Modern Vespa

Ignition key or kill switch?

The manual isn`t clear whether the kill switch is just for emergencies or not.

I vaguely remember when collecting the bike the salesman saying NOT to use the kill switch to turn the bike off regularly, but I may have missunderstood.

I have just been turning the key off, it may not matter which you use, the key will obviously turn it off anyway but is there any reason to use the kill switch first.

Thanks

Steve

I use the key primarily because it is a long standing habit. I believe that MSF teaches to use the kill switch.

Pros:
Makes in instinctual to hit the kill switch which would be handy in a crash.
Keeps the switch parts from corroding and failing.

Cons:
It can make it easier to acidently leave your keys in the ignition.
British riders will make fun of you.

It is pretty much a personal decision.

None at all. Use the key, so:
a. You'll not leave the ignition on when you walk away
b. You're more likely to remember to remove the key.

The 'use the kill-switch' is only taught in the US, where apparently unless they practice this all the time, they'll never remember in an emergency...

It can be useful to kill just the engine and leave the ignition on at level crossings etc, but otherwise just leave it alone.

I agree it's pretty much a personal decision.

And yes, I recently passed the MSF course and they insist a lot to use first the kill switch and later the key. The idea is to develop "muscle memory" so you can switch it off in an emergency without further thinking.

For me this is confortable because I can kill the engine while entering the garage without releasing the handle bar... and also is useful to have the key in the ON so later I can lock/unlock the tilt system.

You need the key inside also if you want to lock the handle bar.

But if it bothers you to do the 2 step start/stop thing I dont see any problem dont using the kill switch.

See what I mean.

as a former MSF instructor, they teach and insist students use the kill switch for a couple reasons.

first so they know where it is and how to use it. this will help newer students develop instinctive reactions if ever needed.

second is for instructor safety on the range. Many times new students forget and leave bikes in gear and then also forget when lining back up in the staging areas after an exercise they let the clutch out with the engine running and crash boom.

I use the key all the time. And I also know where the kill switch is!

I'm a kill switch girl.

It's sort of like working from the top down to make sure you hit all the right bases -
1. kill switch
2. tilt lock
3. ignition/turn wheels to lock
4. parking brake

It seems like I remember learning in the MSF class that using the kill switch saves your battery? Maybe that's not true of all bikes, though.

They may have said that, but it is not true

Actually, we (in the USA) use the kill switch so we aren't mistaken for a Brit!

Speak for yourself, I use the key.

The only thing I could find in the user's manual is this (pg 36); "Stopping the engine (02_09) Fully untwist the throttle grip, then rotate the key in the switch «A » to «KEY OFF» (extractable key)."

As far as the emergency stop it only says this (pg 17); "DO NOT OPERATE THE ENGINE STOP SWITCH "N" WHILE RIDING UNLESS THERE IS AN EMERGENCY."
I assume that to mean using the emergency stop while actively riding. Either way I'll just stick to the key.

I typically use the kill switch so that I'm ready to engage the tilt lock. Then I rotate the key to "off" and open the hatch all in one motion.

My problem with using the kill switch on the MP3, if you get off the bike with the key on, you could hit the tilt lock and unlock the suspension while getting off. I am speaking from experience, not making a hypothetical statement. 10 weeks PT on my ankle, after I could walk on it months later. Not broken, but a severe sprain. Was told several times a break would have healed faster, still have issues over a year later.
This was after owning the bike for 3 years without a scratch.

excellent point.

Oh dear! And here I thought the "Kill Switch" was something to be used in case the Horn proved ineffective. I guess I'd better reassess my level of driving aggression.

Yeah, the "kill switch" sounds like a "cage guided" missile activator

If you lay it on its side it shuts off all by itself and you don't have to worry about it. Just sayin'

LL75

Thanks for the replies.

Just wanted to make sure I wasn`t doing anything `wrong`. Think i will stick with the key, just so everyone knows i am a Brit....

Steve