Kill Switch or Key? What kinda person are you?

[NSRDR]

kill switch; then key. Riding school taught us to make hitting the kill switch a reflex associated with "turn off bike". This way in case of an emergency where you'd need to shut off the engine, the reflex would be to "kill switch"

Sound reasoning and exactly how and why I was taught at riding school.

[Ms2uared]

I just ghost ride it into the cabbage. It will eventually shut off

[silverD]

Who cares, I'm the kinda person that doesn't care...

[PRSmechanic]

The school teaches the students how to survive, so they can get to be experienced rather than dead.
Once experienced, I'm sure it's a possibly unimportant point of view.
After many crashes at the track, the reflex to hit the kill switch doesn't sound stupid ;-)
The school batteries take a beating more from lots of low speed riding than anything, which doesn't charge them up enough for the mulitple starts they also endure.
Thus they are prone to die quickly when left on.
A properly charged battery in good shape wouldn't suffer this problem.

[taoofdavid]

I never turn my bike off. I let it eventually just run out of gas.

Kill switches are only good for hitting them on yer buddies bike at a stop light.

[CanaganD]

I was told the ignition system is more robust than the kill switch, and less likely to fail. Overuse of the kill switch could wear it out quicker, and leave you stranded. That's how the BC safety council taught us years ago. Dunno how true it is as I've never had electronics (except for a key fob) wear out from overuse.

This. There have been many claims of failing kill switches on BMWs because owners used them on every start up and shutdown.

Secondly, leaving the ignition on without the motor running (as in when shutting down with the kill switch) will drain the battery because the headlights and fuel pumps are still on. This isn't usually a problem, but on older bikes with weaker alternators and a not so perfect battery it could be problematic.

Finally.... it's called a kill switch. But on every other machine I've ever operated, the kill switch could be attached to a tether so that when the rider needs to exit or gets thrown off the engine automatically shuts down. I mean... doesn't this make sense on a bike?

[vstromgreg]

this thread needs a POLL...

[Jimbo31]

this thread needs a POLL...

I looked into this and I have no idea how to make a poll after the thread is made any idea?

[carbonfibrerocket]

I like to flip the kill switches of all the Harley's parked outside Starbucks (while the pirates aren't looking of course).

Then I grab a coffee, sit on the patio and watch them troubleshoot why their bikes won't start.

Then I grab another coffee and continue to watch them troubleshoot why their bikes won't start.

Then I grab another coffee and continue to watch them troubleshoot why their bikes won't start.

The fun never ends...yaaaaaaar

[duct_tape]

10 years on my stock battery on my 02 Kawi ZX-6R. Always used the kill switch first. A few times I used flooded carbs or tilt sensor and dirt...

[Leslie0568]

I like to flip the kill switches of all the Harley's parked outside Starbucks (while the pirates aren't looking of course).

Then I grab a coffee, sit on the patio and watch them troubleshoot why their bikes won't start.

Then I grab another coffee and continue to watch them troubleshoot why their bikes won't start.

Then I grab another coffee and continue to watch them troubleshoot why their bikes won't start.

The fun never ends...yaaaaaaar

That is fun, isn't it. Cheap amusement.

[FrostyFire]

10 years on my stock battery on my 02 Kawi ZX-6R. Always used the kill switch first. A few times I used flooded carbs or tilt sensor and dirt...

How big is the battery in that old beast? Probably bigger than what you find on bikes today.

[TripleTime]

Just smoked the batt on my triple.....pretty sure it's toast. 10 year old battery......My bad though - left it off the trickle for much of the winter.

Usually kill -> key -> kickstand

[EdmondsBatt]

How big is the battery in that old beast? Probably bigger than what you find on bikes today.

Slightly. Its a 12 amp battery, but not the premium (read thinner) style.

[bacchus40]

Who cares, I'm the kinda person that doesn't care...

im with you on that one.. now can we shut you off please.. i meant the thread.. sorry Don..