I always turn the petcock to OFF. I can't explain properly why but I've heard where the fuel can erode or damage a part just below and can cause leaks in the gas line. Someone please clarify what I already clouded.

I turn the bike off with the key. Seems to me that would be the nicer way rather than pushing something called a "kill" switch. I also shutdown my computer gracefully rather than push the power button.

Never had a problem with it left on, but if there was a leak in your lines somewhere and you noticed it while you were camping in the middle of nowhere and the tank was drained by the next day... Again, just a good habit.

As far as the kill switch; its happened that people use the switch and forget to turn the key off; I don't know how many times I've done this.

It saves you that cold chill when you hit the starter and nothing happens, because you forgot to turn kill switch off. If your float hangs up it saves you draining oil because gas all leaked down into crankcase.

Using the kill switch: Again, just a good habit, when you need to do it (god forbid) in an emergency. At least, that's what we were told in class.

I have a habit of just using the kickstand to shut the RS* off. I don't know if this is a good habit or not??? As of yet, I haven't let the key in.

I always use the key to shut my bike off. You don't gain any advantage using the kill switch, and its easier to not have to remember to turn it back on.

As far as the petcock goes, in my experience gas won't drain past the fuel pump unless the key is on, so I don't mess with the petcock. That said, the gas does drain out of my carb bowl, (not sure where it goes ) so if the bike has been sitting a while, I hear the fuel pump kick in and fill it when I turn the bike on. The longer its been sitting, the longer the fuel pump runs. I know that Honda has a vacuum petcock on all their bikes that won't let the gas run unless there is a vacuum on it (meaning the engine has to be running) no matter what position the lever is in. They did this so that if the bike falls over or is in a wreck it won't leak gas everywhere. Yamaha may have a similar feature on their petcocks ... but I am not sure.

I run on reserve for aprox 10 miles, fill up and return it back main line. I always use the key not the kill switch and I turn off the petcock.

Midnight1700 wrote:
I have a habit of just using the kickstand to shut the RS* off. I don't know if this is a good habit or not??? As of yet, I haven't let the key in.

Funny coincidence: I've been putting down the sidestand to cut the engine, today. Then I turn off the key and turn the fuel selector to the "off" position. It's become a habit to turn the fuel off, I guess...

i was under the impression that the kill switch was to be used for emergency shut off... i think it doesnot mess thing up if you use all the time. any one had any issues with the kill switch not working after a while ?

Akela wrote:
I always use the key to shut my bike off. You don't gain any advantage using the kill switch, and its easier to not have to remember to turn it back on.

As far as the petcock goes, in my experience gas won't drain past the fuel pump unless the key is on, so I don't mess with the petcock. That said, the gas does drain out of my carb bowl, (not sure where it goes ) so if the bike has been sitting a while, I hear the fuel pump kick in and fill it when I turn the bike on. The longer its been sitting, the longer the fuel pump runs. I know that Honda has a vacuum petcock on all their bikes that won't let the gas run unless there is a vacuum on it (meaning the engine has to be running) no matter what position the lever is in. They did this so that if the bike falls over or is in a wreck it won't leak gas everywhere. Yamaha may have a similar feature on their petcocks ... but I am not sure.

I know what Akela says is right, however there is a difference on my bike when I shut the fuel petcock off, when its really hot, I can start my bike again with it off, if I leave it on I can't, so something is going on, I'm not sure what it is....lol