How You Start & SHut Off Your Motorcycle

This was posted over at SMJ. Thought it was interesting to say the least. In yet another thread about some WR fuel pumps going bad one guy posted this:

Quote :

Are you using the kill switch to shut it off? Do you turn the key to ON before you turn the kill switch off?

I had to get my fuel pump replaced and they traced it back to the start
up procedure (apparently the way they teach it in the motorcycle safety
course isnt good for the bike).

If you turn the key to on first, then toggle the kill switch to run, it
spikes the electrical system. Im not certain if the problem was
directly linked to the fuel pump going bad, but im sure it didnt help.

Luckily mine was still under warranty so they replaced the pump for
free. I wouldn't recommend that anyone use the kill switch to shut-down
and start-up their bike.

Just use the key for shut down and start up.

I've never even thought about what I do everyday. I'll have to start paying attention.

Does any of what this guy posted seem to make sense?

Can the sequence of pushing the kill switch to on after turning the key on spike the current going to the fuel pump?

I only use the key. I've hardly ever touched the kill switch. No real reason though. I've only used the kill-switch in emergency off-road situations.

I use the kill switch 99% of the time.

I push mine over. The tip-over-sensor stops it for me.

*I am Soooo ready for this weekend!!!! Riding both days!!!!


OK really if i have my way, I always use the key. Sometimes I do fall over thou. Then I hit the kill switch ASAP. That's the only time I use it.

I use the main switch (the one with the key) every time.
Basically, the only time I hit the kill switch near the throttle grip in once in a blue moon by accident. :)

I always use the key. That way I never leave the ignition on accidentally and drain my battery, besides it's just easier.

There's a kill swich?? just kidding

I also use the key 99% of the time. The only time I use the kill switch is if there are horses on the trail or some kind of emergency. I usually just pull the clutch, flip the switch, and roll past whatever I'm trying to avoid real quiet then flip the switch and bump start it.

I also remember the MSF classes teaching you to always use the kill switch. After I started riding with some old enduro/hare scramble guys they started getting on to me about using the kill switch. They told me that is an expensive habit and to only use the key.

Good topic, I would like to know more about this as well.

In my case I've been riding motorcycles since 1985-ish.

I have no idea what I do 99% of the time. It's like thinking about how you tie your shoes. Do you go right over left and under....

I'll have to try to pay attention over the next few rides without unintentionally changing my habits because I'm thinking about it.

I think I always use the key and never use the kill switch.

I would like to use the "kill switch" on my ex-wife...

On the bike, I never use the kill switch, but sometimes I reach over at the stoplight and hit my buddys kill switch when the light turns green...

interesting.. do you think the kill switch is contributing to the fuel pump failures?

I always use the key.. but one of my riding buddies always uses the kill switch. I wouldn't think it would matter that much. Perhaps it was just a dealer/mechanic trying to find a way to blame the owner for any problems..

About the only time I use the kill switch is if I'm stopped and can't seem to find neutral so that I can let go of the clutch to turn off the key, or when I'm off road and want to have the engine stopped in gear so it doesn't roll away.

Most times when I start the bike it takes me a couple of tries. I press the button and let go. The starter whirrs briefly, then stops. That's when I remember that It doesn't have the auto start sequence like the Ducati or the smart car does. You'd think I would remember that.

sswrx wrote:

I may be foolish to state this but has anyone checked the owner's manual on page 6-1 on starting the engine? It says turn the key to "ON" & put the engine stop switch to the "RUN" position, the indicator lights come on & then you push the start switch. I've always started all my bikes this way & never had issues. Could be a coincidence.

You read the owners manual?????

I don't use the engine stop/kill switch. Not ever it turns out.

I use the key every time.

sswrx wrote:

Yeah, it never hurts to read the owners manual or at least glance through it. Sometimes a new model bike or car will have some different things you need to know or do for proper operation. There are even times when you learn stuff about your new toy that you never did before.

Good for you. I agree totally. Most people just hop on and ride (or drive). I don't care how much experience you THINK you have, reading the owner's manual will more than likely surprise you with one or two things you never knew. And it would also cut down on some the really simple and dare I say "stupid" questions I see posted on these forums. I'm not saying the owner's manual is the Bible and should be followed to the letter, but there is info in there you can't find in the service manual or elsewhere. And if you don't have one, it's a free download from the Yamaha site.

Most of the time I use the key. The only time I don't is when shutting the bike off on an incline when I leave it in gear so it doesn't roll on me. Damn short-assed legs...

90% of the time I let the the side stand shut it down. I like to park in gear & since I have to put the stand down anyway... Then the kill switch is on so turn the key, thumb the starter, & I off.

I dont think there's any way you will fail the fuel pump by letting the bike do exactly as it is designed, the pump runs constantly so a few extra total minutes in it's life wont make any difference whatsoever
The only thing that could contribute is constantly running the bike with low fuel so the pump is not completely immersed in fuel to cool it
More than likely there is a manufacturing tolerance problem with a small quantity of pumps and nothing you do will make it better or worse

mwakey wrote:

sswrx wrote:

Yeah, it never hurts to read the owners manual or at least glance through it. Sometimes a new model bike or car will have some different things you need to know or do for proper operation. There are even times when you learn stuff about your new toy that you never did before.

Good for you. I agree totally. Most people just hop on and ride (or drive). I don't care how much experience you THINK you have, reading the owner's manual will more than likely surprise you with one or two things you never knew.

Ouch! I resemble that remark. Since (they say) confession is good for the soul:

Had my WRR about a month, went on a poker run with friends. After about 25 miles, pulled off the side of the road to check the route sheet. When I went to re-start got no starter. After a few minutes decided to leave the bike since a buddy said I could ride his wife's bike and she could ride on the back of his. We came back later and trailered it home. I checked the fuses, etc. - everything was ok. Just before trailering to the dealer to fix the problem, I went through the manual. Duh! I guess without realizing it, I had hit the kill switch. As I recall, when kill switches were first added to street bikes in the early 1970's, they only killed the ignition, not the starter also. Because of this, I ASS-U-MED they still worked this way.
After that incident, I spent the time to learn how the clutch/neutral/sidestand interlock worked so that I wouldn't embarrass myself again.

Good story! At least that lesson didn't cost you anything.

BTW.... nothing works like it did in the 70's....... including me!

Posted by mwakey regarding the owner's manual: "it's a free download from the Yamaha site"

Thanks very much for that info. I filled out the "My Yamaha" thing and downloaded a manual and printed off the service data. Very handy. Thanks again.

Sarah

p.s. They only offer the '09 manual in case anybody else wants to check this out.

BluePill wrote:

Had my WRR about a month, went on a poker run with friends. After about 25 miles, pulled off the side of the road to check the route sheet. When I went to re-start got no starter. After a few minutes decided to leave the bike since a buddy said I could ride his wife's bike and she could ride on the back of his. We came back later and trailered it home. I checked the fuses, etc. - everything was ok. Just before trailering to the dealer to fix the problem, I went through the manual. Duh! I guess without realizing it, I had hit the kill switch. As I recall, when kill switches were first added to street bikes in the early 1970's, they only killed the ignition, not the starter also. Because of this, I ASS-U-MED they still worked this way.
After that incident, I spent the time to learn how the clutch/neutral/sidestand interlock worked so that I wouldn't embarrass myself again.

When I rode my R² for the first time I switched it off with the kill switch and when I got back on it woudn't start. There's me with a brand new bike, peope watching and it wouldn't start untill I realised the kill switch has a on and off position. My previous 2 bikes were Honda's with simple push the button and the bike goes off switches, no on and off positions (SIMPLE).

Remember that's a free OWNER'S MANUAL...not the SERVICE. I have that if anyone's still interested.

asside from this being an old-wives-tale type of thread, i use my kickstand switch to kill the motor. (99% of the time i leave the bike in gear when i shut it down and park it). i always use the kill switch off road so i can talk to who i'm riding with. no issues with my bike.

also. OP. nicely cross posted.