Still using the 'Kill Switch'?
Road Captain
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 505
Likes: 1
From: Houston
I would be VERY surprised is HD didn't have a separate power line to the ecu for memory that doesn't get cut by the kill switch. Your radio doesn't forget all its settings every time you shut off your bike.. Why not the ECU? That just doesn't pass the smell test.
Besides, when you turn the ignition switch fuel pump starts, all kind of checks happen at the ecu... I'm willing to bet the opposite is true all the kill should do is cut the spark. If you turn the ignition you're killing the fuel pump and all power at the same time.
Besides, when you turn the ignition switch fuel pump starts, all kind of checks happen at the ecu... I'm willing to bet the opposite is true all the kill should do is cut the spark. If you turn the ignition you're killing the fuel pump and all power at the same time.
Banned
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 11,232
Likes: 16
From: Socialist Republic of the USA
I use the kill switch every time I pull into the garage so I coast to where I park the bike. Any time I am away from home I do not use it as I am normally parking in a parking lot. I am now working away from home in Florida. Never noticed a difference. But that's just me and my bike. Others may experience different results.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 505
Likes: 1
From: Houston
Every MSF course taught anywhere tells everyone to always use the kill switch every time. Every book on motorcycling I've ever seen says use the kill switch. Why would HD design a system that goes against everything that conventional wisdom tells them every user on the planet will do and even if they did, why would they NOT have every sales person you deal with while going through the purchase process tell you this. Why would it not say so in the manual in large bold type on page 1. Instead, the manual says use the kill switch like every other bike ever.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,246
Likes: 19
From: Cypress, TX
I use the ignition. I don't want to be the guy that leaves his lights on. That's the only reason. They both kill the motor. Ignition just turns everything else off. Check out your schematics. Kill switch is near the rider's hand on every bike so that you can turn the bike off quickly if needed in a panic situation rather than hunting for a key or the ignition switch which are in many different places on different bikes. Usually the panic situation is a crashed bike with a stuck throttle that needs the kill switch hit to cut the motor. You better hope you don't need it when you are riding. I think its more of a safety thing in the MSF class. Most of the bikes are pieces of crap and most of the riders are inexperienced. They want them to be able to shut that bike down fast especially if they dump it.
Last edited by rg_dave; Sep 11, 2012 at 12:26 PM.
Club Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 5,481
Likes: 4
From: Georgia
Last edited by BigGdawg; Sep 11, 2012 at 01:23 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,671
Likes: 11
From: sequim, wa
I might as well get a post count outta this blab- never to end thread, I use kill switch first., I live on a up-hill and driveway is on a down hill,(back bike down to house) useing kill switch keeps my hands on the bars during this balancing act. 
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 126
Likes: 6
From: Leawood, Kansas
Fuel to the controversy
For what it's worth, I am certain the owners manual for my 2008 Triumph Speed Triple said to kill the engine using the ignition switch. I can't remember the exact language, but what I took from it was not to use the kill switch. I know it's a different bike etc., I just thought it was interesting in this conversation.
I've tried searching online for the manual to confirm, but every site that says it has the manual is a garbage site...
I've tried searching online for the manual to confirm, but every site that says it has the manual is a garbage site...
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,734
Likes: 1,541
From: Mid Michigan
I don't think it would make any difference either way. But I would have to look at the circuits involved and see which ones are subject to fly back voltage and of those how many are not diode protected internal to the module.
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When I first got my Heritage, I always used the kill switch because that is what I was told to do. In the past 5 years, I have accidentally left the ignition switch on 3 times and had to jump the bike when I returned as the lights drained the battery pretty quickly. About a year ago, I changed my procedures so that I now turn the bike off using the ignition switch which guarantees I don't have a dead battery. I have noticed no difference in the bike in any way. Just my experience.
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,147
Likes: 2
From: CHILLIWACK B.C CANADA: have a u.s shipping adress
f.w.i.w
i had multiple hi idle issues with my 08 flht,,,had to keep using the ign on/off routine to get it back to normal...i quit using the kill switch and have never ever had the issue again...coincidence?? me thinks not