Kill Switch

[Yazz]

I never used the kill switch until recently...I also figure it's an added measure of protection for the bike...so, I leave it in 1st gear, use the kill switch, and also lock the steering...then put the parking brake on...

+1 One more button pushed, is one more reason someone not familiar with the Spyder, will be able to ride it away.

Also, very interesting that most of the advice given for not using the kill switch comes from non-Spyder 'professionals.' :dontknow:

 

[bluestratos]

Not sure how this plays into it but many of my earlier bikes had the key on on side or the other. Once I got cut off by a car and had to lay the bike down. I was temporarily trapped under the bike but could not turn it off. Fuel was leaking out of the gas cap but fortunately the guy that cut me off ran right back and helped me and the bike up. I suspect they may have added kill switches, at least in part, for this reason (that bike had no kill switch by the way).
That being said, I believe using the kill switch is a good habit but I personnally prefer turning it off with the key.

Regards,

Randy

 

[Neez]

The kill switch is on the Spyder for a reason. It is colored red for a reason. It is located by your right thumb for a reason. Manufacturers would not install kill switches without a reason, it costs money to do so. This is not rocket science.

 

[Sonrisa]

Use KILL switch, set parking brake, turn off with key. Always do this and you will develop a good habit. And as stated earlier, if you need to use the kill switch, your habit has maybe saved you

 

[AMTJIM]

The kill switch is on the Spyder for a reason. It is colored red for a reason. It is located by your right thumb for a reason. Manufacturers would not install kill switches without a reason, it costs money to do so. This is not rocket science.

And the hand brake lever, what's the argument here about safety or proper operation? It's OK to have the "creature of habit" effect for the "kill switch", but eliminate the right handed rocket science of a hand brake lever because of costs? One of the main reason I don't let another rider use my machine, especially after seeing them try to grab the handbrake on demo runs. And yes, the spyder is not rocket science, Nasa or the FAA would have grounded this thing so many times by now, we would never get a chance to ride it.

 

[Neez]

And the hand brake lever, what's the argument here about safety or proper operation? It's OK to have the "creature of habit" effect for the "kill switch", but eliminate the right handed rocket science of a hand brake lever because of costs? One of the main reason I don't let another rider use my machine, especially after seeing them try to grab the handbrake on demo runs. And yes, the spyder is not rocket science, Nasa or the FAA would have grounded this thing so many times by now, we would never get a chance to ride it.

I don't see that BRP has a responsibility to ensure that motorcyclists remember how to operate the brakes on their machines. It does have the responsibility to RYDERS that they can safely shut down in an emergency.

 

[AMTJIM]

I don't see that BRP has a responsibility to ensure that motorcyclists remember how to operate the brakes on their machines. It does have the responsibility to RYDERS that they can safely shut down in an emergency.

So is it an emergency switch or for normal shut down?

 

[Neez]

So is it an emergency switch or for normal shut down?

Primarily as an emergency switch. But, as has been previously stated, use in normal shutdown develops the quick reflex which may be needed in an emergency.

 

[arntufun]

Can anyone give an emergency senerio in which they would, or have time to use the kill switch while driving ???? Anyone......... Anyone......... :dontknow::dontknow::dontknow:

 

[arntufun]

+1 One more button pushed, is one more reason someone not familiar with the Spyder, will be able to ride it away.

Are you forgetting the Spyder key has a chip in it ??? If the key is not in it, that Spyder is not going anywhere. The whole world knows there is a kill switch on every bike and it's always in the same spot.


Also, very interesting that most of the advice given for not using the kill switch comes from non-Spyder 'professionals.' :dontknow:

yy

 

[spydee owner]

kill switch

Can anyone give an emergency senerio in which they would, or have time to use the kill switch while driving ???? Anyone......... Anyone......... :dontknow::dontknow::dontknow:

It seems the killswitch is a leftover from a more primitive motorcyle era where the possibility of a jammed throttle was more likely to occur. I can see them on snowmobiles where a frozen throttle is always a possability. Motorcycles ... not so much.

 

[mowin]

The kill switch is on the Spyder for a reason. It is colored red for a reason. It is located by your right thumb for a reason. Manufacturers would not install kill switches without a reason, it costs money to do so. This is not rocket science.

The REASON!!!!
The manufactures put them there to cover ther a$$ from some idiot that gets in a accident and blames them for his own stupidity by filing a lawsuit.

I personally dont use the kill switch. In a emergency situation im going to be taking evasieve action. The only time i can think of using the kill switch is if i flip the spyder and i am pinned under it.

 

[wyliec]

The REASON!!!!
The manufactures put them there to cover ther a$$ from some idiot that gets in a accident and blames them for his own stupidity by filing a lawsuit.

I personally dont use the kill switch. In a emergency situation im going to be taking evasieve action. The only time i can think of using the kill switch is if i flip the spyder and i am pinned under it.

Good luck in reaching the kill switch after flipping and being pinned.

 

[Firefly]

Certainly a good part of the kill switch is a CYA for the company- just like the kill 'tethers' that jet skis have ----- but that doesn't mean they're not a good thing to use regardless.

I would also agree that the kill switch is not as critical on the spyder as it is on a 2 wheeler- especially something like a dirt bike. But what about the person that rides multiple bikes? Good practice to use it on all of them IMO.

While I'm hard pressed in telling you an emergency scenario where you would really need the kill switch on the spyder- it's for the unknown situations that you may need to use it.

The owners manual specifically has a practice situation that has you use the kill switch while at speed and then coast to a stop. I wonder how many actually took the time to do this? I know I did.

 

[Yazz]

yy

Never know what some peeps have come up with... nojoke

 

[boborgera]

:dontknow:
The only thing i can think of is that when the kill is engaged it cuts power off to the fuel pump and the ignition, Definitely a safety feature there.!![fire]

 

[Smokinspyder]

Being familiar with the switch and it use is good. The MSC does teach the use of the kill switch . BUTTTT use what ever you are comfortable with, if you want to use it feel free. if you dont feel free. using it or not wont or should affect the operation of your spyder unless BRP did something different tot he wiring of these things LOL . But I am not a BRP tech im not cool like some people on here LOL HA HA !

 

[NancysToy]

:dontknow:
The only thing i can think of is that when the kill is engaged it cuts power off to the fuel pump and the ignition, Definitely a safety feature there.!![fire]

Exactly! Broken fuel lines present just such a possibility. Preventing engine damage, and possibly oil on the rear tire from a blown engine, if the throttle cable failed would be another. Preventing an out of control machine in case of a clutch failure is yet another. The odds are against such failures, but they have happened. I will admit that the kill switch is an outgrowth of another era and of racing practices, but the idea is still sound. You do not have to remove your hands from the handlebars to switch off the ignition and its related components. If I am not mistaken, this control is now mandated by law.

 

[spydee owner]

lill switch

Should get Lamont to have a deadhorse section on this site so we can completely finish beating to death every topic and then transfer it to the dead horse section and beat it some more.

 

[Bob Denman]

In an emergency I'm going to bail off the bike !!! QUOTE]
:yikes::yikes::yikes::yikes::yikes:
:gaah: Where do we begin here??? :gaah:

Oh... the kill switch? I never touch it!