Turning Your Bike Off

[outlawtorn]

Hi guys, might be a dumb question here:blink: , but I've seen and heard many different things.

Which is the safest way to switch of your bike when its running? Once again it does sound dumb but I have heard conflicting stories. One person said always use your key to switch the bike off and never use your red killswitch (or whatever the hell its called) and another person has said vice versa.

Today I saw two guys get off their bikes and they both used their keys to kill the motor, I always use my killswitch. Can anyone enlighten me as to which, if any, is better or if it makes no difference.

Thanks.......

[Sniper]

Doesnt ever make a difference mate. Both kill electrical current to the motor as far as Im aware so both are as safe to use as the other.

[vifferman]

Stall it by dropping the clutch with the brakes on, or run it into something, like a car, building etc.
Then if it's a really quiet bike engine, or you're deeeef, you can at least be sure the engine's stopped.

[Dooly]

I always use the key, no reason, just habit. You've gotta turn the key off anyway so...

[SpankMe]

I've always used the kill switch. Again it's no reason other than habit.

[onearmedbandit]

I have read that on certain models you should not use the kill switch, can't remember exactly why but no doubt something to do with the injection etc. Don't know if it causes any damage. Anyway, I always turn the bike off with the key. A kill switch to me is an emergency switch.

[Big Dave]

I've always used the kill switch. Again it's no reason other than habit.

so do i but - if you have a digitally fuel injected machine or an ECM on your bike you should always use the key - unless emegency.
The shut down from the key saves the current data to the eprom and performs a shut down wheras the kill switch voids the data and is harder on the circuits.

Carbs and coils it doesn't matter.

That is the Triumph call anyway.

[Rashika]

Some bikes (like mine) have to be done by the key....got told off for turning it off by killswitch the first time I rode it (how WAS I meant to know??)

Something to do with the killswitch buggering up the computer if it is used all the time to switch off the bike. Emergency use only.
But that maybe just mine....maybe...

See now I KNEW someone would say the same!

[snuffles]

I always use the key, stops me forgetting to take the damn thing out of the ignition.

[SimJen]

If it was bad for the machine Im sure the manufacturers would state it in the manuals.
I always use the key, I occasionally use the killswitch but then you are left wondering why it won't start as you forget to switch it back.............

[NinjaBoy]

I've always used the kill switch. Once heard that this avoids the switch freezing up and then causing the bike to start at all.

Interesting comments on the digital injection bike ... have to check the manual

[Ghost Lemur]

On the CReaMe 250 I should use the key, but tend to just stall it (not intentional).

As for the kill switch, all mine does is turn off the lights. It has not effect on the engine what so ever. Don't know why.

[The_Dover]

sidestand.

pull up in gear and kick it down.

or key, sometimes killswitch.

I'm not fussy.

[ManDownUnder]

so do i but - if you have a digitally fuel injected machine or an ECM on your bike you should always use the key - unless emegency.
The shut down from the key saves the current data to the eprom and performs a shut down wheras the kill switch voids the data and is harder on the circuits.

Carbs and coils it doesn't matter.

That is the Triumph call anyway.
Best the remove the kill switch then... or perhaps add the same functionlity to it. It seems daft to give a rider a control that knowingly harms part of the bike in it's normal operation.

[ManDownUnder]

sidestand.

pull up in gear and kick it down.

or key, sometimes killswitch.

I'm not fussy.

Please Note - Dover is talking about turning the bike off, rather than "killing the engine" which is known to involve one wheel, lots of speed and an unexpected lack of control following a bump in the road.

Thought I should clarify...

as you were

[outlawtorn]

thanks for everyones replies, much appreciated :yes:

[Big Dave]

If it was bad for the machine Im sure the manufacturers would state it in the manuals.
I always use the key, I occasionally use the killswitch but then you are left wondering why it won't start as you forget to switch it back.............

Don't know that it's 'bad' for the machine - just provides skewed data to the management systems and less efficiency.
This was from a Triumph service session.

[The_Dover]

Don't know that it's 'bad' for the machine - just provides skewed data to the management systems and less efficiency.
This was from a Triumph service session.

That's cos Triumphs ECU's and electrickery still use valves.

[NC]

The killswitch:sunny:

[Transalper]

The key... unless i cant take a hand off the handlebars because im stuck on a slippery slope in gear almost off balance, left foot on the ground, right foot on the brake, left hand holding the clutch leaver, right hand holding the other brake and if i release either brake the bike starts to slide.

[far queue]

... left foot on the ground, right foot on the brake, left hand holding the clutch leaver, right hand holding the other brake and if i release either brake the bike starts to slide.Christ, it sounds like you're playing twister.

I find stalling it on a hill, in a rut, etc, etc, works quite well - but if there's none of these handy then I use the key.

[Ghost Lemur]

To add to my earlier post. Found my sidestand works as a kill switch. Here I was thinking I just stalled it everytime I went to put the sidestand down. Couldn't understand how I was stalling it in neutral.

[Slingshot]

I use the key...saves me time.

If you use the kill switch, you then also have to turn the key off.

Another option is to drop the bike so the tilt switch kills the engine.

[gijoe1313]

Hmmm, I'm in two minds myself, both turning key off and killswitch does the same job - I guess I look at the big red switch like a gamer .. "ooh big red switch - feels good to flick!" reaction. Other times, if I'm in a tad rush (but never in a rush not to ensure kickstand is firmly grounded!) I do the key thing (but then I have to remember to turn the killswitch back to ON :innocent:).

Just a question (me, being a noob and all) - if one is in motion on bike and switch is hit, you end up with an interesting dilemma? :sick:

[NinjaBoy]

Just a question (me, being a noob and all) - if one is in motion on bike and switch is hit, you end up with an interesting dilemma? :sick:

Did this once (accidently) on the CBR going down a hill. Tried starter switch as I was still moving to find no go. Then when I figured out what was going on I flicked it back and as I was still in gear it automatically crash started.

[cruxis]

90% of the time I use the Key, But sometimes when still rolling I flick into neutral the use the kill switch, and coast into my parking spot.

[Fat Tony]

Just a question (me, being a noob and all) - if one is in motion on bike and switch is hit, you end up with an interesting dilemma? :sick:

Ahem, someone I know :whistle: hadn't passed his test long, when on his way home from work he approached traffic lights on red, so began to slow. Unbeknown to him, he also accidently hit the kill switch so the bike obviously died... hmmmm, what the hell's going on here then, bugger!

Pushes bike off the main road in to a decidely dodgy looking area of Leeds, and tries to get the bike going again but no joy, wouldn't even bump start... wtf??? Hmmm... ah well, calls roadside recovery out. Ten minutes later he's sat on the bike and notices the kill switch in the off position... rang roadside recovery to let them know they were no longer required because being a mechanical genius I'd... ooops, sorry HE'D got it started :innocent:

DOH!

[gijoe1313]

90% of the time I use the Key, But sometimes when still rolling I flick into neutral the use the kill switch, and coast into my parking spot.

Stylish! Doing the stealth ninja trick!

[sunhuntin]

i use the key..always have. would only use the kill for an emergency. as an example, my old bike had a dicky ignition and the key popped out for no reason sometimes. i would up chaining it to the indicator, but would have used the kill switch if it had ever come out in motion.

a mate of mine [same bike, different year] uses the kill switch. both our bikes seem to run about the same, so yeh. dont think it makes much difference.

[Slingshot]

Kill switches were actually designed to aid in the creation a loud backfire...just ask Fatjim.

[Motu]

I can turn women off with just one glance - with road bikes I use the key....why on earth leave the ignition on? Off road bikes have a kill swith,or just stall from no set idle.

[gamgee]

On the CReaMe 250 I should use the key, but tend to just stall it (not intentional).

As for the kill switch, all mine does is turn off the lights. It has not effect on the engine what so ever. Don't know why.

probably because it's not the killswitch :laugh:

[Big Dave]

Best the remove the kill switch then... or perhaps add the same functionlity to it. It seems daft to give a rider a control that knowingly harms part of the bike in it's normal operation.

It's a safety requirement.
I don't think it harms - just not as efficient.

[Big Dave]

Just a question (me, being a noob and all) - if one is in motion on bike and switch is hit, you end up with an interesting dilemma? :sick:

Nah - not really - but it's a good way to get a really loud backfire when you flick it on again.

[The_Dover]

Pushes bike off the main road in to a decidely dodgy looking area of Leeds,

DOH!

as long as it wasn't chapel town.

I nearly got shot at walking home from Roundhay park pissed when I was 16.

should have taken the long way or at least got some shoe polish and a pimp strut on.

[Ghost Lemur]

probably because it's not the killswitch :laugh:

Thought about that. But it's freakin labeled. The side stand thing is wierd and doesn't always happen.

As for backfiring my baby don't need no excuse. Still very much getting to know the bike. Everything is new to me and the paranoia is strong.

[poorbastard]

I use the key. Stops me leaving my keys in the ignition which I have done before using the kill switch and also looking like a dick wondering why my bike wont start forgeting to turn the bloody thing back on.

[Quartida]

Thought about that. But it's freakin labeled.

So what does your "lights" switch do?

[imdying]

It would be a pretty crappy bike that was damaged by use of the kill switch. If you use your kill switch all the time, it'll become instinct, and you'll be able to quickly use it when you really do need it (which is why it's there in the first place). Using the kill switch also means the bike has stopped running before you need to take a hand off of the bar.

[Ghost Lemur]

So what does your "lights" switch do?

high beam, low beam.

[Mr. Peanut]

You guys must be really bored... :whocares:

:done:

[Wonko]

I wait until it runs out of gas, works every time:yes:

I use the switch that way I can coast into the driveway without waking the neighbours up at 3 in the morning. Using the switch means that if anything goes wrong(foot slips etc) I still have both hands on the handle bars.

[Macktheknife]

sidestand.

pull up in gear and kick it down.

or key, sometimes killswitch.

I'm not fussy.

Or perhaps a fence or a conveniently positioned field?
Always used both over the years myself, usually get off the bike turn the key off and hit the switch too. You would not believe the number of people who are too stupid to check the kill switch position when trying to hotwire a bike. lol

[Deano]

I've always used the key. Having hard wired low beams means you will be draining the battery every time the key is on without the engine running. Maybe not much but ......

And you have to turn the key off eventually, don't you ?

[Fat Tony]

as long as it wasn't chapel town.

I nearly got shot at walking home from Roundhay park pissed when I was 16.

should have taken the long way or at least got some shoe polish and a pimp strut on.

PMSL, yeah that sounds about right. Nah it was in the slightly more upmarket Harehills, where most of the residents at least attempt to keep their guns out of sight

[Ghost Lemur]

So what does your "lights" switch do?

high beam, low beam.

[sunhuntin]

Or perhaps a fence or a conveniently positioned field?
Always used both over the years myself, usually get off the bike turn the key off and hit the switch too. You would not believe the number of people who are too stupid to check the kill switch position when trying to hotwire a bike. lol

thats a good idea actually. might be an idea to couple that with the fuel tap [hate it when dad borrows the bike cos he always turns that tap off...means i end up spluttering to a stop.]

[Kyle]

Hmm interesting ideas, kill switch and fuel tap as anti theft devices, i like that. I know that if i use the killswitch i always forget to turn it on myself, and i was the one that turned it off!

Personally i use the key to switch off unless doing a slealth roll in like posted above. The main reason is when i was training to work as a cage mechanic they taught us you dont want to leave the key on because the oil filled coils gets hotter and hotter and can wreak it. Though i dont know of any bikes with oil filled coils i still would rather turn the whole electrical system off in one hit to avoid accidentaly leaving the key on.

Never heard of the kill switch causing computer trouble, but i noticed they were talking about a buell, which wouldnt surprise me, if you want good electronics buy japenese, hehe.

ducks the flying projectiles.

[scracha]

I was taught the kill switch is only for emergencies (ie. stuck throttle or after a crash when it's lying on top of you with the engine running). Supposedly kill-switches are more prone to wearing out and getting water in them if you use them all the time (sounds like BS to me).

[Quartida]

high beam, low beam.

Ah, righty. Weird.

Well, I ain't mechanical enough to work out what's up with that. :no:

[quickbuck]

If it was bad for the machine Im sure the manufacturers would state it in the manuals.

Funny old thing, that is why they do.

I am pretty sure, both my 98 GSX600, and 92CBR manuals have both said, "Caution: Only turn the motorcycle off by using the key. Only use the kill switch in the event of an emergency" Or some such words.

Will hunt out the CBR's manual to see the reason, but I'm sure it is to do with electronic ignition.

[quickbuck]

Kill switches were actually designed to aid in the creation a loud backfire...just ask Fatjim.

LOL, I once used my CBR400 to light up a very dark bike shed ;)

Walked into shed at work (No lights), found bike, fitted key, it turned so it must me mine yay.
Neutral light? Check. Starter. Hit.
Whurr whurrwhurr Whurr whurrwhurr Whurr whurrwhurr

Strange, it always fires up first pop.

Whurr whurrwhurr Whurr whurrwhurr

Grrr, crap, not good.
Damn, looks like "somebody" has played with my kill switch!!! (Could have been me looking for my bike). Kill Switch to on. Check.

Hit starter button...

BOOM

Lights up the garage, and leaves my ears ringing!

I swear, the flame was about 10ft long!

I tell you, that left skid marks ;)

[quickbuck]

Okay, can't find anything in the Honda book.

I know it was in the Suzukis.

I do know the Kill switch on the Suzuki did more to kill the bike though.
Unlike the Honda, it also prevented the starter from turning (stops lighting up the garage I guess). Mind, you also had to have the clutch in before the starter would work on that one too. Had cut outs all over the place.

[Shadows]

I always use the key, stops me forgetting to take the damn thing out of the ignition.

Yep, that's tha main reason I do the same, it also ensures that you haven't left the ignition on.

[Ralph]

I have usually always used the key, as far as I'm aweare it makes no difference at all apart from user preference, I use the kill switch from time to time to be farmiliar with it's position generally for emergency use only. I may be wrong but I always understood that it's desgin and location is based on this. In the past 10yrs of riding I've come off twice and always managed to hit the switch on the way, probably somthing to with going over the handle bars:doh:

[phantom]

Back in the old days when I was taught to ride I was told that the kill switch was for emergencies as it was a lot easier to flick the switch off than turning a key off. Back in those days the key switch could be hidden in all sorts of weird places. As a computer tech I can imagine that with the new fangled injected computerised bikes it would be best to just leave the kill switch for emergencies but there is nothing high tech on my bike and half the time turning off the key and even removing it makes no difference - it doesn't want to stop so its either wait for it to run out of petrol or use the kill switch

[UberSchnell]

I use the key, even when coasting in for stealth parking.

My old Spada's kill switch turned off the ignition circuit but not the starter motor circuit. This fooled me and a few friends too, 'cause it sounded like it was trying to start and just wouldn't. The Ducati switches both and makes it pretty clear what's wrong.

I just checked my manual, and sure enough there are notes about the use of the kill switch...
'This switch is mainly intended for use in emergency cases...'
'Stopping the motorcycle... To switch the engine off, simply turn the key to OFF'

Nothing about data logging or electronic damage though...

[Warren]

I use the sidestand on my scooter to turn it off and on the honda cb250 all I have to do is take my hand off the throttle and it will die by itself.

[UberSchnell]

... on the honda cb250 all I have to do is take my hand off the throttle and it will die by itself.
have you tried adjusting your idle???

[Ixion]

If I kill von Klunken with the kill switch, with a brake on, the ABS does not initialise when I restart next, until I turn off with the key and on again.

[Motu]

You walk away from your bike,you take the key with you - what are you stopping your bike for that you stay sitting on it? The kill switch is for emergancy use,that's what I use it for.

[Lias]

I always use the key.. Again I have vague recollections of the manual promising doom and destruction in the event of kill switch usage.

[Ixion]

Of course, there are those who have neither key nor kill switch. Incidentally when did manufacturers start fitting kill switches. And keys. New fangled gizmos, just more things to go wrong.