Do you turn off scooter w/kill switch??

[Stig / Major Tom]

Do you turn off your scooter by using the kill switch?
I never do.
Was told by mechanic that this switch is an emergency shut-off - and that repeated use is not good for the engine because the switch is not letting the scooter shut things down in the proper manner or order.
My son's motorcycle buddies frequently shut down after a ride with the kill switch. Then they turn off the key and remove it.
My LIKE200i  a l m o s t  starts with the switch in the 'kill' position.  Almost....but never does....even seems to fire at times. Never starts. That is what fools me sometimes - (before I notice the switch is in the kill position) and maybe this is the sign that it is NOT good to keep shutting bike down with this switch? Maybe only some of the systems are shutting down with the switch....not all as with a proper "key off" ?
Stig

[MJR]

Not on any of mine, side stand switch or ignition switch. As far as I know they are all inline, if each is rated to handle the circuit what difference does it make which one you use.

[wkreps]

My kill switch is always off. Always turn the scoot off with the key. Once on may Super8 I flipped it by accident going down the road. It worked. Guess at the start of every riding season I ought to check them to make sure they still work.

[CROSSBOLT]

Me too, meaning I don't use the kill switch. I HAVE unknowingly bumped it to "stop" and it ALWAYS takes me a bit to figure out why no instrument panel self-check, no starter and no run!

Karl

[blue]

Theres a kill switch.....

[Stig / Major Tom]

See, that is what gives me a little thrill every time that kill switch gets me!
On my LIKE200i everything kicks into action  -  but the scooter will not start with the switch in the 'don't-run' position.
Makes you play with throttle, wonder about fouled plug, out of fuel?, flooded it?, etc.

Owner's manual incorrectly states it won't start with side-stand down. (there is no such switch on side stand of a LIKE)

The other day when I was finishing a few hours of work on the Burgman's CVT - I wanted to watch the CVT with the cover off before buttoning it all back up.
Hit the starter -.....nothing. D e a d .
Then I saw the side stand was still down (down, to facilitate side panels coming off) Flipped it up. Scoot starts.

But it always gives me a little thrill when my scooter will not start. An unusual experience for me - Honda, Kymco & Suzuki scoots are that reliable.





Stig

[Forbes1964]

When I took my motorcycle safety course, we were encouraged to ALWAYS use the kill switch so that if an emergency happened, we would automatically be in the habit of using it. And we would use it without having to think about it. It makes sense to me. Someone implied that the kill switch is more robust . And using it will prevent (relatively) heavy current from passing through the ignition switch before its fully in position. -- Makes sense in theory. But in practicality, I doubt it matters since the switch was designed with this in mind. But using it all the time so I will  automatically reaching for it in an emergency does seem like a good thing. It can't be a bad thing.

[MJR]

Owner's manual incorrectly states it won't start with side-stand down. (there is no such switch on side stand of a LIKE)

My Burgman 650's won't crank with the side stand down. Weird thing on the MyRoad is it will crank and start with the side stand down but the engine shuts off within a few seconds unless it is up.

[AMAC1680]

Never touch the thing. Never had on any of my rides in the last 40 years.
Side stand shut offs are the first thing I disable. Just my preference.

AMAC

[LidoCA]

 The only time I turn off the kill switch, is when I accidently hit it when washing the scooter.

[Stig / Major Tom]

Interesting to read bike forums/mags about these kill switches.
Lots of differing ideas/opinions.
"Just in cases....." (a line from my fav movie) I'll keep using the key so as to protect the  ECU from any possible trauma.
Probably IS good safety idea to be more familiar with the switch.
Stig
@@win a free donut if you can name the movie!@@

[gn2]

Love Actually.

How do I claim my donut...? :lol:

[Stig / Major Tom]

Love Actually.

How do I claim my donut...? :lol:

Well I'll be darned.....
D'nut is in the Royal Mail..... (if this is the Forza owner I think it is?)....
Stig

[randyo]

Kill switch does not turn anything off, it only kills the engine

[TroutBum]

The kill switch for me is for emergency shut-off only. I do cycle it with the key in the off position at least monthly to help remove in oxidation build-up on the contacts.