That is funny ngoti8tor!! Let me quote some more "words of wisdom" from the manual:

WARNING: Do not store motorcycle with gasoline in tank within the home or garage where open flames, pilot lights, sparks or electric motors are present. Gasoline is extremely flammable and highly explosive, which could RESULT IN DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY.

WARNING: Do not run motorcycle in a closed garage or confined area. Inhaling motorcycle exhaust, which contains poisonous carbon monoxide gas, could RESULT IN DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY.

WARNING: The jiffy stand locks when placed in the full forward position with vehicle weight on it. If......................RESULT IN DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY.

Or how about this one:

WARNING: Don not operat vehicle with forks locked. Locking the forks restricts the vehicle's turning ability (no s#$t), which could RESULT IN DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY.

Etc, etc., etc., these great words of comedy wisdom are thoughout the book! Great for laughs on a rainy day.

So what I gather from all the responses (other than the dumb comment from one dealer about it may not work if not used!) is that the kill switch much like the warning comments is a "Save my a$$ from lawyers" feature.

Thanks everyone for all your replies, hope I didn't offend anyone, was just trying to be funny!

Later- ride safe or at least have fun!

 

P.S. To my previous comments:
Concerning the "switch may not work if not used" comments. I also have a '98 Heritage with 80K miles on it - never used the kill switch other than when a dealer used it while in for maintenance (maybe 3-5 times last 10 years). It's been in rain, dust, heat, cold, you name it. Just tried the switch today for kicks - guess what - it worked.

 

I think it is an emergency function. If for instance you need to shut your bike down in an emergency situation (engine/tranny making bad noises, gas leak etc.) You don't have to take your hands of the handlebars to turn off the kill switch. In some cases taking a hand off the handlebar would increase the chances of serious injury. This would be the exact case of a stuck throttle cable, or stuck clutch cable. In these cases, usually at high speed, taking your hand off the handlebar could be a very bad idea. So in those rare cases I want a kill switch that WORKS.

 

if you don't do what the manual says, you will void your warranty. LOL

 

Riding your bike will VOID YOUR WARRANTY!

 

The only time I've ever used the kill switch was in traffic when a clutch cable broke, other than that I use the ignition. I do flip it every so often just like that light switch in the house that's hooked up to nothing!

 

Yeah, the number of times my kill switch has been used is probably under twenty, and that's in the past 22 years, 15 days since I bought it. Guess what? It still works just fine.

I think the lawyer reason is the reality. Telling people to turn off their bike with the kill switch means they still had their hands on the handlebars when they stopped the motor, instead of :shock: taking your hand off the handlebar to reach the ignition switch.

 

I use my kill switch to shut off my bike when I can't safely remove my hands from the bars and turn the ignition switch, like when parking on a hill, etc.

 

I never use the kill switch either and have never had the high idle problem many have reported on the 08s due to hitting the kill switch while the throttle is on a little. I too think its more a "cover thy ***" thing by the lawyers making sure you shut it off with both hands on the handlebars.

 

I remember a tech some time back like in the late 90's said it would kill the power to the injectors so there wouldnt be any fuel just laying in there, to give you the big bang when you re-start......but most of all i think it is preferance. I use it everytime...but that is just me.