emergency / kill switch ?

[azitlies]

Noticed some fellow posters expressing resentment towards the MSF (Motorcycle Safety Foundation), and wonder why that is?

They exist to be helpful to us, imho. That's certainly not to say we should all follow ea and every thing they say like blind lemmings.

But at the same time, because of what they do, it seems reasonable to try to understand why they say something and then make an intelligent / informed decision.

So okay, you decide to follow some things but not others, fine.

But why the animosity? They are only trying to help...

 

[RadioHowie]

Ok, I'll add my data points.

I have my EZpass velcro'd to my clutch res. like this and it works every time. When I don't need it, I throw it in the glove box so undesireables can't steal it.

Oh yea, I also use my kill switch to shut the bike down every time.

What was this thread about again?

That sure looks like the battery-powered transponder to me.

However, some quick research has pointed out to me that while the Sun Pass and EZ Pass units accomplish exactly the same thing, they are totally two distinct and separate devices that currently do not work on each others' systems, although there is co-operation between the two sytems/legislative bodies to make them compatible.

 

[SkooterG]

Where are you seeing the resentment? I hadn't noticed it.

 

[Ignacio]

Where are you seeing the resentment? I hadn't noticed it.

I hadn't noticed either. Putting back in the thread this started. Context matters.And it appears this thread was NEPRT fodder to begin with.

Try and be nice to each other folks.

 

[ionbeam]

...Let me clarify; My unit is an EZPass. I presumed that they are all in cahoots with each other. I believe my units are the passive RFID type.

With the exception of that RH guy from south of the Mason-Dixon line we are talking about E-ZPass. All E-ZPass are more or less in cahoots, there are some small state by state variations. All the E-ZPass that I'm aware of are the battery powered RFID type with a battery life between 4-12 years depending on the model.

 

[Fred W]

Ok, I'll add my data points.

I have my EZpass velcro'd to my clutch res. like this and it works every time. When I don't need it, I throw it in the glove box so undesireables can't steal it.

Oh yea, I also use my kill switch to shut the bike down every time.

What was this thread about again?

That sure looks like the battery-powered transponder to me.

Yes, the EZPass tags are a battery operated RFID module. I've owned some for several years now and never had a battery die yet. Not sure what the life expectancy is.

 

[ionbeam]

...I've owned some for several years now and never had a battery die yet. Not sure what the life expectancy is.

Cross post, see above your post. We have had a battery die around year 4 or 5. Need to talk with the household member that still has a memory.

 

[PhilJet09]

That sure looks like the battery-powered transponder to me.

However, some quick research has pointed out to me that while the Sun Pass and EZ Pass units accomplish exactly the same thing, they are totally two distinct and separate devices that currently do not work on each others' systems, although there is co-operation between the two sytems/legislative bodies to make them compatible.

Found that out last year when I rode to Orlando for training. I saw the sign that said EPass (I think) and thought it said EZPass and rode on through wondering why there was a red light shining at me. I went online and realized my mistake. Good thing they give you one free screw up.

 

[Fred W]

...I've owned some for several years now and never had a battery die yet. Not sure what the life expectancy is.

Cross post, see above your post. We have had a battery die around year 4 or 5. Need to talk with the household member that still has a memory.

Yeah, I see that we were.

Hmmm... that means a couple of mine are getting ready to elapse. Will the EZPass folks swap out transponders when the battery dies?

That sure looks like the battery-powered transponder to me.

However, some quick research has pointed out to me that while the Sun Pass and EZ Pass units accomplish exactly the same thing, they are totally two distinct and separate devices that currently do not work on each others' systems, although there is co-operation between the two sytems/legislative bodies to make them compatible.

Found that out last year when I rode to Orlando for training. I saw the sign that said EPass (I think) and thought it said EZPass and rode on through wondering why there was a red light shining at me. I went online and realized my mistake. Good thing they give you one free screw up.

That's called a "Toll Mulligan"

 

[ionbeam]

...Sun Pass and EZ Pass units accomplish exactly the same thing, they are totally two distinct and separate devices...

The battery powered E-ZPass unit in/on your vehicle radiates (broadcasts) a weak, highly directional signal that is received by an antenna and read in the toll booth.

The SunPass system: When you enter the toll booth an antenna on the toll booth radiates a signal at the SunPass, the strength of the broadcast signal is strong enough to power the SunPass in/on your vehicle which then sends information back in a very quick, low power burst of data. As soon as the antenna in the toll booth shuts off the signal the SunPass is inert again.

 

[supertankerm60a3]

OK, I just read most of the preceding three pages on the existence and use of the kill switch. I did not see the reason that I am thinking of so here is my .02.

The kill switch evolved into a standard feature decades ago when the carburetors were operated by a single cable and could get stuck at wide open open throttle. Without the kill switch the rider would have to let go of the handlebars, on a bike racing at full throttle, to shut off the engine on a bike that may have its key in a (relatively) inaccessible spot, like down on the frame. With a kill switch, this became an almost non-event. Eventually engineers decided that a push-pull/dual cable would be better and these have become standard equipment on almost all bikes. These could still fail or stick, but only with alot of fraying and "notice" to the rider that things were not right. Now that throttle-by-wire is becoming more mainstream I imagine "stuck throttles" will become exponentially more rare than ever.

Will the kill switch ever go away? I don't think so and, in fact, I think it may be legally mandated though I am not sure.

 

[Fred W]

I guess that Toyota should have been mandated to put kill switches on the steering wheels of their 2009-2011 cars?

 

[azitlies]

I guess that Toyota should have been mandated to put kill switches on the steering wheels of their 2009-2011 cars?

Even better Fred! Let's just put a kick stand on them! That should definitely do the trick!!

 

[supertankerm60a3]

Thank You for getting rid of the duplicate posts. I was trying to edit a spelling error and add "that is why the kill switch leaves the headlights on" and it multiplied thrice... Then I couldn't delete the post.

 

[Afast03nNJ]

If I'm not mistaken, the kill switch on our bikes is used in conjunction with the on board diagnostics. I'm sure that's similar across the board for most other brands as well.

 

[ionbeam]

If I'm not mistaken, the kill switch on our bikes is used in conjunction with the on board diagnostics. I'm sure that's similar across the board for most other brands as well.

When running diAG the kill switch is used for the "actuator" tests. Toggling the Run/Stop switch OFF/ON turns on things like the radiator fan, fuel injectors and fires the coils.

 

[Fred W]

See! That kill switch does have a purpose.

Now we can stop worrying about it.

 

[wheatonFJR]

Kill Switch? I only use it when I want somebody to die.

Why else do you think that switch is blood red?

 

[RadioHowie]

Kill Switch? I only use it when I want somebody to die.

Why else do you think that switch is blood red?

Not to mention being called "The KILL Switch!"

 

[RaYzerman19]

See! That kill switch does have a purpose.

Now we can stop worrying about it.

I use it when I want, where I want, but not most of the time. Despite some past dialog with a couple of very adamant MSF guys (jeez, boys, lighten up a bit!) that insisted it should be used every time I park the bike, I'll decide if I can just as safely stop and park using the key, kickstand or emergency stop switch...... and I mostly always park the bike in first gear so it can't roll. That's just me.