I've never used the kill switch to shut off the bike

gunslinger_006

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 21, 2016
Messages
961
Location
Seattle, Washington
Been riding FI Yamahas since 2003, so i have always used the kill switch. Back as far as i can remember they could hard start after using the key to kill the engine, especially cold.

I think the cold start mode washes the oil off the cylinder walls which kills compression. This may explain why if you let the bike sit for a bit, it starts again.
 

Tenman

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 7, 2013
Messages
2,102
Location
Natchez Ms USA
I’ve done compression test on other engines (two strikes and lawn engines) with a cold motor and got good compression readings. I have had a hot engine hard start on my S10. I came home and cycle my 10 times and couldn’t reproduce it. I have had probably 4-5 or so in 55k miles. I never ran my battery dead grinding.l came close though in some desolate places with no cell phone service. Got a lithium jumper and Don’t leave with out it.
 

squarebore

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 22, 2013
Messages
887
Location
Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
To kill switch, or not to kill switch::

Just don't use it in flight.

Here's the recommended method of shutting down a motorcycle.
Kill switch to cutoff,
Set sidestand
Kill switch to neutral
Key off
Aux light switch off
GPS switch off
Now, tell me what is so difficult about that??
Perhaps a possibility of older people resisting change and unable to accept newer or different ways of doing things.
I'm 70, and you??
SHUMBA

Sent from my SM-A520W using Tapatalk
Recommended by whom? Seems pretty anal.

Sent from my SM-G965F using Tapatalk
 

squarebore

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 22, 2013
Messages
887
Location
Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
Do a lot of you guys leave the key in the bike when you walk away? I sure don't; it's as much a reflex for me to reach up to the ignition on the bike and take the key out as it is to do it in a car. Even when I do use the kill switch, I still automatically reach for the key. I don't even leave the key in the bike when it's sitting in the garage.
Key stays in the bike about 300 days a year.

Sent from my SM-G965F using Tapatalk
 

Skytower

Active Member
Joined
Jun 9, 2020
Messages
172
Location
Norfolk, VA
There's no problem using all of the methods available to shut off the bike. Kick stand, key, kill switch... They all cut off the power to the ignition, as designed. Use them as needed. No worries.
Just don't rev the hell out of it before you shut it off with the fan running, unless it's an emergency.
 

SHUMBA

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 29, 2018
Messages
1,242
Location
ONTARIO, CANADA
Regarding the use of the kill switch...the kill switch is the most accessable method or easiest to reach item that stops the engine. The immediate side stand deployment reduces the chances of dropping your bike allowing you to perform other tasks. When a rider looks down at the ground, and not focused on the horizon, one can very easily lose their balance and have a tip over.
SHUMBA

Sent from my SM-T380 using Tapatalk
 

WJBertrand

Ventura Highway
Joined
Jun 20, 2015
Messages
4,516
Location
Ventura, CA
I’ve been listening to this debate (key vs. kill) since I bought my first bike back in 1968. Dozens of bikes later I’ve arrived at the conclusion that it “don’t make no difference” how you kill the engine. Anything else is superstition IMHO. I do give a slight nod to using the key for two reasons. First, I’m less likely to forget to turn it off, and second, I’m less likely to leave the key in the ignition.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
 

HeliMark

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 18, 2013
Messages
995
Location
Tennessee
The only time I have used the kill switch, and not the key on my S10, was when the bike took a nap. My current bike, the manual says to use the key to turn the bike off.
 

yoyo

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 30, 2016
Messages
915
Location
Swansea UK
I was always a fan of kicking down the side stand with the bike in gear until a half decent mechanic pointed out that there is current passing through the switch when the ignition is on (same goes for kill switch) and at some point the contacts will burn out, if the ignition is off then that won't happen.

Sent from my ELE-L29 using Tapatalk
 

U.P.rider

I M A UPR
Joined
Jul 26, 2011
Messages
208
Location
Eastern Upper Peninsula of Michigan
I was always a fan of kicking down the side stand with the bike in gear until a half decent mechanic pointed out that there is current passing through the switch when the ignition is on (same goes for kill switch) and at some point the contacts will burn out, if the ignition is off then that won't happen.

Sent from my ELE-L29 using Tapatalk
As a gen1 Vmax owner there was enough trouble with the sidestand switch we didn't want to turn off the bike through it. On the Tenere most of the time I use the KS which sometimes has me walking back to turn off key, I can normally can leave the key in the bike in my area, even all day at work.
 

Flying Passem

Member
Joined
Mar 21, 2014
Messages
48
Location
Bryan, Texas
Have messed with people, well I've seen it done, as walking by their bike flip the KS. When it's time to leave.....WHAT...dang bike won't start. Go to help and wiggle couple wires while slyly flipping KS back and bike starts. Man......u saved me!! That's OK just don't forget you owe me!
 

jeckyll

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 11, 2016
Messages
651
Location
Lotusland
There have been many times off-roading / dual-sporting where reaching the key and letting go of the brake isn't a good plan, so in gear, clutch in then kill switch it is.

Maybe that's just me :)
 

Sierra1

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 7, 2016
Messages
14,819
Location
Joshua TX
Have messed with people, well I've seen it done, as walking by their bike flip the KS. . . .
That reminds of "back in the day". . . . me, and my co-workers would pull beside each other, while we were going down the road, and turn the other's switch off. You learned quickly to never let anybody pull up on your right side. That, and protecting your switch. :)
 

fac191

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 22, 2016
Messages
2,829
Location
London
I was always a fan of kicking down the side stand with the bike in gear until a half decent mechanic pointed out that there is current passing through the switch when the ignition is on (same goes for kill switch) and at some point the contacts will burn out, if the ignition is off then that won't happen.

Sent from my ELE-L29 using Tapatalk
Good to know that. I always kick the stand down to kill the engine to leave it in gear roll the bike on and it's safe to get off.Turn the key off straight away
 

yoyo

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 30, 2016
Messages
915
Location
Swansea UK
Good to know that. I always kick the stand down to kill the engine to leave it in gear roll the bike on and it's safe to get off.Turn the key off straight away
Same here, its going to be a hard habit to break though!

Sent from my ELE-L29 using Tapatalk
 

pilleway

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 18, 2019
Messages
747
Location
Mexico
Hi to all!
After reading the comlete threath no doght that the killing switch is designed for an emergency and does not matter if the bike is shut down with kill switch or ignition key! I usually use the key to shut down my bike.
I think it is like the Stand switch, ther for not to have a engine running in gear with no clutch, it will produce an accident, it is for safety too.

Have a great day!
 

fac191

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 22, 2016
Messages
2,829
Location
London
Same here, its going to be a hard habit to break though!

Sent from my ELE-L29 using Tapatalk
One of the reasons i do it is if someone nudged you from behind sitting on the bike it goes over and could break your leg.
 
Top