1st Ride Out - Strained Hands & Numb Bum!

[Wrinkly]

Hi ph4824,
I'm not having a dig or wanting to start a slanging match,it's just that in my opinion,the BMW indicator system was and is very innovative,i find it very simple to operate,on some bikes i find the conventional very difficult,e.g on my vfr 800 when i cancelled i had often put on the right hand indicator,i also had to lift my hand of the bars slightly to operate the switch gear and often had to look to see what i was doing.
I for one would be very dissapointed if BMW convert to a more conventional type of switch.
Would'nt stop me buying and loving BM's though, i could always resort back to hand signals.
It's great that we've all got an opinion it's what makes life interesting.
You enjoy your bike and i'm sure you'll like the switch gear once it becomes second nature.

Never used one myself but i know some peple swear by throttle rockers to ease acheing hands,they are available from N/N and i think there about £8.

Steve

 

[Ali-bear]

You do get used to the indicators ... eventually

 

[magpie]

Look interesting. Think I'll give them a go. Effects on heated grips?

takes a little longer to heat up but keeps the heat longer

 

[davem108]

I like the look of those puppies!!

Magpie, I presume you bought the middle pair eg the 'large' fitting puppies? Might have to order a pair.

 

[Owen Snell]

Aching Thumbs

I do like the layout of the indicators on the 1200, but find that right hand thumb ache is a problem, mainly on the motorway. On normal roads when you are on and off the throttle, cancelling the indicator is fine and no ache. On motorways when changing lane, the hand position means the cancel button is a bit of a stretch, hence thumb strain after a period of time. It seems to evaporate again once back onto normal roads. The throttle rocker certainly helps as it allows more hand movement and less 'grip' is required on constant throttle openings on the motorway. This is a really cheap fix as well.

 

[gsbiker]

Hi ph4824,
I'm not having a dig or wanting to start a slanging match,it's just that in my opinion,the BMW indicator system was and is very innovative,i find it very simple to operate,on some bikes i find the conventional very difficult,e.g on my vfr 800 when i cancelled i had often put on the right hand indicator,i also had to lift my hand of the bars slightly to operate the switch gear and often had to look to see what i was doing.
I for one would be very dissapointed if BMW convert to a more conventional type of switch.
Would'nt stop me buying and loving BM's though, i could always resort back to hand signals.
It's great that we've all got an opinion it's what makes life interesting.
You enjoy your bike and i'm sure you'll like the switch gear once it becomes second nature.

Never used one myself but i know some peple swear by throttle rockers to ease acheing hands,they are available from N/N and i think there about £8.

Steve

Thanks Steve, I must admit that I like the large indicator push buttons, But it's the cancel button I dislike the most. Here's an idea, what about making each indicator button dual action, push once for indication, push again to cancel and forget about the cancel button altogether? At the moment I'm finding myself looking down to the cancel button everytime I need to cancel.

 

[gsbiker]

The throttle rocker certainly helps as it allows more hand movement and less 'grip' is required on constant throttle openings on the motorway. This is a really cheap fix as well.

Can you post a web link for these please as I'm not sure what they are?

Second post - O I see it - http://www.nippynormans.com/prodinfo.asp?number=WUN-8600120&variation=&aitem=196&mitem=214

 

[gsbiker]

takes a little longer to heat up but keeps the heat longer

Can these be easily removed if they are disliked? What about the heated element, you say they take longer but are they as hot or slightly cooler??

 

[Owen Snell]

..... Here's an idea, what about making each indicator button dual action, push once for indication, push again to cancel and forget about the cancel button altogether? ......

That would be perfect.

 

[Paul Mac]

Thanks Steve, I must admit that I like the large indicator push buttons, But it's the cancel button I dislike the most. Here's an idea, what about making each indicator button dual action, push once for indication, push again to cancel and forget about the cancel button altogether? At the moment I'm finding myself looking down to the cancel button everytime I need to cancel.

Harley Davidson use this system - push for on push for off.

 

[gsbiker]

i fitted these http://www.sportouring.com/main.php?group=grippuppies
and they have made a great improvement

Hi Magpie, I'm still getting hand ache from both hands despite which pair of gloves I wear. It must be the narrower hand grips. How do you find them compared to the originals?

 

[SMcGirr]

I suspect the single lads and the ladies will be less prone to grip ache as they get more grip practice.

 

[Fanum]

Thanks Steve, I must admit that I like the large indicator push buttons, But it's the cancel button I dislike the most. Here's an idea, what about making each indicator button dual action, push once for indication, push again to cancel and forget about the cancel button altogether? At the moment I'm finding myself looking down to the cancel button everytime I need to cancel.

Exxakkerly what I've got on my 1150 Adv......cancel with same or opposite button (or cancel button still!) plus if you push and hold either indicator it does a 'fast flash' which is very effective if you're changing lanes.

Mine also auto cancel too

Kissan Signalminder

 

[Mickyfinn]

Yes we understand your problems with the aching bits. As for the seat I found the Standard 08 GSA seat uncomfortable initially to a point where it was spoiling the bike. I considered an after market seat at around £300 but then noticed that ebay was littered with after market seats which may have been bought in error ? So I decided to buy an Air Hawk air cushion seat ( medium size ) which I have now used for about 9k miles and it has absolutely transformed the ride meanwhile I am able to look around at my reasonable leisure for the right ( hopefully ) after market seat. At the same time my origonal GSA seat is becoming more accomodating with age. Goodluck

 

[shugie]

Exxakkerly what I've got on my 1150 Adv......cancel with same or opposite button (or cancel button still!) plus if you push and hold either indicator it does a 'fast flash' which is very effective if you're changing lanes.

Mine also auto cancel too

Kissan Signalminder

Very useful bit of kit that, had one on my 1150 and the second push to cancel was my most used feature. But sadly not compatible with the canbus of the 1200GS.

 

[GSTourer]

Grip Puppies are the way to go IMHO....................but as for the seat, it's just damned uncomfortable .

Seasonal greetings.

Ian

 

[davegs]

Indicators

Very useful bit of kit that, had one on my 1150 and the second push to cancel was my most used feature. But sadly not compatible with the canbus of the 1200GS.

While I've never found these a problem that idea of cancelling with the same button sounds brilliant, where does one get the gubbins to do this?. Sounds
like a really usefull buy it your self christmas present!.
happy Christmas to all
HO. F.. HO.
Dave gs ( It's here now so don't hate it anymore!).

 

[birdseye]

thumb muscles will be you unconsciously gripping the bars too tight cos everything is new to you. the bum ache will get better as the seat beds in - just like German car seats, its hard. Again it will help when you are more relaxed and move about the bike a bit more.

 

[Deleted Member I]

I know everyone is trying to be nice .. but might I suggest something obvious?

That you bought the wrong bike for you. That after all the hype and anticipation, it is just not as good as you had hoped.

DON'T WORRY THOUGH

It happens to most of us

The solution is to start buying and selling different accessories for the bike. Each week you will find something new to put on it that makes it "perfect" .. until
the week passes and you find some other new stuff to make it even more "perfect"

DON'T WORRY ... they all (GSers) do that. Just some are more willing to admit than others

And if you believe in the power of Retail Therapy then you have actually found Nirvana!! Because no matter how much you tinker with the bike, it will always always be not right. BMW just got the "marketing" right to get you in the shop and buy the goods. Then Touratech got their marketing right to make you believe in a "perfect" GS. So from here on now, until you actually buy a good bike (i.e. a Japanese bike) you will forever be spending money on this thing the GS.

Have fun

and you know what .. mine is PERFECT!

 

[gsbiker]

I know everyone is trying to be nice .. but might I suggest something obvious?

That you bought the wrong bike for you. That after all the hype and anticipation, it is just not as good as you had hoped.

DON'T WORRY THOUGH

It happens to most of us

The solution is to start buying and selling different accessories for the bike. Each week you will find something new to put on it that makes it "perfect" .. until
the week passes and you find some other new stuff to make it even more "perfect"

DON'T WORRY ... they all (GSers) do that. Just some are more willing to admit than others

And if you believe in the power of Retail Therapy then you have actually found Nirvana!! Because no matter how much you tinker with the bike, it will always always be not right. BMW just got the "marketing" right to get you in the shop and buy the goods. Then Touratech got their marketing right to make you believe in a "perfect" GS. So from here on now, until you actually buy a good bike (i.e. a Japanese bike) you will forever be spending money on this thing the GS.

Have fun

and you know what .. mine is PERFECT!

Nah! I like my bike what you are talking about I guess is true for most bikers not just the GS. What's wrong with the GS? Why have I not bought the right bike? I already own a good Jap bike - RD350.