2003 Shadow vlx600 start/stop opinions

[jcart1590]

I always hear differing opinions about how people start and stop their bikes.

Some people swear by using the kill switch, some swear by using the key every time.

Anyone else have a 2003 Shadow vlx 600 and have a preferred method for keeping your bike in good shape that has worked for you?

Thanks!

[justinmahn]

Follow the maintenence schedule. Other than that, make darn sure that key comes out when the bike is off. That'll do you.

[jcart1590]

My current process for turning the bike on is key > petcock > start

When I turn the bike off I turn the key > shut off petcock > put down kickstand

[justinmahn]

My bikes don't sit for more than 3 days at a time. I don't worry about the petcock.

[gat803]

The fact of the matter is that whether you use the key, the emergency kill switch, or the kickstand safety, they all do the exact same thing.....they disrupt power to the ignition circuit.

It's not brain surgery, don't be like a lot of these guys and make it harder than it has to be. Learn where the emergency kill switch is so that if you do need to use it you can find it quickly. Past that, just use the key.

The key switch is the only thing that really MUST be shut off when you're done with the scooter....that fact can not be logically argued. Please note the "logically".

[kacealraid]

Originally Posted by gat803

The fact of the matter is that whether you use the key, the emergency kill switch, or the kickstand safety, they all do the exact same thing.....they disrupt power to the ignition circuit.

It's not brain surgery, don't be like a lot of these guys and make it harder than it has to be. Learn where the emergency kill switch is so that if you do need to use it you can find it quickly. Past that, just use the key.

The key switch is the only thing that really MUST be shut off when you're done with the scooter....that fact can not be logically argued. Please note the "logically".

This. Just turn it off in a habit that always has you pulling your key out of the ignition. I know a few guys that use the kill-switch and generally forget their keys if someone doesn't point at it for them. Haha.

[jpr1968]

Keyswitch everytime. Then you don't have to worry about killing your battery by leaving the key on.

[tgelphman]

usually i'm in 1st gear going slow so i just pull the clutch and put the kickstand down to kill it. Then i turn the key to off. Many times i completely forget the fuel petcock and leave it on. Never had a problem yet. Oh, and i always leave the key in. At night its in my garage so no problem. However i usually forget to take it out when stopped at grocery store or other place where i plan on being in and out fairly quickly. I am a very trusting person and usually leave the key in my car for short stops too. I am asking for trouble but bad habits of trusting people are hard to break.

[joe in calif]

Originally Posted by jpr1968

Keyswitch everytime. Then you don't have to worry about killing your battery by leaving the key on.

I agree with this, been riding for over 45 years and always the key to shut the bike off, any one of the above methods will do the same thing but as said before, you stand a chance of a dead battery if you don't turn the key off.

As for the routine maintenance, go with what the manufacturer suggests.

[Tulbal Cain]

Originally Posted by joe in calif

I agree with this, been riding for over 45 years and always the key to shut the bike off, any one of the above methods will do the same thing but as said before, you stand a chance of a dead battery if you don't turn the key off.

As for the routine maintenance, go with what the manufacturer suggests.

I agree I have drained my battery by using kill switch and forgetting the key switch when parking in my garage. And a VLX battery is not an easything to get to.
Dave