View Poll Results: How do you turn On/Off your Harley
I use Emergence Handle Bar On/Off Switch and Ignition/Headlamp switch
192
61.54%
I use Ignition/Headlamp Switch ONLY - leave Emergence Handle Bar On
121
38.78%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 312. You may not vote on this poll
Poll On/Off Switch
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 525
Likes: 0
From: Stoughton,MA
OK, for those of you who insist on using the kill switch, have you ever left the ignition on in a hurry? I tried using the kill switch, taught by the dealer, but left the ignition on once. Never will use the kill switch again. Also, if you don't use the kill switch you will never look stupid when you can't start the bike because it is on.
Kill switch is just force of habit for me that started over 35 years ago.
Stop bike (still in gear). Hit button to kill engine. Cross up the bars and hit ignition switch. I also check to see if the lock engaged. Bike is left in gear.
Wasn't aware the manual stated this until I read it the other day. Never took a motorcycle safety class and have had an M endorsement on my license since 1977.
Until reading this post I never noticed what others do. I'll keep an eye out now.
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 420
Likes: 1
From: Northern Virginia
Every MSF course I have ever taken said to use the kill switch on the handle bars. I once asked one of the instructors why they all seem to stress the kill switch instead of the ignition switch. The answer was basically: "For the same reason a rider practices all their skills." They want you to get in the habit of knowing where it is so that it becomes second nature and you can instantly kill the engine without thinking about. That way if you ever need to kill the engine real fast in emergency you do it without removing your hands from the handle bars without thinking about. Are there many situations where you need to do this? No, and most of us will never need to it. But we practice panic (or hard) breaking in a controlled environment so that it becomes second nature and we are more apt to get it right if we ever need to apply that skill. It is one of those things that you hope you never need to do; but, best to be prepared.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 5,478
Likes: 184
From: Mount Airy, MD
I'm not surprised because they teach you at the MSF course to use it. I used to kill mine every time with the kill switch until I accidentally left the ignition switch on and killed the battery and was stranded at work after hours (what a terrible place to be stranded). No hills and couldn't jump start it. Had to wait for my wife to come get me with some jumper cables. It was a bright sunny morning and didn't notice the headlight on and I wasn't using the radio at the time. I started installing my hogtunes speakers and amp last night so the radio will be used more now.
I have since trained myself to use the ignition switch only and it works for me that way.
and killed the battery and was stranded at work after hours (what a terrible place to be stranded). No hills and couldn't jump start it. Had to wait for my wife to come get me with some jumper cables. It was a bright sunny morning and didn't notice the headlight on and I wasn't using the radio at the time. I started installing my hogtunes speakers and amp last night so the radio will be used more now.I have since trained myself to use the ignition switch only and it works for me that way.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 14,778
Likes: 69
From: Badlands of ND
I always forget to turn the kill switch back on until after I hit the start switch and nothing happens. I just leave the thing alone now.
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 559
Likes: 5
From: Tampa Bay, Florida
On my 1986 I never shut off the kill switch until it went bad and cause intermittent trouble during a 3,000 mile trip. The fix drove me nuts. I never thought it would go bad.
I gave up trying to fix it and took the bike to a great Harley mechanic. It drove him nuts too. When he finally traced it to the kill switch, he replaced the entire switch and the wires to the connector. The switch contacts had corroded.
When he told me it was the kill switch, I started turning it off from time to time. Never had the problem after that. I think turning the switch off some times will maybe keep the connectors cleaner.
I still do that on my 2010 Ultra.
I gave up trying to fix it and took the bike to a great Harley mechanic. It drove him nuts too. When he finally traced it to the kill switch, he replaced the entire switch and the wires to the connector. The switch contacts had corroded.
When he told me it was the kill switch, I started turning it off from time to time. Never had the problem after that. I think turning the switch off some times will maybe keep the connectors cleaner.
I still do that on my 2010 Ultra.
Last edited by Black_Hog; May 12, 2011 at 11:14 AM.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,916
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio, Texas
On all my bikes that I can remember for the past 35 years (moto-x excepted because they don't have ignition switches), I have used the kill switch first and then the ignition switch. Never broke the habit 
Not sure it actually matters since both switches essentially do the same thing.
Not sure it actually matters since both switches essentially do the same thing.
