I always use the kill switch. Always have, on any vehicles/equipment that have one.

 

I called the local dealer to get the "real" scoop. They told me to always use the kill switch and never shut it off with the ignition switch because it says so in the manual. They also told me my warranty was now void because they had me on caller ID and I had admitted to shutting off my bike with the ignition switch. It's never been the kill switch for me, always the ignition. I was taught many, many years ago the kill switch was an "emergency" option to kill the engine when all else failed.

 

Nice Butt Matt...
I use the Ignition switch only. I kept having problems with the idle going up to 2K+ on my 08 ultra, think I read somewhere in here that using the kill switch caused it. I stopped using it, and the random high rev at idle went away. Now to get the starter to stop engaging everytime I pull the clutch in after the bike gets wet.

 

Really, I had that the day I left the dealer with my 08. The fifth gear whine is normal as far as I knew because of the gearing, heard it in a few other bikes. I notice the whine improves as the volume on the radio goes up?!?!

All seriousness, I have tried the different Trans lubes as well, didn't seem to matter. it stills whines in fifth, so I go faster, up shift, and it quits whining. Guess I was going t slow for the bike....

 

That does it! If you guys are going down the path I'm outta here!

 

I really never use the kill switch. I don't know why it would hurt anything to always use the ignition.

 

Most people use the clutch and brake thing. I think. I am not sure the whole "to be in practice" thing is relevant unless you practice hitting the kill switch, without looking, while in motion, on a regular basis. I use the "kill" switch then the ignition but I can't think of a single reason other than that is my habit. Don't see how it could hurt anything to use just the ignition switch.

 

I'll venture a bet that most of the people who shut down using the ignition switch also search and find neutral before they shut down. This is a practice that I quit using because I hate to see the bike roll on the kickstand.

It makes much more sense to just stop and kill the bike immediately in gear without taking my hands off the bars. I then reach up and shut off the ignition. This way there is no rolling.

When I start it, I turn on the ignition, pull the clutch, hold the brake, find neutral, and hit the starter. Occasionally I'll just pull in the clutch and start the bike in gear. I know it's a little more strain on the starter die to the clutch drag so I avoid doing this too much.

I know this might sound back-asswards but it works for me. I've developed a habit that is SAFER for me. The bike no longer rolls backward or forward on the kickstand.

BTW, I had a mechanic tell me years ago that using the ignition to shut off the bike causes an electrical arc in the switch that can eventually burn up the contacts. I think this might of been true in the old days but I think it's BS for our newer bikes.

Just my 2 cents.

Steve

 

Using the kill switch goes back the the first Delphi Fuel injection systems. You were supposed to turn the bike off with the kill switch then the ignition switch. Reverse the order for starting. It allowed the computer to initialize before starting and get a read off of the sensors before starting. They say it doesn't matter now but I still use the same procedure and have never seen an error code.

 

I have a friend who uses the kill switch all of the time because the manual sez to do so. I don't.

I have, however, hit the kill switch inadvertently once while going down the highway. Sceered the ch*t out of me. Took a few seconds to figure out the problem. I have never told anyone that before. Isn't that special?

Walt MI/USA