Does anyone use this?

[Marcus]

I don't think I've ever used it

[Sicman]

I only use the bottom half to start her 

[Shiney]

   Nope

[StinkyPete]

    Nope again

[Abe]

You should be using it Gentlemen, you don't wont dirty contacts too form and create a "gremlin" in the electrical system do we.

That's my theory,  so, I will read with interest members thoughts about my thoughts.

[Sicman]

Oooh - dirty thoughts 

[Brock]

Always, that way I always turn it on before starting the bike. Cant be tricked by the kill switch off prank....

[Streak]

I try to use it every trip, for that dirty contacts reason, don't like surprises!

[alans1100]

Usually when I need to park the bike in gear I'll hit the kill switch and release the clutch b4 turning off the key. Then panic sets in when the bike won't start.......lol.

Other than that I test it every few weeks

[Biggles]

I'm with Alan.  It's a handy "hands on the bars" way to shut down, but then I try to remember to reset it after I turn the key off to avoid that "my bike won't start" panic.

[Abe]

Very easy to remember, if its "not on, its not on" our work training saying.
Not that many, members remember that simple thing.

[Marcus]

Does it do anything different? like shut off all electrics in a proper fashion etc.

I mean something other then on and off, like what the Key does

[Brock]

Just kills the ignition, the electrics are still on

[ST2UP]

Very easy to remember, if its "not on, its not on" our work training saying.
Not that many, members remember that simple thing.
[/quote

"If it's not on it's not on" was used in my work enviroment aswell when I was at Paddington and covered the Cross......but I guess that was for a different reason....


As far as kill switch every few shut downs.........for the use it or loose it reason



 

[Biggles]

Very easy to remember, if its "not on, its not on" our work training saying.
Not that many, members remember that simple thing.

Where do you work?  I thought that advice was in regards to condoms!   

[gaz]

I don't think I've ever used it

  how do you stop the    then?

[Biggles]

how do you stop the    then?

Front and rear disk brakes.

[Sicman]

 

[gaz]

 

[alans1100]

Does it do anything different? like shut off all electrics in a proper fashion etc.

I mean something other then on and off, like what the Key does

I often wondered why the ST has a kill switch as it has a bank angle sensor which does what I think the kill switch was originally meant for.


http://motorcycleviews.com/general/seventhings_2.htm

A Bike Has a KILL Switch

Cars don't have KILL switches. The closest you can come is to turn off the ignition. On a motorcycle, a KILL switch has several purposes.

The motorcycle KILL (or STOP) switch is in series with the ignition switch. When the KILL switch is open, the motorcycle will not start.

Most motorcycle training courses suggest that you get in the habit of using the motorcycle KILL switch to shut off your bike. The reasoning is that if you don't use it, it won't work when you need to use it.

Much confusion occurs in traffic when you inadvertently trip the KILL switch and then can't figure out why the bike won't restart. Always look at the KILL switch first.

You may need to use the KILL switch if your bike falls over and you can't reach the ignition. Just trip the KILL switch. KILL switches are also known as RUN or STOP switches.

[Sicman]

 

Sorry Gaz - But it tickled me funny bone

[Couch]

When I purchased my bike new from Pro Honda and they were giving me a run down on the bike, they of course showed me the kill switch, but they suggested that I should always stop they bike by turning off the key as the kill switch was only for stopping the motor in an emergency, such as the bike going over and not wanting to take ones hands off the grips. Their reasoning was that by using it all the time it could create a problem within the switch and the bike just mightn't start. Consequently I've only ever used it once, when my bike went down in wet grass and I needed to kill the motor chop! chop! My previous bike, Yamaha XVS 1100, had a kill switch and I did use it occasionally, but I did find it frustrating sometimes when going to start the bike that the bloody thing wouldn't start, of course the penny would finally drop, and I would remember I'd hit the kill switch and it was still in off position. I've just gotten into the habit now of never using it, and hope I never have to repeat my previous reason for using it again.

[STeveo]

1, too difficult to get to with thumb over the throttle lock.

2, stopping on hill, hold clutch in and put down side stand = engine stop.

3, don't want to wear it out.

4, don't wish to get caught with switch off and cranking engine with no spark.

But otherwise I don't use it other than when doing maintainence.

[saaz]

Same as Steveo pretty well.  I spray and clean the switches at least every year, so at least make sure it works.

[atoyot]

I just noticed that when I put a bit of pressure on the bottom of the kill switch, it cuts the engine as well. I first did it accidentally, then when the engine cut, I worked out I must have bumped the switch, but not to the off position. Maybe a faulty switch?