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**Aryan** · 06-25-2009, 06:27 PM

Query Approved.

I remember reading something like this too, vaguely. I do not quite know whether it is harmful or not if used excessively, but I anyways use the ignition to switch off the engine totally, while in a traffic light. It is a habit actually, which is in me mostly because of the Pulsar 180 which I used to ride before my current bike (the Pulsar 200).

**insanebiker** · 06-25-2009, 06:31 PM

It does no harm. U can safely use it.

If u are talking about the R15, some guys even mailed Yamaha and got their doubts cleared. Yamaha said that we can use it as often as needed.

**dcs** · 06-25-2009, 06:53 PM

I guess you are referring to the fact that if we kill the engine with the switch, the battery still powers the capacitor/ignition coil which might give way if the engine is not running ( was told to me by a car mechanic for my Maruti 800). even if that is true, I would still say, that the damage is limited to the coil and not to the engine...when we say engine then I mean piston,head,valves,cam,timing chain, con rods etc.

anywhichways, I am sure, Engine kill switch harms the engine...thats the reason why My Zma does not have one.......(ok I was being sarcastic now!!)

**abhijeet080808** · 06-25-2009, 09:34 PM

^^ Why Zma, all Honda bikes come without engine kill switch! They believe, engine kill switch will reduce engine refinements by a considerable margin!

Just kidding!

**tibby** · 06-25-2009, 09:39 PM

I had the same question when I got my ride last month..

As insanebiker has poined out, an R15 owner got a go-ahead from Yamaha about frequent usage of the engine-kill switch..
So pls go ahead & use the engine-kill switch at traffic-signals.. I have been doing that 1 week since I got my ride.. It will also save you the time the bike takes to do the self-check, if you turn on the ignition key after switching it off..
Just one more pointer the Yamaha showroom guy had mentioned: If you're going to restart your bike after switching it off (say at a signal), then use the engine-kill switch.. & if you're not going to start the bike again for sometime (say while parking it), then switch off the bike using the ignition key.. It saves up the battery is what he said.. Now pls don't ask me how.. Sounds a bit unbelievable to me too..

**Sarvajit** · 06-26-2009, 12:59 AM

+1 to what Tibby said. Even in bikes which do not have a self-check, the switch is meant for frequent use at signals etc., so that the ignition need not be turned off&on every now&then.
Don't get any wrong ideas by the name Engine 'kill' switch.
Go ahead&use it like what its meant for!

**moeed** · 06-26-2009, 02:12 AM

+1
The switch is given for the convenience of the rider. You can use it without any worries.

**k_tornado_sj** · 06-26-2009, 11:47 AM

I am using it frequently from 2.5 years in my P-180 .. not a single problem shown related to it

**rajatagarwal** · 06-26-2009, 12:15 PM

The kill swicth dies the same job which the key does in the ignition/handle cyclinder
It is there for the benefit and ease of turning off the engine at traffic lights. The rider doesnt have to take his hands of the grip. If you switch off the ignition then the ability to use horn/indicator is also gone whereas in a kill switch that is still possible.
Some OEM go about it differently. Bajaj allows the starter motor to turn while the kill switch is activated (engine wont start but the starter motor will turn) this often leads to newbies buring the motor and wondering why the bike is not firing. TVS dsnt allow the starter to turn when the kill switch is activated which i think is a better thing to do

**pavanchirmade** · 06-26-2009, 12:38 PM

@ rajatagarwal

Dude I have a P180UG3 which sported the Engine kill switch for the first time in Pulsars.
When the engine kill switch is at off position, the starter motor doesn't run at all. nor is the kick starter able to start the bike.

The need of the engine kill switch is to avoid the Speedo self test time waste at signals and smaller stops.Also you don't have to take your hands off the handlebars!

**dhairya** · 06-26-2009, 01:30 PM

The engine kill switch is more of a safety rather than convenience and it comes from racing - In racing (atleast what I saw in US) they do not let a bike /wo the engine kill switch in the race. Its becos during race training they tell you that if you can, when you knwo you can not asvoid a crash quickly turn off the engine. Else when the field marshals come, they quicly turn the bike off.

Usually the ignition is located in the middle. Put the bike down, go beneath it, get one hand stuck and try to reach the ignition key! Almost impossible? Try reaching the engine kill switch close to the grip - all you need is a thumb!

**L.P.** · 06-26-2009, 01:47 PM

Originally posted by dhairya View Post

The engine kill switch is more of a safety rather than convenience and it comes from racing - In racing (atleast what I saw in US) they do not let a bike /wo the engine kill switch in the race. Its becos during race training they tell you that if you can, when you knwo you can not asvoid a crash quickly turn off the engine. Else when the field marshals come, they quicly turn the bike off.

Usually the ignition is located in the middle. Put the bike down, go beneath it, get one hand stuck and try to reach the ignition key! Almost impossible? Try reaching the engine kill switch close to the grip - all you need is a thumb!

Dhairya, Very well said.. that is the history why this was introduced!

In india,GOD forbid if any kind of mishap happens the bike keeps running and due to which some time it rotates and hit the rider..so as soon as something happens it can be used to kill the power immiditely..
there is abs no problem in using it..

But the problem comes when you REV hard and then KILL it and then release it to make a spark or let the fuel come out of silencer burning,making a " THAK! " sound!

That harms it!

**rajatagarwal** · 06-26-2009, 04:19 PM

@pavanchirmade

Well mine is also a 180 UG( I,II,III,,,,have stopped counting

, the one prior to LED intro) ; the starter does keep running without the engine catching on

. No mods, as stock as stock can be

**nand15** · 06-26-2009, 09:04 PM

cleared

hey guys ,
thanks for clearing that out

... well i have the Yamaha FZ16 so was wondering if it was safe to use the engine kill switch , the question arose because i read somewhere ( the same place where i read about the damage frequent use of engine "kill' switch

) that using the switch was equivalent to shutting the computer down by pulling the plug out , hence the worry .

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[Help]: Is using engine kill switch harmful?

[Help]: Is using engine kill switch harmful?

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