Leave kill switch on?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 3,366
From: Idaho Panhandle
2 year old thread, urban myths abound.
The kill switch was installed on bikes so that you or an EMT could shut off you bike in a crash. Ignition keys are located in different places and can be anywhere on a bike.
I use the ignition switch. Always. I do not shut off my bike until it is stopped and the kickstand down. Anyone can dream up scenarios where they can use their kill switch. So what. If you are happy, you do it your way. Just do not try to tell me it is the right way.
The kill switch was installed on bikes so that you or an EMT could shut off you bike in a crash. Ignition keys are located in different places and can be anywhere on a bike.
I use the ignition switch. Always. I do not shut off my bike until it is stopped and the kickstand down. Anyone can dream up scenarios where they can use their kill switch. So what. If you are happy, you do it your way. Just do not try to tell me it is the right way.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 157,321
Likes: 56,881
From: Michigan 15 Minutes East Of Hell
On TBW bikes you should always shut the bike down with the main ignition. IF you want to use both use the kill switch AFTER the main. These bikes are like shutting down computers. In the TBW bikes their are 2 sensors (TGS and TPS), these 2 sensors work with each other and the voltages they each have always should be 5VDC (i.e. 1 at .7 and the other at 4.3). If you do a soft shut off of your bike (kill switch) it is possible that the voltages will be in transition and the bike will have a bad idle. When you shut the bike off with the ignition switch it shuts all the systems off at the same time.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,170
Likes: 14
From: washington dc
I have heard that not using the kill switch can lead to corrosive deposits forming on the contacts that cause no-start isues. Folks have recommneded at least occassional use to avoid the buildup.
Last edited by jefla; Dec 18, 2014 at 01:33 PM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,976
Likes: 49
From: Northern California
Hmmm mull this over a moment and the answer becomes clear.
Kill switch on bars maybe because if you had a stuck throttle the bike could be wildly accelerating and removing your hand to switch the machine off could cause you to wreck.
Developing the habit of using the bar kill switch could potentially save a life, injuries and damaged bikes.
Ya ya I know all you folks never have used it and never will and NEVER had need of it blah blah blah
Same thing with the clutch safety switch.
FWIW I always find myself using the tank main switch to shut off, must be the years on old shovels with crappy handlebar switches or none at all.
We all know what opinions are like.
Have fun
..shutting down your motor...
I'll let the MoCo speak for themselves:
Page 34 owners manual: ENGINE STOP SWITCH *see figure 6
The engine off/run switch is located on the right handlebar control group.
The engine off/run switch turns the ignition ON or OFF, and should be used at all times to stop the engine, especially in an emergency.
1. To stop the engine push the engine ON/OFF switch to position marked OFF.
2. Turn the ignition key to the OFF position. *See figure 4.
Page 34 owners manual: ENGINE STOP SWITCH *see figure 6
The engine off/run switch is located on the right handlebar control group.
The engine off/run switch turns the ignition ON or OFF, and should be used at all times to stop the engine, especially in an emergency.
1. To stop the engine push the engine ON/OFF switch to position marked OFF.
2. Turn the ignition key to the OFF position. *See figure 4.
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I'll let the MoCo speak for themselves:
Page 34 owners manual: ENGINE STOP SWITCH *see figure 6
The engine off/run switch is located on the right handlebar control group.
The engine off/run switch turns the ignition ON or OFF, and should be used at all times to stop the engine, especially in an emergency.
1. To stop the engine push the engine ON/OFF switch to position marked OFF.
2. Turn the ignition key to the OFF position. *See figure 4.
Page 34 owners manual: ENGINE STOP SWITCH *see figure 6
The engine off/run switch is located on the right handlebar control group.
The engine off/run switch turns the ignition ON or OFF, and should be used at all times to stop the engine, especially in an emergency.
1. To stop the engine push the engine ON/OFF switch to position marked OFF.
2. Turn the ignition key to the OFF position. *See figure 4.
The main thing to know if you are using your run/kill switch to shut off your bike is to let the bike come to a complete idle before killing it. There was a service bulletin back in '08 for high idle problem, they bulletin had us cycle the ignition on and off several times to get the idle to re-set. What was happening is people were killing their bikes with the run switch and not letting the idle settle down, if the 2 sensors I was referring to in my earlier post (TPS and TGS) don't equal 5 VDC between them they they will reset to what it was last know. In other words if you soft kill your bike (run/kill switch) and the bike is not at a normal idle the 2 sensors might be adjusting and not be at 5 VDC, it can result in an ab-normal idle and need to be re-set. Worse case scenario it can put your bike into limp mode.