"Kill Switch"......priceless goof

[Stig / Major Tom]

One of my best. Right alongside losing my scooter keys miles from home*.

So, I'm at my coffee village before sunrise - taking a pic of the moon over the scooter....


...down the street from Dino's coffee shop.
Scoot is idling. I accidentally hit the kill switch. (AND turn it back to run, unknowingly! that is the important part!) engine dies.

So, I turn the kill switch to 'run'. Nothing. Just cranks. Somewhere JJJ is smiling!
OK, now I figure it's flooded. I wait, try again. Just cranks, wait/try X 2 more.
I check the switch ....in the dark. "Yeah, it's 'run'."

So I take a walk 2 blocks down for coffee. Thinking - "OK, if I've massively flooded the plug - it is time to learn how to put my spare NGK Iridium in using only the toy tool kit that comes with a Kymco." Windy as h_ll, but I can do this. Wait for daylight.
Worst case scenario, walk over to Joe's** house for proper tools, swap the plug.

I come back with my coffee, sit on hotel steps. "Good coffee!"

45 mins later....thinking.....I get my cell phone out, flip on the flash-light thing, walk over and check that "kill switch".

It's in the off position, it's not flooded.
I've been cranking my poor LIKE with the kill switch in the wrong position!
I turn the key on, hit the start button and it snarls to an instantaneously purring idle.
I apologize.

Take another pic of the moon.


Stig

* found the keys, they were in the cuff of my rain pants, down by my ankle (spare key is secreted on the scooter)
** Joe keeps 7 old Toyota estate wagons, a 1930's tow truck, a Honda Reflex and his restored 1951 BMW w/sidecar running like old Swiss watches. His overalls are a disgrace - but not his vehicles

[Neil955i]

We’ve all been there! Brave of you to share your fox’s paw (faux pas).

[Stig / Major Tom]

I don't use the kill switch, ever.
So not at all familiar with its correct position.
Took this morning .....to confirm.

Stig

[Stig / Major Tom]

True story...
Picked my daughter up from work, "I had a little excitement in YS this morning. My scooter wouldn't start."

Daughter - "kill switch?"

Wife home from work.
"I had a lousy hour in YS this morning.  Scooter wouldn't start!:

Wife - "was it the kill switch?"
I could hear my daughter laughing in the shower....

"never mind...."
I swear, true story.  Everyone but me knew!
Stig

Wife added, "you should have called me."

[klaviator]

I never use the kill switch so when it ends up in the off position it might take me a while to figure it out.  Some bikes won't even crank with the kill switch off but My like 150 is like yours in that it will crank but not fire.  I had that happen to me once.  After a while I called the tech at my kymco dealer and told him it wouldn't start.  I had had issues starting it in the past that were not kill switch related so I figured it was an electrical issue again.  I had already checked the spark plug cap and for loose connections.  The tech asked me if I checked the kill switch and DOOOH .  At least that was an easy fix.

[CROSSBOLT]

Is not the kill switch one of those government requirements.....?

[Neil955i]

I never use the kill switch so when it ends up in the off position it might take me a while to figure it out.  Some bikes won't even crank with the kill switch off but My like 150 is like yours in that it will crank but not fire.  I had that happen to me once.  After a while I called the tech at my kymco dealer and told him it wouldn't start.  I had had issues starting it in the past that were not kill switch related so I figured it was an electrical issue again.  I had already checked the spark plug cap and for loose connections.  The tech asked me if I checked the kill switch and DOOOH .  At least that was an easy fix.

Easier than a knackered crankshaft...

[aschrauth]

I never use the kill switch, Im not even sure why scooter manufactures even put it on. Question is does it actually turn the engine off while you are traveliing? anybody ever experament ?

[airshot]

My ATV also had a kill switch that I never used, I have had some similiar situations not being familiar with it.  As far as doesvthe switch kill the engine....yep...and dam quick to !!!  Had to try it one day while going down the road......on an ATV, the cvt will stop you right quickly when there is no power !!

[klaviator]

I never use the kill switch, Im not even sure why scooter manufactures even put it on. Question is does it actually turn the engine off while you are traveliing? anybody ever experament ?

Yes it will turn off the engine while riding.  Way back in the day I remember a "friend" pulling beside me and killing my engine.  The reason for the kill switch is that it is required by law.  If you were to get a throttle stuck wind open you could kill the engine.  I think this happened occasionally in the "old days".  I have never had it happen.

[Stig / Major Tom]

Accidentally tripped the Piaggio's kill switch yesterday

Big difference.....no sound, no engine cranking, zip, nothing! So unlike my busy Kymco cranking away as though it will start any second now! It is a fooler.

I quickly fixed the Piaggio's dead button!

Stig

[Stig / Major Tom]

Yes it will turn off the engine while riding.  Way back in the day I remember a "friend" pulling beside me and killing my engine.  The reason for the kill switch is that it is required by law.  If you were to get a throttle stuck wind open you could kill the engine.  I think this happened occasionally in the "old days".  I have never had it happen.

Always thought it was in case of a crash.
Stig

[Neil955i]

I never use the kill switch, Im not even sure why scooter manufactures even put it on. Question is does it actually turn the engine off while you are traveliing? anybody ever experament ?

Yes it does. I’ve had riding ”pals” who thought it hugely amusing to knock mine off as they went past!

[klaviator]

Always thought it was in case of a crash.
Stig

That is another reason.  Today most FI bikes have a tip over sensor to shut of the engine if you crash.

[Ex-KLR]

The kill switch on the Like 150i sticks out like a sore thumb.  It's easy to accidentally turn it off.  I speak from experience.