Total Motorcycle Community Forums

I use the kick-stand kill switch to shut off my bike all the time.

I used to use my kill switch all the time on my Honda Magna, but then when I got the Harley I was told time and time again never to use the kill switch for 2 reasons: 1) it can create wear on the interruption circuit and in turn the switch can become inoperable as it ages 2) using the kill switch doesn't turn off the entire bike (only the key does) so you can run down the battery (i.e when you stop to talk to friends and forget to turn off the keys.)

So now I'll just use the key to turn off the bike and will only use the kill switch if it's not safe to be leaning to reach the key.

HoWTV_Sandra wrote:I used to use my kill switch all the time on my Honda Magna, but then when I got the Harley I was told time and time again never to use the kill switch for 2 reasons: 1) it can create wear on the interruption circuit and in turn the switch can become inoperable as it ages 2) using the kill switch doesn't turn off the entire bike (only the key does) so you can run down the battery (i.e when you stop to talk to friends and forget to turn off the keys.)

So now I'll just use the key to turn off the bike and will only use the kill switch if it's not safe to be leaning to reach the key.

2 problems with what they told you.

1...) Kill switch can wear out but they are like $10 whoopidity do. Thats the MOST that will happen to your bike because of using the kill switch.

2.) duh it dont turn off the whole bike thats the point. but hey if you want to start yer bike when yer not ready because you didnt use the kill switch go right on ahead and do so.

In my safety course they had us practice using the kill switch as a normal routine for turning on and shutting off the bike.

Start up = Gas, Key, kill switch, starter button

Shutdown = kill switch, key, gas.


I plan on practicing the routine (minus the gas if I get fuel injection 2009 vs 2010 Hyosung Aquila 250) without worrying about destroying my kill switch.

ofblong wrote:
2 problems with what they told you.

1...) Kill switch can wear out but they are like $10 whoopidity do. Thats the MOST that will happen to your bike because of using the kill switch.

I think you are missing the point here -- who wants to spend time working on their bike when you can be riding it, but hey to each their own... And a 5 minute job can easily turn into 2 hours and it's not fun when you have to pay someone to do it. Also this is a safety feature as a result of DOT regulation, not a necessity! That's why they teach it in courses - why would they want the liability?

ofblong wrote:
2.) duh it dont turn off the whole bike thats the point. but hey if you want to start yer bike when yer not ready because you didnt use the kill switch go right on ahead and do so.

I don't understand your point here. Bottom line, off is OFF! But anyway Besides go ask a racer if they would set-off on a championship with one of these handy switches near by - duh!!! It's an emergency kill switch (SAFETY FEATURE) so use I use it as such.

HoWTV_Sandra wrote:

ofblong wrote:
2 problems with what they told you.

1...) Kill switch can wear out but they are like $10 whoopidity do. Thats the MOST that will happen to your bike because of using the kill switch.

I think you are missing the point here -- who wants to spend time working on their bike when you can be riding it, but hey to each their own... And a 5 minute job can easily turn into 2 hours and it's not fun when you have to pay someone to do it.

If you're paying someone to fix the kill switch (IF it breaks, that is) that 5 minute job had better not take 2 hours! To be honest, I don't think kill switches are very "delicate" to begin with.

HoWTV_Sandra wrote:Also this is a safety feature as a result of DOT regulation, not a necessity! That's why they teach it in courses - why would they want the liability?

Hmmm. "Safety feature... not a necessity!"

The logic behind that switch next to the handgrip is so you can shut off your engine without having to take your hand off the bars.

My kill switch is pretty dang hard to "switch" accidentally. I use the engine cutoff switch first, then turn the key.

HoWTV_Sandra wrote:Bottom line, off is OFF! But anyway Besides go ask a racer if they would set-off on a championship with one of these handy switches near by - duh!!!

Race bikes have all sorts of modifications that don't make any sense for street riding. Lack of an engine cut off switch on the handlebars, is just one of them.

Wow what would we ever do without the novel idea of an emergency kill switch. this is the greatest innovation since the creation of the motorcycle -- why even have a key -- so what's one more step in shutting down the bike?

Here we have a rider who started this thread about something that was an after-thought after laying down the bike, while everyone else is madly in love with this gadget -- this is great stuff -- I think I'll add this topic for discussion on the Show

oh I forgot something else for the EMERGENCY kill switch club:

go kill switch.. go kill switch... go kill switch!!

I still don't see a real need for a kill switch on a street bike. Dirt bike yes. Unless one is constantly dumping their streetbike.

ofblong wrote:

HoWTV_Sandra wrote:I used to use my kill switch all the time on my Honda Magna, but then when I got the Harley I was told time and time again never to use the kill switch for 2 reasons: 1) it can create wear on the interruption circuit and in turn the switch can become inoperable as it ages 2) using the kill switch doesn't turn off the entire bike (only the key does) so you can run down the battery (i.e when you stop to talk to friends and forget to turn off the keys.)

So now I'll just use the key to turn off the bike and will only use the kill switch if it's not safe to be leaning to reach the key.

2 problems with what they told you.

1...) Kill switch can wear out but they are like $10 whoopidity do. Thats the MOST that will happen to your bike because of using the kill switch.

2.) duh it dont turn off the whole bike thats the point. but hey if you want to start yer bike when yer not ready because you didnt use the kill switch go right on ahead and do so.

Real insightful post.

1. If you think you can get a electrical component for a motorcycle for $10 in the year 2009, you have been living under a rock for the last 30 years.

2. When you dump a dirtbike, even if you originally decide to flip the kill switch, the next thing you always do is to turn the key so the lights go off saving the drain on the battery.