When you first get on your motorcycle, you’re excited to ride it around town. After all, motorcycles are fun to ride, and you may not want to give up the adventure. But if you use your favorite motorcycle for a long time, you must know how to turn off a motorcycle as part of proper maintenance.
For turning off a motorcycle, you have many options, such as an ignition switch, an engine kill switch, and many more smart options of the present time. You may be hesitant to think about when or under what circumstances you need to turn off your motorcycle.
In this article, I will discuss how you can safely turn off your motorcycle. As well as when and under what circumstances you should do it. So, if you have a new motorcycle or want to know the proper rules, please keep reading.
3 Simple Steps To Turn Off A Motorcycle: The Safest Way
We rarely want to compromise on motorcycle maintenance. Improper turning off can reduce their longevity and cause many problems that we would never expect. So follow the simple 3 steps below to turn off safely as part of the maintenance.
Step-1: Stop The Motorcycle
Turning off a motorcycle demands only when you are riding it. So first you have to stop it.
You must press the brakes to stop the motorcycle. However, from my experience, if the speed of your motorcycle is high, first press the rear brake lightly, at the same time keep pressing the front brake lightly.
Many people pull down the clutch first and then press the brake, but you should press the brake straight without pressing the clutch at high speed. The motorcycle stopped faster.
This time, do not hold the handle of the bike too hard but hold it lightly. Be sure to look back through the view mirror. It will ensure your safety, especially if you are on a busy road.
If the speed of your motorcycle is below 20 km/h, press the clutch first and then press the brake, which will be the correct way.
Step-2: Set Motorcycle Gear In Neutral
After completely stopping the motorcycle, you need to set gear in neutral first. This is an important task before turning off your bike.
Many do not want to set the gear to neutral after stopping the motorcycle but turn off the engine before that. I’m not saying this will damage your motorcycle, but it’s not the right way.
Many times, by accident, the clutch slips out of the hand before the gear is set to neutral and the motorcycle’s engine turns off. This may not be a problem if it happens suddenly, but if it happens again and again, it can cause damage to the clutch plate or gearbox.
Hence, I would advise you from my long experience you be sure to set the gear to neutral after stopping the motorcycle. Rather than turning the motorcycle off when the gear is engaged, the best way to do this is to set it in neutral after turning off your bike.
Step-3: Turn Off The Engine
When you set the gear to neutral after stopping the motorcycle, you may be a little disturbed to think about exactly how you need to turn off the engine. Because, at this stage, you have several options in hand.
First, you can turn off the engine by turning off the ignition switch. This is the most reasonable and correct way. When turning off the ignition switch, do not push the key down, turn it off lightly. I have seen many people press the key downwards when using the ignition, which can cause damage to the console.
You can also turn the motorcycle off using the engine kill switch. While this is not a bad thing for your motorcycle, it is not a good practice to use the engine kill switch regularly and many experts do not recommend it. Suddenly, disconnecting the power from the engine and turning it off is considered poor practice.
There are many more modern features nowadays that can turn off the engine, one of which is the side stand. Many motorcycle manufacturers attach sensors to the side stands of their bikes, and as soon as these stands are lowered, the engine shuts off.
However, it is not at all a reasonable way to stop motorcycles regularly. You should use these features just to deal with emergencies.
Why Is The Kill Switch Included In A Motorcycle: 2 Major Reasons
A motorcycle can provide a unique experience than anything else. For many people, motorcycles are a hobby, and they spend a lot of time riding and maintaining their motorcycles. But even the best motorcycles can be dangerous, and in the wrong hands, they can cause a lot of damage.
Typically, a motorcycle has a kill switch included to deal with the two major types of problems, which I describe below.
Reason-1: Throttle Stuck
Although this type of problem does not occur often, it is uncertain that it will. You may need to use the kill switch to stop the motorcycle when you are riding fast and if the throttle does not work or gets stuck.
Imagine you are on a busy road and the speed of your motorcycle is much higher. Here, the throttle is not working, but you urgently need to control the speed. To turn off the ignition switch in this situation, you need to separate one hand from the handlebars, which may not be possible.
Kills witches are very easy to use in this situation because they are very close to your hands. You can use the kill switch to turn off the bike and avoid potential damage.
Reason-2: To Turn Off An Accident-Ridden Motorcycle
If you have ever had an accident when you can’t turn off the ignition switch, or have no chance to turn it off, you can turn off the engine using the kill switch.
Although we never expect such an accident, we need to have an idea about the need for caution.
If someone needs to turn off the engine of a motorcycle to help anybody who is in an accident, the kill switch is most effective. Because different motorcycle ignitions are in different places. So in this situation, the most suitable method is to turn off the kill switch to stop the engine.
Kill switches are usually included in motorcycles considering emergencies. These can play an important role in many other minor problems, including the two main ones mentioned above.
The Difference Of Kill And Ignition Switch For Turning Off A Motorcycle
Motorcycle manufacturers have different ways of powering their vehicles. One of the most common ways is through the use of an electric motor. There are, however, other ways to power a motorcycle.
Kill switch and ignition switch are two different mechanisms through which a motorcycle rider can stop their motorcycle. Although both switches work almost identically, there are some differences between them. The biggest difference is their unique position.
Ignition Switch
The ignition switch of a motorcycle is the method commonly used to turn it on or off, which is to be used with the key. Motorcycle manufacturers can differentiate the location of the ignition switch in their different models. Most of the time, it is located on the meter console attached to the handlebars. However, on some motorcycles, these are seen to be with the fuel tank, or even slightly below the side of the seat.
To use the ignition switches, you need to insert the key into the slot and turn it on or off. Most motorcycles have other locks included in the ignition, such as handle lock besides this on or off. The ignition switch is the safest and most effective way to turn a motorcycle on or off.
Kill Switch
Kill switches are included in motorcycles to turn off the engine in an emergency. This is also a very safe feature for turning a bike off, but I would discourage you from using it regularly.
The kill switches are usually on the right-hand side of the rider in the handlebars, which he can use to turn off the motorcycle fast. When the kill switch is activated, the motorcycle is shut down and you cannot restart the motorcycle.
A motorcycle is an amazing vehicle. It can take us on long journeys at high speeds, save money, and can also help us stay fit and be more adventurous. Therefore, to use it properly, you need to have a clear idea about all the features of the motorcycle.
How The Kill Switch Works To Turn Off A Motorcycle
When your motorcycle is in danger, a kill switch is a great way to ensure safety. In simple terms, a kill switch is a mechanism that cuts the power to the motorcycle’s electrical systems in an emergency. Each motorcycle manufacturer has its technique for activating the kill switch, but they all encourage one feature in common: they ensure the kill switch is easy to access and use.
Kill switches have been introduced to reduce the force supply quickly and safely from the motor. The kill switch is connected to the motor by a wire, and this switch is connected as a part of the complete circuit. That is why, when you turn on the kill switch, the circuit cannot be full and the power is interrupted.
In simple words, the progress of electricity is disconnected through the wires in the sparkle plug by turning on the kill switch. Because of this, the motorcycle stops giving power to the motor gadget and eventually turns off.
The kill switch is a safety feature that allows you to shut off the engine of your motorcycle while you still have control of the vehicle. It’s designed to prevent you from losing control of the motorcycle and injuring yourself or others.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Happens If You Suddenly Stop Your Motorcycle While Riding?
In most cases, turning it off while riding a motorcycle will not cause any major problems. However, it depends on the type and speed of the motorcycle. It may not be a very reasonable move to stop suddenly while riding a bike with no urgent need.
Here, the engine will stop and you will feel the engine brake if you do not press the clutch. If the speed of the motorcycle is high, it is less likely to be shaken too much, but if the speed is low and the class is not pressed, you may feel a sudden powerful shock. However, by pressing the clutch and brake, you can easily stop the motorcycle in this condition.
Why Does The Motorcycle Turn Off Automatically After Stopping?
It may happen to you that after you stop the motorcycle, it automatically shuts off, which you do not expect. You may also see this when the motorcycle is in such a state that when you are traveling on a busy road, the motorcycle is stopped, even if the throttle is reduced. However, this is not a big problem, you can fix this problem easily.
This type of problem usually occurs when there is a problem with the ratio of fuel to air. You need very few instruments to solve this problem, which you can use to fix it yourself. But the best way is to go to a local bike service repair shop. Ask them to adjust the AFR (air-fuel ratio). This problem with your motorcycle will go away.
Which Foot Should You Put Down First While Stopping A Motorcycle?
There is no set rule for which foot to take off when you stop the motorcycle. You can lower any foot. It depends on which foot you feel comfortable with and which is to your advantage. You can drop any foot first based on your needs.
However, I would recommend that if both feet have equal benefits, lower the foot first so that you do not need to press the rear brake. There are many situations when you may need to use rear brakes while sitting on a bike or stopping. But having these legs engaged means you won’t get that opportunity.
Do You Need To Hold Both Brake And Clutch For Stopping A Motorcycle?
Many people are confused about whether they will hold the clutch when using the brakes on a motorcycle. Holding the clutch means the engine cannot speed up the motorcycle, and if you use the brakes, the speed of the motorcycle will stop. But you have to use them according to the situation.
If your motorcycle is at slow speed, use the brakes lightly after holding the clutch. But I would advise you to reverse when the speed is too high. In this situation, to stop the motorcycle, first press the brake, then hold the clutch. This way, the bike will stop much faster and at shorter distances.
Should It Be In Gear When Parking A Motorcycle?
When the motorcycle is in gear and the engine is off, it cannot move forward or backward normally. So having gear when parking provides extra safety for the motorcycle and can protect it from falling and damage.
Whenever you park a motorcycle, make sure the motorcycle is in first gear, even if the ground is level. This should not be an exception. Many people think it is better to keep the motorcycle neutral while parking, but in fact, your bike should be neutral when you start. So keep your favorite motorcycle in first gear while parking to keep safe.
Can You Turn Off A Motorcycle In Gear?
If you wish, you can turn the motorcycle off while the gear is engaged. However, this can put both your motorcycle and you at risk. Turning off while in gear can damage the motorcycle, especially its clutch plate or gearbox. Also, if you turn off the motorcycle while in gear while moving, you are more likely to fall off the bike. For this reason, turning the bike off while in gear is not recommended under any circumstances.
Modern bikes are equipped with advanced features to prevent this problem. The feature turns off the ignition function while in gear. This is a safety feature that ensures the safety of both the bike and the rider.
How Do You Turn Off Your Bike In An Emergency?
Motorcycle manufacturer companies added a safety feature to almost all modern motorcycles to turn off the motorcycle in case of emergency, that is, the kill switch. A kill switch is very easy to use, and a rider can use it in the fastest time. So if the motorcycle ever gets out of control or an emergency arises, you can use the kill switch.
Kill switches are usually located on the handlebars on the right side of the rider. A rider can activate it with just one finger. This shuts off all electrical signals to the engine, and eventually, the motorcycle turns off.
How Do You Stop A Motorcycle Fast?
If a rider has good braking skills, we can call him an expert rider. Your braking skills are very important to stop the motorcycle fast. I am describing the matter from my experience.
Using rear brakes only to stop a motorcycle quickly is not very effective. Moreover, the rear wheel is likely to skid if the speed of the motorcycle is high.
Compared to that, if you only use the front brakes, even if you stop a little faster, the rear wheel can go up and cause an accident.
The most effective way to stop a motorcycle fast is to use both the front and rear brakes together and use the engine brakes. Engine brakes mean you don’t use the clutch when you press the brakes. A rider must have the practice of using engine brakes. This will allow him to stop the motorcycle faster, in a short distance.
Final Verdict:
You might not realize much about motorcycles until you need one, and then you’re likely to think about them a lot. Turning off a motorcycle is a simple process and there are many options for it. But the problem is that many of these options can confuse you.
In this article, I have described how to turn off a motorcycle safely. Since the issue is much more important for the maintenance of your favorite motorcycle, everyone who uses a bike needs to practice these. Hope this writing helps you.
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