Still using the 'Kill Switch'?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,130
Likes: 0
From: Tampa
I have read each of my owner's manuals and have never come across this warning/advice. If it is a real thing, how come they don't specify that it makes the bike run less than optimal? It has been a habit for a while, but if it was important it would seem like they could simply write it down for the owners.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 5,281
Likes: 3,418
From: Idaho Panhandle
Old school response here. The Kill switch is an emergency switch for if you go down. Either you or first responders can shut off the bike without trying to locate the ignition switch. Ignition switches are located everywhere on different bikes but the kill switches are all found in the same location. Traditionally the kill switch metal contacts on most bikes are not as robust as those found in the ignition switch. On older bikes, using the kill switch could lead to kill switch failure. When they were mandated, they were strictly for emergency use. While I have not checked the gauge/material on the current Harley kill switch vs ignition switch I would still bet that the ignition switch which is designed to start and stop the current is of a heavier or better material.
Just because it is used for the life of a bike and does not fail does not mean it was designed for that use. I also don't think Harley needs to put a disclaimer in the manual to tell what and when an Emergency Kill switch should be used. By definition, that is what a kill switch does. If their intent was to make it easier for you to stop your motorcycle then they might have placed it elsewhere and called it a stop (stop and go) switch. It is however there to meet a government mandated regulation. If Mother Harley switches calipers to save a dollar, what do you think they will do to a government mandated part. The mistake if any on Harley's part is that they have made it too convenient for some to use.
Just because it is used for the life of a bike and does not fail does not mean it was designed for that use. I also don't think Harley needs to put a disclaimer in the manual to tell what and when an Emergency Kill switch should be used. By definition, that is what a kill switch does. If their intent was to make it easier for you to stop your motorcycle then they might have placed it elsewhere and called it a stop (stop and go) switch. It is however there to meet a government mandated regulation. If Mother Harley switches calipers to save a dollar, what do you think they will do to a government mandated part. The mistake if any on Harley's part is that they have made it too convenient for some to use.
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 500
Likes: 2
From: Springfield Ohio
From the current Harley Davidson Touring Model Owner's Manual, page 151:
Sounds like Harley intends the OFF/RUN switch to be used as part of normal operation.
Stopping the Engine
1. Stop the engine by turning the engine STOP/RUN switch on the right handlebar to OFF.
2. Turn the ignition switch to OFF. If the engine should be stalled or stopped in any way, turn the ignition switch to OFF at once to prevent battery discharge.
1. Stop the engine by turning the engine STOP/RUN switch on the right handlebar to OFF.
2. Turn the ignition switch to OFF. If the engine should be stalled or stopped in any way, turn the ignition switch to OFF at once to prevent battery discharge.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 259
Likes: 2
From: Metro Atlanta area
Just because it is used for the life of a bike and does not fail does not mean it was designed for that use. I also don't think Harley needs to put a disclaimer in the manual to tell what and when an Emergency Kill switch should be used. By definition, that is what a kill switch does. If their intent was to make it easier for you to stop your motorcycle then they might have placed it elsewhere and called it a stop (stop and go) switch.
JL
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 20,880
Likes: 33,830
The kill switch is there so a person does not have to take his/her hand off of the handlebars to turn off the bike (safety). I never use it because I fell very comfortable taking my right hand off of the handlebar and turn the ignition switch off. It's a safety issue and you can use it if you want or not. That's my story and I'm sticking with it.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 343
Likes: 1
From: Western WA
If you use the ign switch to kill the motor you get better gas mileage...but if you do "run, stop, run, stop, ign, off, ign, off, acc, ign, acc, off, left rurn signal, right turn signal, left+right turn signals together, then put the bike in second gear, and honk the horn twice" it unlocks the "unlimited gas" cheat code.