Still using the 'Kill Switch'?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,241
Likes: 7
From: Daytona, Fla.
So I get redirected by a tech at the local stealer to this page, from 2010:
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...on-switch.html
Seems the same issue pops up every few months and yes, there is something to it, the tech at the dealer went thru a current MoCo electronics class last month and they no longer recommend the use of the kill switch save for emergencies. There is a "potential" for the operator to roll in or out of the throttle during the use of the handlebar kill switch, doing so can cause a reprogram to the ECU idle control logic and if performed 'wrong' often enough can damage the ECU. He had written notes from his class supporting the claim.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...on-switch.html
Seems the same issue pops up every few months and yes, there is something to it, the tech at the dealer went thru a current MoCo electronics class last month and they no longer recommend the use of the kill switch save for emergencies. There is a "potential" for the operator to roll in or out of the throttle during the use of the handlebar kill switch, doing so can cause a reprogram to the ECU idle control logic and if performed 'wrong' often enough can damage the ECU. He had written notes from his class supporting the claim.
If the ECU needed some sort of "soft shutdown" like your computer I'm reasonably sure there would be a separate power circuit & a built-in program for that purpose. Relying on getting a consumer to follow some mythical sequence is too dumb for even the MoCo.
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,616
Likes: 17
From: Mid West
Now I am sorry I even asked if anyone else had heard this as to a OP, a few had seen/heard this same topic, seems three shops I have spoken with, two indy, one stealer and all MoCO authorized don't know squat. You use your kill switch with no issues then you are not seeing a problem yay for you, I had not either but the possibility to cause some problem evidently has existed for a few years for posts to show since 2010. Kill the messenger and you get little input later.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 505
Likes: 1
From: Houston
I heard running the motor will eventually wear it out. According to the dealer and every indy I've asked the only way to prevent this is to park the bike in a temperature and humidity controlled environment and never run the motor.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,241
Likes: 7
From: Daytona, Fla.
If memory serves (& that is questionable) the first ones for street use were introduced on early Honda 750's. The reason was that the motor would overpower the brakes if the throttle locked wide open. (that part is fact, I've seen a first year Honda 750 power down the highway with the front wheel locked) You could thumb a "kill switch" without removing your hands from the handlebars. A commercial version of the wrist strap kill switch on lots of high performance vehicles at the time. It quickly became an industry standard on any motorcycle that wanted to claim any power/speed. In reality it's use is extremely limited. Modern motorcycles have "tilt switches" that kill the motor if the machine exceeds a certain tilt angle, & most have either push/pull throttle cables or fly-by-wire throttles that are more likely to restrict your throttle than to cause wide open acceleration.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,502
Likes: 6
From: Lapeer , Mich
well asked one of the local dealers about this today and the service rep told me they are told to use the kill switch on the newer bikes , something about the crank sensor learning , so one more answer
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 983
Likes: 4
From: Indiana
If memory serves (& that is questionable) the first ones for street use were introduced on early Honda 750's. The reason was that the motor would overpower the brakes if the throttle locked wide open. (that part is fact, I've seen a first year Honda 750 power down the highway with the front wheel locked) You could thumb a "kill switch" without removing your hands from the handlebars. A commercial version of the wrist strap kill switch on lots of high performance vehicles at the time. It quickly became an industry standard on any motorcycle that wanted to claim any power/speed. In reality it's use is extremely limited. Modern motorcycles have "tilt switches" that kill the motor if the machine exceeds a certain tilt angle, & most have either push/pull throttle cables or fly-by-wire throttles that are more likely to restrict your throttle than to cause wide open acceleration.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kawasaki_triple)
Once a carburetor slide stuck open and there was no kill switch. Getting it stopped without killing myself was interesting. So since then I am VERY comfortable using the kill switches provided every time I shut down a bike.
to say the least
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Tourer
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 431
Likes: 0
From: Queensland Australia
My 2012 FLHX owners manual says use Kill switch, my 2008 FXDB owners manual said to use Kill switch, my 2007 sporty says in owners manual use kill switch, my old 2001 Sporty owners manual and workshop manual say use the kill switch.
Anyone seeing a trend here?
Anyone seeing a trend here?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,236
Likes: 1
From: Gainesville, VA
You guys keep researching this topic... I'm going for a ride... and then using my kill switch when I'm done.