Was browsing on Reddit's motorcycle forum and this discussion came up. I'd be interested to hear GSTwin's thoughts.
http://www.reddit.com/r/motorcycles/comments/kmjcl/kill_switch_or_keyturn/

Either, but I find myself using the killswitch more often.

Never the kill switch, sometimes the key, most often the kickstand with the bike in 1st gear.  Ready for a quick get-a-way.   

used the key before but have changed to kill switch

Never the kill switch. Usually the key, sometimes the side stand depending on the slope of the ground, etc.

Michael

This had come up before:  http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=9903.msg82121

-Jessie

Always the kill switch.
Then get off bike, turn bars, turn & remove key.

^^ Yeah that's the habit I'm in, mostly b/c of MSF I suppose.  There's a post in that other link above that suggests a bike with ECU might respond poorly to the kill switch?  I guess if I upgrade I'll have to keep that in mind.

I use the kill switch. I figure it can't hurt to make sure it still works, it'd be bad to have an emergency and find out that you can't cut the spark.

Quote from: Pelikan on September 21, 2011, 12:42:58 PM
^^ Yeah that's the habit I'm in, mostly b/c of MSF I suppose.  There's a post in that other link above that suggests a bike with ECU might respond poorly to the kill switch?  I guess if I upgrade I'll have to keep that in mind.

I read that post too and while I'm not familiar with the TT600 bike they reference it sure doesn't sound like correct information to me for a few reasons.  I grew up riding dirt bikes which only have kill switches (no keys) so that is the habit I have always used on my street bikes with no ill effects.

A quote from the post we are referencing:  "If the bikes have an ECU for engine management or fuel injection, the rider SHOULD NOT use the kill switch to turn off the engine, unless it is an emergency.  The rider should turn the key in the ignition to "off".  It gives the ECU time to save any critical information."

Using that logic I would think the opposite would be true.  The kill switch just cuts juice to the spark plugs on most bike, I don't think there are any bikes that it cuts power to the ECM.  If anything I would think that turning the key off would cut the power to the ECM and that using the kill switch first would give the computer time to save info.  But any computer with learned values has a constant voltage supply to keep those values in memory in addition to the switched power supply for normal operation.  And that whole argument assumes there are learned values to be stored, many bikes just use fuel mapping logarithms to run the fuel injection.

My 2 cents...

-Jessie

Quote from: adidasguy on September 21, 2011, 12:22:16 PM
Always the kill switch.
Then get off bike, turn bars, turn & remove key.

Same here.  MSF habit.

Using engine cutoff switch allows you to shut off the engine while you have hands on clutch, brake, handle bars, both feet on the ground. Complete control.

And that part about the ECU: pure BS. On any vehicle.

Owners manual says turn off with the ignition switch (key).

If you turn off with kill switch it is possible to leave the ignition "on" and kill battery after a while.....If you turn off with the key, everything (engine and electrical ) is turned off..

Cookie

The MSF has you use the "Battery Kill Switch" so that you get familiar with it's location. Yes I called it the "Battery Kill Switch" because the only thing I have ever seen that switch kill is battery's.........and it always seems to happen when your out in the middle of nowhere. (and it's never me, I use the key)

The KEY is for turning a motorcycle On and Off 

I recently went to a learner training course and they advised to turn off with the kill switch then the key. 

Does it really matter in the end so long as the key is taken out?

I've also been getting into the habit of using the kickstand.

Quote from: missk8t on September 21, 2011, 07:54:45 PM
I recently went to a learner training course and they advised to turn off with the kill switch then the key. 

Does it really matter in the end so long as the key is taken out?

The practice is a good one for a total newb rider that the MSF generally has to teach, both hands are on the bars, after you more comfortable you can use just the key for starting and stopping the engine, but using the kill switch doesn't hurt a thing.......well maybe a battery if you leave the key in the "On" position.

Quote from: missk8t on September 21, 2011, 07:54:45 PM
I recently went to a learner training course and they advised to turn off with the kill switch then the key. 

Does it really matter in the end so long as the key is taken out?

In one sense, no.

However I find it really easy to flick the kill switch with my right thumb as the first thing I do. Since I always park in gear so the bike doesn't roll, the bike is off right away so I can dismount, take hands off the bars (and clutch) and do whatever else I do without fear of the bike taking a jump because I accidentally let go of the clutch while bike is on and in gear.

So for me, it is a really safe habit.

Never have to worry about draining the battery - I always lock the steering and take the key --- and to do that, you gotta turn the key off.

Most of the time its key but using the kickstand in gear on slopes.

When I intend to keep the bike on first gear while off, so on uneven floor or a slope, I turn it off with the kickstand, otherwise with the key, so most of the time with the key

So far I've only used the kill switch by accident a few times, bike wouldn't turn on and when I see the kill switch is on(or off?), somehow I manage to turn it on(or off?) while turning the handlebar when going backwards