Indicators self cancel

[Brian ROSEN]

Self cancelling indicators

It took me over a year (as I have already said) to learn from this forum that the indicators do self cancel - and I soon worked out that if I was moving that they cancelled after about 20 flashes. I didn't notice because I always cancel them as soon as I complete a turn - (I have seen drivers and riders continue for miles with indicators flashing and winced everytime thay passed a junction with waiting traffic. )
I have no problem with the ergonomics because the only bikes I have ridden for the last 30 years were BMW's - and I usually hang on to them long enough to get get used to the system. However the fact that they do cancel must be a safety feature surely.
What is all this flashing in and out of roundabouts ? I never use the indicators on a roundabout ,although the police instructors used to allow a short flash as one exited; your position on the road SHOULD indicate more than flashing lights - and you should be able to read the traffic in front by the same way. Don't ever trust what indicators say.

 

[Twistgrip]

While I've never had a problem with BMW indicator switches,the fact that the indicators themselves self-cancel far too early,pisses me off!

On the Gold Wing,to disable the self-cancelling function,it's just a matter of cutting one wire. Is it not possible to do the same thing on the 12GSA?

Twistgrip

 

[JayGee]

While I've never had a problem with BMW indicator switches,the fact that the indicators themselves self-cancel far too early,pisses me off!

On the Gold Wing,to disable the self-cancelling function,it's just a matter of cutting one wire. Is it not possible to do the same thing on the 12GSA?

Twistgrip

I think you'll find the self cancel is done by a bit of software, what BMW should do is give us the option of disabling the self cancel in a similar way to how you can ride without the headlamp:-

1. Ignition on
2. hold indicator cancel for 4 secs
3. press right indicator
4. start

If a second press of the indicator reset the self cancel time/distance then the system would be a whole lot better. Still not as good as the standard/JAP indicators though

 

[dronning]

I believe the police no longer enforce signaling laws in the state of California -they're some of the worst offenders.

You have never been to Minnesota have you - I'll see your non-signal'er and raise you 2 "I own the left lane" at 10 below the speed limits!!

I do wish all motorcycle companies would do it the same way - it is very hard to remember between bikes.

Dave

 

[Dellis]

I like the self cancelling, OK sometimes you have to repress, but I'd rather do that than forget and have the indicator on, which we've all done in our time.

Like he said.

Dave

 

[buzz1145]

I think you'll find the self cancel is done by a bit of software, what BMW should do is give us the option of disabling the self cancel in a similar way to how you can ride without the headlamp:-

[*]Ignition on
[*]hold indicator cancel for 4 secs
[*]press right indicator
[*]start


Do the headlights come on again the next time you start or is there a restart sequence.
P.S. I think the only improvement BWM could make would be to have cancelling on each switch aka Harleys

 

[JayGee]

Do the headlights come on again the next time you start or is there a restart sequence.

Yep, they are on next time you off/on the ignition

 

[Brian ROSEN]

'I do wish all motorcycle companies would do it the same way - it is very hard to remember between bikes.'
May I suggest a little unreasonable if you own and presumably ride 7 bikes dating over the last 53 years. I have owned bikes dating from 1936 to 2004 but had almost no problem as I usually sold one when I bought another; the only real difficulty was when the gear lever changed from right to left - it took me a couple of years to adapt - and about another 10 years to be 100% OK !!!!

 

[JayGee]

...only real difficulty was when the gear lever changed from right to left - it took me a couple of years to adapt - and about another 10 years to be 100% OK !!!!

I used to have a CZ many years ago with gear change that was lever up to change down. Even now if I think about is it up or down I have to think twice, OK if I don't think (i.e. my usual mode ).

It's not so difficult to get used to any different control arrangements and swapping between normal/Jap indicators and beemer ones but I still much prefer the normal, non cancel left hand controls. The beemer feels so different I no longer go for the wrong indicator switch, it's now just part of riding that bike.

 

[dronning]

May I suggest a little unreasonable if you own and presumably ride 7 bikes dating over the last 53 years. I have owned bikes dating from 1936 to 2004 but had almost no problem as I usually sold one when I bought another; the only real difficulty was when the gear lever changed from right to left - it took me a couple of years to adapt - and about another 10 years to be 100% OK !!!!

I wasn't talking about my "keepers" (bikes I will never sell). I meant going forward it would be nice if the industry would set standards for signal operation for safety reasons. I'd like to not have to think about "on this bike" do the signals self cancel in 300 ft or 20 flashes or so many seconds or not at all. Not a big deal just 1 less thing that requires your attention.

While I am at it how about a standard location for all switches especially the horn button.

In the 43 years I have been riding I have had my share of right/left shifter/brake, up or down shift patterns, left hand spark advance bikes. Oh and lets not forget the suicide clutch/hand shifters. I agree like anything - you will adapt - with time.

Dave

The keepers & why won't I sell them
'53 Panhead - year I was born, purchased in pieces and still not completed.
'71 Rickman - my 1'st MX'er got my 1st win on her in '72
'95 Fatboy - the 1st New Harley I ever purchased
'95 Ultra - 1st bike I kept long enough to put > 100,000 miles on currently 153,000 and she is my winter ride.
'98 Buell - just too much fun to part with

'06 R12GS Adv - not yet a keeper but the best bike I have ever owned

 

[Brian ROSEN]

Standardisation !!!!

You must be joking. Here in the Euiopean Union there are still SEVEN different types of domestic electric plugs/sockets approved for use in different countries. Different laws apply in different countries even within the 'United ' Kingdom. Although admit that I do not need my Whitworth and AF spanners anymore - you do require 27 different types of 'cross-head( screwdriver to be sure not to damage the screw head - and now of course your BMW is sprinkled with something called 'torx.'

 

[Paul Wakefield]

I can't think of anything worse than standardisation. We'll all end up riding the same thing (and it will be as boring as hell).

Paul

PS I wonder if hell is boring?

 

[Brettp]

Funny thing this, It also caught me out.... now I am used to them, it makes u kinda lazy imo.....

 

[Twistgrip]

"Standardisation"= Sanitised Sameness!

 

[Brian ROSEN]

'53 Panhead - year I was born, purchased in pieces and still not completed. Well it really is rather a daft present for a new born babe - you could hardly be expected to read the instruction book.

 

[rdover]

Fanum - Spot on

I am active in a group that does stewarding for charity events. We are part of a wider UK network with a base in Manchester. For obvious reasons, we Glaswegians know we're better than them lot but 1 issue proved it to me.

We use radios when on a 'job' and we use 'covert' earpieces and mikes so we can hear what's going on. The Mancy lot had a problem with too much chat on the radios so instead of training their teams to shut the F**K up they removed the mikes!

Point is, it is a matter of training and concentration. I didn't notice the self cancelling until someone pulled out on me on a roundabout because I wasn't indicating. Yes, my road position and attitude should have told them but it didn't. I gave them a bollocking only to be told "but you didn't signal". I knew I had and went off thinking "jerk!".

If rely too much on technology then we lose the essence of biking. I do not like linked brakes, ABS, self cancelling indicators, lack of light switches etc etc. They can be useful but in so few instances as to make them the problem rather than the solution. Ride better and safer first, then see if you need the complexity.

 

[Brian ROSEN]

[I']If rely too much on technology then we lose the essence of biking.'[/I] This is something that creeps up on us - we take for granted the advances over the past years and consider anything new an unecessary addition.
My first bike did NOT have rear suspension, automatic ignition advance/retard, electric start, disc brakes etc.. It NEEDED to be taken apart and 'decarbonized' every 2000 miles & possibly valves regrinding.
It was as much fun to ride (at that time) as my present 1200GS but..........a modern 125 would have left it standing in any department!

 

[dronning]

Standards

I prefer manual cancel signals.

Standards: Just to be clear - I was only talking about location and operation of controls like signals, dip beam, horn, clutch, shifter, brakes. Some standards have already been adopted, I haven't owned a right sided shifter since my '66 Bonnie.

Everything else should be off limits as far as standards are concerned. I am not a safety freak either, keep the dam airbags off my GS please.

They say it takes 30 days of continued use for something new to become natural or not having to think about it. A distraction as simple as the location/operation of a control that takes your focus from the road could and should be avoided.

Dave

 

[Brian ROSEN]

'30 days of continued use for something new to become natural ' - ah,if only that were true wouldn't life be simple! 30 days for a new born babe perhaps, but for some of us a little longer!

 

[harry]

R-a-bout signals

Brian Rosen,Itake your point whilst on a bike that signals are not that important to following traffic as you are generally faster than cars, but what about following bikes and traffic waiting to enter the r-a-b? Your signal is often more important to traffic in front than traffic behind.