Key vs Run switch

So....

When cutting the engine we can either turn the key or cut the Run switch. My question is which should be cut first when turning off the engine?

Is it better to use the key? My assumption is that it is better not to run the headlight while the engine isn't running.

Maybe it makes no difference... answers to these sorts of questions will help me better understand the system as a whole.

 

when you pull up, turn off the lights, hit the kill switch, then turn off the key.

 

Ok this one has my attention. I've always seen the kill switch as the "oh crap my throttle has stuck" or the such engine kill when I'm on the move because it's easy to get to not a part of my normal shut down procedure. The key kills everything. Only when I park in a high theft area do I hit the kill switch as well as leave it in gear/side stand down on the center stand and lock the front disc for the added bit of protection/pain in the butt to get it going. Just me. :?:

 

(We still don't know where jonathan is) American bikes don't have the luxury of a light switch.

The only time I ever use the OFF/RUN/OFF switch is for a plug chop, otherwise I just use the key. Never even gave it any thought.

 

In the MSF classes I believe they teach to first hit the kill (run) switch then the key. Their reasoning is that that builds the muscle memory and habit so the switch can be used in an emergency without having to think about it.

Seemed like good reasoning to me so I usually shut down the engine with the kill switch.

Your motorcycle doesn't care which order you use, or if you never use the kill switch.

 

Sweet as... cheers guys.

Fitz, i'm in Sydney, Australia.

 

Hello jonathon...I do kill switch first... and if you put in where you are and some bike info it does help with Q&A time.

 

I've used key to turn off any engine for 35 years. Nothing bad has happened, and i don't think my ways will be changing

 

Always thought kill switch was an "emergency" thingy...

skillet

 

There's no kill switches on most cars, that's one way to look at it. Seems like anything motorized you can fall off of has a kill switch.

 

I'm a key guy

 

the kill switch means some day you'll kill your battery

 

or justg run the bike till you run out of gas and then shut the key off then it wouldnt matter wich was first. kinda hard to judge tho lol

 

Well your going to take your key out anyway aren't you?

I personaly always switch off with the kill. Just habit, don't know where I got that from and never paid it any thought.

both the key and the kill operate the same circuit, if either is off, the ignition is off, simple. The key also switches off all the sub circuits (lights etc), so it doesn't really matter how you swith your engine off.

(but you are goin to take your key out when you leave the bike.......aren't you??????)

 

Oh yeah, someone mentioned stuck throttles, just as a little side story.

A mate of mine had rebuilt his bike. a year or so latter we are out for a run, for no aparent reason he cut is engine and pulled over. I pulled up and asked him what was going down. Engine had started going lumpy then the throttle jamed.

Weird, I went home, got the trailer and picked him and his bike up.

Anyway, what we discovered. When he had re-built the bike he had re routed his throttle cable so it went between his spark plug leads. it had been rubbing against the outer lead and had worn through. the ignition pulse had then gone down the throttle cable, and had effectively welded the throttle inner to the outer.

1 in a million, but a good one none the less!!!!

 

I use the key almost exclusively, and no, I don't take the key out unless I'm not at home.......then the key goes in my pocket. The few times that I have used the kill switch: either I forget that the switch has been flipped, or I have drained the battery cuz I had the idea of locking the fork, too, and put it at the wrong setting. So in short.....key.

Dave

 

not at home
it doesn't really mater, just don't get distracted and forget to shut the key off

 

Using the Engine Cut-off Switch will not harm your bike in any way -- that's what the switch is for!

In the MSF Basic Rider Course, part of getting a new rider used to using the Engine Cut-off Switch is so that if/when there is a problem (engine races out of control, bike and rider fall over, etc.) the rider's first response will be to shut the engine off. That red switch is Federally-mandated to be in the same spot in each motorcycle sold in the U.S. so that no matter what you've been used to riding (and where the key was on your old bike) you can shut the motor off with your right thumb.

The "proper shutdown procedure" we teach in the Basic Rider Course is turning the motor off with the cut-off switch, turning the key off, and turning the fuel petcock to "off" (if your bike has one); often referred to as "Thumb, Key, Valve".

While you certainly can use the sidestand switch to shut the engine off (the switch shuts off the motor if the sidestand is down and the bike is in gear - lets it run if the bike is in Neutral) not every bike has this and if you change bikes -- even just to ride a buddy's bike around the block -- you could put the stand down while the bike is in gear and running.
Source(s):
I am an MSF-certified safety course Instructor.
I am a Motorcycle Skills Test Examiner for my home state BMV.
I have been a variety of bikes in all types of weather for 19 years.

 

ha! didn't even know my bike had a kill switch!
jk...but i always use the key...if i use the switch i end up turning the key on and trying to start (always forget to turn the switch back to the run position). to me using the switch is just unnecessary

 

[justify]I find this topic interesting. I always thought that the kill switch was for emergencies only and have always used the key to turn the bike off (since I would be removing the key anyway). I guess the kill switch might come in handy though when rolling up to your house at night and you still want your headlight, but not wake your neighbors.[/justify]

 

I use the kill switch. The MSF I took teaches exactly what Wizard says.

I also keep my key in my zipped jacket pocket while riding so it's easier to hit the switch then unglove and dig the key out. Of course I use the key to kill the lights.

 

A couple years ago one of my friends hit the kill switch to shut of his bike and the it took hours to figure out that it failed when he couldn't get it to start again!!! I check mine now and then to make sure it still works but I almost never use it, it's just there for safety kinda like a condom, better to have it and not need it then to need it and not have it!!!

Shaun

 

With the Toyota thing, wonder when some " :twisted: lawmaker :twisted: " will decide all vehicles need an emergency kill switch...

skillet

 

i use mine because i usually kill the engine while it is in gear and park that way. can't use the left hand to kill the bike since it's holding the clutch. i can't shut off the key without taking my right hand off the front brake - so i just reach over with my thumb, while holding the brake, and hit the kill switch.

i also, sometimes, like to hit the kill switch and coast into wherever i'm gonna park with the engine off. i don't really know why i do it - but for some reason, i guess it's fun.

 

I only use the key. Never messed with the kill switch, although someone keeps switching it when its parked in my garage (probably my grandmother thinking its draining my battery in the on position) but EVERY time I go to start my bike its off.

Rather annoying.

 

Depends on where I am and what I am doing. Coming into the garage I often hit the kill if it is late just to keep the noise down. 90% of the time I just use the key. I like to know the switch still works incase I do need it.