Key? Or Kill?

[MitchC]

Hey,

I was parking my bike in the garage the other day and I wondered... I never use my 'kill switch'. I always have my bike in neutral, on it's side-stand, and turn it off with the key. Should I be using my kill switch when the bike is like this? Then turn the key off? What do you do? Thanks,

Mitch

[Moo]

I always use the key.

[Anonymous]

I cant remember why but I think you dont use to kill switch. I guess if you then turn the key off to its fine, but doesnt the kill switch leave certain circuits running....this is a question for someone who know what they are talking about.

One stupid (although Id like it pointed out why its not and its me that is :lol: ) feature related is the hazards which only seem to work when the key is on. Shouldn't they really work at any time (unless the key is actually removed I guess so they dont get accidently put on when the bike is unattended....ok, Ive probably answered my question. The ignition need a 2 position on I guess like in a car)?

[Cronos]

The kill switch is there for emergencies and whilst you should test it periodically you shouldn't really be using it as the primary method to shut down. That's not what it's designed for.

Imagine the fun you'd have if a well worn kill switch was stuck in 'kill' mode!!!

[BillyC]

The kill switch is for emergencies only - that's why it's big and red.

The SV isn't too bad, but other bikes have quite pathetic efforts for a Kill Switch... apparently they're quite delicate and constantly using them can cause them to wear out - meaning that they either may not kill the engine when they are used in anger, or your bike may not start because the switch is broken.

[Aaron_T]

I use the key to turn mine off. Makes more sense to me.

Somewhat related - Anything wrong with shutting it off (via the key) in gear?

[Anonymous]

Somewhat related - Anything wrong with shutting it off (via the key) in gear?

I hope not as mine is perpetually stuck in gear!!!!

[Nekkid]

I use the key to turn mine off. Makes more sense to me.

Somewhat related - Anything wrong with shutting it off (via the key) in gear?
Shouldn't do any harm I don't think. If I know I want to leave it in gear (on a hill etc) I often just lower the stand which kills it. Otherwise I use the key.

[Aaron_T]

I hope not as mine is perpetually stuck in gear!!!!

lol
I just like to leave mine parked in gear


Mekkid: actually doing that ****es me off for some reason. Probably cuz whenever I do it it's on accident :lol:

[SteveH]

Why does Nick Spring to mind when the words Kill Switch come out to play, :evil: :evil:

[sexysi]

During the day I use the key to turn the bike off. But at night after a ride and the kids are asleep I use the kill switch and roll down the road and into my drive. This way the reni doesn't wake the little angels up.
sexysi

[jinx]

During the day I use the key to turn the bike off. But at night after a ride and the kids are asleep I use the kill switch and roll down the road and into my drive. This way the reni doesn't wake the little angels up.
sexysi

Same here although mines blue flame not renes :)

[timwilky]

Don't wear out the kill switch as it may not work when you need it...

That said, I wish I had a carb'd bike sometimes for the kill switch trick :twisted:

Yes the real purpose of the kill switch is to allow your pipes to fill with an nice explosive mixture and then shoot them mothers.

First time out on the SV for a real ride, the bike suddenly ground to a halt. My mate who was following and saw me trying to rev some throttle started looking for the reseve tap etc. I felt like a right plonker when I realised I had inadvertently hit the kill switch. Nice that I noticed it and not my mate as I was able to toggle it back on without him noticing, did admit it to him later though

[AlanSv]

I seem to be the exception, 14,000 miles so far and I always use the kill switch.

No problems so far.

[SVTONYB]

I had a 125 and always used the killswitch....but when I did my DAS the instructor went berserk when I did it.... so I got out of the habit and always use the key now.

[Cloggsy]

Key - Always...

Kill switch is for emergency use only (or for producing massive flames out of the exhaust to frighten chav cage drivers on the curvy models :twisted: It doesn't work on K3< bikes coz of the EFi :roll: )

[Couerdelion]

Is it just me then who can't use the kill switch with gloves on? The brake lines cover it so it can't be pressed!

[Stig]

slight edit of the vote. I have added or both as that is what I do. Sometimes I will just hit the kill switch if I am not leaving the bike, other times I switch off using the key if I am taking the key out and leaving the bike.

[Last Action Pimp]

key all the time

i have a problem when i switch of the hazzard lights, i can reach it with my thumb without changing the thottle. dam it!

[safedepth]

Last year I did my Direct Access, during the CBT before it my instructor said to never use the kill switch unless in emergency as it was designed to short something out and kill the engine immediately and with out any real care for the electrics. :?: I don't know if this makes any sense but as a newbie I have always tried to follow the advice and instruction of the more experienced, except maybe for speed limits! :?

[BURNER]

|I only use the kill switch when I want to freak cage drivers out :twisted:

[karen]

Has anyone ever got there sv stuck in neutral :?: I had to stop quickly tonight from third,to second then to neutral by mistake.Tryed to get her into first about five times, before stamping very hard on gear lever. :oops: :?

[karen]

Sorry about last post wrong place. :roll:

[Last Action Pimp]

when i change from first to second i hit neutral (more often then id like)

[northwind]

Karen, I had exactly that happen at Knockhill the other night, the gear linkage bar had worked loose (or probably I'd never tightened it) was all.

I use the key, but!

On my DAS, they used hte kill switch on the GS500s to show us that even if we lost our minds with teror at the mighty 50hp, we could stop it... And you know bike schools, they won't do anything to the bike that causes extra maintenance problems :)

And on my 125, the key was down the side so I always used the killswitch... It was the only part of the bike not to break at some point as well.

[wheelnut]

I reckon the biggest fault with using the kill switch or sidestand for that matter is, that you will leave the ignition on and end up with either a flat battery, knackered coils or even no bike as some scumbag rode off on it because the keys were in.

Do you climb out of the window when you leave the house? :P

Do you stall the car engine to stop it?

[daddy_sperm]

Using the kill switch or the side stand for cutting the engine seriously damages the electronics regulator?? (think thats the proper name) This is caused by the kill or the side stand cutting all power immediately to everything, whereas the key shuts things down in an order... all be it just as fast.

I think this is right, as we had this dicussion with an bike mechanic over a few jars.....hence i cant remember the proper name of what it damages.

hope this helps

Darryl

[northwind]

Ah, another reason to use the killswitch, you have an immobiliser fitted and only want to stop the engine for a moment, without having to dig out the immobiliser key :)

Anyone know if the radiator fans stay on if you use the killswitch? I know they do if you use the kickstand killswitch to stop it...

[Stig]

Is this not the biggest response we have ever had to a poll???? :shock: :shock: