Normal indicator switches from 2009

[Allan Davies]

I, for one, mourn the day when they succumbed to the idiotic rantings of motorcycle journalists that seem incapable of some basic dexterity! It took me all of a few days to train my thumb to cancel the indicators on my first BMW without affecting throttle position. And once you have mastered it, you realise it is a superior system.

I totally agree, I commute every day on the old Transalp and it takes no time at all to adjust to the BM's switch gear and vice versa, I actually prefer the BM's, as once on the move it all makes sense. As to turning the indicators off while giving it a handful, wait till your up to speed
My first Beemer and have owned for 4 years BTW.
Its nice to be different and not mainstream, one of the reasons why I got it and I just turned 40

 

[peepingtom]

At last BMW makes the change. The BMW system is utter rubbish whether around town, or on a run. Using your busiest hand to cancel is plain stupid. The paddles also make it hard to find the horn......I've lost count of how many times Ive given people a nasty left turn indicator!!!

Good riddance to a flawed system

±1 ......the 3 button system in complete rubbish!!!!! how can 3 buttons be simpler or better in anyway than 1???????? its pathetic.
should have never been allowed to be made with them on, they are a complete liability ,almost makes me want to sell , i hate them

 

[GreatScott]

This threads seems to alternate with posts for followed by posts against. Fabulous

So my turn: Keep 'em.

 

[Fanum]

Left thumb to turn left.
Right thumb to turn right.

What could be simpler and more natural???


Regardless of which system you prefer, if you can't cope with the above, maybe you should be asking yourself if you're fit to be on the road in a bloody car, let alone a motorcycle

Lowest common denominator thickies yet again

 

[casperghst42]

It is just something one gets used to. Like other things which are slightly different from other things, you just do it....

I could find other things I would love to have change instead; like the auto canceling of the indicators, see that is a silly idea, and have been discussed to death already.

Casper

 

[Hubs]

I spent 10 years on GS's before moving to a KTM; couldn't get on with the 'ordinary' LH single button. Back on a GS now, and able to work the switches. Saying that, don't recall indicators being a problem pre-GS! Probably because I ran Guzzis and the electrics didn't work anyway...

 

[Deleted account 211028001]

I totally agree, I commute every day on the old Transalp and it takes no time at all to adjust to the BM's switch gear and vice versa, I actually prefer the BM's, as once on the move it all makes sense. As to turning the indicators off while giving it a handful, wait till your up to speed
My first Beemer and have owned for 4 years BTW.
Its nice to be different and not mainstream, one of the reasons why I got it and I just turned 40

My last 6 bikes were Trumpets switched 2 weeks ago ( pardon the pun)

Had to think about the indicators initially now becoming au natural - I do commute 350 miles a week so like most things it regular use that things become a habit - muscle memory etc

I am fairly indifferent as same in as in the same way i ride the bike you learn the techniques required for the piece of kit you are using

It does appear logical but I admit that in the first week I found myeslf indicating right trying to cancel the left, but this is now eradiacted

Love the self cancelling

 

[ktmmark]

I liked a harley system which was like the bmw but you pressed the button again to turn off .
still i don't have a problem with the bmw system

 

[oldrascal]

As a concept, the 3-button set up has been fitted to BMW bikes since indicators became mandatory. But I am pretty certain that the handlebars on the early bikes were a lot less cluttered than they are now and access for the riders gloved hands/fingers would have been much more straightforward and accessible.

However, I think that the real problem with the BMW system doesn't lie in the principal of separate switches for L/R/Cancel but in the rigid implementation. There appears to be less room to accomodate varying body shapes and arm/wrist articluation than the industry standard combined switches. I am sure that is why some riders find it a doddle whilst others struggle.

To offer the conclusion that anyone who doesn't like the system is a Cissy and a Big Girl's Blouse and should ride a scoot is just confrontational, trite and not deeply thought through.

Its not for nothing that BMW are moving away from this set-up (market forces) but to trot out the excuse that it is simply because of space limitations on the new K1300 bars is to seriously underestimate the BMW back-room design team. Now that we have switches for every conceivable function scattered around the bars which have a direct effect on your bikes performance (ABS/ASC/ASC/ etc), I think that the limitations of the present system have been revealed.

So of course its possible to adapt, of course the sheer quirkiness sets the bike apart, and of course some people find it as easy to use the 3-button system as getting your feet flat on the ground with a GSA seat on top position - but that's not going to help those who find it hard but love the bike.

Here's a thought.

What if new bikes could be ordered with a no-cost choice of switch type, 3-button or 'standard'. Anyone care to hazard a guess as to the take-up of either?

 

[Deleted account 211028001]

old tossers probably 90/10 % leave alone
new tossers 70/29 % use universal 1% sit on the fence (me lol)

 

[Deleted Member I]

It's fascinating how people find the BMW switches bad. I am totally opposite.

I think the so call conventional switch badly thought out and hard to use if you have small hands.

The bmw switches allows you to remain in full control by just dropping your thumb. Also putting on the hazard is just easy and completely logical.


I think BMW is changing the switches because of market forces rather than a design improvement.

 

[shugie]

I like the current type of indicators, although a second press of the same button to cancel would be an improvement, I had this on my 1150 by fitting a Kisan widget, won't work on the 1200.

 

[Slowdown]

If I'm really cross they get the hazzards then the horn.


I'm loving it!

 

[Dainese Brave]

Left thumb to turn left.
Right thumb to turn right.

What could be simpler and more natural???

I don't think the opposed indicator switch is really the issue here. I myself don't mind them at all.

It's the cancel switch I have the problem with....it's on the wrong side.

So worst comes to the worst...keep the system...just swap the horn and cancel switch.

......then wait for the 'I can't get used to the new system, and keep tooting my horn to turn off my indicators' threads

 

[JohnU-IOW]

Have to say, the only thing I really dislike about my GS12 are the indicator switches. Yes, you get used to them. You could probably get used to having a boil on your arse, too. First thing Dave at CW said to me when I took a GS12 for a test ride was "don't worry about the indicators, you'll get used to them". Well here I am 3 years later and I am used to them, but they still don't make sense to me. The day BMW fit 2 indicator stalks to their cars, one either side of the steering column, with a separate cancel switch somewhere else, I will accept they are right. This is just my personal opinion. Please feel free to disagree.

 

[Sgt Bilco]

Here`s my personal opinion.

Does it stop you enjoying the bike?
Would you buy another make because of it?
Is it the only problem with the bike?

If you answer yes to any of the above you obviously have way too much time on your hands.

Stop whingeing and ride the feckin thing and think yourself lucky that indicator switches are the biggest hassle in your life

 

[JohnU-IOW]

Actually Sgt Bilco, that was not your personal opinion. That was three more questions.
Answers: No, no, and yes. And please tell me how answering "yes" to any of these tell you that I have too much time on my hands. My reply was not a "whinge", it was a reply to a question asked - my personal opinion, that's all. Don't like it? Disagree? Fine, disagree, don't get personal.

 

[oldrascal]

Yup, I tend to agree with your sentiments, JohnU-IOW.

The fact that great swathes of us, enthusiasts to a man/woman, still feel the need to alter seats, change windscreens, raise handlebars and, yes, complain about the 3-button system, does not mean that we aren't as passionate about our bikes as those who find them perfect.

So let's use this as a discussion forum for adults and not a shooting gallery - after all is said and done, we all take the same risks and embrace the same life-style through choice.

So we should all be 'family' here, which is one of life's hidden pleasures in a tough old world.

 

[CuriousYellow]

Well as a BMS newbie (1 and a bit years) I vote both for and against the BMW indicators.....

For indicating they're fine. You get lot of practise riding around and get used to them fairly quickly.

But as a consiquencs of their placement......

Flashing and using your horn <Tee-Hee> are altogether another kettle of fish.
The buttons don't get used regularly enough to naturally fall to hand. So you use them less and less which means thet they don't naturally fall to hand...

Being polite and letting someone in needs much more thought than with standard switchgear (so it's simpler and safer to be rude sometimes). I'm slowly getting used to the flasher.

As for the horn, I want to use it in a prevending-emergency-instant sort-of-way. It's not [hopefully] going to get much regular use, so being easy to find is high on my list

Thank you for listening.

 

[Sgt Bilco]

It wasn`t meant to be a snipe at anyone but it`s the way the bike is.

The indicator switches are just part of it`s character and I can`t believe anyone really worries about it bar those muppets at MCN. BuMW aren`t going to change it so why worry? I have no idea why they decided on it but it obviously works.

We change the seats etc to suit our own tastes so it`s a different thing IMHO.

My point was, and still is, it`s not something to get hot under the collar about and it shouldn`t be spoiling what is one of the greatest rides out there (apart from an ex girlfriend but thats another matter).