Don't use the kill switch? - Page 2

**glwilson** · 03-26-2014, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 0vationdave

I thought that was standard on all road bikes? My 1982 Virago had that feature on it..........as did my Honda and my Suzuki 1500 Intruder? Is that not standard on any newer bike?

Not all bikes have a switch on the kickstand to turn the bike off...

Roadblock · 03-14-2014, 11:20 AM

I think that "story" about wearing out the kill switch comes from the fact that many of the non-american assembled bikes I have owned as well as those of friends have had a problem with the kill switch that stems from corrosion of the contacts in the handlebar controls. I have seen Hondas, Kawis, and Zukes all have this issue, seems to really affect starters on big hondas as the ignition push button contacts corrode. Not sure what the difference is but I have never seen this issue with an HD. Of course this is all conjecture so I may be WAY off base :)

redjay · 03-14-2014, 05:51 PM

I think we in the Northern Hemisphere are all sick and tired of the winter.

**Jared** · 03-14-2014, 06:13 PM

Wow, it's interesting to see some of the threads that get resurrected from the dead.

smokey422 · 03-19-2014, 06:49 PM

I have always used the kill switch to shut off the ignition on all my bikes (40 years riding experience) and never have had one go bad on me. I was a Motorcycle Safety Foundation instructor for years and we always teach students to use the kill switch every time they shut off the engine. It's the only way to develop the instinct to use the switch quickly if you ever need it. I taught a Gold Wing riders class once and they all argued this point with me. We were in the classroom portion of the class and I took my assistant instructor aside and told him to go outside and shut off every other kill switch in the line of bikes. We went outside for our first riding session and half the class started their bikes right up. The other half (the ones with their switches off) couldn't get their bikes started and were checking everything on their Wings while we waited on them. Not one even looked at the switch. I finally went over to the guy who gave me the biggest argument about not using the switch and asked him "Let me get this straight: in a quiet parking lot with friends all around and no distractions you can't remember to use your kill switch but in traffic when your throttle sticks wide open and you are screaming towards the rear end of an 18 wheeler you will instantly remember it and shut it off?" He got really red-faced and then turned the switch on and started his bike. By the end of class, EVERYONE was using their kill switch to shut off their Wings.

RACNRAY · 03-20-2014, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smokey422

i have always used the kill switch to shut off the ignition on all my bikes (40 years riding experience) and never have had one go bad on me. I was a motorcycle safety foundation instructor for years and we always teach students to use the kill switch every time they shut off the engine. It's the only way to develop the instinct to use the switch quickly if you ever need it. I taught a gold wing riders class once and they all argued this point with me. We were in the classroom portion of the class and i took my assistant instructor aside and told him to go outside and shut off every other kill switch in the line of bikes. We went outside for our first riding session and half the class started their bikes right up. The other half (the ones with their switches off) couldn't get their bikes started and were checking everything on their wings while we waited on them. Not one even looked at the switch. I finally went over to the guy who gave me the biggest argument about not using the switch and asked him "let me get this straight: In a quiet parking lot with friends all around and no distractions you can't remember to use your kill switch but in traffic when your throttle sticks wide open and you are screaming towards the rear end of an 18 wheeler you will instantly remember it and shut it off?" he got really red-faced and then turned the switch on and started his bike. By the end of class, everyone was using their kill switch to shut off their wings.

i like that story!!

RACNRAY

Mav1 · 03-20-2014, 12:05 PM

I got in the habit of using the key to turn off the bike on my vn900 as the key was located on the side of the bike. Too many times I used the kill switch and then walked away leaving the key in the bike and the lights on (out of sight out of mind). That habit has carried over to the Vaquero even though the key is now "front and centre". I like this location much better!

Silent Sam · 03-26-2014, 03:46 PM

Well when my Big Assed Bike Fell Over--Er Uh I mean--I have been told that the bike will shut down automatically if there is an emergency (falls over)...and as for "kill switches", I'v avoided those things since I was about 7 years old..and the home built motor bike my big bro and I had..would "Kill-by shorting the spark plug-thru the rider !"

As for the kill switch on the Big Kawks...Wheres zat ? ...and I only putt putt around slow...so I'v never had a need to hit that Red Switch by the throttle ..for the OEM Nitrus-Boost ! ....

03-14-2014, 11:20 AM	#2
Roadblock Jr. Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 22	I think that "story" about wearing out the kill switch comes from the fact that many of the non-american assembled bikes I have owned as well as those of friends have had a problem with the kill switch that stems from corrosion of the contacts in the handlebar controls. I have seen Hondas, Kawis, and Zukes all have this issue, seems to really affect starters on big hondas as the ignition push button contacts corrode. Not sure what the difference is but I have never seen this issue with an HD. Of course this is all conjecture so I may be WAY off base :) __________________ 2011 Black Vaquero V&H Twin Pipes PCV w/ign Thunder air kit Kawi aux driving light kit Alpine KTP445U Amp Polk DB521 speakers Kury grips with Ray's mod Chuckster's risers powder coated crash bars with Kury black longhorn pegs KQR backrest Ipod connector ... and the list is getting shorter
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03-14-2014, 06:13 PM	#4
Jared Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Greeley, Colorado Posts: 6,772	Wow, it's interesting to see some of the threads that get resurrected from the dead. __________________ Jared VBA #1051 (Former President)
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03-19-2014, 06:49 PM	#5
smokey422 Jr. Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 3	I have always used the kill switch to shut off the ignition on all my bikes (40 years riding experience) and never have had one go bad on me. I was a Motorcycle Safety Foundation instructor for years and we always teach students to use the kill switch every time they shut off the engine. It's the only way to develop the instinct to use the switch quickly if you ever need it. I taught a Gold Wing riders class once and they all argued this point with me. We were in the classroom portion of the class and I took my assistant instructor aside and told him to go outside and shut off every other kill switch in the line of bikes. We went outside for our first riding session and half the class started their bikes right up. The other half (the ones with their switches off) couldn't get their bikes started and were checking everything on their Wings while we waited on them. Not one even looked at the switch. I finally went over to the guy who gave me the biggest argument about not using the switch and asked him "Let me get this straight: in a quiet parking lot with friends all around and no distractions you can't remember to use your kill switch but in traffic when your throttle sticks wide open and you are screaming towards the rear end of an 18 wheeler you will instantly remember it and shut it off?" He got really red-faced and then turned the switch on and started his bike. By the end of class, EVERYONE was using their kill switch to shut off their Wings. Login or Register to Remove Ads
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03-20-2014, 12:05 PM	#7
Mav1 Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Canada Posts: 138	I got in the habit of using the key to turn off the bike on my vn900 as the key was located on the side of the bike. Too many times I used the kill switch and then walked away leaving the key in the bike and the lights on (out of sight out of mind). That habit has carried over to the Vaquero even though the key is now "front and centre". I like this location much better! __________________ Brian P. 2013 Vaquero SE Candy Burnt Orange/Ebony VBA#02576
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03-14-2014, 05:51 PM	#3
redjay Top Contributor Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ontario Posts: 7,017	I think we in the Northern Hemisphere are all sick and tired of the winter.
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03-26-2014, 03:46 PM	#8
Silent Sam Sr. Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: On The Shakey Side Posts: 2,501	Well when my Big Assed Bike Fell Over--Er Uh I mean--I have been told that the bike will shut down automatically if there is an emergency (falls over)...and as for "kill switches", I'v avoided those things since I was about 7 years old..and the home built motor bike my big bro and I had..would "Kill-by shorting the spark plug-thru the rider !" As for the kill switch on the Big Kawks...Wheres zat ? ...and I only putt putt around slow...so I'v never had a need to hit that Red Switch by the throttle ..for the OEM Nitrus-Boost ! ....
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