I'm sure that others will add, but I never (except when servicing or checking the oil) leave the bike in neutral. I stop with the side stand in first, roll to the stop and turn off the key. Always...

 

I have never used the kill switch to shut down a bike in my life. I just put it in neutral and switch off with the key.

 

I do it the same way. When I started riding, motorcycles did not have kill switches, so I never became accustomed to shutting them down with the kill switch. The only time I leave a bike in gear is when I'm parked on a incline. Never had one roll off the kick stand and tip. Even though I read the LT was famous for it. Just always used the transmission depending on the parking spot. I guess you just get used to the way it was when you first learned how to ride.

 

90% of the time neutral and turn the key. 9% of the time parking on an incline 1st gear and turn the key. 1% use the kickstand or kill switch, I don't remember why but I know I've done it.

My main reason for not using the kill switch is I may forget to switch off the key later and run down the battery.

 

I just turn off the key in 1st gear.
Why do the people who put it in neutral do so?

 

Most of my HD buddies do this, (leave in Neutral) but since I've been riding BMWs I always stop it in gear and put the side stand down. Leaving it in neutral is setting yourself up for a roll over.

 

I always put it in neutral. I live in one of the flattest countries in the world, so rolling is not an issue when I park it. Also at home I always back the bike in my garage under the house but do that while sitting on it and let it roll in (in a controlled way).

 

I use the kill switch and leave her in neutral so I can then set the bike on the centre stand. I can't see leaving the key on as you'll probably take it out to lock up. Really wouldn't want to let it down off the centre stand in gear, I always double check that ,to make sure.

 

I user the center stand quite frequently and you need to have the bike in neutral in order to easily get it on the center stand. Most of the time I use the kill switch because it is right there in my hand. On the exclusive you have to open the gas latch quickly after shutting off the ignition or it will lock up so the quickest is the kill switch.

 

you need to have the bike in neutral in order to easily get it on the center stand.

No true -- just pull in the clutch lever (left hand is already on the left grip to put the bike on the centerstand anyway).

Always in gear when turned off and I kill it with the side stand. I've never come up with a good reason to leave it in "roll mode" in earthquake country. I pull the clutch lever (have to grab the left grip anyway) to place onto or remove from centerstand.

+1

I use the kill switch. I was told by someone on other bikes that, using the kill switch "re-boots" the computer.

uzzled: Definitely not the case that the kill switch does anything different than the ignition switch when the engine is stopped -- on *any* BMW of which I'm aware.

 

My driveway has a incline, garage to street. Always park in first, forgot once on another bike and parked in neutral, you know the results. Glad their was no video, picking a bike up in neutral facing down hill is a show to be scene

 

Always in gear when turned off and I kill it with the side stand. I've never come up with a good reason to leave it in "roll mode" in earthquake country. I pull the clutch lever (have to grab the left grip anyway) to place onto or remove from centerstand.

 

Ditto

 

I use the kill switch. I was told by someone on other bikes that, using the kill switch "re-boots" the computer.

When I used to ride Harleys, they were temperamental that way. They probably have this ironed out by now (I would like to think so anyway!).

 

I use the kill switch. I was told by someone on other bikes that, using the kill switch "re-boots" the computer.

The only thing that reboots a computer is switching it off and on again. Using the kill switch certainly doesn't. It only interrupts the ignition.

 

Mainly kill switch and leave it on neutral w/ centerstand.
If hilly, then 1st gear on. But still using kill switch, just a habit, I guess?

 

I had a mishap ONCE with a borrowed bike (my dad's pride and joy 1985 Limited Goldwing). I had almost always put a bike in neutral before shutting it off. It looked pretty flat to me but it still rolled off the side stand and fell into my brother's pride and joy ST1300, broke the left side mirror on Pa's precious and did some repairable damage to my brother's bike. Very embarrassing and I also had to ride my dad's bike about 800 miles back to my place without the left rear view mirror. Of course, I never thought of stopping at a bicycle shop and duct taping on a temporary side mirror. Not a safe or fun return trip. And I had to call and tell my dad what happened. :hide:
I know it was a true brain fart on my part but regardless, now I always leave my bike in gear when stopping and getting off the bike. Most of the time I use the key to turn it off. I have to turn the key off anyway, even if I use the kill switch, so why not only have one step?

 

Just like my cages, put them in gear and turn off the key.

 

I stop, make sure bike is in 1st gear, then drop the side stand which shuts it off, then release the clutch and roll forward until I feel resistance, then put the bike on the side stand. Then I turn off the key and remove it. Even if you are on flat ground, having it in gear will ensure that it will not roll forward if someone happens to nudge it from behind when parking their car. I often will use the center stand in my garage, and I do not find it to be difficult to put it up even when the bike is in gear. I do rather miss the power stand on my old LT though.

 

I *always* leave the bike in gear when I shut it down. I predominantly just put the side stand down and let it kill the engine. If I am not going to dismount, i.e., doing a splash and go at the fuel pump, I will leave it in gear and turn the ignition off. That was one of the adjustments I had to make when I bought the RD. That old technology doesn't have a side stand switch. So 100% of the time I leave it in gear and turn off the ignition.

 

As others have said I never use the kill switch. Bike in gear, kickstand down to kill bike then turn off key.

 

Coming from the LT that's the way.:gm

 

I always leave in gear and use the side stand. if it wears out - the sidestand switch is easier to replace than the kill switch

 

In the past I used the kill switch and I have been using the kill switch as my phone holder is a little in the way of getting to the on/off switch easily. Due to the keyless nature of the Exclusive, I have actually forgot to turn it off!! (Just in the garage so far!) I need to adjust to my new reality. On a related note, I had the bike in the wash bay at work, that has a slight slope. I decided to put it on the center stand, and when I yarded it up I actually pulled too hard and it jumped up, hit the extent of the center stand travel and bounced back down off the center stand. It is a very good thing it was in gear, otherwise I would have had to stop it from moving forward while trying to hold it up from an awkward position, I think I dodged a low speed drop bullet!

 

I've never use the Kill switch. I always leave it in gear and either turn off the key or put down the side stand.

Russ

 

color me wrong on this one but didn't I read or hear in some training class (like brc or something) or maybe it was from BMW to not use the kill switch?

 

Other than when parked in my garage in neutral, the bike is placed in first gear and stopped by putting the side stand down. I then turn the key off except when adding fuel. Since I installed the screw type SSR gas cap, my process leaves the ignition and accessory options on; i.e. GPS, radio, etc. I finish with fueling, put the side stand up, hit the start button and go. I might use the kill switch while waiting in a long, slow line for gas.

 

Finally a REASON to use the Kill Switch...and I love it!

Keeping the GPS and music playing during a gas stop would be nice...but keeping my Bluetooth headset connected without going stupid whenever I restart is all the justification I need to use the kill switch. Thanks Warrior!

 

Thing is, when you stop for gas, you have to unlock the gas cap with your key (unless you have an Exclusive), so you have to take the key out of the ignition and then everything switches off anyway. Or do you carry your spare key especially for this?

 

I live in Tampa Fl/ it is flat. Very rare I leave my bike in gear. I did grew in Puerto Rico a very mountainous island. You don't dare leave a bike in Neutral.

In Tampa I do. I usually turn the key and let electronic system reboot while I put my gear on. Once the green neutral light is on I turn on my bike.

Right or wrong that is my process.

 

shift into 1st and deploy the side stand. I've used the kill switch but more out of curiosity to see if it's working.

 

I lied, but in my defense I wasn't aware of it.(not sure if thats a good thing or not), I shift into first but actually hit the kill switch as I'm coming to a stop. Must have been second nature and I didn't even realize it.


Sent from Motorcycle.com App

 

OK, Here goes.
The red switch is NOT a KILL switch but an ENGINE CUT OFF SWITCH and is intended to be used every time you shut off the motorcycle. It is located where you can activate it with the right thumb and NOT have to remove either hand from the handlebar to reach the key or whatever.
First gear is always preferred as it is the gear you use to move away from a stopped position and doubles as a parking brake when the engine is stopped.
Getting into the habit of these 2 procedures may save you from crash and possible injury.