Run Switch vs. Ignition Switch
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Tourer
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 380
Likes: 0
From: Peoria, IL
Run Switch vs. Ignition Switch
Hey, what do you all use to turn off your bike?
I've always used the run/kill switch to turn it off, and then I switch off the ignition.
Recently I went to this bike shop to ask some questions about various things, and the conversation led to fuel injection and computers, and other things... Anyway, the guys was telling me that people use the kill/run switch and it messes things up on their bike. He said by flipping the run switch it was like unplugging your computer, instead of going to start and shutting it down properly. He said that you should just leave the run switch alone, and use the ignition only.
Sounded kind of weird to me. I've never heard anything like that before, and I've been using the run/kill switch for year.
Anyone else ever hear of that??
I've always used the run/kill switch to turn it off, and then I switch off the ignition.
Recently I went to this bike shop to ask some questions about various things, and the conversation led to fuel injection and computers, and other things... Anyway, the guys was telling me that people use the kill/run switch and it messes things up on their bike. He said by flipping the run switch it was like unplugging your computer, instead of going to start and shutting it down properly. He said that you should just leave the run switch alone, and use the ignition only.
Sounded kind of weird to me. I've never heard anything like that before, and I've been using the run/kill switch for year.
Anyone else ever hear of that??
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,655
Likes: 9
From: Northwest Arkansas
Do a search. There was a thread on this a while back. I personally use the kill switch. I have had the bike for 4 years and 34,000 miles and so far so good.
Hopefully your not talking about the local Dealer.
Hopefully your not talking about the local Dealer.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,342
Likes: 0
From: Western Wisconsin
I use the ignition and my son uses his kill switch.
We gas up at the same pump (dad pays) and touch front tires.
I'm always telling him that his headlight is still on.
We gas up at the same pump (dad pays) and touch front tires.
I'm always telling him that his headlight is still on.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,890
Likes: 73
From: MA
From my '06 manual:
STOPPING THE ENGINE
1. Stop the the engine by turning OFF the engine stop switch on right handlebar.
2. Turn OFF the ignition/headlamp key switch. If the engine should be stalled or stopped in any way, turn off the ignition/headlamp key switch at once to prevent battery discharge.
STOPPING THE ENGINE
1. Stop the the engine by turning OFF the engine stop switch on right handlebar.
2. Turn OFF the ignition/headlamp key switch. If the engine should be stalled or stopped in any way, turn off the ignition/headlamp key switch at once to prevent battery discharge.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,600
Likes: 7
From: Minnesota
I believe there is a service bulletin for the throttle by wire bikes saying not to use the kill switch because it was causing problems with high idle. People were shutting off the bike before the idle had a chance to settle back down or their hand still resting on the throttle caused the idle to reset at a higher RPM. A lot of people were bringing their bikes in with complaining of high idle.
This is from the '08 SM:
...the ECM uses the first four ignition cycles to establish the optimum idle speed, there may be initial performance problems if the procedure is not performed, such as high idle or hesitation when the throttle is opened.
The AMA teaches the regular use of the kill switch to establish muscle memory in case of emergency but modern bikes have tilt switches.
This is from the '08 SM:
...the ECM uses the first four ignition cycles to establish the optimum idle speed, there may be initial performance problems if the procedure is not performed, such as high idle or hesitation when the throttle is opened.
The AMA teaches the regular use of the kill switch to establish muscle memory in case of emergency but modern bikes have tilt switches.
