Kill Switch Question--and Garage Door Opener Mounting??

[araignee88]

I'm loving my new Spyder--I just went for a short ride to Costco--amazing what I can get in that trunk!

I need some sage advice from the raft of Spyder riders. What do y'all think about the proper use of the kill switch? I recently took my motorcycle riding class to get an "M" on my Texas license. I'd ridden for years, but off and on so the class was great to build skills and confidence. They made us use the kill switch on the training bikes to turn the bike off when we stopped.
The Spyder test and training class instructors did the same thing.
However, my husband, who has been riding for--for ever...and raced at Daytona and other places (with a room full of trophies) says I shouldn't use the kill switch except in emergencies.

Any comments will be happily shared with him.

Also, have any of you mounted garage door openers on Spyder? If so, where. I hate having to dig mine out of my backpack when I get home.

Thanks!

 

[dltang]

I'm loving my new Spyder--I just went for a short ride to Costco--amazing what I can get in that trunk!

I need some sage advice from the raft of Spyder riders. What do y'all think about the proper use of the kill switch? I recently took my motorcycle riding class to get an "M" on my Texas license. I'd ridden for years, but off and on so the class was great to build skills and confidence. They made us use the kill switch on the training bikes to turn the bike off when we stopped.
The Spyder test and training class instructors did the same thing.
However, my husband, who has been riding for--for ever...and raced at Daytona and other places (with a room full of trophies) says I shouldn't use the kill switch except in emergencies.

Any comments will be happily shared with him.

Also, have any of you mounted garage door openers on Spyder? If so, where. I hate having to dig mine out of my backpack when I get home.

Thanks!

I believe the manual suggests using the kill switch as well. Sometimes I do, but most of the time I just turn it off. The reason is that a few times I forgot that I used the kill switch and when I went to start it back up, I panicked that my Spyder was dead. Not a good feeling.

We solved the garage door opener problem as well. I will post photos later or tomorrow if you need but it is pretty easy. Both my husband and I used weatherproof velcro on the underside of the handlebars. There is a pretty good size space there. He has the whole garage door opener on his and I have the key fob type opener on mine. Put the other side of velcro on your opener and stick it up there. It is out of site, out of the elements and very easy to access as you are coming or going out of your driveway. The pouring rain and the thunderstorms did not affect the openers at all. Both are still working perfectly.
Deb

 

[araignee88]

Thanks Deb: I have a clunky old square garage door opener--it won't fit. But maybe I can get a replacement that is smaller and reprogram it. I looked at the space under the handlebars and that should work.

 

[Danimal]

Here is how you can do your garage door..... works great....


http://www.can-amtalk.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=5106&hl=garage

 

[NancysToy]

I raced many types of vehicles, for many years, and I disagree with your husband. I hope he doesn't take it personally. ;D When you blow an engine, seize a transmission, have a fire, etc., the fastest way to keep the rear wheel moving, and possibly avoid further damage, is by killing the engine and pulling in the clutch. If you are not used to using the kill switch, each and every time you shut the engine off, you will waste precious seconds thinking about it, or worse yet, take your hand off the bars and instinctively reach for the key. This could cause great problems.

I highly recommend that you get used to using the kill switch. You should also practice killing the engine with it while moving, just like in the Spyder safety video. I recommend you also practice the technique of killing the machine and simultaneously pulling in the clutch, although it is shown differently in the video. Like Danimal, you will have times when the kill switch drives you nuts, until it becomes a habit. No different remembering it when starting than the "M" button. In a short time you will use it all the time, very naturally, and not forget. If the time ever comes that you need it, you will not have to think about it.
-Scotty

 

[bjt]

Thanks Deb: I have a clunky old square garage door opener--it won't fit. But maybe I can get a replacement that is smaller and reprogram it. I looked at the space under the handlebars and that should work.

Older and clunkier than mine? My garage door opener is rectangular, about 1" x 3" and fits up under the handlebar cover plate perfectly. I'll post a picture of it and where it's installed tonight when I get home.

 

[pphantom538]

I raced many types of vehicles, for many years, and I disagree with your husband. I hope he doesn't take it personally. ;D When you blow an engine, seize a transmission, have a fire, etc., the fastest way to keep the rear wheel moving, and possibly avoid further damage, is by killing the engine and pulling in the clutch. If you are not used to using the kill switch, each and every time you shut the engine off, you will waste precious seconds thinking about it, or worse yet, take your hand off the bars and instinctively reach for the key. This could cause great problems.

I highly recommend that you get used to using the kill switch. You should also practice killing the engine with it while moving, just like in the Spyder safety video. I recommend you also practice the technique of killing the machine and simultaneously pulling in the clutch, although it is shown differently in the video. Like Danimal, you will have times when the kill switch drives you nuts, until it becomes a habit. No different remembering it when starting than the "M" button. In a short time you will use it all the time, very naturally, and not forget. If the time ever comes that you need it, you will not have to think about it.
-Scotty

Scotty, sound advise, as usual.

Paul

 

[bjt]

Here is the door opener and a few mounting pics. How do they say? It's crude but effective. :spyder:

 

[araignee88]

Thanks to all of you for the sage advice on both the kill switch and the garage door opener. Re: Kill switch. Yes, I too thought I had a dead Spyder one morning. My husband wasn't home. I sat on the Spyder and did a check out routine about 3 times. Then I took off my helmet and looked in the user manual--nothing there. I finally turned the kill switch on and happily started. I think that was when my husband suggested I not use the kill switch. But I liked the suggestion of making it an automatic response. He even said he might adapt to using the one on his FJR

As far as the garage door opener. Yes, mine is older and clunkier--2.5 inches by 3.5 inches. But I plan on sharing all the suggestions with my husband and getting his help to solve the problem.

It really is a nice thing to have such a friendly and helpful bunch of Spyder riders. Thanks to Lamont for putting and keeping all this together.
My next task is to finish a story I'm writing for submission to "Ride Texas" a great regional magazine. So, when was the first time you fell in love--or lust with a machine? I loved my daddy's 1947 Triumph first.

 

[Danimal]

I always use it.... comes in handy too if you're just backing her up a few feet while standing on the left peg..... since you don't have a hand-brake.... just back her up slowly and then hit the kill switch when want to stop....

Only for slow-mo short moves tho!

 

[NancysToy]

My next task is to finish a story I'm writing for submission to "Ride Texas" a great regional magazine. So, when was the first time you fell in love--or lust with a machine? I loved my daddy's 1947 Triumph first.

Hate to hijack this thread. Let's start another one. I like the question.
-Scotty