Leave kill switch on?
Club Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 11,469
Likes: 3,572
From: Idaho
Ok thanks I didnt know that but makes sense. I dumped my ultra a few months ago but it went down slow because I just couldnt hold it up once it got so far over. So let it down as slow as I could but it started revving up on the way down and I hit the switch quick and killed it. But it wouldn't crank once I picked it back up must have been that lean detector?
Then I realized it was still in gear. Oops.
Nope, as far as I know the lean angle sensor wouldn't have prevented starting once it was back upright. I assume, as in my case, "operator error" probably was the main reason. When we drop a bike, we're flustered. Brain vapor locks, and you overlook the obvious. If it wouldn't crank, my guess is that the main ignition switch or the run/off switch were still off, or it was in gear with the clutch out. Those would be the best guesses.
We did a little class on picking up the bike at a dealer service night. The main thing taught was: "Step away, turn the ignition off, and take a deep breath." It's over, the bike is down, it isn't going anywhere, take a moment and get calmed down. It's when you immediately leap into action to get the bike back up before anybody sees you that you have the greatest risk of jacking up your back.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 14,670
Likes: 139
From: East of the Sun, West of the Moon
Current model HDs have a Lean Angle Sensor, and if it detects a lean of more than 45 degrees for a period of longer than onethousandandone, it completely kills the ignition.
So, you don't need to worry about hitting the kill switch. Unless you have an older bike, of course.
So, you don't need to worry about hitting the kill switch. Unless you have an older bike, of course.
it's lean angle is determined by what model bike it is. they're not all the same
there is no timed lean angle. you go past the angle, it engages
it kills both ignition and fuel
ignition switch must be cycled off and on to reset it otherwise your bike won't start
been around since 1999
the newer models (can't remember when they started this) will display "tilt" on the speedo display
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 14,670
Likes: 139
From: East of the Sun, West of the Moon
Actually, this isn't a stupid question, as shown by the eleventy-three different answers.
The Owner's Manual for my '14 says to stop the engine with the Run/Off switch. (No, it's not a Touring, but I assume the logic is the same.)
I'm going to be stopping by my dealership today, so I'll ask the PhD Tech, who not only understands current HD ignition systems, he's an old fart who actually does go all the way back to rotary dial bikes. And he'll tell me the truth.
Stay tuned.
The Owner's Manual for my '14 says to stop the engine with the Run/Off switch. (No, it's not a Touring, but I assume the logic is the same.)
I'm going to be stopping by my dealership today, so I'll ask the PhD Tech, who not only understands current HD ignition systems, he's an old fart who actually does go all the way back to rotary dial bikes. And he'll tell me the truth.
Stay tuned.
And for the record; you already have a correct answer in this thread from a "PhD Tech" that everyone seems to discount. To each his own. I'll keep using the ignition switch as I always have.
Last edited by UltraNutZ; Dec 19, 2014 at 01:46 PM.
Club Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 11,469
Likes: 3,572
From: Idaho
Bank Angle Sensor
it's lean angle is determined by what model bike it is. they're not all the same
there is no timed lean angle. you go past the angle, it engages
it kills both ignition and fuel
ignition switch must be cycled off and on to reset it otherwise your bike won't start
been around since 1999
the newer models (can't remember when they started this) will display "tilt" on the speedo display
it's lean angle is determined by what model bike it is. they're not all the same
there is no timed lean angle. you go past the angle, it engages
it kills both ignition and fuel
ignition switch must be cycled off and on to reset it otherwise your bike won't start
been around since 1999
the newer models (can't remember when they started this) will display "tilt" on the speedo display
other than 1 "stupid" response no one said it was a stupid question. Just that it's been beat to death just as most oil questions have been and instead or searching for answers, hey let's start another thread about the same thing that's been discussed in hundreds of other threads.
And for the record; you already have a correct answer in this thread from a "PhD Tech" that everyone seems to discount. To each his own. I'll keep using the ignition switch as I always have.
And for the record; you already have a correct answer in this thread from a "PhD Tech" that everyone seems to discount. To each his own. I'll keep using the ignition switch as I always have.
Who is the PhD Tech? Did I miss that?
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 2,721
Likes: 1,835
From: In a house
I'm breaking the 2 minute rule because I haven't read all 7 pages so this may have been brought up already.......I remember being told long ago to always use the kill switch to turn the bike off and then turn the ignition switch to off. Something about their being less current flow through the kill switch than the ignition switch and supposedly the contacts in the ignition switches in older bikes could wear and fail due to the arc generated across them when the bike was running. Don't know if there's anything to it or not, I just remember being told it was an issue on older bikes........
Road Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 767
Likes: 54
From: San Antonio, TX
Oh your talking about that switch on the throttle side control that I never use, but my buddies think is funny to switch off on me...
Me, get on bike, turn on ignition, hit starter, CRAP battery is dead.
Them, snicker and laughter.
Me, FU!!! Flip switch start bike and ride on...
Me, get on bike, turn on ignition, hit starter, CRAP battery is dead.
Them, snicker and laughter.
Me, FU!!! Flip switch start bike and ride on...
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Club Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 11,469
Likes: 3,572
From: Idaho
I'm baaaaack. 
Okay, folks, here it is. I spoke to the service manager and the most senior tech, in different rooms so they wouldn't automatically back each other up. They both answered instantly, and they both answered the same way:
You turn off the motorcycle with the main Ignition switch, NOT the Run/Off switch.
The logic behind it:
1. The kill switch is mainly intended as an emergency switch.
2. In a service environment, sometimes you're working on part of the bike's electrical system and you don't need the engine running, so the kill switch allows you to shut off the engine and leave the rest of the system energized.
3. Eventually you'll get tired of forgetting the main switch and draining your battery.
There you have it, straight from the horse's mouth(s).
Okay, folks, here it is. I spoke to the service manager and the most senior tech, in different rooms so they wouldn't automatically back each other up. They both answered instantly, and they both answered the same way:
You turn off the motorcycle with the main Ignition switch, NOT the Run/Off switch.
The logic behind it:
1. The kill switch is mainly intended as an emergency switch.
2. In a service environment, sometimes you're working on part of the bike's electrical system and you don't need the engine running, so the kill switch allows you to shut off the engine and leave the rest of the system energized.
3. Eventually you'll get tired of forgetting the main switch and draining your battery.
There you have it, straight from the horse's mouth(s).