Does it really matter how I turn off the bike?

K

karamella

New member
No difference you do it your way, let him do it his way...but it is a good idea once and a while to use the kill switch to make sure it is working. Never know when you might need to use it in an emergency.
 
Gotcha...I see the sarcasm. You're right about a lot of people that read something on the internet at accept it as the only way. Something else I notice about people is how they are reluctant to even think about an idea and maybe change their viewpoint when given a logical reason for a different position. I'm always willing to do something different if I learn a better way. I marvel at people's reactions to differing opinions.
 
I worked for a dealer and we were starting to see issues with a few bikes that was determined the overuse of the kill switch by Harley tech services. The kill switch puts your system in cold boot mode, like when you are operating your computer and pull the plug. The system has to go thru diagnostics before the system can be used. After continued cold booting, it results in your ecm scrambling the info causing starting issues. We suggested to riders NOT to use the kill switch unless in an emergency situation or on a limited basis. So you decide whether to use the kill switch or not....
 
I had a tech at the dealer tell me that the kill switch wears out from over use.

I always turn my bikes off using the kill switch, so that I can keep both hands on the bars. Some bikes you can reach the ignition with your right hand, some bikes you can't. But, the kill switch has always been next to my right thumb. So, its a habit thing.

One of my gripes with my Harley is that it does not require a key in the ignition. WTH?! I've lost count of how many times I have gotten off without my key and wished I had it later (getting gas, parking on the other side of the tracks, etc). That, and the ignition knob thingy is HUGE! Who ever thought that was "cool" looking?
 
Why would you advise customers not to use the kill switch when you said it was the Harley techs that were "overusing" them? I hardly think that using the kill switch in your start up/shut down sequence in normal operation would be overuse. I use mine every time and I've never had a problem, and there are many people that use theirs every time without problems either. I can, however, understand a tech cycling the ignition on and off a lot doing troubleshooting and different operations in the shop, and how that may get things out of sorts.
 
Consistent use of the ignition switch, to shut the bike down, may lead to the development of a whine in 5th gear in pre-2010 models, high operating temps, and premature cupping of the front tire (Dunlop specific). The severity of each of these issues depends, of course, on whether you run synthetic or dino oil.

When brought to the attention of the local dealer service manager, they usually emit a bitter, barking laugh, reminiscent of a seal having its prostate examined.
 
So that's what that button is!

No really I don't think I've ever used it. When I customized my Wideglide a few years ago, it was down for about 6 months and completely apart.

When I finally got it back together, rolled it outside and hit the starter, nothing happened. After about 30 minutes of cussing and a couple of cold beers, I noticed the kill switch had been accidentally flipped.
 
Yeah, I've done that a few times on the shovel only it wasn't 30 minutes of cussing, it was kicking. Not only me, several friends to help, we all kicked for a good long time. Curse those beers!
 
Back
Top