Ok this is the strangest thing i've ever heard, my cousin went to the dealer the other day and he was telling him that it's better to turn the bike off with the key than the kill switch, something about it's better for the charging system or the electrical system. I call ********, but my cousin is now convinced. has anyone heard this before?
killswitch or key?
- Thread starter dogface
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- key key? killswitch
i think it says in the rsv manual to use the kill switch, then turn off ignition?! not sure it really matters unless the fans are cooling the engine, then kill switch is obviously a better bet as they will still run....or maybe not?! :dunno
A good question this one. Let's hope Griff, Spoonz or some other authority has a definitive view on it.
I was once told (for a Suzuki) it's better to use the kill switch but no reason given as to why. I confess that I always use the key on my Aprilia. No particular reason, I just do.
I was once told (for a Suzuki) it's better to use the kill switch but no reason given as to why. I confess that I always use the key on my Aprilia. No particular reason, I just do.
Joined Feb 2008
804 Posts | 0+
Devon
Joined May 2008
379 Posts | 0+
Norfolk
its for that reason i almost always use the kill switch, it does turn off the fans but if you double press it (so kill switch isnt engaged) quick enough it cuts the engine but doesnt kill the fans, plus its easier to do that than turn off the ignition when you roll to a stop with the engine off like i do :thumbup
i can see the above points but why are kill switches still fitted to bikes ? if it is to enable the cooling fans to run on whty cant that be built in to the fan system like a bathroom fan timer ??
only thing i can think of is that if you ended up in a ditch with your bike on top of you ,you can stop the engine with it but surely the key is just as accessible at that point.......
only thing i can think of is that if you ended up in a ditch with your bike on top of you ,you can stop the engine with it but surely the key is just as accessible at that point.......
I've always used the ignition on all my bikes however when i got the ape i played around with using the plasticky piece of crud that is an rsv killswitch.
Not long afterwards my bike would intermittently cut out and not restart until i stopped (i once tried to hold in the clutch and free wheel the bike in gear then dump the clutch to restart it, never again on a V twin, rear wheel locked as i rear wheel steered the next bend!)
After reading a few posts i dismantled the killswitch pumped in a load of WD40 and used the switch about 50 times to clean/ lube it, after that no problems to date (touch wood).
The 'possible' moral I'm conveying is that if you don't use the killswitch regularly then just leave it alone, especially if your bike is left outside or used in the rain a lot.
I love these type of posts, it's up there with the 'which sock do you put on first?' debate.
Not long afterwards my bike would intermittently cut out and not restart until i stopped (i once tried to hold in the clutch and free wheel the bike in gear then dump the clutch to restart it, never again on a V twin, rear wheel locked as i rear wheel steered the next bend!)
After reading a few posts i dismantled the killswitch pumped in a load of WD40 and used the switch about 50 times to clean/ lube it, after that no problems to date (touch wood).
The 'possible' moral I'm conveying is that if you don't use the killswitch regularly then just leave it alone, especially if your bike is left outside or used in the rain a lot.
I love these type of posts, it's up there with the 'which sock do you put on first?' debate.
LOL , Possibly does have some justification though. I always used the kill switch in years past but when I took delivery of the new SV I was told ' Don't do that !! use the key ,that's what it's there for' so I got into the habit of using the key.
I agree with the description of the Aprilia kill switch and the same goes for the dipswitch as well. They should have followed Ducati's lead and used Jap electrics. :jack
Joined Jul 2009
612 Posts | 0+
Gosport-Hampshire
I use the key as I always have after spending ages when I was younger trying to kick over and bump start my RD125LC before realising the kill switch was made :doh
Other than to stop yourself looking like a **** I see no other reason not to use the key:dunno
Other than to stop yourself looking like a **** I see no other reason not to use the key:dunno
Joined Jun 2009
214 Posts | 0+
guernsey channel isles
if you read the handbook it says turn off with the key, then hit the killswitch to stop the battery being drained. :eatcorn
Interesting,I didn't get a handbook with mine. I thought it was the ecu memory that drained the battery,does this get isolated when the kill switch is used?
Joined Jun 2009
22 Posts | 0+
Yorkshire, England
i use both but if i turn it off with the kill switch the fans stay on till i turn off the key or it cools down :dunno
Joined Aug 2009
536 Posts | 0+
Loughborough,Leicestershire
I never use the killswitch and never have done on any bike. The key is there for this very reason. The kill switch if designed for emergencies and not meant to be used regularly.
Saying that if you don't use it then how will you know that it works when you do need to use it. I think it gets tested at mot time.
I was told when I first learnt to ride not to use the kill switch except in emergencies and I suppose I've always headed that advice.
I came off a speed triple once And it ended up in a farmers field. The key was snapped off And the bike was stuck in gear driving round doing crop circles. The kill switch certainly saved the engine on the bike as they're not designed to run at 50mph on their side
Saying that if you don't use it then how will you know that it works when you do need to use it. I think it gets tested at mot time.
I was told when I first learnt to ride not to use the kill switch except in emergencies and I suppose I've always headed that advice.
I came off a speed triple once And it ended up in a farmers field. The key was snapped off And the bike was stuck in gear driving round doing crop circles. The kill switch certainly saved the engine on the bike as they're not designed to run at 50mph on their side
Joined Sep 2009
361 Posts | 0+
Exeter, Devon
I may be wrong here, but I have always been taught that the kill switch is for emergencies only- they usually have tiny contacts, which if used every time to switch off the engine, can wear and cause problems with the switch. Thus, I have always used the key on all bikes especially one with the usual problematic italian electrics!
Joined May 2009
472 Posts | 0+
Slovakia
the rsv manual says the key is to be used for engine stop. that is what i do usually but i had a problem when the engine kept starting even with the key in my pocket so had to use the killswitch but in general the key disconnects all the power while killswitch does not. now choose what is better for you and your bike
but in general the key disconnects all the power while killswitch does not. now choose what is better for you and your bike 
