 3,311
From: Virginia
Silliest discussion ever, use the damn ignition switch to shut your engine off. Kill switch is for emergencies and offers you another means of stopping the engine while keeping accessories running. I flipped my quad upside down in a ravine once, it was upside down and running and I was contorted. I was able to use my boot and hit the kill switch - true story
1. Push the off/run switch to off
2. Turn the ignition off.
The off/run switch is what most people call the kill switch on the handlebars.
And welcome to the forum, you just used your first post to resurrect a 12 year old thread. Why don't you go up and introduce yourself.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 4,214
Likes: 661
From: Prior Lake, MN
I heard the OP got rid of that bike because he couldn't deal with not knowing how to shut it off.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 3,133
Likes: 504
From: Lake County, IL
Silliest discussion ever, use the damn ignition switch to shut your engine off. Kill switch is for emergencies and offers you another means of stopping the engine while keeping accessories running. I flipped my quad upside down in a ravine once, it was upside down and running and I was contorted. I was able to use my boot and hit the kill switch - true story
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,148
Likes: 2,975
From: WACO
#55 post. Not to brag or date myself. Just a newbie. 50 years of riding. Always used the switch. When I started there was not a "kill switch". So. Just an ingrained habit for me. On the very rare occasion when I did use the kill switch. On later models. I left the ignition switch on and ran the battery down. That was my fault.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,148
Likes: 2,975
From: WACO
Silliest discussion ever, use the damn ignition switch to shut your engine off. Kill switch is for emergencies and offers you another means of stopping the engine while keeping accessories running. I flipped my quad upside down in a ravine once, it was upside down and running and I was contorted. I was able to use my boot and hit the kill switch - true story
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 19,978
Likes: 6,074
From: Florida
You should never use the kill switch to shut down your bike, only the ignition. Want to know why?
because as sure as dog flop stinks on a sidewalk in July, one day you were going to accidentally hit the starter instead of the kill switch while the motor is running, and you will not like the noise that comes from your motor when you do that.
trust me it will happen. My ex GF did the very same thing on my Fatboy.
if that ain't enough reason, you will be putting a lot of wear and tear on the kill switch, and the ignition switch is much easier to replace than a handlebar switch.
because as sure as dog flop stinks on a sidewalk in July, one day you were going to accidentally hit the starter instead of the kill switch while the motor is running, and you will not like the noise that comes from your motor when you do that.
trust me it will happen. My ex GF did the very same thing on my Fatboy.
if that ain't enough reason, you will be putting a lot of wear and tear on the kill switch, and the ignition switch is much easier to replace than a handlebar switch.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 2,662
Likes: 2,065
From: Massachusetts
You should never use the kill switch to shut down your bike, only the ignition. Want to know why?
because as sure as dog flop stinks on a sidewalk in July, one day you were going to accidentally hit the starter instead of the kill switch while the motor is running, and you will not like the noise that comes from your motor when you do that.
trust me it will happen. My ex GF did the very same thing on my Fatboy.
if that ain't enough reason, you will be putting a lot of wear and tear on the kill switch, and the ignition switch is much easier to replace than a handlebar switch.
because as sure as dog flop stinks on a sidewalk in July, one day you were going to accidentally hit the starter instead of the kill switch while the motor is running, and you will not like the noise that comes from your motor when you do that.
trust me it will happen. My ex GF did the very same thing on my Fatboy.
if that ain't enough reason, you will be putting a lot of wear and tear on the kill switch, and the ignition switch is much easier to replace than a handlebar switch.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 10,284
Likes: 7,765
From: West Central FL
I've never thought of shutting off the bike with the kill switch as a should or shouldn't do thing. I've had them but never used them. I've always considered their use as a risk of forgetting to turn off the ignition and frying it. If I could find a momentary switch that would fit in the housing I'd use it to power my garage door opener!
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