it IS possible to disable the indicator self-cancel

[Deleted account Cooperman]

My first GS had an even better one that would switch the left flasher on about every mile or so. This, unsurprisingly, significantly increased the number of cars pulling out on me.

It's good to know there is internet on the 'other side'

 

[Ian M]

I have to disagree; an indicator that cancels just as the bike is approaching the junction that they were activated for is a nuisance at best, confusing at worst.
I prefer to put them "on" when I judge they should be "on", & it's my job to cancel them - period.

That's how I was taught to ride many, many years ago and until last month that's what I had to do on a Honda. I liked it that way, I was used to it, it was all very familiar. Moving to a GS, the whole indicator thing was initially very confusing, but after a few days the switch layout has become second nature. On the other hand, the self cancelling function is very different. Perhaps I will get used to it, but right now I find that discovering that my indicator has self cancelled is not an intuitive part of my riding plan and so it’s a PITA. On balance, I’d prefer not to have it.

 

[ianboydsnr]

That's how I was taught to ride many, many years ago and until last month that's what I had to do on a Honda. I liked it that way, I was used to it, it was all very familiar. Moving to a GS, the whole indicator thing was initially very confusing, but after a few days the switch layout has become second nature. On the other hand, the self cancelling function is very different. Perhaps I will get used to it, but right now I find that discovering that my indicator has self cancelled is not an intuitive part of my riding plan and so it’s a PITA. On balance, I’d prefer not to have it.

My RD200 had self cancelling indicators, in fact a lot of Yamahas did

 

[Bear]

So they are OK on Continental motorway junctions, which carry similar 300 / 200 / 100 meter posts, but not in the UK? Or for overtaking on Continental motorways at between 75 and 85 miles an hour. Do you not go over 70 in the UK then?

If you find it a needless complication flicking the indicator switch again, which you know will go off if you turn it on religiously at 300 meters, then it's easy to see why you might remember something wrong..... A search of the owner's handbook will give you your answer. So much more reliable than UKGSer 1200 Technical section.....

To save you the trouble:

Turn indicators

Switch on the ignition. (an instruction for the really hard of thinking, I guess?)

The turn indicators are cancelled automatically after you have ridden for approximately 10 seconds, or covered a distance of about 200 m.

They work very well for Continental overtakes because they self-cancel at about the same time as I would nornally cancel them myself. As for leaving continental motorways, perhaps I'm lucky but they rarely carry enough traffic to worry about, unlike in the UK.

The owners handbook supplied with the motorcycle (bought new in November 2005) refers to a hazard flasher switch that isn't actually fitted I'm too lazy to read every page of the handbook to prove or disprove a point but the index, where it refers to turn indicators, sends me to a picture of the switches but no advice on how or when to use them. I am however, told how to change the bulbs. Perhaps I should ask for a goodwill gesture to fix the handbook as it's now out of warranty.

 

[JJH]

Only if you don't know how to operate the GS

As a motorcyclist for the last 32 years I have no trouble operating the indicators on my gsa and previous gs and rt's. I say that the indicators are not danderous but the self canceling is very bloody danderous. I find that they self cancel at the wrong time ie. too early espically on single lane roads (our n roads maby UK a roads?)when turning right. I find if you signal in plenty of time they will have canceled by the time you reach the junction. You cannot give the button a prod before they cancel because it will not work. JJH

 

[NorthernBoy]

My RD200 had self cancelling indicators, in fact a lot of Yamahas did

I think that Yamaha used to have the patent on that. My RD350 Powervalve had the same system, too, and it worked on a combination of distance and time, cancelling when both conditions were met.

I actually liked it.

 

[cookie]

I think that Yamaha used to have the patent on that. My RD350 Powervalve had the same system, too, and it worked on a combination of distance and time, cancelling when both conditions were met.

I actually liked it.

ditto my 78 suzuki GS1000.

i'd say if you find the indicators cancelling too soon, you're putting them on too early.

 

[Voyager61]

i'd say if you find the indicators cancelling too soon, you're putting them on too early.

It's leaving motorways where I find this feature most troublesome, I think ... I always indicate at the 300 yard marker board (Motorcycle Roadcraft says to indicate no later than this ) and have to hit the switch again just when approaching the exit - when one is doing a combination of things: preparing to decelerate; preparing for an immediate bend on the exit slip; to avoid some numpty who's exiting at the last moment

Whey they cannot programme in an extra 100m @ motorway speed I don't know ... I'd rather be without the self-cancelling ...

And yes, I do know how to operate my motorcycle, thank you

 

[kbada]

I bite everytime it seems - a discussion on the tinternet I say black, he says white, oh no, dats wrong says she......

There are an awful lot that don't seem able to keep in touch with their indicators, but at the same time manage to wait with incredible patience until the 300 yard marker is exactly abeam - suggestion....

Why the feck don't you put them at the 250 mark - if this proves to be too much computing for ya noggins then wait for the 200 marker (but be careful you don't get confused)

 

[Ian M]

Not being an automaton, I don’t switch my indicator on just because I happen to be abeam the 300 yard marker. I switch my indicator on when it’s necessary to give other people warning of what I am going to do. Sometimes, I don’t need to indicate at all. In many instances, I need to give a signal rather earlier then the self cancelling function on my bike would like. It’s a PITA – end of story.

 

[cookie]

... I always indicate at the 300 yard marker board (Motorcycle Roadcraft says to indicate no later than this )

so, the usual IAM dogma then

 

[Magwych]

Winter came early this year I see ...

 

[Wapping]

Winter came early this year I see ...

Clocks go back in under 48 hours....

Darker evenings, then darker mornings...

Polish up those indicator bulbs / leds's (self-cancelling too early or otherwise)

 

[karnevil]

They work very well for Continental overtakes because they self-cancel at about the same time as I would nornally cancel them myself. As for leaving continental motorways, perhaps I'm lucky but they rarely carry enough traffic to worry about, unlike in the UK.

The owners handbook supplied with the motorcycle (bought new in November 2005) refers to a hazard flasher switch that isn't actually fitted I'm too lazy to read every page of the handbook to prove or disprove a point but the index, where it refers to turn indicators, sends me to a picture of the switches but no advice on how or when to use them. I am however, told how to change the bulbs. Perhaps I should ask for a goodwill gesture to fix the handbook as it's now out of warranty.

Hmmm Im kinda hoping I'm being Dim and naive here BUT.
(Big breath)
The hazard function requires both indicator switches to be pressed together

 

[ncpierce]

Hmmm Im kinda hoping I'm being Dim and naive here BUT.
(Big breath)
The hazard function requires both indicator switches to be pressed together

The original bikes had a hazard switch on the left hand switchgear, about where the info button is now, IIRC.

 

[karnevil]

The original bikes had a hazard switch on the left hand switchgear, about where the info button is now, IIRC.

Yeah it was.
Bear must have been supplied the wrong book.
Thats bloody usefull innit?

 

[tonkatoy]

Just so you know

And I don't care whether you're interested or not, that's up to you.

I got my auto cancel adjusted by Wollaston in Northampton today. Apparently you can't turn it off, but there are a number of options and they've just taken the longest one which seems to equate to about 500m. As far as I'm concerned that's plenty. Mostly I'm going to cancel it before it auto cancels, and I don't have to keep checking all the time to make sure it hasn't cancelled before I want it to, eg half way round a large motorway roundabout.

At the same time they switched the TPC from bar to PSI.

 

[Loiq]

I use the somewhat old fashioned method of not bothering using the indicators at all. It gives too much away and makes me more of a target....to car, van and lorry divers

 

[Skipssong]

And I don't care whether you're interested or not, that's up to you.

I got my auto cancel adjusted by Wollaston in Northampton today. Apparently you can't turn it off, but there are a number of options and they've just taken the longest one which seems to equate to about 500m. As far as I'm concerned that's plenty. Mostly I'm going to cancel it before it auto cancels, and I don't have to keep checking all the time to make sure it hasn't cancelled before I want it to, eg half way round a large motorway roundabout.

At the same time they switched the TPC from bar to PSI.

I'm interested Tonka (patiently waits for the wave of derision )

What year is your bike?

 

[MartinL]

Not occurred to anyone that bimbling along oblivious to your left indicator being on might be more dangerous that having it self cancel at an in-opportune moment?