So, I only ever stop the bike by turning the key. That nice little red switch by my right thumb never, ever gets used. Should it?
Dont really know about should, but I spose every now and then isnt a bad thing just to ensure it still works. It is a safety item, afterall! Barry sheen famously reached over just before the start of a race and flicked the kill switch of the rider next to him! Of course a rule was added afterwards so he couldnt do it again....... <!-- s:roll: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_roll.gif" alt=":roll:" title="Rolling LoL" /><!-- s:roll: -->
haha. iv only ever used it once. when my mate stole my key... when i was on a motorway... its only really ment for emergencies.
I use mine most (99%) of the time. That way I can let the clutch go to hold the bike from moving when I release the front brake to turn the key off. Sometimes I forget to turn it back on, but it is right there at my thumb.
Hitting the kill switch is quicker, easier, more definite than fumbling for neutral. Plus, once the engine's off, it clicks into neutral quite nicely.
I never leave the bike in neutral when parking, it's too easy for someone to bump the bike and push it forward and have it roll off the side stand. <!-- s --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_sad.gif" alt="" title="Sad" /><!-- s --> Bikes don't have parking brakes, use the gears.
mmm good idea, i do generally leave my bike neutral however i turn the wheel and lock the bar.. very difficult to knock it forward or backward that way!
I like leaving it in neutral so that I can easily start it in the morning without getting on it, giving it a chance to warm up while I put my gear on. But I take your point about it not being secure that way. I might think about doing that when leaving it in public places.
Mine is very upright and easily goes forward. I started mine in the driveway and turned around to get the jacket and heard a crunch behind me. So I did not go anywhere that day except to the bike shop looking for parts to make it ride-able again. The fzr does not tend to run forward quite as easy, but it pays to be sure.
if your gonna do it id say make it a habbit because if you leave it in gear and come back to start it hours later expecting it to be neutral and forget to pull your clutch it could jolt off the stand
If your bike 'jolts off the stand," your sidestand switch isn't working. Bike in gear + sidestand down should = No Start.
? I didn't think these beasties had a clutch switch? (rummage through parts catalogue...) Sunnavagun - there it is... Learn something new every day! <!-- s --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="" title="Very Happy" /><!-- s --> (Either way, there should be no "jolting off the stand" unless several swiches are thoroughly gefukt)
learnt that the hard way caught the bike but dropped my helmet <!-- s:opps: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/th_oops.gif" alt=":opps:" title="opps" /><!-- s:opps: -->
Personally I think its like anything - find what works for you and stick to it. I have a system for starting my bike and a system for switching it off and i never deviate from it or change it, that way I know where my bikes at all the time. But yea killswitch all the way.
