I just got off the phone from calling two HD Dealer's in my area. One is Smokey Mtn HD in Maryville and Mtn Creek HD in Dalton, Ga. Both service writer's took the time to go back and talk with several tech's. They said this is not true. That's why the switch is put there next to your front brake lever. It's a safety issue

 

So are you saying use the switch on the tank instead?

Doesn't power get cut to the ecu anyway? It has to at some point... I mean it's not getting power 24/7 so what's the difference if you cut it via the kill switch (as is the conventional wisdom for pretty much every bike ever made) or with the tank switch... You're still cutting power.

Is there really a difference?

 

Interesting.

 

I love it! Not using the kill switch makes bikes run better. Anybody got a dyno sheet on that?

 

I may be wrong, but the tank switch only controls the ignition, lights and accessory circuits, not the juice to the ECM. The kill switch shuts it ALL down. That is why you can do everything with the tank switch on, but make it fire and run. think about your cager. when you cut the key off, it does NOT turn juice off to the ECM in it either.

 

I would like to see someone from fuel moto jump in on this one and give us their opinion..........

 

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Can's say for sure about touring models, but the Dyna's has a 15A fused circuit straight from the battery to the ECM. So yes, the ECM has power 24/7. Also, according to the wiring diagrams the power coming to the kill switch comes from the ignition switch. so you're still turning off that ECM input whether you use the kill switch or the ignition switch.

 

As RonP42 said, using the kill switch is a safety issue--or, more accurately, a legal one. If you'll look in your owners manual I believe you'll find that using it is HD's prescribed procedure for shutting down the engine. This is largely because the corporate lawyers insist that your hands should be on the grips at all times when the engine is running--just to preclude a lawsuit that they didn't warn you in case you do something like reach for the ignition switch, accidentally knock it in gear, and careen into a bunch of people injuring them--not because there is any other reason to use the kill switch. I personally have never used it on any bike and don't know how it could possibly influence the way the bike runs one way or the other.

 

Even if he doesn't use the kill switch, he has to be turning off the ignition switch or his headlights would kill his battery in no time. With the ignition off, I suspect there is no power going to the ECM. So it doesn't make sense to me.

I always use the kill switch.