How long to get used to Indicator switches?

Aidan1150 said:
A good point well made Dickieboy. Like you I often drive cars with the indicator stalk on opposite sides, and used to drive trucks with the bloody steering wheel on the other side too. However did I manage I wonder? :eek :)
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But am yet to drive a car with indicator stalks on both sides of a steering wheel... :) I believe the BMW system is fine once you are used to it, just that to purchase a bike and get out on the road, at least for me created major distractions ensuring the indicators were switched off. Hence the question how long do people take to get used to them.
 
markbmw said:
But am yet to drive a car with indicator stalks on both sides of a steering wheel... :) I believe the BMW system is fine once you are used to it, just that to purchase a bike and get out on the road, at least for me created major distractions ensuring the indicators were switched off. Hence the question how long do people take to get used to them.
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Stop worrying and enjoy:thumb2
 
I recall it took me no time at all when I picked up my RT in 99 having switched from a succession of Brit iron and a couple of FJ1200s.

Can't say why but I pretty much found it intuitive from the start.

Only thing I recall missing (and still do) was the trigger-type headlight flasher.
 
Aprilia!!!

Those knobheads swapped the positions of the horn and indicator buttons: It make you look like an aggressive git when swapping between a Jap bike and Italian bike because the horn's always being sounded in error. :blast
 
Well I've had a couple of BMW's in between having other bikes (now on an Aprilia) and I have to say the BMW's are the best - press left to go left, right to go right with a big paddle type switch. Have to say I was disappointed (ok that may be an overstatement) when I heard BMW were introducing Jap style switch gear to some bikes.
 
Aidan1150 said:
Left when going left and right when going right. What's so difficult to understand? :nenau

:blast
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But why have a separate cancel button? The Harley system of preesing the indicator button again seems more logical to me :nenau

I'm on my third BMW and still prefer the single toggle switch on most other bikes, including the latest K-series bikes.

And I still cant find the horn button in an emergency to save my life (literally one of these days) :(
 
Almost 6 years and 50,000+ miles on and it's still not instinctive to me, especially if I'm tired.

Only thing that reliably hits the horn button is the tankbag.

3 buttons instead of one?

...and let's give the throttle/brake hand something extra to do....

Just BMW being "innovative" for the sake of it.

:rob
 
50,000

Fella,

On a number of GSs i've ridden around 50,000 miles, the indicators stop being an issue fairly quickly if you ride frequently and stop thinking about the problem, its a little like fixation in a bend, must not ride into the hedge, must not ride in to the hedge must not .........BUGGER.

Relax and enjoy.
 
SignalMinder - best bit of kit on my bike. Automatically cancels indicators anywhere from 10 secs to 30 secs. You can also set it for 'push left/right to cancel left/right' :thumb

Nippy used to do 'em, had mine for years so not sure who supplies now. Google is your friend
 
charlie brown said:
Fella,

On a number of GSs i've ridden around 50,000 miles, the indicators stop being an issue fairly quickly if you ride frequently and stop thinking about the problem, its a little like fixation in a bend, must not ride into the hedge, must not ride in to the hedge must not .........BUGGER.

Relax and enjoy.
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Hedges ain't a problem.

Done 50k on this 1200GS, 25k on each of my R100GSs and 25k on my 650GS.

The indicator switches are wank.

I also drive cars and commercials - nothing comes close to the bloody minded stupidity of the 3 switch indicator system.

:rob
 
I really like them and got used to them in a couple of rides. Maybe it was the old Tank training where left hand selected ammo, operated the laser, selected main or co-ax weapon, auto-lay and fire and right controlled the turret. Join the Armoured Corp and you'll never worry about just three buttons again 8-)
 
1200's are self cancelling indicators :thumb [30 seconds or so]
PS
once you have mastered the indicators and ride another make of bike you will fecked all over again. :blast
 
Have been advised that the new 2011 GS's will have cosmetic colour changes AND the indicator switch will now be consolidated on the left hand side - as per all the other bikes.......

FFS - after 8 "other" bikes - I've really mastered the left & right switch and actually now prefer it in some way.

Why the hell don't they leave something when it works..... surely if it works - don't fix it? :blast
 
I haven't got a problem with the indicators, but I do with the horn.
Whilst there are times when we might consciously hover our thumb over the horn button until we're happy we've been seen or whatever, there are also times when we've got split seconds to 'unconsciously' sound the alarm. In times like that, I want the most basic, simple, back to my neolithic roots, panic button going. And the BM horn aint it !! :eek:
 
My other bike is a Harley Road King which is exactly the same so I do not have any problems. Why is the Japanese way the correcy way?:rob
 
61nearlybold said:
My other bike is a Harley Road King which is exactly the same so I do not have any problems. Why is the Japanese way the correcy way?:rob
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I'd say the horn is definitely a problem. Would prefer a basic pushbutton as my thumb is in a very awkward position when trying to quickly access it!

Why use the Japanese way - well... I'd say simply 'cause it works :augie - if it was a problem - why in Ms Piggy's name did BMW use it on all their other bikes...?
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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