kill switch

[ofblong]

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?

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.

uhhh

1. we arent racers trying to shave every possible second off our time.
2. race bikes Arent street legal.
3. 2 screws and 2 wires better not take 2 hours and besides if ya dont want the kill switch just jump the 2 wires together.
4. My point is if that switch is on and you turn the key while somehow managing to have yer hand on the starter button and yer in gear yer bike is gonna take off.
5. They teach you the kill switch because repetition is more likely to save yer life than a "if I need it" situation.

[ofblong]

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.

LOL if you are paying more than $10 for a kill switch yer overpaying. heck I just bought a switch (not a kill switch) for my sons power wheels toy and it was $4. Only difference between the 2 is one was suitable for an 18v system that my sons power wheels toy is. btw im only 30 years old and am an electrical apprentice who also has an Industrial Journeyman mechanics liscence. Part of my job is to order parts for machinery when we dont have them in stock.

I should mention that I did take my kill switch apart, cleaned it (not that it was dirty any) put it back together about 2 months ago and it only took me 5 minutes. This bike is a 96 so you do the math on how old that switch is.

[HYPERR]

LOL if you are paying more than $10 for a kill switch yer overpaying. heck I just bought a switch (not a kill switch) for my sons power wheels toy and it was $4. Only difference between the 2 is one was suitable for an 18v system that my sons power wheels toy is.

I am talking about a factory replacement kill switch. I am fully aware that you can go to a local hardware store and buy a rocker switch for under $10. I don't understand your point. So what are you going to do with this $10 switch? Where are you going to mount it? How are you going to protect it from the elements?

btw im only 30 years old and am an electrical apprentice who also has an Industrial Journeyman mechanics liscence. Part of my job is to order parts for machinery when we dont have them in stock.

I don't understand what you are trying to say here? Are you implying that 30 years old is young for an apprentice???

I should mention that I did take my kill switch apart, cleaned it (not that it was dirty any) put it back together about 2 months ago and it only took me 5 minutes. This bike is a 96 so you do the math on how old that switch is.

Congratulations. I don't know why you are telling me this. Certainly removing a couple of screws to remove the switch and clean it with contact cleaner should not take any more than 5 minutes. Also why are you telling me that the switch is 13/14 years old?

[Lion_Lady]

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

I'm trying hard to understand your reaction. It is almost like you feel threatened that we don't all agree with you regarding use of the engine cut off switch.

Use it. Don't use it. Whatever. I don't see anyone "in love" with a gadget.

P

[fireguzzi]

I don't see anyone "in love" with a gadget.

P

lol nevermind

[ofblong]

LOL if you are paying more than $10 for a kill switch yer overpaying. heck I just bought a switch (not a kill switch) for my sons power wheels toy and it was $4. Only difference between the 2 is one was suitable for an 18v system that my sons power wheels toy is.

I am talking about a factory replacement kill switch. I am fully aware that you can go to a local hardware store and buy a rocker switch for under $10. I don't understand your point. So what are you going to do with this $10 switch? Where are you going to mount it? How are you going to protect it from the elements?

btw im only 30 years old and am an electrical apprentice who also has an Industrial Journeyman mechanics liscence. Part of my job is to order parts for machinery when we dont have them in stock.

I don't understand what you are trying to say here? Are you implying that 30 years old is young for an apprentice???

I should mention that I did take my kill switch apart, cleaned it (not that it was dirty any) put it back together about 2 months ago and it only took me 5 minutes. This bike is a 96 so you do the math on how old that switch is.

Congratulations. I don't know why you are telling me this. Certainly removing a couple of screws to remove the switch and clean it with contact cleaner should not take any more than 5 minutes. Also why are you telling me that the switch is 13/14 years old?

I am talking an OEM or aftermarket kill switch shouldnt be more than $10 and if it is your getting raped. You need to reread your previous post since you obviously didnt get what I was saying with the 30 yr old comment and I was stating I am an electrical apprentice which means I know a little bit about electricity and wiring and electrical components. Doesnt mean im an expert. I wasnt making my last statment towards the person who is stating using a kill switch is bad. Pointing out that its 14 years old and still works like brand new. Again your stating about the 5 minutes when I origionally posted to the person stating a kill switch is bad to use it could take 2 hours to replace that cause something "might" happen. So you just backed up my argument on that.

[HYPERR]

Ofblong, I just looked up how much the kill switch is for my CBR600RR and it's $55.79 from Ron Ayers who discounts off MSRP. http://www.ronayers.com/browseparts.cfm ... nayers.com

Not that expensive but certainly not $10! Also this is for a Honda. I would assume it would be more for my Ducati or BMW.

[ofblong]

LOL thats what you get for going to the OEM. You can get the aftermarket for much cheaper so again yer getting hosed.

[HYPERR]

LOL thats what you get for going to the OEM. You can get the aftermarket for much cheaper so again yer getting hosed.

You are the one that said that OEM or aftermarket shouldn't cost more than $10.

I am talking an OEM or aftermarket kill switch shouldnt be more than $10

Regardless, I never use the kill switch on my street only bikes anyways. Even on my KLX, I rarely use it now. The older I get, the less I dump a dirbike as I ride more and more conservative off-road each and every passing year.

[flynrider]

Another vote for "I don't use it". The key works just fine for me. Turns everything on and off with a single twist. Should I ever go down on the bike and not be able to reach the key, I'll happily use it.

On the downside, I had two switches go bad on old KZs years ago (common problem on late 70s models). Not fun when you're on a road trip. By the time you've figured out that the switch has failed internally, you're sitting in a parking lot with a dead battery.