I am finding the indicator switch on the 1200GSA TE difficult to use. It is too far away from the hand grip. I know that after riding BMW's for 13 years with 'quirky' separate right and left indicator buttons, it will take me a while to 'adapt' to a single button but I already have a KTM and have had many other non BMW bikes in that time with 'conventional' indicator switches and never experienced the same problem. I have since purchasing the GSA compared the TE with the XE and have found that the indicator switch on the TE is some 20mm further away from the hand grip than the XE due to the positioning of the multi-controller wheel for the sat nav. So are Touratech/Wunderlich going to profit from BMW's poor design by marketing some contraption ? I have contemplated repositioning the sat nav controller to the right of the switches. I know that this will make it more difficult to control the sat nav but I use the sat nav less than the indicators !! Has anyone else done this ? Has someone here got a better idea ? Serious responses please.
Indicator switch too far away or thumb too short ? LC 1200GSA TE
- Thread starter bumble beemer
- Start date
Serious response: You'll get used to it; maybe not before you sell the bike.
Less serious: TT sell a thumb extender. It is a modest EUR 75 in Grrmany but the UK ripoff merchants will stiff you for EUR 150.
Less serious: TT sell a thumb extender. It is a modest EUR 75 in Grrmany but the UK ripoff merchants will stiff you for EUR 150.
I had the wheel & bar removed as I do not use a BM sat nav.
The heated grip was replaced with a one that is standard on a non sat nav prepared bike. Works for me.
The heated grip was replaced with a one that is standard on a non sat nav prepared bike. Works for me.
Thanks Richard. Your sense of humour always tickles me. 
For the inventors out there I believe something along these lines is required
http://www.nippynormans.com/product...reset-lever-r1200gsadv-and-more-wun-41760-000
alternatively this chap
seems to have the right size thumb
For the inventors out there I believe something along these lines is required
http://www.nippynormans.com/product...reset-lever-r1200gsadv-and-more-wun-41760-000
alternatively this chap
seems to have the right size thumbAttachments
Obviously, you wont buy the bike then as you will realise it not for you on the dealer test ride.
Doesn't that negate the whole purpose of the wheel?
I don't see why it would. The wheel would still work, but would be positioned further away. Bearing in mind that you probably use the indicators much more than the wheel, on any ride, it seems to make more sense to swap the position.
Obviously I wasn't NOT going to buy the bike just because it is difficult or more difficult to indicate. There are many other good reasons why I did buy the bike after test riding it. I (and Touratech/Wunderlich/BMW ) have been around long enough to realise that no one bike is perfect and people love buying accessories to personalise and 'improve' them to their liking/comfort/lifestyle.
The whole idea of the wheel controller is to let you access the information without removing your hand from the handlebar - moving it out of hand's reach completely spams that...
WindyChuffer
Registered user
Would rather have the indicators accessible without having to move my hand from the bars. Much more important than sat nav.
I'm struggling to get used to the Jap style indicators and hate them with a vengeance. They are a step backwards, made worse by the silly twat-nav wheel. Would love it if someone could find a way of retrofitting the paddle style indicators.
Have never had a problem with using touch screen on sat nav. Will investigate removal of wheel.
AberdeenAngus
Registered user
Now, does the thumb extender go on the switch, or the thumb?
Here you go
Attachments
I am already genetically superior as not only do I have a WC GSA I have a huge left thumb
I agree.
I hate the Jap indicator switch, but it seems that this is now on every current BMW bike. I'm surprised there's no retrofit paddles available yet from Touratech or Wunderlich.
Wheel removal.
Peel back heated grip rubber.
Remove bolt.
Unplug heated grip and wheel. (All one unit).from switch gear. Quite how not sure but there is a little catch on the wheel/grip see second photo by white label.
Plug in new non wheel heated grip. (About £55)
Replace bolt.
On my unit it did not cause any problem with the Canbus or ECU.
Ocean did this for me and told me that the bike did not need to be plugged in. However by then the bar and wiring had been removed.
Seems my ipad turns photos upside down. At present don't know how to sort this out. Any help out there?
I can reach the indicator more easily.
SMB
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Epic pictures 
SMB, well done for explaining how to remove the wheel. Unfortunately it looks as if you can not then re mount it to the right of the switch gear as it is incorporated into the heated grip.
I too do not understand why BMW changed the indicator switch gear. It worked brilliantly. I believe it is unlikely that Touratech/Wunderlich will be able to produce a retro fit kit at a realistic price.
Looks like we are going to have to wait until someone invents something less colourful than JohnnyBoxers suggestions.
I too do not understand why BMW changed the indicator switch gear. It worked brilliantly. I believe it is unlikely that Touratech/Wunderlich will be able to produce a retro fit kit at a realistic price.
Looks like we are going to have to wait until someone invents something less colourful than JohnnyBoxers suggestions.
