Poll: How do you shut down your Rocket?

Always used the key on every bike I've had.

Key, only bikes I ever used the kill switch on was my 2 YZ Yamahas more of a kill button than switch.

I recall my owners manual says not to use the kill switch except in an emergency.
I use the key.

None of the above.

JRock said:

I recall my owners manual says not to use the kill switch except in an emergency.
I use the key.

Click to expand...

This is cut straight out of the owners manual... I to have learnt something from this thread as i have always used the kill switch then stand then key.... This forum is great for learning from the small things like this through to engine removal etc. I'm glad to be a part of it.....



Caution

The engine should normally be stopped by

turning the ignition switch to the OFF

position. The engine stop switch is for

emergency use only. Do not leave the

ignition switched on with the engine

stopped. Electrical damage may result.

I too have used the kill switch in bikes I have owned previously. Might get a bit of getting used to using the key but will change my habits. Good thread

JRock said:

I recall my owners manual says not to use the kill switch except in an emergency.
I use the key.

Click to expand...

The manual does indeed state that leaving the ignition "on" whilst the engine is not running may result in "electrical damage". This doesn't explain what is happening from the time you turn the key to "on" and when you hit the starter. It would follow that the time you hit the kill switch to turning the key to "off" is comparable.
If there is a special routine that the ECU performs on shutdown, it would have been engineered (Japanese I am guessing, not Pommy) into both a key shutdown or a kill shutdown.
Leaving the key in the "on" position for an extended time is an obvious mistake, probably related to battery drain and how that may effect the ECU whilst it is lit up.

I think the most important thing to mention here is the routine we all use to start and stop our bikes. The routine is meant to prevent mistakes like side stand up drops, battery drains and ECU problems (and in the old days leaving the petcock open). So the routine we each use, works for us individually. If you have made the aforementioned mistakes then maybe a routine would be helpful. This is why there is a routine taught in the professional courses.

Similar to starting an airplane, the routine may have a left-to-right habit or an acronym like FINE-C* to start and right-to-left pattern: T(humb [kill switch]) K(ey) F(uel) to stop.

*
- Fuel (gotta turn that fuel switch back on, if you have one)
- Ignition (key)
- Neutral
- Engine cut off switch ("kill" switch)
- Choke and clutch

No, using the kill switch (I might add, it's always been by others) has messed with the electrics in my bike. Maybe it's different for others or just good luck but it has nothing to do with routine or "whatever works for you". It's plain and simple not a smart thing to do.

I never park any of my bikes in neutral. I've had bikes "fall" (once cuz some dickhead decided he should lean on it ) off the side stand when in neutral in the past, so for me its roll to a stop, put down the stand, then kill switch to off as my key is now mostly ornamental due to DeCosse keyless system

CanberraR3 said:

No, using the kill switch (I might add, it's always been by others) has messed with the electrics in my bike. Maybe it's different for others or just good luck but it has nothing to do with routine or "whatever works for you". It's plain and simple not a smart thing to do.

Click to expand...

I beg to differ, but if that works for you, fine. All professional riding courses use the method I have mentioned and it is the same method I have used for 35 years without electrical problems or "damage".

The reason why you use the kill switch is pretty logical:
a) to be familiar with it (emergency kill and also for restarting/rebooting in a stall as 2nd nature)
b) to include it in a routine means you have touched (checked) all the relevant control surfaces
c) it enables you to stop the bike (engine) whilst having 2 hands on the bars and 2 feet on the ground