Is it factory wired that my '98 is supposed to allow the engine to crank despite the ignition off when the kill button is on?

Or did the previous owner do a "custom" rewire so that you can spend 30 seconds cranking the engine and fiddling with the choke only to realize you're a dumbass and the kill button is engaged.

First bike I've ever owned that did this, is there a reason behind this I'm not seeing?

 

kills the ignition,not the starter.

same here

 

my 95 ducati monster is the same way. You turn the key on but have the kill switch off, hit the starter button and it will turn over. Just wont give it any spark.

 

Most bikes are this way

 

so you can put some oil in the bearings previous to combustion pressures







or rattle people with big backfires that are tailgating you...

 

Every bike I've ever had is wired that same way. Shuts off current to the plugs only. You wouldn't want it to shut off the headlight at night going 70 mph and there are times you'd want to be able to crank the engine without starting it.

 

This is the first bike I've owned that had this behavior with the kill button. All the others out of nearly 10 now would disengage the starter relay and the ignition, not the lighting system. Guess I just need to stop being so narrow minded about my beloved 'Hawk.

 

We used to have so much fun doing this in my friends old truck, until we blew the mufflers apart. They looked like a cartoon cigar when it explodes.

 

I've been skunked by the kill switch twice.

First time was after watching Superbike races at Riverside in '84. We went to our bikes parked under the turn 6 stands, and mine wouldn't start. Took me about 2 minutes, going "what the f#*@?", then I noticed someone had messed with my kill switch. I never use it, so I didn't even think to check it.

Second time was after unloading the SuperHawk from the back of my truck, in the mountains. I thought the altitude was screwing up the mixture, then I noticed the kill switch. I must have hit it while tying my bike down. Again it took at least 2 minutes to figure it out.

 

+1 on the big backfires! My brother loves those... HAHAHA. I can usually summon some good expletives directed my way when I catch him off guard.