Some of the replies are surprising to me. My 900 is the first bike I've had that has the ignition on the left side so I've always used the key previously. I find myself using the kill switch and kickstand more on this bike because I'm often stopping on some type of grade and want to leave the bike in gear. The surprising part is that I would never walk away from my bike without the key. I guess it could happen accidentally of course just like locking your keys in your car and it probably will now that I've said it. Typically I kill the engine and then pull the key straight away. Another question: how many of you ever actually lock the forks?
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2007 900 Custom - Not treated well by previous owner but getting a makeover....
This past summer I've had to go help two friends who turned the bike off with the kill switch but left the key in and in the ON position. Both recent MSF students. They teach to use the kill switch but not to turn off the bike and remove the key.
I use the fork lock in a strange area when I will be away from the bike for a while. For example, Oatman. I only park in neutral on level ground and where I feel the bike is secure.
I thought I was real good about never walking away from the bike without the key, but I left the ignition on last week at my office. Just too many distractions right then. Bike would not start of course, just clicking. I put it in gear, got coasting and eased the clutch out. Started right up. Then I had to reset the clock. Maybe that is why bikes don't have automatic transmissions.
If I park in neutral it is easy to remember to remove the key as I turn off the ignition.
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2010 Vulcan 900 Classic LT, 2007 SeaRay 185, nine children, one wife.
I am not a 900 owner but I will jump in on this one. I have always shut down the bike with the kill switch. I was taught that so It will be on the front of my mind for emergency situations. I have never had a problem with forgetting the key in any bike I have owned except 2. 04 1500 Classic and 99 1100 V-Star. Both bikes had switches on the side of the bike and If I was distracted I would forget sometimes. But the rest of the bikes I have owned the key was on the bars or tank. (83 Honda Nighthawk, 1600 Meanie, 08 V2K). It is easier to kill it with the switch IMO. Most of the time I am parking on a slope or somewhere where the bike will not sit in Neutral.
As for the fork locks. I have never used them. If someone was to lock my forks without me knowing I would probably start to wonder what would make the forks lock up like that and be puzzled for a while.
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2008 V2K Classic
Who would have thought I would grow up to become "Spatially Educated" and play Connect-the-Dots for a living.
I thought I was real good about never walking away from the bike without the key, but I left the ignition on last week at my office. Just too many distractions right then. Bike would not start of course, just clicking. I put it in gear, got coasting and eased the clutch out. Started right up. Then I had to reset the clock. Maybe that is why bikes don't have automatic transmissions.
I read on the owners manual, that you should not start the bike that way, doŽnt know why. I used to ride a Rebel and it was not a problem to start it that way.
Is it ok or not?
I never use the kill switch. The funny thing is, it's for "emergency" use, but what emergency are you going to need it for? Crashing is a real emergency but most of the time the bike will shut off anyway because of the tipover switch.
I never use the kill switch. The funny thing is, it's for "emergency" use, but what emergency are you going to need it for? Crashing is a real emergency but most of the time the bike will shut off anyway because of the tipover switch.
True. I have not ran in to an emergency that required me to use it other than a down bike. The only one I can think of was when my wife tipped her 600 VLX and it fell on the key side so when I went back to get her I hit the kill switch. It did not have a tip over switch it was a 95 model.
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2008 V2K Classic
Who would have thought I would grow up to become "Spatially Educated" and play Connect-the-Dots for a living.
I read on the owners manual, that you should not start the bike that way, doŽnt know why. I used to ride a Rebel and it was not a problem to start it that way.
Is it ok or not?
I think it is a safety issue. You get coasting, you engage the throttle, you release the clutch, you take off, you get startled, you crash into something, Kawasaki gets sued.
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2010 Vulcan 900 Classic LT, 2007 SeaRay 185, nine children, one wife.
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