Triumphrat

Pauljp

I think many theories were handed down from father to son and don't make much sense anymore.
I only have my learners permit and the school this past summer taught us to always use the kill switch because if you drop the bike you want to instinctively hit the switch to shut off the motor.
Again, old school because now modern bikes have a tip sensor that will do that if the bike leans too far.
For me, it doesn't make any difference how you stop or start a bike. I think the important thing is to always do it the same way.
Once it becomes habit, you will never forget your keys and return to a dead battery, or look foolish while trying to start your bike and nothing is happening because a switch is still off, or lean your bike before the stand is down.
Always do it the same way and it will always work the same.

RC65

Manual says to use key, so I do.

capt_ted

I am positive that on at least my own bike a 1600 that continued use of the Kill switch makes the bike hard to start and I have to do a 12 minute reset in order to get the quick start with no gas. I have now put some strapping tape on my kill switch so I can't use it to kill the bike. A big benefit of this is that you can't walk away from the bike leaving the key (and lights) on and come back to a dead battery. For that reason alone I always use the key. I used the kill switch after a test ride on a Harley Road Glide and the sales staff went nuts yelling NEVER do that again. First I had heard of that as I always used the "stop" switch previous bikes. But I'm beginning to think that on fuel injected bikes use the key. I used to thing that the key on the bird was on the wrong side but being on the left you can pull in the clutch and put your foot on the brake and then take out the key. Key on right side is hard to do as you have to now shift to neutral. So perhaps the key on the left side is to help use the key to shut the bike off? I have not had any dead batteries since I use the key on all my bikes now as a new habit.

Wombat

According to the wiring diagram, the power to the ECU runs from the ignition switch and through the kill switch, so it will make no difference to the ECU how you stop it.

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Daycruiser

I just pat my head twice while rubbing my stomach and poof, it turns off!! Turn it off anyway you like, none will cause any ill effects on the bike, computer or engine. Everybody has their own perfect method of doing everything, including dealers who usually know less than the actual owners.

ukilme2

I use the key but that is just because if I use the kick, I will forget it is in gear or the if I use the kill switch, I will forget about it and then my friends are laughing at me when I try to start it again.

Lantesh

Ok guys this is gonna make you laugh. My bike is sitting at my parent's house with a dead battery. Yep I left the key in it when I went to visit them today. I'm pretty sure this thread cursed me somehow.

Typically I always do a key check when I walk away from my bike, but somehow I forgot. So I drove my Mom's car home, and have to go back with the battery charger tomorrow.

norton74

So...are you going to continue to shut off your bike with the kill switch or are you going to change your ways and used the key?

steve59

once I used the switch, lucky for me a coworker noticed and found me before the battery drained.

cecilmccoy

For me it all depended on the bike. With the bird it was always easier to use the kill switch. I think it's because of the location of the key. My Honda I always used the key but the Suzuki I've used both. I'm trying to retrain myself to use the kickstand to shut the bird off. This way, as anjizkit says, it's sure to be down when you lean the bike over to park it. :-)