What is the "proper" way to turn off your bike?

[Roadstergal]

I use the kill switch because I like my hands on the controls when the bike is running.

Agree, with small correction.

 

[orbframe]

key. I keep the kill switch for emergencies, or the occasional roll to stop with engine off...

people are "relying" on a kickstand kill? what about if you're in neutral, or you ride a bike w/o a kickstand kill....

 

[Roadstergal]

I keep the kill switch for emergencies

That's why I always use it. When an emergency comes around, you fall back on your habits. If it's truly an emergency, there's no time to think.

 

[silverbelt]

I was told it's best to "use the key" by the dealer who sold me my new KTM.

edit: It's probably best because, if you use the kill switch, you might forget to switch the ignition off and drain your batt'ry or, even worse, leave the key in the bike and get it stolen.

Yeah, my SD always sounds like it won't start, kinda like a slow start. Might be the battery, but I've heard others on superduke.net report it also.

 

[CaptCrash]

Look, if you want to do it properly then just make sure your pinkie finger is sticking out...

 

[psychocandy]

stick this picture:

in front of the headlight then dump a bucket of cold water on the crankcase for good measure.

dun.

 

[SNsMoto]

That's why I always use it. When an emergency comes around, you fall back on your habits. If it's truly an emergency, there's no time to think.

+1. Only reason why I make sure I always do kill switch then key etc. I'm in the habit to always just kill power to the engine first using the kill switch, so if anything were to happen it's right there at my finger tip. I guess many don't think about it because it's a very rare occasion where you'd need to really use the kill switch for emergencies but you never know.

 

[bluesjr]

So my question is, what is the proper way to turn off your bike?

got new tires 2 weeks ago. The mechanic parked the bike up front after he finished. I paid, jumped on the bike and it was dead. I thought "how on earth did he manage to kill the electrical system while changing tires?" It was the first time the kill switch had been used since I first started out, joined barf, and read that only noob's use the kill switch.

PS. of course I believe everything I read on barf.

 

[Sane_Man]

It's the only way to be sure . . .

 

[Motech]

Ask yourselves, seriously... What emergency can you imagine where a couple of seconds delay in hitting the kill switch will have any negative impact?

 

[Enchanter]

That's why I always use it. When an emergency comes around, you fall back on your habits. If it's truly an emergency, there's no time to think.

And we have a winnah!

 

[AOW]

my bike has a keyless ignition, so using the key would be somewhat problematic. 99% of the time I use the kill switch then click off the ignition.
More importantly, does it really matter?

 

[slydrite]

Ask yourselves, seriously... What emergency can you imagine where a couple of seconds delay in hitting the kill switch will have any negative impact?

So you've never had a bike that had a throttle stick open or do you just pretend to be ignorant? rolleyes

 

[steev]

never had that happen, but if it did, i think my first instinct would be to pull in clutch..

 

[auntiebling]

Ask yourselves, seriously... What emergency can you imagine where a couple of seconds delay in hitting the kill switch will have any negative impact?

while we're talking hypotheticals, ask yourself what company would intentionally put a switch on their product that performs a potentially critical function which isn't capable of doing that job for as long as any other non-wear component on the bike?

 

[Banjoboy]

This was brought up in another thread, but I thought it was interesting to discuss.

In the MSF course I took (in practice and literature) it said kill switch, then ignition to turn off your bike properly. Some people have other mechanisms...my bike also has a kickstand automatic engine kill function.

So my question is, what is the proper way to turn off your bike? Will repetitive use of the kill switch die over time? If I just use my kickstand or whatever to kill the engine, will that have any adverse effects on that function later?

Are you the same guy who couldn't start his bike at the DMV? Check the kill switch newb!
Seriously, do whatever works for you, I just turn the key myself. Can't think of any emergency where ya gotta turn the bike off in a split second? (I do remember in the good ole dayz crashing, and having to crawl over and hit the kill switch with a bike running on it's side.) If the throttle's stuck open, pull in the clutch, then turn the key off.

Depends on the bike, I think. My old BMW f650GS (piece of shit motherfucker) had some glitch where if I used the kill switch, it would screw everything up, so I used the key.
Now I use the kill switch, unless I feel like turning the key instead.

Ahhh yes, another satisfied BMW owner.

 

[K-dog]

My kill switch has lasted 60k miles using it all the time. Hell sometimes I just flick it back and forth for fun. Goddamn harley engineering has kept that shit working 100%!

--edit; ignition switch did die during that time, but you kinda have to use that as mentioned. That most be one of those foreign parts on the harley they all talk about.

 

[SlideSF]

Sidestand switch is not a sensor. By design, it is one of the most durable switches on a motorbike. Sure, they sometimes fail, but they get used more than even the start button, and they're subjected to road grie and elements way more than any other. They're pretty tough.

Ever seen those little bitty contacts in a street kill switch? No comparo.

And put it this way: The sidestand switch is being used every time you move that sidestand. No practical difference in wear if it grounds the circuit in gear or neutral, so why not?

Obviously you have not ridden a KLR. If you use the sidestand to kill the engine, you won't get it started again even with the clutch pulled in, even in neutral. You will have to put it back in gear and then roll it a bit to get the engine moving. Then you can put it in neutral and (hopefully) it will start.

 

[Kurosaki]

Avoid kill switch. It is not as durable as ignition switch on street bikes. Dirt is different, kill switch is fine. I use key in neutral or sidestand in gear.

I went to the garage and thumbed my kill switch 50 times in spite of this post.

 

[Sane_Man]

I went to the garage and thumbed my kill switch 50 times in spite of this post.

If you flick it more then three times, you're playing with it.