How do you turn off your bike?

[Scruit]

At work the other day I noticed every bike but mine parked with the engine stop switch in the "Run" position.  I always turn my engine off using that switch. 
 

The wiring diagram for my bike shows the engine switch cuts off power to the coil, and the ignition cuts off power to the ECM. 

 

Is there a right way and a wrong way?  Or is it different strokes?

Edited September 24, 2015 by Scruit

[Pokey]

I never understood for once second, why anyone would use anything other than the key "if your bike uses a key" to shut it off. Now the few times on my dirtbikes where I was about to drown my bike in a water crossing, now that is the only time I have EVER hit the kill switch on a motorcycle.

[JustinNck1]

I use the kickstand most of the time, but back when I had a Harley, that doesnt work. I used the kill switch on Harleys.

[Tpoppa]

Isn't a kill switch just a leftover relic from the 70's when a throttle cable could get stuck open?  Cars don't need a kill switch.  Why do motorcycles?

 

I see the point of a kill switch on a race bike, or a dirtbike/minibike that doesn't have a key.

[2talltim]

Usually just the key, I'm sure the key shuts it all down not just the ECU.

Edited September 24, 2015 by 2talltim

[Pokey]

No matter how you kill the engine, on most bikes you must still turn off the key in the ignition anyways to kill the lights and other electrical goodies.......seems counterproductive and pointless IMHO to do it another way.

[Scruit]

I've heard all kinds of weird things about why the kill switch exists, from "It's the primary way of turning the bike off - It's the E in the MSF FINE-C process" all the way to "It's only to turn the bike off if you feel you are falling off"

 

I've always used the kill switch to turn the bike off and left it in the off position while parked.  It's right there, so why not?   

 

Turn on:

 - Key in, turn to Off the release steering lock

 - Get on bike, rock it off the center stand

 - Key to Run

 - Neutral

 - Engine switch to RUN

 - Starter

 

Turn off:

 - Engine switch to STOP

 - 1st gear

 - Kickstand down

 - Get off the bike

 - Pull the bike up onto the center stand and stow the kickstand

 - Turn the handlebars full left, turn key from Run to Lock and remove key.

Edited September 24, 2015 by Scruit

[JustinNck1]

I've heard all kinds of weird things about why the kill switch exists, from "It's the primary way of turning the bike off - It's the E in the MSF FINE-C process" all the way to "It's only to turn the bike off if you feel you are falling off"

 

I've always used the kill switch to turn the bike off and left it in the off position while parked.  It's right there, so why not?   

 

Turn on:

 - Key in, turn to Off the release steering lock

 - Get on bike, rock it off the center stand

 - Key to Run

 - Neutral

 - Engine switch to RUN

 - Starter

 

Turn off:

 - Engine switch to STOP

 - 1st gear

 - Kickstand down

 - Get off the bike

 - Pull the bike up onto the center stand and stow the kickstand

 - Turn the handlebars full left, turn key from Run to Lock and remove key.

This is interesting, I always leave my side stand down when on the center stand. IDK why, maybe if it fell off the center stand maybe the side stand might catch it, although highly doubtful. I have heard stories of the kill switch wearing out on BMWs by being turned on and off too much.

[ScubaCinci]

I use the key...mainly so I don't forget to remove it.

[TheBrown57]

Well right now I need to get my bike to turn over first but I've always used the kill switch just like you described Scruit.

[what]

Generally kill switch. Habit from growing up on snowmobiles I guess. 

[motocat12]

some kill switches are momentary rather than on off. Also if you kill and get distracted and leave the ignition on your headlight could kill the battery.

[TimTheAzn]

about 70% of the time that I do actually use my kill switch, the next time I get on and I turn the key I scratch my head from anywhere from 2 seconds to 5 min trying to figure out why my bike is "dead".

 

 

I use the key.

[Tonik]

Mobile One.

[Scruit]

This is interesting, I always leave my side stand down when on the center stand. IDK why, maybe if it fell off the center stand maybe the side stand might catch it, although highly doubtful. I have heard stories of the kill switch wearing out on BMWs by being turned on and off too much.

 

Back when Honda Northwest was open I watched one of their techs roll a bike backwards in neutral, pushing from the handlebars...  Then just let it go.   It fell to its left side as it rolled and landed on the kickstand - continuing its slide, dragging on the kickstand, for another 6 or 7 feet on the smooth concrete floor.

 

Maybe an approved technique of moving bikes...  But that was when I figured I wasn't gonna have them do any more work on my bike.

[Bad324]

kill switch, stand, key. That order everytime

[bowdog]

Only time i use my kill switch is if i am on a hill.

[Gixxus Christ!]

Ignition only. Kill switch is for emergencies ie: bike is on its side and still running, easier to slap the kill switch than to turn the key and risk breaking it off.

[redkow97]

Isn't a kill switch just a leftover relic from the 70's when a throttle cable could get stuck open?  Cars don't need a kill switch.  Why do motorcycles?

 

I see the point of a kill switch on a race bike, or a dirtbike/minibike that doesn't have a key.

 

The MSF will tell you that it's unsafe to take either hand off the bars to turn the key.

[Tpoppa]

The MSF will tell you that it's unsafe to take either hand off the bars to turn the key.

If that is true then the MSF is quite confused

 

[2talltim]

The MSF will tell you that it's unsafe to take either hand off the bars to turn the key.

And you can zip your sack into your pants zipper too if your not super super careful. It's a pussy fied world i tell you. Edited September 24, 2015 by 2talltim

[Tonik]

Dynabeads.

[Steve Butters]

I always put the side stand down to kill engine, then I get off bike, turn handlebars, turn off and remove key

I had an incident once where I shut it off with the key, sat on it for a minute and checked something on my phone that was in my tank bag, then attempted to dismount with the stand up... Almost dropped it.

It gets shut off either way, so it doesn't matter, but I prefer to put kickstand down right away

I've never used the kill switch on anything except dirt bikes with no keys

Edited September 24, 2015 by Steve Butters

[Gump]

I do whatever way works best for the scenario. I'm glad the kill switch is there.

[Wojo72]

Switch because I like to keep my hand on the brake.

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