shameful breakdown

My first off saw me T Boned and sending my bike spinning onto the pavement, the bars got twisted up and the throttle jammed open so the bike was smoking and spinning the wheel like a crazed thing, very glad for the kill switch then (or at least the guy that killed it was, I was out of action having just taken a ford escort to the stomach rolling about in the road thinking my eyes were going to fall out my head).

That said I've stopped at a petrol garage before and must of hit the kill switch getting off the bike, after 10 minutes of checking the bike I called the AA, 2 hours later when he got there I explained that I've tried everything ending with..

"I've even checked the kill.....oh buggering hell....."

Also done the "side stand down when in gear" thing

Originally Posted by Gmonsta

I had a similar experience when my bike wouldnt start - even called the dealer to ask some advice etc... check this check that. Could hear it whirring through when turning the key on but not turning over. 10 minutes of tinkering, thinking and sweating - I found the problem. Bike was in gear

I've done this as well. Also called the alarm company as well as the dealer.

I was surprised to learn that some GS riders use it to turn the bike off. Never thougth any reasoning for that. Is it maybe an american thing more generally to do that. never seen anyone here do it.

Originally Posted by Dr Rich

I was surprised to learn that some GS riders use it to turn the bike off. Never thougth any reasoning for that. Is it maybe an american thing more generally to do that. never seen anyone here do it.

I do it often now - from habit - usually when sitting in traffic that doesnt move or at the gates of crossings I will kill the bike to keep it cool. Just quicker to start when I want to get going rather than using the key.

Originally Posted by Dr Rich

I was surprised to learn that some GS riders use it to turn the bike off. Never thougth any reasoning for that. Is it maybe an american thing more generally to do that. never seen anyone here do it.

One benefit would be, you'll never sit by the side of the road scratching your head, wondering why the bike won't start, just because of the kill switch.

Originally Posted by Gmonsta

Just quicker to start when I want to get going rather than using the key.

Good point.

Originally Posted by vulcan666

One benefit would be, you'll never sit by the side of the road scratching your head, wondering why the bike won't start, just because of the kill switch.

Very good point.

I love using peoples kill switch when we are all parked up. It's fun to sit and watch them panic for a few mins before I give them a clue. Just ask Law. I of course have fell foul of the ol kill switch and 'in gear' things as well.

[jambo]

Originally Posted by Dr Rich

I was surprised to learn that some GS riders use it to turn the bike off. Never thougth any reasoning for that. Is it maybe an american thing more generally to do that. never seen anyone here do it.

I have been informed that one good point on this is that the coils are discharged and if you sit there with the ignition on for a bit the coils don't all sit there charged up waiting on a chance to spark. This is apparently bad for them.

But the other 2 points are a more immediate benefit.

[northwind]

I've done that exact same thing, bumped the switch while riding... Called the RAC, checked the fuses and that, and worked out after about 20 minutes what I'd done