Kill switch, or not?

[gR3yWolf]

What is the consensus for using the Kill Switch to shut down the bike? Some say it's not good...others say it's no problem.

Please be kind enough to state the logic behind your answer.

Thanks in advance.

 

[HellFire]

I've read about guys cussing their bike for hours because it refused to start just to find out later that they left the kill switch off ... other than that I know no reason for it to make any difference what so ever. I do it both ways depending on what I'm doing.

 

[Pig9r]

I think it is like shutting a computer off by pulling the plug out of the wall vs shutting it down via the operating system.

 

[Chrispy294ss]

I have used the Kill Switch while leaving her in gear with clutch pulled in for every shut down since new. Now have about 95,000kms on the big girl.

Reason: I like to keep both hands on her bars until I dismount. I started this way and I now do it all the time out of habit, even on level ground.
1 come to stop with bike in gear, 2 kill switch, 3 let clutch out, 4 settle bike against gear rolling back backwards, 5 kick stand out, 6 settle her on stand, 7 wheel turn fullly to left, 8 dismount. 9 remove key (normally to lock position)

Have fun with your girl too.

Cheers,

Chris

 

[scot in exile]

I always use the kick stand do not know why just have.

 

[ro6ert]

I always use the kick stand do not know why just have.

So do I, just to make sure the stand is down before I dismount.

 

[tdragger]

I think it is like shutting a computer off by pulling the plug out of the wall vs shutting it down via the operating system.

You have to remember that early computers were always turned off by simply flipping the switch to off. Some people just turned the power off at the power strip. That was perfectly OK in those days because the early computers were not saving a lot of personal preferences, network configs, etc.

The same with the ECU on our bikes. They do not store any shutdown information like a PC. They can simply be powered off. What you don't want is any kind of power surge during the act of turning the power off.

imho, the kill switch, key off at the ignition, sidestand switch, all are perfectly acceptable ways to turn off the bike.

I prefer to use the sidestand switch. It leaves the bike in gear to prevent rolling off the sidestand. It guarentees that you put the sidestand down before dismounting (until you've forgotten, you'll never truly appreciate this method). It keeps both hands on the handlebars until the engine is off. etc...

Frankly, I do not like to use the kill switch simply because I have been one of those fools cussing and screaming at the ignition switch thinking that it had failed again only to discover the kill switch was off.

 

[captain jack]

I seem to be one of those simple & boring farts who turn it off with the key. Kill switch used only once in it's 18month life & that was last week when the dealer did it when idling at 3000rpm. I can see the advantage of using the side stand to kill the engine, a loke rode up to me last week stopped & his bike promptly fell over with him still o it cos he hadn't put his stand down, "that's the second time today" he said - plonker. I'll carry on being boring with my ignition switch at least until I fall off the beast.

 

[JohnnyCanuck]

The Triumph manual has the following caution:

"The engine should normally be stopped by turning the ignition switch to the off position. The engine stop switch is for emergency use only. Do not leave the ignition switched on with the engine stopped. Electrical damage may result."

 

[dracul]

So do I, just to make sure the stand is down before I dismount.

Me too: kickstand man generally.