Kill Switch

[dbrick]

The kill switch on my 2007 R is stiff. Not stiff as in dirty and gummy, but stiff as in the little cam or bump inside is too high and it's hard to compress the jesus spring to move over the resistance.

I'd like the switch to operate a little easier, but I'm not eager to try and disassemble without a bit more knowledge than I've got. Has anyone taken one of these things apart?

I do know the work-in-a-plastic-baggie technique, but a plastic baggie full of parts is not much better than disappeared parts if the switch can't be reassembled by human hands.

[Lost Rider]

Mine's always been the way you describe, to kill my bike I just put some pressure on the switch, without pushing hard enough to "get over the hump". Works good.
Never thought about taking it apart though, I would be afraid of not getting it back together!

[Liam]

Hi,

My 2009 R1200R kill switch doesn't have much of a bump. I don't use it anyway. I usually just drop the kickstand while I'm in first. I leave it in first when I park anyway.

Is there a problem with this technique I should know about?

Have you considered using an electronics oriented lubricating spray. I've used Radio Shack color tuner lube on lots of hard to throw switches, but they don't seem to make it any more. I'm planning to try Hosa Cable D5S6 Deoxit Contact Cleaner Spray, available on Amazon for $10 when I run out. May you can try it for me

Liam

[dbrick]

Joe, I have the same anxiety about not getting it back together. The "bump" is really big - makes me twitchy to push it hard enough to open the contacts.

Liam, it's a YMMV situation. Years ago, I got used to switching the motor off with both hands still on the grips; I just like to do it that way. I guess I could hold onto both grips while kicking the stand out.

I have a can of D5S6 on the shelf - bought it for some electronics job or other; didn't think to try it on this switch because the label talks about contact "cleaning" not "lubricating." Who knows? <pause> I went out to the garage and flooded the switch and moved it back and forth for a minute or so. Made absolutely no difference - the switch felt (and feels) clean and crisp, just hard to operate. You don't need to buy it for this job!

[Liam]

Thank you.

Sorry it didn't work.

Liam

[Bamblys]

Somebody actually told me to stay away from that kill switch. It apparently is very easy to damage and then you're sitting somewhere and can't start the bike. It's there for emergency (don't i know it!!!) only.
I just shut my bike with a key, that way i don't forget that my headlight is still on draining my battery.

[mogu83]

MSF: The "proper shutdown procedure" we teach in the Basic Rider Course is turning the motor off with the cut-off switch, turning the key off, and turning the fuel petcock to "off" (if your bike has one); often referred to as "Thumb, Key, Valve".
I assume the 'cut-off' switch is the kill switch.

I understand that the reason for the MSF using this procedure is to get people use to automatically knowing where the kill switch is in the event of a go down. Strange thing is I don't remember seeing anyone (including myself) that actually hit the kill switch on their way to the pavement.

Personally I hardly ever use the kill switch.

[Bamblys]

[ Strange thing is I don't remember seeing anyone (including myself) that actually hit the kill switch on their way to the pavement.

Personally I hardly ever use the kill switch.

Happened to me once. I was messing around in a parking lot. Parked, not moving. Lost my balance clutch lever was slipping out of my hand, bike going down cranked up the revs as i was trying to hold on to it. If it wasn't for the kill switch my bike would have jumped from under me and rode off with out me.
No more effin' around in a parking lot for me.

It was a BMW mechanic who told me to stay away from that switch.

[Bob Ain't Stoppin']

Harry, I can tell you from first hand experience that if you go down, it will be someone else shutting down the bike

Each time I've been in this situation, I'm down about 20 feet from the bike and the passers by stop and I ask them to insure the bike is off properly before I get up. YMMV

I have also a good score card for doing flips when being knocked off the bike by cars or other bikes. One flip and I'm down on my back or side with only minor damage. Guess I've been lucky so far.

[websterize]

Interesting to hear riders who avoid the kill switch. I use it to turn off the bike every time. The MSF instructors beat us over the head to do it that way in Basic Rider. When I dropped the bike at a stop light a few years ago, I jumped off and used the kill switch first thing — didn't really think about it, just muscle memory. Pick a method and stick with it, I reckon. I ride with the Navi IV most of the time, which obstructs the key ignition on my setup. The kill switch is quicker to reach.

[Snapping Twig]

The dealer I bought mine from told me not to use it.

I asked him why and he mumbled something about it not being a good idea.

Probably not as robust a switch as you'd expect & complex and as a dealer he wasn't thrilled to repair them.

I don't use it since the key works as well and the warning from the dealer.

[Bamblys]

The dealer I bought mine from told me not to use it.

I asked him why and he mumbled something about it not being a good idea.

Probably not as robust a switch as you'd expect & complex and as a dealer he wasn't thrilled to repair them.

I don't use it since the key works as well and the warning from the dealer.

Exactly what I was told!!!

[PhilSB]

I'm having trouble with the ignition switch, It takes two or three turns on before the start up sequence begins. Dealer said it happened to a bike before and a new switch cured it. I'll get it done next year when it's MOT'd (yearly test). WD40 didn't do any good.

Phil

[AncientMariner]

Mostly I use the key, unless there is a good reason to hang with both hands, then use the kill switch. That way there isn't too much wear and tear, and yet it remains usable.

Bruce

[Martyn]

At work we have had a fleet of BMW's since 1976, & this is a topic that raises it's head periodically. Remember that a police bike may well be started, turned off, then restarted literally dozens of times in a working day, so not the same use as most private users BUT the scenario is that eventually the "Emergency Kill switch" fails - not in that it won't "kill" the ignition, but rather that it fails to re-make the contact, so the bike won't start.
Cue red-faced call to workshops, where rider will deny routinely using the "Kill switch", which story is believed by no one.

[qfman]

I've always thought the 'kill' switch was poorly labelled. I think it is more like a 'starter'' switch. I can't imagine starting a bike by twisting a key in the centre of the handlebars - it's unstable. The 'starter' switch allows you to make the starter live before you fire the motor. Hands on the clutch/brake, able to use the throttle etc. The shutdown is much safer. Kill, Kickstand, Key.... Whatever suits.

Tom

[Woland]

Pick a method and stick with it, I reckon.

Indeed, personally I've yet to see the point of using the kill switch when the side stand is going down in any case.

Still, the endless nitpicking of various habits and details on our bikes is what I like the most about biking, at the same time it's also what disturbs and worries me most

[mogu83]

Woland - surely you must realize that when the days get shorter and the nights get longer, and cold, people tend to get crazy. So it is with internet forums, especially motorcycle fourms. Nothing to worry about, just something to go along with or ignore as you wish.

Danger is if the list gets clogged up with the silly stuff, so far I don't see that as a problem.

[angellr]

Woland - surely you must realize that when the days get shorter and the nights get longer, and cold, people tend to get crazy. So it is with internet forums, especially motorcycle fourms. Nothing to worry about, just something to go along with or ignore as you wish.

Danger is if the list gets clogged up with the silly stuff, so far I don't see that as a problem.

AMEN, Harry, amen! Temps here are still tolerable, but I have been enjoying the heater in the Jeep when they dip below 32 ... although the temp said 22 the other day while riding out to teach.