Which way to shut off your bike? - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

Bluezuki · 06-10-2006, 11:58 AM

Hi folks,
Just read that with an EFI bike, like our M50's, one should shut off the engine with the key or kickstand rather than the kill switch.
I've been using the kill switch...guess I got that drilled in during MSF class and I've never heard it was bad for this bike. Can't find it in the manual either.
What do you guys think?
Does it damage the bike or wear out the switch or something?
Thanks

deanwvu · 06-10-2006, 12:30 PM

Where did you read this?

If its online, please post a link. Ive never heard anything like this. And, if it were true, why would we even have a killswitch?

Kodatech · 06-10-2006, 03:15 PM

i have never heard of it...i turn mine off with the key(since im just going to have to take it out anyway) but maybe the premice is this--by using the kill switch you kill the ignition, but the engine still turns a few revolutions, thus injecting a bit of fuel into the engine, wich over time can cause corrosion inside the cylinders since it will be sitting there untill the next time you fire it up--but thats the only thing i can think of and it might be completely wrong so who knows!

SKTR · 06-10-2006, 04:19 PM

Only thing I ever heard, and it's hearsay only. The kill switch is capable of fewer life cycles. Not using it preserves longevity. Wish I could say it's based on fact, can't. My 2 cents.

Rhodester · 06-10-2006, 04:26 PM

It's electronic fuel injection. It quits when the ignition switch gets turned off (maybe even with the kill switch and/or the kickstand switch). I always park my bike with the tranny in 1st gear, so I just kick the kick stand down to kill the bike and then reach down to the inconvenient key location and pull the key out.

outlaw · 06-10-2006, 04:29 PM

i use the key

blackie1491 · 06-10-2006, 05:06 PM

I just use the kickstand then the key.

azoazc · 06-10-2006, 07:26 PM

The theory behind this, (not really a theory) is that the kill switch is most likely to fail. If this happens you are stuck!! Bikey no runny. Plus if the kill switch fails, it is off, everytime, no idea why. Where as a key cylinder is very heavy duty and runs relays only. very unlikely to fail. And I think we all know the kickstand switch is just really easy to bypass if needed.

Bluezuki · 06-11-2006, 08:41 AM

Listed below is the link for the site where I saw this engine turn off thing being discussed. Not that this is like an official source, but some of these dudes were stating this information like it was the God's honest truth. That's why I thought I'd ask here! Seemed strange that if it was a really official thing that is really better for the bike that it's not in the manual!.
Don't know if this link will work, but it's the Intruder Alert web site, anyway.
hmm, hope it's okay to post that on this site.
Thanks for everyone's comments and insight.

http://www.intruderalert.com/cafe/in...&topicID=81858

St0nkingByte · 06-11-2006, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azoazc

The theory behind this, (not really a theory) is that the kill switch is most likely to fail. If this happens you are stuck!! Bikey no runny. Plus if the kill switch fails, it is off, everytime, no idea why. Where as a key cylinder is very heavy duty and runs relays only. very unlikely to fail. And I think we all know the kickstand switch is just really easy to bypass if needed.

The big metal key cylinder spins around a little plastic switch/relay so betting on that over some other switch on the bike, meh.

If being on the forums tell us anything they tell us the kickstand switch is the most likely switch to fail on a bike. Now there's no way you're going to stop using that one because its tripped on/off everytime you use the kickstand.

I suggest everyone use the kill switch all the time. You want to be accustomed to using it so in a panic/bad situation you'll think to hit it and the only way to do that is for it to be habit, which means you use it all the time. Also (especially for the noobs) it's better to use the kill switch than to screw around with the kickstand and/or key while the bike is running. It'll be cheaper to replace the kill switch 15 years from now when it wears out than it will to replace the shiny bits that break off your bike when you drop it.

outlaw · 06-11-2006, 08:32 PM

you still have to put the kickstand down and turn off the key to get it out which means if you use the kill switch you wear out all three. i really think this is a petty issue. use what ever means you choose......

robertc729 · 06-11-2006, 10:13 PM

I turn it off with the key, very rarely do I use the kill switch or kickstand to shut the bike down.

Mavman · 06-11-2006, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by outlaw

you still have to put the kickstand down and turn off the key to get it out which means if you use the kill switch you wear out all three. i really think this is a petty issue. use what ever means you choose......

+100000000000909809-yep, this pretty much sums up my answer too.

06-10-2006, 11:58 AM	#1 (permalink)
Bluezuki Newbie Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 19	Which way to shut off your bike? Hi folks, Just read that with an EFI bike, like our M50's, one should shut off the engine with the key or kickstand rather than the kill switch. I've been using the kill switch...guess I got that drilled in during MSF class and I've never heard it was bad for this bike. Can't find it in the manual either. What do you guys think? Does it damage the bike or wear out the switch or something? Thanks

06-10-2006, 04:29 PM	#6 (permalink)
outlaw Fifth gear streak Joined: Feb 2006 Bike: Red '05 M50 Location: Wake Forest, NC Posts: 1,375	i use the key __________________

06-10-2006, 07:26 PM	#8 (permalink)
azoazc Kickstand Operator Joined: Jan 2006 Posts: 259	The theory behind this, (not really a theory) is that the kill switch is most likely to fail. If this happens you are stuck!! Bikey no runny. Plus if the kill switch fails, it is off, everytime, no idea why. Where as a key cylinder is very heavy duty and runs relays only. very unlikely to fail. And I think we all know the kickstand switch is just really easy to bypass if needed. __________________ www.banditalley.com www.wnysportriders.org If water feels like concrete at 100MPH, what does concrete feel like? WEAR YOUR GEAR!!!! Edited by ME

06-11-2006, 08:32 PM	#11 (permalink)
outlaw Fifth gear streak Joined: Feb 2006 Bike: Red '05 M50 Location: Wake Forest, NC Posts: 1,375	you still have to put the kickstand down and turn off the key to get it out which means if you use the kill switch you wear out all three. i really think this is a petty issue. use what ever means you choose...... __________________

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Keeping one's mouth shut could be a good thing...	QuacktheDuck	Tips & Training	40	08-28-2005 03:21 PM
Backfires when I shut 'er down	lz0rpx	Mechanics Corner	1	07-30-2004 06:44 AM

06-10-2006, 12:30 PM	#2 (permalink)
deanwvu Where Am I ? Joined: May 2006 Bike: 2005 M50 Blue Posts: 31	Where did you read this? If its online, please post a link. Ive never heard anything like this. And, if it were true, why would we even have a killswitch?

06-10-2006, 03:15 PM	#3 (permalink)
Kodatech Handlebar Consultant Joined: Sep 2005 Posts: 616	i have never heard of it...i turn mine off with the key(since im just going to have to take it out anyway) but maybe the premice is this--by using the kill switch you kill the ignition, but the engine still turns a few revolutions, thus injecting a bit of fuel into the engine, wich over time can cause corrosion inside the cylinders since it will be sitting there untill the next time you fire it up--but thats the only thing i can think of and it might be completely wrong so who knows!

06-10-2006, 04:19 PM	#4 (permalink)
SKTR Kickstand Operator Joined: Nov 2005 Bike: Suz Marauder VZ800, Kaw Fll 250; Sons Suz Intruder LC1500, Yam YZ 125 Location: Ortonville MI betw Pontiac-Flint Posts: 256	Only thing I ever heard, and it's hearsay only. The kill switch is capable of fewer life cycles. Not using it preserves longevity. Wish I could say it's based on fact, can't. My 2 cents.

06-10-2006, 04:26 PM	#5 (permalink)
Rhodester Seat Tester Joined: Mar 2006 Bike: Silver '06 M50 Location: Meridian, Idaho Posts: 62	It's electronic fuel injection. It quits when the ignition switch gets turned off (maybe even with the kill switch and/or the kickstand switch). I always park my bike with the tranny in 1st gear, so I just kick the kick stand down to kill the bike and then reach down to the inconvenient key location and pull the key out.

06-10-2006, 05:06 PM	#7 (permalink)
blackie1491 I took the All Bran Challenge Joined: Jun 2005 Bike: C50SE Location: Aldergrove, B.C., Canada Posts: 7,210	I just use the kickstand then the key.

06-11-2006, 08:41 AM	#9 (permalink)
Bluezuki Newbie Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 19	Listed below is the link for the site where I saw this engine turn off thing being discussed. Not that this is like an official source, but some of these dudes were stating this information like it was the God's honest truth. That's why I thought I'd ask here! Seemed strange that if it was a really official thing that is really better for the bike that it's not in the manual!. Don't know if this link will work, but it's the Intruder Alert web site, anyway. hmm, hope it's okay to post that on this site. Thanks for everyone's comments and insight. http://www.intruderalert.com/cafe/in...&topicID=81858

06-11-2006, 10:13 PM	#12 (permalink)
robertc729 M-J.Com Master Poster Joined: Mar 2006 Bike: 05 Boulevard C50 LE, 06 S40 (wife's bike) Location: Lexington, KY Posts: 3,958	I turn it off with the key, very rarely do I use the kill switch or kickstand to shut the bike down.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)