Still using the 'Kill Switch'?
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 662
Likes: 1
From: Kelowna, BC, Canada
Kinda makes you wonder why the dealer would use the switch but not most of us.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,600
Likes: 7
From: Minnesota
I can’t comment on the kill switch damaging the ECM but my keen powers of observation tell me that that using the kill switch is the leading cause of dead batteries in the older rider group.
If the issue is muscle memory i.e. What you do normally and repeatedly you will do in an emergency. In a runaway condition my muscle memory would tell me to pull in the clutch — something that riders do many times more than using the Kill Switch — a 100 to 1 would be my guess.
If the concern is the bike being down after an accident with the rear wheel spinning causing injury, Harleys and most modern bikes have tip switches that disable the motor after a predetermined lean angle is reached. Harley is slow to change, they still have timer covers covering an empty hole for goodness sake!
It takes all the self-control I can muster to keep from walking around turning ignitions off and kill switches on when I see riders stopped for a break standing around chatting and maybe going into the store to get a snack and a drink with their lights on :-)
MSF courses teach TKV “Thumb, Key, Valve" (kill switch, ignition and fuel valve). Amongst the older rider group it should be TKVJC, “Thumb, Key, Valve, jumper cables)
Seriously, even if you don’t run your battery down it can’t be good for it and it shortens the life of your lightbulbs as well.
If the issue is muscle memory i.e. What you do normally and repeatedly you will do in an emergency. In a runaway condition my muscle memory would tell me to pull in the clutch — something that riders do many times more than using the Kill Switch — a 100 to 1 would be my guess.
If the concern is the bike being down after an accident with the rear wheel spinning causing injury, Harleys and most modern bikes have tip switches that disable the motor after a predetermined lean angle is reached. Harley is slow to change, they still have timer covers covering an empty hole for goodness sake!
It takes all the self-control I can muster to keep from walking around turning ignitions off and kill switches on when I see riders stopped for a break standing around chatting and maybe going into the store to get a snack and a drink with their lights on :-)
MSF courses teach TKV “Thumb, Key, Valve" (kill switch, ignition and fuel valve). Amongst the older rider group it should be TKVJC, “Thumb, Key, Valve, jumper cables)
Seriously, even if you don’t run your battery down it can’t be good for it and it shortens the life of your lightbulbs as well.
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 662
Likes: 1
From: Kelowna, BC, Canada
I can’t comment on the kill switch damaging the ECM but my keen powers of observation tell me that that using the kill switch is the leading cause of dead batteries in the older rider group.
If the issue is muscle memory i.e. What you do normally and repeatedly you will do in an emergency. In a runaway condition my muscle memory would tell me to pull in the clutch — something that riders do many times more than using the Kill Switch — a 100 to 1 would be my guess.
If the concern is the bike being down after an accident with the rear wheel spinning causing injury, Harleys and most modern bikes have tip switches that disable the motor after a predetermined lean angle is reached. Harley is slow to change, they still have timer covers covering an empty hole for goodness sake!
It takes all the self-control I can muster to keep from walking around turning ignitions off and kill switches on when I see riders stopped for a break standing around chatting and maybe going into the store to get a snack and a drink with their lights on :-)
MSF courses teach TKV “Thumb, Key, Valve" (kill switch, ignition and fuel valve). Amongst the older rider group it should be TKVJC, “Thumb, Key, Valve, jumper cables)
Seriously, even if you don’t run your battery down it can’t be good for it and it shortens the life of your lightbulbs as well.
If the issue is muscle memory i.e. What you do normally and repeatedly you will do in an emergency. In a runaway condition my muscle memory would tell me to pull in the clutch — something that riders do many times more than using the Kill Switch — a 100 to 1 would be my guess.
If the concern is the bike being down after an accident with the rear wheel spinning causing injury, Harleys and most modern bikes have tip switches that disable the motor after a predetermined lean angle is reached. Harley is slow to change, they still have timer covers covering an empty hole for goodness sake!
It takes all the self-control I can muster to keep from walking around turning ignitions off and kill switches on when I see riders stopped for a break standing around chatting and maybe going into the store to get a snack and a drink with their lights on :-)
MSF courses teach TKV “Thumb, Key, Valve" (kill switch, ignition and fuel valve). Amongst the older rider group it should be TKVJC, “Thumb, Key, Valve, jumper cables)
Seriously, even if you don’t run your battery down it can’t be good for it and it shortens the life of your lightbulbs as well.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 19,972
Likes: 6,068
From: Florida
I never use the kill switch. Wanna know why?
My ex went to shut off my Fatboy one time. I had warned her about NOT using the kill switch for a very specific reason. She didn't heed my warning, went for the switch, and PROMPTLY HIT THE START BUTTON INSTEAD!
The noise a starter makes when you engage it on a running engine is a very expensive sounding one!
The exact same thing happend when I tried to warn a buddy of mine with his Sportster.
You should forget the KS is even there!
My ex went to shut off my Fatboy one time. I had warned her about NOT using the kill switch for a very specific reason. She didn't heed my warning, went for the switch, and PROMPTLY HIT THE START BUTTON INSTEAD!
The noise a starter makes when you engage it on a running engine is a very expensive sounding one!
The exact same thing happend when I tried to warn a buddy of mine with his Sportster.
You should forget the KS is even there!
My opinion I avoid using the kill switch.
1: I have seen kill switch go bad. Don't want to troubleshoot a problem just to find out it is a 10 dollar part.
2: leaving the lights on, another pain. One time gave me that lesson. I push started had enough battery for it to start. If battery is dead low it will not stay running.
In the last month I have turned off two bikes that left their keys on in turn leaving their lights on also. I think new riders they both were relatively small bikes.
1: I have seen kill switch go bad. Don't want to troubleshoot a problem just to find out it is a 10 dollar part.
2: leaving the lights on, another pain. One time gave me that lesson. I push started had enough battery for it to start. If battery is dead low it will not stay running.
In the last month I have turned off two bikes that left their keys on in turn leaving their lights on also. I think new riders they both were relatively small bikes.
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 662
Likes: 1
From: Kelowna, BC, Canada
Wow, I really can't believe how many people leave the ignition on! I have never ever done that. How can you leave the ignition on on your bike? I honestly want to know.