kill switch, is it needed?

[jetski]

Hi all, I have a faulty kill switch on my 125. It stops the bike from starting unless I push down on it hard (its a rocker on/off type). If I hold it down hard the bike will start but when I release it it stalls the bike.

I'm thinking of disconnecting the switch altogether. Is this switch supposed to be used to stall the bike when I want to stop every time or is it just for emergencies and I'm supposed to stall it using the key?

If I just use the key to turn the engine off is there any point in the kill switch at all?

[bodger]

Never seen the point of it myself. How many people actually use the thing?
If you disconnect it I dont know if it will be a fail at MOT time on the basis that as its there it has to work.
As I say though I dont know if that would be an issue.

[EazyDuz]

Its there for emergencies. Say if you have an off and are injured, you flick the switch instead of having to fumble for the keys.
Also for if the engine catches fire or something unlikely. Just buy a new switch, wont be more than £20.
I definitely need one on my bike because the ignition barrel is on the side of the bike by the engine.
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[anthony_r6]

I had an issue with my throttle sticking and pulling on it's own a couple of weeks back. Didn't have a working front brake at that point either. Had to use the kill switch to stop the bike once I realised the speed was picking up on it's own. I don't think it's a good idea not having it.
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[The Shaggy D.A.]

[janner_10]

Fit a new switch? Just a thought.
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[Vincent]

The kill switch is there so that your mate can creep alongside you at traffic lights and hit it just s they turn to green I must admit, I don't use mine very often. As above, just get another one, you might even find a switch with a broken or scruffy body going cheap and just swap over the internals.
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[doggone]

Very occasionally you want to kill the engine while covering clutch and front brake e.g. parking in a steep gravelly spot.
So it's easier to flick the switch than turn the key.
Then you forget when you come back and wonder why it won't go

[The Shaggy D.A.]

Also handy for plug chops.
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[Vincent]

And backfires
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[The Shaggy D.A.]

[Vincent]

Oooooooooooops
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Space Is Deep

[Kickstart]

Hi

As said above, they have their uses. But plenty of bikes don't have them and can't think of any reason for it to fail the MOT on it.

All the best

Keith
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[Sload]

Will it fall under the category of "if fitted must work"?
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[Kickstart]

[arry]

[Sload]

[Robby]

Just fix it. You will probably find that stripping and cleaning the switch will fix it.

Disassemble it in a clean bench, and be careful when taking it apart - small bits and springs have a habit of going ping, and disappearing to somewhere far away and dark.

[Vincent]

Does your MOT place do free re-tests? If so, take it in and, if it's a problem, get it sorted for the re-test. Or, even better, ring them up and ask if it'll be a problem.
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[Kickstart]

[jetski]

Thanks for all the advice. I thought it may not be needed as some bikes don't have them and it seems just as easy to use the key as it is to use the switch. My kill switch is part of a block holding the start switch and the light switch. I certainly won't get one for £20. I'll try n fix it but thought if I can't I can always just disconnect it, but it seems most are against this idea.

The unit is sealed up, there doesn't seem an easy way in to it to get to the switch terminals

[jetski]

Thanks for all the advice. I thought it may not be needed as some bikes don't have them and it seems just as easy to use the key as it is to use the switch. My kill switch is part of a block holding the start switch and the light switch. I certainly won't get one for £20. I'll try n fix it but thought if I can't I can always just disconnect it, but it seems most are against this idea.

The unit is sealed up, there doesn't seem an easy way in to it to get to the switch terminals

[thomp1983]

throw a picture up but most switch gears are secured by 2 screws on the back or underneath, once there removed you'll find some very small screws inside holding the kill switch bit together

chris

[danjameswhitt]

[Vincent]

While moving, turn the kill switch off with ignition on and throttle wide open for a few seconds then turn kill switch back on. By that time the exhaust will have filled up with combustable gases and when you turn the kill switch on, they should ignite. Be careful not to leave the kill switch off too long, I've seen pipes fall apart under the strain before
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