Picky Picky
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 943
Likes: 41
I usually shut down with the ignition switch. That way I don't have to worry about leaving lights on and returning to a dead battery. I always thought the idea for the kill switch was for emergency situations like if the bike went down.
Banned
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 7,580
Likes: 7
From: The Internet (& Dyer, Indiana)
Done the headlight-left-on thing before.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,121
Likes: 489
From: sunny florida
I've always used the ignition switch for 25 years with no issues, on tbw bikes you need to use the ignition switch, on non tbw bikes it doesn't matter, the kill switch is basically a safety feature and they tell you to use it because that protects their *** in case you do something stupid
HDF Community Team
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 902
Likes: 152
From: Georgia
I have been using the kill switch because that's what I used on my carbed bike, however, I have read where you should not do that with a fuel injected bike. The reason given was that the weight of your hand on the throttle, even just slightly can keep the throttle open very slightly and after doing it several times, the ECM "learns" that the slight opening is the closed throttle position when actually it isn't. Over time it causes an increased idle speed. I'm now trying to get in the habit of using the key ignition switch using my right hand so I have to take my hand completely off the throttle to shut the bike off.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,692
Likes: 22
From: Denham Springs, La
What he said. Kill switch only when parking on a hill.