I don't ever use the kill switch. The last time I used one it was at a stoplight on a BCSB ride, and I leaned over to turn someone elses bike off before taking off at the green light.
Depends. If I'm coming home late I use the switch and coast the last block. There are lots of little kids in our townhouses and I don't need crabby parents complaining that I woke up all the little monsters.
BINGO.....only one so far who's said "Was Taught". Rest of you clowns, keep coming back to buy batteries and learn to read your owners manual. "Emergency kill switch".
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"
switch then key... but i'm a fan of electronics,..
That way the next day when you key you dont overload your system. :spinsmile
it drives my old man nutts... but its also my way of knowing nothings a miss with the overall system... if something goes wrong during power down.. we all know these bikes are riding computers now.. specially the 09+ R1... if something does go... you'll get a code right away..
ideal when touring so you dont wake up @ 5am to find your damn bike wont start.. takes two secs.. safety check is worth it :cool
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?
I used to use kill switch then key. Then I bought a Triumph.* I was then taught that the Triumph FI system doesn't write out adjustments in mapping to NVRAM until the ignition is turned off. If you use the kill switch, these mapping adjustments aren't saved.
I've never been able to confirm this statement, but it made enough logical sense for me to change my habits. I'm going to turn the key off to take it out anyways, why not use it to turn off the engine?
* punch line here would be "And the Lucas electrical system shuts itself off automatically."
No, it means they're turning off with the kill switch, then turning the key off usually once they've dismounted. Leaving the headlight on for 30 seconds every time you go out will slowly cause problems down the line.
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