BMW Luxury Touring Community banner
Cancel

starter button

4725 Views 13 Replies 10 Participants Last post by  New2rt, 
A
i just bought a 2002 k1200 lt and do not know the purpose of the lever under the starter button. help please
Reply
Save
Like
1 - 14 of 14 Posts
sheldan2
You have a switch for the heated grips, off, med, high
You have a turn signal switch
you have a bc selector switch for your computer if your bike has one.
Reply
Save
Like
B
I think he might be talking about the kill switch maybe?
Reply
Save
Like
JimH
alexkuczynski said:
...the lever under the starter button. help please
Click to expand...
This is a so-called 'kill switch' that has (3) positions, left-center-right. Left and right are STOP while center is RUN. Use this switch to stop the engine, and place it back into the RUN position when you want to start the engine.

When you shut off the engine with this switch, the brake power booster remains on, so if the bike rolls you still have finger-tip stopping ability,

Since this bike is new to you , I offer a parking tip. After you stop the engine with the STOP switch, leave it in gear, ease out the clutch and roll forward until it takes up the slack in the gearbox and stops. Then, swing out the sidestand and ease her over. Notice that the engine now prevents it from rolling forward and the sidestand prevents it from rolling backward. This is a very stable position.

When it is on the sidestand and stable, go ahead and switch off the key.

To start, turn on the key and watch the red flashing light on the dash go from fast to slow blink as the brake booster does its self-check. Lean the bike upright, fold in the sidestand and pull in the clutch. Last, flip the switch to the center RUN position, press the starter button and she will start right up.

Enjoy the ride!
See less See more
Reply
Save
Like
R
JimH said:
alexkuczynski said:
... the lever under the starter button....
Click to expand...
... so-called 'kill switch' ...
Click to expand...
You guys are so nice! I was instead expecting someone to describe how the above-mentioned switch deploys the force field in left position and releases the ejection seat when flipped to the right. What a pity...

Hey, Alex, welcome to the tribe! :wave

As a hint: do not get into a habit of just using the kill switch to turn the bike off. You may wind up leaving the ignition still on, draining the battery while you are walking away.

Everyone here has his own opinion and habits, but I never use the kill switch - except when having dropped the bike. BTDT.
Reply
Save
Like
B
Now I wonder if the guy that has the abs pump running all the time might have a prob with the kill switch.
Maybe it's "on" just enough for the pump to run or has a short..you guys may have hit on something.
Reply
Save
Like
JimH
Bones1955 said:
...abs pump running all the time might have a prob with the kill switch. Maybe it's "on" just enough for the pump to run or has a short..you guys may have hit on something.
Click to expand...
If you are referring to my post "When you shut off the engine with this switch, the brake power booster remains on" what I meant is that by using the shutoff switch, the power to the booster remains on and it is ready for use. If you switch off the key, you will revert to manual brakes, which have a very different 'feel' to them and can surprise you.

rdwalker said:
As a hint: do not get into a habit of just using the kill switch to turn the bike off. You may wind up leaving the ignition still on, draining the battery while you are walking away.
Click to expand...
We can disagree on this point. I always turn off the bike and put the key in my pocket before I walk away, except when I park bike in the garage. In the garage, I can see the headlight shining on the back wall to remind me to switch off. Also, since I ride with the radio on, I have a second reminder to forget to turn it off and walk away. So, my advice is to use the shutoff switch, but to each their own.
Reply
Save
Like
DanDiver
I never used the kill switch when stopping. I don't think I ever used it period. I know it is not what is taught and I'm hoping that anyone reading this is not in an accident because of what I'm going to say, along with all of the usual disclaimers.. etc...

In 40+ years of riding and 50K miles on my 02 K1200LT, I always stopped by slowing down to a stop in 1st gear and then extending the kickstand. This killed the engine and I gently rolled it forward to let the transmission take up the slack. Then I turned it off with the key. My kill switch was quite dusty.

I do the same with my K1600.... It's flat down here and maybe that's why I can get away with it. Seems like I did the same though in WV.
Reply
Save
Like
R
DanDiver said:
... I always stopped by slowing down to a stop in 1st gear and then extending the kickstand. This killed the engine and I gently rolled it forward to let the transmission take up the slack. Then I turned it off with the key. ...
Click to expand...
That is exactly my own personal system.
But the differences to other approaches are so minimal, that it really is a matter of personal preference.
Reply
Save
Like
deanwoolsey
I can tell you from recent personal experience that if you do use the kill switch as you are in the process of laying it down, adrenaline will break the tab right off.
Reply
Save
Like
JPSpen
The kill switch is to kill the bike in an emergency.. Leave it alone... Don't fu'mess with it or you'll have a bike that won't run one day...It's not a very robust switch...

Come to a stop... Put down the side stand to shut off the bike.. Leaving the bike in first gear.

Take your hands off the levers and let the drivetrain settle on the engine..

Turn off the key and wait 20-30 seconds for the oil to drain back into the crankcase.

Then place the bike on the sidestand... Or center stand as you prefer...

I dont use neutral.. I don't use the kill switch... Never when riding....

John
See less See more
Reply
Save
Like
R
My MSF instructor told me to use the switch...it's a learned muscle memory you might need if turning the bike off in a hurry. Course, this switch is quite a bit less robust than the one I learned on.

I don't spend a lot of time on the side stand, not since I learned what 'it may smoke a little' really meant. Lets just say the mosquitos don't stand a CHANCE this year!
Reply
Save
Like
JimH
JPSpen said:
The kill switch is to kill the bike in an emergency.. Leave it alone... Don't fu'mess with it or you'll have a bike that won't run one day...It's not a very robust switch...
Click to expand...
I disagree, strongly, and will continue to use my preferred method of switching off with the shutoff lever.

However, that is not to say that extending the sidestand will not turn off the engine or that it will not work for y'all.
Reply
Save
Like
New2rt
I would think the correct shut down procedure is using the ignition key, that is why it's there.
In the days of carbs it wasn't an issue, it can be with FI to continually use the e stop switch. The e stop along with the side stand switch are there for safety.
I do know that Honda, with PGM injection, stated NOT to use the e stop for normal shut down.

The MSF is a little dated when it comes to modern motorcycles.

Just Sayin
Reply
Save
Like
1 - 14 of 14 Posts
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
BMW Luxury Touring Community
A forum community dedicated to BMW Luxury Touring motorcycle owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about performance, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, maintenance, reviews, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
K1200LT RT Series (Post 2013) Bike Talk K1600GT/GTL K1200/1300GT (The Next Generation)
Top