Can anyone explain why you would ever need this "feature"?

 

I can lock mine without the forks being in the lock position. The Acc can also be locked, nice if you have saddlebag spoiler lights and need to leave the bike for awhile, the lights stay on in the spoilers, also the dash lights stay on for some rear visibility.

 

I just checked mine. It will lock in the Access position too. But it will not lock straight up (OFF) position or in the ignition position.

 

The ignition switches changed on the Electra Glides. I'm not sure of exact year but i think 07/08. On my 05 UC I could unlock the forks, move switch to off and then turn key to lock position. The switch would turn freely between off and run. Then if I wanted to lock the forks at a stop, all I had to do was turn the switch to lock and the forks were locked. I didn't need to dig out a key to lock it. Very convenient.

My 12 Limited won't do that. I cannot turn the key to lock when the switch is in the off position.

 

So that you can run the battery flat while preventing any good samaritan from turning the switch to off.

 

The ignition will only lock in the fork lock position. Read your owners manual

 

You came in late...... it will lock in the lock position AND the accessory position.

Here's directly from the manual

"Locks the switch in either the FORK LOCK or ACCESS switch position. Remove the key for security."

Can not be locked in any other position.

 

I made the same mistake myself when I picked up my new Road Glide Ultra.

+1 to reading the manual

 

You can lock it in the ACC postition so that if you ever break down you can use your 4 way flashers and lock the bike up. The alarm can also be armed when it's in the ACC with the 4 ways on.

 

If have to have the ignition on to turn on the 4 way flashers on.......... you can turn the ignition off and the 4 ways stay running.

In fact, you have to turn the ignition back on to turn them off.