Kill switch or console switch

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Mar 23, 2012 | 11:31 PM

#51

X Iron Butt

Road Master

Joined: Jun 2011

Posts: 974

Likes: 13

From: Chesapeake Virginia

Quote:

Originally Posted by Potato_Potato

Using the kill switch is the number one cause of a dead battery for guys in my age group. One guy in particular. If I had a nickel for every time I have said, “Hay, Danny you left your lights on!” I would have a 124 built motor.

I used to leave the key on years ago when the head light wasn't always on. Only did it at home when I could leave the key in. After I rewired and hooked up my kill switch I quit killing coils and batteries. I got in the habbit of locking my front end now when I get off so it kinda makes me turn the ignition switch to the off/lock position. With my big *** seat and a backrest I have to get on and off from the right side so it is easier if the bars are locked to the left.

Mar 24, 2012 | 02:41 AM

#52

Hog Heaven

Tourer

Joined: Aug 2007

Posts: 329

Likes: 0

From: Inland Northwest

Quote:

Originally Posted by mastery

Lots of discussion threads on this already, use the Search feature if you want to read hundreds of responses.

Yea, I can speak from a bit of experience as I started one of those threads a year or so ago. Most people were pretty cordial but a few guys were downright pizzed that I would ask such a stupid question. I actually did laugh when I read those responses since I was only wondering why it would really matter how you turn off the bike.

Mar 24, 2012 | 04:54 AM

#53

dickey

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Mar 2010

Posts: 19,974

Likes: 6,071

From: Florida

easier to hit the kill switch than fumble around with your hands off the handlebars for the console switch. I cannot see any difference

That's a buncha crappadoola. If someone is such a spaz that he can't manage to turn off the tank switch without "fumbling around', he shouldn't be on a Harley.

I was always warning my ex about NOT using her kill switch on her RK at all. Told her to forget it's there. "Why?" she asks. I told her "'Cause as sure as **** stinks in July, you're gonna hit the starter by mistake while the engine's running". What do you think she does the next time she takes my Fatty out for a ride? You guessed it. Whatta bim. Man pays for it; woman ruins it.

Told my buddy the same thing when he got his first HD, an '04 Roadster. Pulls up to me the next day,goes to kill his motor & hits the starter. You can't fix stupid.

FORGET THE FRIGGIN THING IS THERE!!

Last edited by dickey; Mar 24, 2012 at 04:57 AM.

Mar 24, 2012 | 03:18 PM

#54

speakerfritz

Road Warrior

Joined: Jun 2009

Posts: 1,943

Likes: 3

From: NYC

kill switch is easier to replace than ignition switch.

Mar 24, 2012 | 03:22 PM

#55

leon anthony

Road Warrior

Joined: Mar 2008

Posts: 1,374

Likes: 20

From: Felton Calif

I use the kill switch just because it is right there under my thumb and i can hold the front brake on while i turn the engine off

Mar 24, 2012 | 03:38 PM

#56

wlibert

Road Captain

Joined: Jun 2010

Posts: 609

Likes: 14

From: Mount Airy, MD

I usually pee standing up unless I wake up in the middle of the night, have to pee, and I am half a sleep, then it's easier if I just sit down on the john to pee since I know the seat is always done for the wife. I have fallen back to sleep sitting there on the john though and eventually I fall over on the floor.

Mar 25, 2012 | 01:34 AM

#57

Devo6684

Road Captain

Joined: Apr 2009

Posts: 537

Likes: 0

From: Columbus, Ohio

Quote:

Originally Posted by speakerfritz

kill switch is easier to replace than ignition switch.

It might be easier to replace but you are still forced to use the the console switch.
I always use the kill switch first- I guess it is just habit from my metric days.

Mar 25, 2012 | 05:55 AM

#58

VTL nut

Road Warrior

Joined: May 2009

Posts: 1,537

Likes: 4

From: The Great River Road, Wisconsin

Quote:

Originally Posted by bpez317

Handlebar switch is there for safety. Check out the schematic. Both switches go through the same relays and turn it off through the ECM.

Well done bpez,
mystery solved.
The only thing they may be looking at by "recommending" is looking at the loading through both switches and it may lighten the load on the keyswitch to 1st use the killswitch?
They are probably just considering life cycles versus loading on the contacts through both, and recommending for longest life. They have been known to look out for us a time or two, haven't they?