Modifying the indicator switches

[GS_or_bust]

Just a thought, would it be possible to put the left hand switch gear unit from a K1300R onto a GS to get the Jap style indicators. It would obviously need a wiring change to bring the cancel signal up to the left switch. It would also require the GS bar diameter to be the same or smaller.

 

[raggedyruss]

Absolutely brilliant! Who'd have thought such an innocent question would cause such a stir. Made me chuckle.

Thanks to ALL of your answers, even the "get used to it you donk" type of answer.

Its all good!

Few points to make:

Just because I'm asking the question doesn't mean it's the most important issue in my life. Its a fairly minor gripe about an otherwise excellent machine.

Also, I only just passed my test 4 weeks ago. This is my first bike ever. I considered very carefully that it might be a stupid choice of first bike given its size (engine and physical) and there are probably easier things out there to ride. But actually the F800GS feels rock solid and as long as I take it careful until my skill levels improve, I think I'll be fine. So I don't consider myself to be a cause for concern on the road even though I'm finding the indicators a bit of a pain in the arse.

And finally, there have been some sensible suggestions which actually made it well worthwhile asking. So thanks for that. I am beginning to get used to them already. But I still end up having to twist my wrist to get my thumb anywhere near the button - I imagine that's a combination of my skills, the position of my body/arm/hand and the awkward position of the button. I can deal with the other two by practicising, but its not such a daft idea to deal with the latter either. That's the wrist I'm supposed to be using to accelerate away from a junction for example, and perhaps some of you have bigger hands but the button is a long way for my thumb to travel - which means it hinders smooth acceleration. Modifying the bike to ditch that problem is similar to many other mods that are made for convenience - e.g. adding luggage.

Russ

 

[Big Lee]

Well with only riding for a month everything will be new! Do the indicators not self cancel like on the 12GS?

So, just get used to it you donk

Best of luck though Russ and it`ll all come together before much longer

 

[Myke Rocks]

Indicator cancel button

Had a quick look around but couldn't find an article on this...

Anyone got any experience of moving the indicator cancel button to the left handlebar? I'm new to all this biking lark but finding it very difficult to cancel indicators without it affecting throttle position.

Figured there may be an easy way to extend the wiring over to the left and put a switch of some sort over there?

Don't mind the separate left/right indicator switches, just want to put the cancel button where I can hit it without having to use the same hand I'm accelerating with.

Thanks in advance for any help.


Russ

There was an article posted on this site around a month ago regarding this problem, and a good solution, which also overcomes the problem of not being able to "Flash" the lights & blow the horn simultaneously.
He suggested (& claimed had) swapped the indicator cancel and born button functions.
He did so by swapping wires brown/yellow & blue/white going into the ECU on terminals 10 & 8 respectively. (Can be done at either ECU or Handlebar plug end.) He then found that the buttons were indentical other than colour, so he swapped these over as well.
Myke

 

[raggedyruss]

So it seems the options are:

1. Get used to it. I guess that'll be my default option if I can't deal with the problem before I get bored trying.

2. 1100/1150 can be configured to cancel them by pressing the indicator switch a second time. The 1200 can’t. Don't know if the 800 can? I suspect not, nothing about it in the manual. Will get some confirmation from the dealer.

3. Use the side of your thumb. Good suggestion but I've tried different techniques and they all feel more awkward.

4. Swap the horn and cancel buttons. Apparently works on the K series. I will ask the dealer about this too. If it can be done at the black-box end rather than at the handlebar, this may be a neat solution.

5. Kisan Signal Minder. This looks like a good option as it will be easy to switch back before resale, and doesn't involve doing anything drastic that might invalidate the warranty. I like the idea of of same side cancelling - press the same side a second time to cancel the incidator. Two concerns: None of the blurb indicates if there is a model to suit the F800GS; and the manual mentions having to hold the indicator for half a second when using same side cancelling. I'm going to get some suppliers to give me some advice.

6. "yes Russ, I agree, the 3-button system is crap". Er... ok, thanks for the moral support, but it obviously doesn't worry you enough to fix it - or have you tried solutions which haven't worked? Its good to share.

Will report back soon.

Russ

 

[raggedyruss]

Sorry myke, your post slipped in while I was writing my summary. Most helpful. Will definitely take a look at this.
Russ

 

[freeloader]

There was an article posted on this site around a month ago regarding this problem, and a good solution, which also overcomes the problem of not being able to "Flash" the lights & blow the horn simultaneously.
He suggested (& claimed had) swapped the indicator cancel and born button functions.
He did so by swapping wires brown/yellow & blue/white going into the ECU on terminals 10 & 8 respectively. (Can be done at either ECU or Handlebar plug end.) He then found that the buttons were indentical other than colour, so he swapped these over as well.
Myke

My only gripe with this is that it moves the horn to the right cluster, and that rules it out for me.

Having thought about that, I've now realised that the big issue for me is not the 3 button system, although I still think it's unnecessary, but the position of the horn. No matter how much I ride the bike, I always have to consciously think about where the horn button is - and I haven't ridden a bike with Japanese-standard controls for a good few years now.

So I definitely wouldn't move my horn switch to the right cluster - I'd never find it again...

 

[Myke Rocks]

Re; Horn button.

My only gripe with this is that it moves the horn to the right cluster, and that rules it out for me.

Having thought about that, I've now realised that the big issue for me is not the 3 button system, although I still think it's unnecessary, but the position of the horn. No matter how much I ride the bike, I always have to consciously think about where the horn button is - and I haven't ridden a bike with Japanese-standard controls for a good few years now.

So I definitely wouldn't move my horn switch to the right cluster - I'd never find it again...

A serious note to be thought about.
As someone who only uses my horn twice a year, once to test it and once to prove it at MOT, I would humbly suggest that if you have time think about & to push a horn button, you have time to take avoiding action. If you are travelling so quickly that you cannot take avoiding action, then pushing a horn button is not going to help you.
If one wishes to register displeaure, then the gesture of a penis growing out of one's forehead (Balls hanging in eyes) is much more effective, and doesn't upset other road users.
Myke

 

[freeloader]

A serious note to be thought about.
As someone who only uses my horn twice a year, once to test it and once to prove it at MOT, I would humbly suggest that if you have time to think about & to push a horn button, you have time to take avoiding action. If you are travelling so quickly that you cannot take avoiding action, then pushing a horn button is not going to help you.
If one wishes to register displeasure, then the gesture of a penis growing out of one's forehead (Balls hanging in eyes) is much more effective, and doesn't upset other road users.
Myke

Fair enough, but at the same time as I'm taking avoiding action, I like to be able to register my displeasure at the person who made that course of action necessary. My preferred method is to use the horn, which ideally would have the effect of leaving them in no doubt as to my displeasure. In addition, the gesture you suggested involves removing my hands from the controls, which in the vicinity of someone who has just displayed a lack of attention to the road, might be considered unwise. They might not yet be looking in my direction, after all!

Missing word and letter added for no extra charge.

 

[raggedyruss]

OK, after a little more thought I reckon swapping horn and cancel buttons round is worth a shot. There seems to be little agreement on which wires to swap. If I get it wrong am I likely to fry something? or will I just get different lights coming on when I hit the buttons?

Russ

 

[raggedyruss]

Just to wrap this up in case someone else goes through the same as me...

In the end I just got used to it!

 

[ahebron]

Just to wrap this up in case someone else goes through the same as me...

In the end I just got used to it!

I think you will find in the end that is the easiest thing to do.
They made it and we have to get used to it. Just like women

Adrian

 

[Hman]

Just to wrap this up in case someone else goes through the same as me...

In the end I just got used to it!

russ i agree it may seem a little awkward to use the indicator/ horn switches but over time it will become second nature. just give it time im sure you'll adapt without compromising how smooth you use the other controls on the bike. stick with it, you'll be fine.

Hman

 

[r100/7]

i have got use to the odd indicter set up on the bmw,s but i think on the older one like the r100s and other bike have the same button set up on it

 

[longdog]

Not many manufacturers use the flat twin engine or weird front end either! It's only a feckin indicator switch. Live with it for godsake. If one wee switch upsets folk so much they must have feck all to worry about. Maybe they should think about a nice sensible bike with normal switchgear,suspension,engine etc & buy 1 of the many boring Jap bikes.

Live with it??? Crap answer, crap attitude

It doesn't suit the majority of people, so why should we live with it? At last BMW have seen sense, listened to the majority and they have climbed down off the same pedestal that you are on mate.

I had an R1150GS and I got on just fine with the 3 switches, but then I had a slight accident and lost my right thumb. I asked about modifying the switches on here and was told it couldn't be done.

Long story short, I took the bike to an autoelectrician who did the job in an hour for me!

All he did was make a harness, 1 wire spliced into each indicator from a second indicator relay running off a switched live from the ignition. He fitted 3 position toggle switch to the left handlebar to be operated with my left thumb. Simple!!! I effectively had a parallel system then and simply took the standard BMW switches off, (IIRC they are held on by a tiny socket head grub screw?). When I sold the bike, I removed everything in about 10 mins!

 

[Myke Rocks]

Be sure you are correct when making a statement.

Live with it??? Crap answer, crap attitude

It doesn't suit the majority of people, so why should we live with it? At last BMW have seen sense, listened to the majority and they have climbed down off the same pedestal that you are on mate.

I would dispute the word "majority".

the word "some", or possibly "me" is the one or other you are looking for.

Myke