Noob Q - shutting down the engine

[lunchmeat]

When I shut my bike down, I usually hit the kill switch. My motorcycle owner's manual states that you should use the ignition to turn the bike off except in emergency situations, due to electrical connections or something, but I doubt it's an issue if I'm going to kill the ignition directly afterward. I'm sure there's a reason for Kawasaki to write that, but it's probably minor.

I trust what Kawasaki says in regards to their specific motorcycle more then I trust whoever told you to use the kill switch. I use the key because Honda likes me to. I find that they often know best.

I learned this one in the MSF - is there a specific reason they teach you this way?

[Sev]

And same here for neutral, stand, key, fuel, drink

And you guys really gotta learn where your fuel tap is to just switch it at speed when the engine starts sounding lean

Or starts to chug a little. Reach down, flip it, pull in the clutch, crank the throttle a couple of times to get the vacuum back up and refill the floats. Haha.

[Bubba]

In the MSF course, we were taught "thumb, key, valve" to shut down the engine. That is, thumb the kill switch, turn off the ignition and then turn off the fuel valve. It works, but is it really necessary to perform this entire ritual each time you shut down? Just curious, and obviously new

I've only used #2 and I've been riding as long as you are probably old.
I could never understand that "kill switch" thingy.

[Flipper]

I:
1) find neutral
2) put down the kickstand
3) turn off the key, pull it out
4) walk away

And since you have a 599,
5) glance back admiringly

[RideYourRide]

I trust what Kawasaki says in regards to their specific motorcycle more then I trust whoever told you to use the kill switch. I use the key because Honda likes me to. I find that they often know best.

I learned this one in the MSF - is there a specific reason they teach you this way?[/quote]

I'd imagine that it's because it makes it possible to shut off the engine with the bike in gear, the clutch pulled, the front brake held, and both feet flat on the ground. Find neutral or hold the bike in place with the rear brake and it frees up a hand to turn the key like the manufacturer may tell you to do in your manual.

To me it's a blame issue. If something malfunctions doing by the book then Honda is at fault (not that they'd pay for it, it's for my own piece of mind). If there's a miracle 1 in 10,000 issue and I fry an ECU flipping the kill switch off all the time then I'd feel like quite the fool.

Mindless paranoia on my part, but eh.

[storysunfolding]

I learned this one in the MSF - is there a specific reason they teach you this way?

muscle memory and getting used to knowing where the engine cut off switch is located.

Using the engine cut off switch will never fry an ECU. However, over a long period of time you may wear out the switch which is probably what the manual is telling you. That would takes years and years of constant use. Still, it's not that expensive and it's a safer habit to be in.

[niterider]

The problem that I can fore see shutting down the engine with the emergency kill switch is that one might forget to shut off the key switch after engine kill.

I do the same routine as sev.

[storysunfolding]

The problem that I can fore see shutting down the engine with the emergency kill switch is that one might forget to shut off the key switch after engine kill.

I do the same routine as sev.

You would seriously walk away without your key? If anything it's about as likely as leaving the bike in park.

[RideYourRide]

Using the engine cut off switch will never fry an ECU. However, over a long period of time you may wear out the switch which is probably what the manual is telling you.

That was just an over dramatic example, not something I honestly believe will happen. I do think that the manufacturer has a reason for saying not to use it though, and unless someone can tell me that it's convincingly silly...actually, forget that. I won't change how I do things, but I still want to know what the reason they tell you to use the key specifically is.

[niterider]

I live in Roby,500 residents, kids still leave thier bike out close to the roads on find them there the next day. I some times leave the key in the ignition over night and also at work. That is why I might leave the key on the on position if I were to use the emergency kill first. MBRFD kind of.