Yeah,that's your ticket on the short bus dvmweb

 

Ignition only on the advise of my uncle a long time HD rider. And it was for the dead battery reason. He said its easy to use the kill switch then get distracted and forget the ignition. Made it a habit to do what he said.

 

Exactly why I only use the ignition switch.

 

Bingo! Same here. Glad I'm not the only one. :-)

 

I guess if it wasnt needed they wouldnt put it on the bike right..........Oh ya Kill Switch allways and ya Ive had afew dead batterys in 30 yrs but hey thats what are friends are for right,besides drinking up all your booze and borrowing money,tools,wife,car..heeheehee..

 

An interesting question. Procedurally we could be right either way, but as an aviator I can see the sequential method of Kill then Ignition being more than just a technique. Thinking of the Ignition as the power supply and the Run/Kill as the logic switch enabling an engine start sequence.

While the Ignition will "kill" the engine run cycle, there is a reason for two switches in the circuit. Let's say you disregard the Run/Kill and always use the Ignition switch. The starter switch is dependent on power from the Run/Kill switch to engage the starter. Let's assume there is a malfunction in the starter relay and you switch the Ignition to IGN. With the Run/Kill in the Run position your bike (assuming it's not equiped with a clutch starter cutout switch) will be off the stand and on its side before you can reach the Ignition switch.

Like I said, it's a possible reason for the two switches, but he Run/Kill will control when you want to engage the starter and not the other way around. Cars have a Run/Kill switch. It's the function of placing pressure on the brke pedal enabling the key or Start/Stop button (in newer vehicles) to engage the starter motor. Even our 08 BMW with automatic trans requires this action to start. Think of the Run/Kill as the way to signal your intent and preparedness to start your bike.

Just my two cents. In planes and helicopter we have start sequences with speed switches and other procedural requirement that could easily be eliminated with the ability to just turn on the power and crank the engine, but these procedures allow sequencing of specific systems to allow safe starting and shutdown of engines.

 

That makes the most sense to me and I'll bet that's why it is - the part I highlighted makes it reasonable to me to use the kill switch and the ignition key switch. YMMV

 

Gotta get the engine turned off. Doesn't matter how as long as you are consistent with the procedure. On my last bike I always used the kickstand (killswitch) to stop the engine. It also prevented getting off the bike before putting the kickstand down. (Never had that happen, have you?)

 

I always use the ignition as others for the same reason about killing the battery. The only time I use the kill switch is on the Street Bob and that's only because the ignition is on the side of the gooseneck. P.I.A. and the key has to stay in it.

Like I'm interested in putting some "Character Scratches" on the Denim paint.

 

IMHO, the Run / Kill switch is there for the sole purpose of providing an emergency power shutoff without having to remove your hand from the throttle grip and front brake area in an emergency.

I have been using the ignition switch to shut-off bikes for years with no ill effects that I have noticed.