Triumphrat

mercator · 08-12-2005

I was told during my post-sale 'briefing' that you should not start the engine when it is above 5 bars if you can avoid it. Starting with a higher temp can cause plug fouling. I think he said something to do with how the computer handles the mix, but I can't recall exactly.

I didnt know about the kill switch thing, so I will use the key when I can

TBSstunta · 08-12-2005

Thats an urban legend. Shutting the bike off with the kill switch does no more harm than using the key. The factory warranty guy said so during a Q&A. And if it were really a danger I think the ECU would already have been designed to safely shut down this way.

As far as restarting it, its just a red light not a week long snooze the parts will still be lubricated so there will be no damage. Especially if you use synthetic and shame on you for not. Think of all the high milage bikes that are fine and think about all the times they have been started. Do you really think a couple of extra starts are goin to harm the bike? Everything still has a film of oil on it, and all the metal parts are still hot so its not even the same shock that cold-starting is.

[ This message was edited by: TBSstunta on 2005-08-12 14:42 ]

Scottius · 08-17-2005

THIS MAY CHANGE YOUR MIND about shutting the bike off at lights. At least unless you're in the middle of a bunch of cars.

thfwsf · 08-17-2005

About 4 years ago I was rear ended while on my previous ride. It wasn't as dramatic as the one you posted to this thread, but it wasn't fun.

MSF courses advocate keeping your scoot in first gear, just in case....

Tom

Iggy · 08-17-2005

So there you are, sitting a stop light when a guy in truck rams you from behind.
What are the chances of you spotting it before you're hit?
What are the chances, if you did see it coming, of you being quick enough to drive out of his way?
Who sits at light watching traffic in their mirrors?

I don't think having the engine running would make any difference.

Just my .02 worth.

[ This message was edited by: Iggy on 2005-08-17 11:54 ]

Missing_Link · 08-17-2005

I don't have the manual in front of me but I thought it stated that using the kill switch instead of the key could cause the battery to drain if you forgot to turn the key off. other than that I see no reason not to use it.

I used to turn bikes off in heavy traffic, ie, I would be sitting through multiple cycles of a light. I don't see the point in turning it off if you simply in an intersection. The only problem now is that the 2005 Sprint takes quite a bit of time to self diagnose the engine and it will not turn over during this time.

Linc

DaveC · 08-17-2005

At a light, I have my right foot on the ground, my left foot on the peg read to shift to first, and my left hand on the clutch ready to pull. It may be better to have the bike already in gear, but my bikes have a stiff clutch pull and I'd quickly get worn out.

I developed this approach after an incident where a guy on a cell phone was coming up fast behind me to a stop light. I waved my arms until he stopped and after he did stop, he had a sheepish grin. I don't know whether that was because he realized he could have squashed me or because he was having fun at scaring the hell out of me.

I don't care if it's more wear and tear on the bike or if it's a little hot. I think it's a lot safer to have the engine running ready for a getaway.

Dave

dolson · 08-17-2005

Well IGGY, I do, I have, and I have avoided getting blasted up the rear. An SUV makes for one hell of an enema.

But, you are free to make your own choice and take your own chances.

Don

Quote:

So there you are, sitting a stop light when a guy in truck rams you from behind.
What are the chances of you spotting it before you're hit?
What are the chances, if you did see it coming, of you being quick enough to drive out of his way?
Who sits at light watching traffic in their mirrors?

I don't think having the engine running would make any difference.

Just my .02 worth.

jefftarlton · 08-18-2005

Iggy, I have one real world encounter you might find interesting.
1992 Florida panhandle. I rounded a corner and had to stop behind a line of cars. The highay dept. was working on the road. They only had one lane open and a flagman was letting traffic from the opposite direction move. I was pretty nervous and was looking in my mirrors. A pickup rounded the corner and didn't immediately realize the line of traffic was stopped. I put the bike into first, leaned it right, and let out the clutch. I went forward about 4-5 cars. The guy I stopped beside flipped me off because he thought I was trying to cut in line. The pickup howled the tires and wound up about 2 feet behind the car I was originally behind. I think my movement made him realize we were stopped.
The old Kawasaki and I would have been smashed together pretty nicely if I hadn't been watching my mirrors.
Always looking, always alert. It's kept me alive so far.

SpiderTex · 08-18-2005

Besides draining the bat, wearing out the starter and creating heat spikes in your engine. I think it is a good thing to keep the engine running.
I used to lower my attention and even discard traffic behind me when in front of a red light. Until one day, I heard screaming tyres and before I knew I saw the nose of a BMW 635CSI (electric blue I recall) standing next to me on the emergency lane. The guy behind the wheel excused himself profoundly. Of course that wouldn't have helped me if he was a bit worse a driver and hit me in the rear. Since then, I keep a close watch on the traffic behind me....