Shutdown procedure?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 19,980
Likes: 6,107
From: Florida
Never use the kill switch to shut the bike down...because one day, you are gonna hit the starter button instead & you definitely will NOT like the sound the starter makes when it engages while the bike is running. Happened to my buddy literally the same day I told him not to use it, & my ex did it to my Fatboy.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,692
Likes: 22
From: Denham Springs, La
The only time my kill switch is used is when I bring it to the dealer. They usually switch it off when they shut the bike down.
I can't see turning on 2 switches before I push the start button or having to turn off 2 switches to shut it down.
As far as keeping my eyes on the road and my hands on the grips at shutdown time, I'm usually stopped in a parking lot or garage when I shut it off.
So far, every time I've tipped it over the tip sensor shuts it off for me and I have plenty of time to turn off the ignition switch later.
If the engine runs away, which it won't because the ECM will put the bike in limp mode if the throttle system isn't right but if it does, I'll hit the kill switch to shut the motor off, and this is the only use I see for that switch.
I worry that if I use the kill switch for normal shut down I will forget to turn the ignition switch off.
Either way will work, just pick one.
I can't see turning on 2 switches before I push the start button or having to turn off 2 switches to shut it down.
As far as keeping my eyes on the road and my hands on the grips at shutdown time, I'm usually stopped in a parking lot or garage when I shut it off.
So far, every time I've tipped it over the tip sensor shuts it off for me and I have plenty of time to turn off the ignition switch later.
If the engine runs away, which it won't because the ECM will put the bike in limp mode if the throttle system isn't right but if it does, I'll hit the kill switch to shut the motor off, and this is the only use I see for that switch.
I worry that if I use the kill switch for normal shut down I will forget to turn the ignition switch off.
Either way will work, just pick one.
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 28
Likes: 1
From: Key West
Wow! Never expected so many differing comments but I appreciate every one of them. Looks like there is no "one size fits all" way of doing it. I guess my buddy with the 08 was told to do what he does due to the difference in model years. That being said because I never used the kill switch on my 1600 metric and because it doesn't seem to matter (no matter what manual says) I'm going to start using ignition switch only on the RK to keep some continuity in place.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2022
Posts: 145
Likes: 32
From: Tucson
Of course. Who doesn't!?
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Club Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,689
Likes: 457
Although I do not remember the exact reason given to me years ago, an electrician buddy of mine explained that it's the difference between turning a lamp off by using the switch, as compared to yanking the cord out of the wall. There is some valid electrical reason for using the switch. Maybe someone here can explain...
Using the kill switch tells the ECM to shut down the ignition system, thereby killing the engine. Turning off the ignition just kills everything at once. Your ECM is still getting constant power from the battery, so your not totally shutting down the ECM without disconnecting the battery. This is why those of us with a Thunder Max ECM need to re-initialize the ECM after battery disconnection or pulling the main fuse.
