To kill or not to kill (switch), that is the question

[Peter Aawen]

Wow, I didn't realize there was such a difference of opinion on this! ......

Using the Kill Switch is an anachronistic hangover from the old days when motorcycle riders sat astride & slightly behind their gas tanks, which were immediately on top of the engine & which gravity fed gas to one or more carbies via a petcock valve in the fuel line, and AT THAT TIME, as such it was REALLY a significant safety requirement to be able to shut the spark to the engine off quickly and easily, even if it took you longer to shut off the gas flow!! :lecturef_smilie:

For modern motorcycles, Kill Switches have been pretty much a mostly useless thing (like your appendix ) since the advent of fuel injection & all the other electronic controls & interventions in the fuel supply & ignition system, and you really should ask yourself if they're so important on a modern fuel injected motorbike, then why doesn't your car, truck, or every other internal combustion engine powered vehicle on the road also have one?? :dontknow: Oh, hang on, they DO have one!! It's called the Ignition Switch and in deference to the training and supposedly ingrained muscle memory of a greater proportion of motor vehicle operators, on modern EFI motorcycles and our Spyders, turning that Ignition Switch OFF triggers the instant and orderly shut-down of the ignition system AND the fuel pump AND an array of other things all at the same time, exactly like it does by International Agreement & in many cases, also by National Legislation on any/every other ICE powered vehicle you might ride or drive!

So given that there's no longer a Safety driven NEED to cut the ignition circuit with a Kill Switch anymore, it all comes back to your personal preference as to whether you use them or not. :thumbup:

 

[K80Shooter]

I use the kill switch sometimes at gas stations to keep my bluetooth connected so I don't have to wait the minute or so for it to load again after key off. It is a painfully slow process on these machines. Other than that I never use it.

Have you ever tried to just press the brake pedal, hit the mode button, and start as soon as you turn the switch on? I do this and mine starts right up, no waiting. I have saw others post that this didn't work for them though.

Upon my second reading I understand that you're waiting on the "bluetooth" to pair again. My bad.

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

I'll NEVER forget the day I was cruising down one of our many backroads and decided to flip my 'vents'. When I reached for the right side vent the Spyder suddenly died and I rolled to the shoulder. Keep in mind that this was a very low traffic highway -- maybe 3 cars every 50 miles, or I wouldn't have tried it in motion. As it turned out, my helmet visor hit the kill switch. Can you imagine a similar event (not caused by vent flipping) on a crowded freeway? I was tempted to epoxy the button in the on position.

Not a problem on the freeway. Just reach over and flip the switch back to on as quickly as you can and continue on your merry way. The engine continues turning and clutch stays engaged until you get nearly to stopping. You will have to reset cruise control though. It's happened to me a number of times.

 

[SLICE]

Kawasaki Ninja kill switch malfunction left me stranded in Fort Kent Maine.

Ducati 900ss kill switch malfunction left me stranded in Albany New York.

Yamaha V-max kill switch malfunction left me stranded at work (2am no way home) disabled that one

Harley Davidson kill switch malfunction left me stranded at Americade in New York. disabled that one.

Can Am won't leave me stranded it was the first thing I disabled.

Having 4 out of 7 bikes having wonky kill switches all due to corrosion ( I lived in the salt belt and road all year long ).

I won't be taking any chances with the Can Am living next to the Gulf of Mexico.

Even the ignition switch in my Saab 99 went bad from corrosion because it was mounted between the seats and got moisture in it.

Now I will contradict myself by posting the following video :banghead:
https://youtu.be/D0S4nMx_tbA

 

[ButterSmooth]

Not a problem on the freeway. Just reach over and flip the switch back to on as quickly as you can and continue on your merry way. The engine continues turning and clutch stays engaged until you get nearly to stopping. You will have to reset cruise control though. It's happened to me a number of times.

That's all fine if you know why the Spyder died. I had no idea how or what happened until I did the same thing in the garage (where I felt the contact and heard the switch) one morning before a ride. Redundant and unnecessary switch -- It's only there because the law required it since the '70s. They wanted a 'standardized' position for turning a vehicle off after an incident, to make it easier for law enforcement/emergency responders. Harley's were the cause because the ignition switch was on the side where it may not be reachable when the bike was on the ground.
'

 

[PaladinLV]

The KILL SWITCH is nothing more then equivalent of an EMERGENCY SHUTOFF.

AJ

 

[old Timer]

That wonderful Kill Switch sold a lot of Batteries for us. BTW, a lead acid Battery sulfates much quicker with a low or dead Battery.

 

[Pooch]

That kill switch has given me that semi-panicked, sinking feeling you get when the bike won’t start when it was running fine a little while ago… on EVERY 2-wheeler and 3-wheeler I have owned.
Years ago I belonged to a motorcycle club that had members who occasionally thought it very funny to push the kill switch on bikes in the parking lot.
I never saw the humor in it as they would all jump on their bikes and leave as fast as they could so you didn’t have anyone to turn to for help or rescue. This was before cell phones and on a Friday night supper run 75 miles from home, at 10:00 at night it just really was not funny at all when you are the last one left in the parking lot.
I never have, but always threatened to gorilla glue the switch in the “on” position.

 

[pauly1]

There is no harm in using the KS. Besides regular use keeps the contacts clean. In the event of a need, or inadvertent use, knowing immediately where it is located doesn't hurt, either. If you don't want to use, then don't. But your ways are not the ways of everyone on this forum.

 

[Columbia]

Only time mine goes from "Live" to "Kill(ed)" is when I bump it unintentionally.

Useful when a bike and its rider are on the ground and the engine is running.

 

[ZombieWoof]

My Spyder has an issue starting when hot, and my clumsy a$$ tends to hit the on/off switch when grabbing a drink from the cup holder.

Last night I ripped into the right handlebar controls determined to get to the switch and short it out. Two hours later, a dozen 2mm star screws including 2 hidden (They really don't want you in there) I got to the actual switch... to find out its on a ribbon cable, not wired. Another hour to reassemble and institute Plan B.

Plan B. Find a small sheet metal screw, carefully insert it on the bottom of the switch, locking it between the gap at the bottom of the switch hole and the switch.



I had some thin aluminum laying around so I built a quick switch cover so I don't accidentally hit it.

 

[Adventurer]

Using the Kill Switch is an anachronistic hangover from the old days when motorcycle riders sat astride & slightly behind their gas tanks, which were immediately on top of the engine & which gravity fed gas to one or more carbies via a petcock valve in the fuel line, and AT THAT TIME, as such it was REALLY a significant safety requirement to be able to shut the spark to the engine off quickly and easily, even if it took you longer to shut off the gas flow!! :lecturef_smilie:

For modern motorcycles, Kill Switches have been pretty much a mostly useless thing (like your appendix ) since the advent of fuel injection & all the other electronic controls & interventions in the fuel supply & ignition system, and you really should ask yourself if they're so important on a modern fuel injected motorbike, then why doesn't your car, truck, or every other internal combustion engine powered vehicle on the road also have one?? :dontknow: Oh, hang on, they DO have one!! It's called the Ignition Switch and in deference to the training and supposedly ingrained muscle memory of a greater proportion of motor vehicle operators, on modern EFI motorcycles and our Spyders, turning that Ignition Switch OFF triggers the instant and orderly shut-down of the ignition system AND the fuel pump AND an array of other things all at the same time, exactly like it does by International Agreement & in many cases, also by National Legislation on any/every other ICE powered vehicle you might ride or drive!

So given that there's no longer a Safety driven NEED to cut the ignition circuit with a Kill Switch anymore, it all comes back to your personal preference as to whether you use them or not. :thumbup:

I don’t disagree with what you’re saying but find it ironic that the old fashioned kill switch is the only way BRP gave us to shut off the Ryker.

 

[Peter Aawen]

I don’t disagree with what you’re saying but find it ironic that the old fashioned kill switch is the only way BRP gave us to shut off the Ryker.

And what about the 'Key' fob?? And the... Nope, not starting; just -:gaah:

Cost cutting to the extreme....

 

[sledge]

I always use the key to turn off the engine, I did it with my wing and I now do it with my :spyder: I don't touch the kill switch

Be Safe
AC:spyder2:

I do the same thing every time, I have had my 2011 RTS a little over 2 years ..... put about 9,000 miles on it, no problems, I have read where people have had parking brake problems, so I never use it.

 

[Peter Aawen]

I always use the key to turn off the engine, I did it with my wing and I now do it with my :spyder: I don't touch the kill switch

Be Safe
AC:spyder2:

I do the same thing every time, I have had my 2011 RTS a little over 2 years ..... put about 9,000 miles on it, no problems, I have read where people have had parking brake problems, so I never use it.

:agree: but I hafta say, dragging up a 2011 thread & post was a bit of thread archaeology! :shocked:

Still... I've discussed this before, so I won't add too much again - you can look up & read back thru the (now combined) thread if you really want to see my earlier posts.

But for those who still feel the need to discuss this, just type "Kill Switch" into the Search field (up toward the top Right of the page); check the 'Search Titles Only' box in the Drop Down list; then submit the Search & do some reading.... You don't really need to do much more than read the thread titles to begin to work out why Kill Switches on modern EFI engines motorcycles are an anachronism that are probably more likely to cause you issues than they are save your life! :banghead: And besides, you don't have a big red button like that on your car, do you?!

Enjoy. :thumbup:

 

[tibadoe]

Must be in the minority but: I always use the "engine stop switch" on every bike I ride. Guess it's one's choice of what seems easy. Simple & convenient. Never really tried to start a bike with it in the "OFF" position. Same procedure for the past 43 years: Key "ON", "Engine Stop switch "RUN" (listen for fuel pump to pressurize), Hit the "Starter Button". Spyder adds a step or two but no biggie. Do what works for you and have fun.

 

[slhanks004]

... does it hurt the engine to continually turn it off with the kill switch. :dontknow:

That's literally what the kill switch is for. I know on other bikes, it was recommended to use the kill switch because repeatedly using the key to turn it off could damage the contacts in the ingition.

 

[BajaRon]

The reason manufacturer's recommend using the kill switch is this builds automatic muscle memory so that in case of emergency, you're not hunting around for the correct switch. It also alleviates the issue of someone activating the kill switch and the rider not understanding why their machine won't start. Happens more than you know.

On some machines, the ignition switch is in an awkward spot forcing the rider to take one hand off the handlebars and reach around for it. Not a big deal on the Spyder because it can't fall over. But on 2 wheels, more of a concern in slippery or unstable situations.

 

[Dasmoetorhead]

Neutral, engage park brake, turn ignition off, remove key. I'll test the kill switch every once in awhile.

 

[PaladinLV]

What folks FAIL to understand is the word KILL!
It is there for EMERGENCY shutdown of the engine.
Do you KILL your CAR?
BUT do as you want but remember this. ALL toggle switches eventually fail.
With 57 years of riding, I only used a KILL switch once immediately after an accident when the engine REQUIRED an emergency shutdown.
Also remember this - those telling you to use the switch are more likely INEXPERIENCED riders themselves.
But like I said, what ever floats your boat.

AJ