Turning off the bike at red lights

Being able to move in an instant at a stopped intersection can help you avoid an accident.
I suppose one could argue that you can get underway in an instant.
When I stop at a light I stay in gear and have one foot on the ground, the other on the rear brake. This allows your throttle hand some reprieve.
I’m not an expert and subscribe to the theory that it’s harder to hit a motorbike if it’s moving and have been known to roll through stop signs because of this premise.

Bad practice/habit. Keep the bike running and in gear, at least running so can respond to threat if needed.

In mechanical theory I believe it is better to shift into neutral when stopped for a period of time. This relieves pressure on the clutch mechanisms and thrust bearing and prevents excess use of the starter components. Yes, these bikes are pretty bullet proof, but for the sake of a dumb argument, you should just plop it into neutral. This will also resolve your "giving your hands a break" problem. After having a couple different Ducs and being a boulderer, I find pride in my forearm pump resistance when on the more technical enduro rides. Realistically, I rarely use the clutch when riding around, just blip/slip and bang gears. Kinda like a miata.

805SV650 said:

In mechanical theory I believe it is better to shift into neutral when stopped for a period of time. This relieves pressure on the clutch mechanisms and thrust bearing and prevents excess use of the starter components. Yes, these bikes are pretty bullet proof, but for the sake of a dumb argument, you should just plop it into neutral. This will also resolve your "giving your hands a break" problem. After having a couple different Ducs and being a boulderer, I find pride in my forearm pump resistance when on the more technical enduro rides. Realistically, I rarely use the clutch when riding around, just blip/slip and bang gears. Kinda like a miata.

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I have also seen way more kill switches fail than ignition switches. The kill switch is (again in theory) for emergencies.

Skywalker67 said:

I wear this jacket:

Does it work too?

And, no, I never switch off the engine at traffic lights, just keep the clutch pulled using all 4 fingers, while I normally use only 2 to shift.

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If those eyes came with the Jacket then the Maker's know the ," Eyes " trick

Yes, the "bad eyes" is a trademark of the maker (Berik motorcycle clothing).

I own a jacket and a couple of gloves pairs from Berik, they're great value for the money.

In neutral, hands off the grips and both feet on the ground gives the required "stretching" older bodies like mine need during red light waits IMO. As for the engine, it's water cooled and if it's working correctly, it should idle forever even in the heat.

I think it depends a lot on where you ride. If your riding in areas that have little traffic I can see being more relaxed, dropping it in neutral, maybe even hands off the bars. In busy areas I ride like Fast Eddie! 👍

I'll shut the engine off for fresh red lights to save fuel, but I watch my mirrors and make sure the first few cars are stopping.

805SV650 said:

I have also seen way more kill switches fail than ignition switches. The kill switch is (again in theory) for emergencies.

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I’ll never understand the kill switch > key-off process. It’s an absolutely unnecessary extra move, and like you said, more likely to go bad so just leave it always on.


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ziffusion said:

I have this habit now of quickly flicking the cutoff switch off and on at red lights (staying in first gear). When the light turns green, I pull in the clutch, hit the starter button and go.

I mostly do this to give my hands a break from the clutch and brake levers.

Anyone else do this? Or is this a bad habit?

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You already had enough answers that explain why this is mostly a bad idea, so I’ll just share my stoplight process. When I approach a stoplight I try my best to be in the front, and if I don’t I filter my way to the front. Last place I want to be is sandwiched between cars with no escape route. If I end up first at the stoplight, I keep it in gear and pay close attention to my mirrors and observe as cars line up behind me. When it’s obvious that none of those cars are trying to run me over, I put it in neutral, both feet on the ground, and relax or play drums on my gas tank. But always observing the intersection as a whole, and observing the lights on the other lane. When the other lane turns to yellow, I end my drum performance, put in gear and focus on my light turning green.


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1neeto said:

When I approach a stoplight I try my best to be in the front, and if I don’t I filter my way to the front. Last place I want to be is sandwiched between cars with no escape route. If I end up first at the stoplight, I keep it in gear and pay close attention to my mirrors and observe as cars line up behind me. When it’s obvious that none of those cars are trying to run me over, I put it in neutral, both feet on the ground, and relax or play drums on my gas tank. But always observing the intersection as a whole, and observing the lights on the other lane. When the other lane turns to yellow, I end my drum performance, put in gear and focus on my light turning green.

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hmmm - I guess I have to take up learning drums.

Keep the bike running. You do not want to have a starting issue while on your travels or in the intersection. The less times you need to on/off start, while away from home or away from your mechanic, the lower the chances you have of your bike not starting when you try.

ziffusion said:

hmmm - I guess I have to take up learning drums.

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No learning needed. Just play some Rush or TOOL on your headset or your mind.


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I like it just to keep the coolant temp down. A better idea is adding a switch to activate the fan whenever you like.