Noob Question: Should the Engine Stop Switch Ever Be Switched Off?

[Cburt]

Originally Posted by ANZAC78

Do not turn the bike off with the kill switch - use the key.

I do turn the switch off AFTER I have turned the bike off using the key. This will slow someone down a little if they get my key or try to jump start the bike as the engine will not fire.

That's not a bad idea. Good to know when I park in a less desirable area.

[OldEnglish]

Thanks everyone. So if I turn the engine off with the ignition key, and then after that hit the kill switch, nothing bad will happen?

Also, if I leave the engine stop button in RUN always (like when the bike is turned off), it won't kill the battery or anything?

I guess my question is: for all of you whose bikes are parked and off right now, is your engine stop button on OFF or RUN?

Thanks in advance,

OldE

[M.G.Vig]

When the ignition switch is in the OFF position everything is switched off. You can flick all the other switches in to any position you like, but nothing will happen. OFF means OFF!

[Cburt]

Originally Posted by OldEnglish

Thanks everyone. So if I turn the engine off with the ignition key, and then after that hit the kill switch, nothing bad will happen?

Also, if I leave the engine stop button in RUN always (like when the bike is turned off), it won't kill the battery or anything?

I guess my question is: for all of you whose bikes are parked and off right now, is your engine stop button on OFF or RUN?

Thanks in advance,

OldE

It on run. It's always on run 24/7, 365 days a year.

[k12techman]

I'm glad to see a discussion on this. I've been riding for 30+ years and, truth be told, I've never know for sure about that dang switch.

For a couple of years now, I've been working as a range aid for a company that teaches the Motorcycle Safety Foundations classes. I can tell you that the MSF's beginning rider's course teaches using that switch as the way to kill the engine. You're instructed to use that switch and then turn off the ignition.

On my new TEx, the manual is pretty clear that the switch should NOT be used unless an emergency situation arises.

In doing a little more reading and such, I think what's going on is that on the older bikes without an ECU and all the software that goes along with it, the kill switch is perfectly OK to use. It does about the same things as the ignition switch but it's just easier to locate and use.

On newer bikes that now have an ECU, software, etc., using the kill switch is a lot like pulling the power on a running computer. Yeah, you can do it and it might not cause you problems the first few times, but eventually, it's gonna cause damage.

I've never really used the kill switch and my habit is to use the ignition switch. I'm going to stick with that.

[Orangeman]

Yes sir that pretty much sums it up but won't actually cause damage, just makes it harder to start since the last thing the ECU/sensors see is the fuel pump relay being interrupted and the engine stopping from a lean condition rather than the ECU recognizing an intended shut down. As MC ECU's become faster and more complex to deal with tighter engine control, ABS, Traction control, etc., it is becoming more and more of an issue with more models. The MSF should adjust it's curriculum and re-educate its instructors as they have not kept up with advances in MC build and design in several areas.

[jimlowe]

On my last bike HD Vrod,I used the kill switch to turn off the engine,as the ignition switch was awkward to get to sat on the bike,anyway in 6 years never had any problem using this method.

[triplestrength]

I give up urban myth obviously accepted.

Sent from my GT-I9100P using Motorcycle.com Free

[masa]

I always use the kill switch to turn off the engine. Reason be:

1.
It's easier to access.

2.
It eliminates that embarrassing moments where the engine doesn't start due to the kill switch accidentally being turned off. Turning the switch on before pushing the start button is like second nature to me now.

3.
In order to use it in an emergency, I think you better use it regularly.


As for "the damage", I don't see how it could damage anything on the bike. Pulling off the cable while the PC is on is bad because the PC needs to write what's in the memory(RAM) to the hard disk before shutting down, otherwise it'll lose data. ECU on the other hand, doesn't have a hard disk and you aren't even turning it off. You are just cutting the current to some engine parts, not turning off the ECU. Each to their own though.

[Cburt]

Originally Posted by masa

I always use the kill switch to turn off the engine. Reason be:

1.
It's easier to access.

2.
It eliminates that embarrassing moments where the engine doesn't start due to the kill switch accidentally being turned off. Turning the switch on before pushing the start button is like second nature to me now.

3.
In order to use it in an emergency, I think you better use it regularly.


As for "the damage", I don't see how it could damage anything on the bike. Pulling off the cable while the PC is on is bad because the PC needs to write what's in the memory(RAM) to the hard disk before shutting down, otherwise it'll lose data. ECU on the other hand, doesn't have a hard disk and you aren't even turning it off. You are just cutting the current to some engine parts, not turning off the ECU. Each to their own though.

Do whatever you want. No amount of evidence or logic can convince some people.