From reading people’s comments and seeing YouTube videos, I’ve been aware of the issues and concerns around the new style indicators; the amber running lights at the front and the red combined with an amber flash at the rear. Now that I’m an owner of the latest GSA I thought I’d run the bike, as it comes, and see what problems I encountered.
About 500 miles on the clock and, yesterday, it happened! I approached a straightforward, 4 junction, mini roundabout with good visibility across it and from all exits. I intended to go straight on and therefore gave no indication other than reduce speed a little. As I got nearer, a lady stopped at the give way to the roundabout, 90° to my left. I could see her look in my direction and waited at the give way. As I got closer to the roundabout, just about to enter it, she pulled out and entered the roundabout area. I had momentum and as there was no other traffic, at any of the other junctions, or indeed approaching the roundabout, I decided it’d be far easier to just move well over to my right and slip past the lady in her car. She looked quite surprised that I was going straight on and it was then clear that she stood on her brakes.
I continued on my intended path, at which point she then continued and turned left to head in the same direction as myself, behind me. The traffic ahead just happened to be gridlocked, so I took the opportunity to get off the bike and speak with her. I made it clear I was chilled and relaxed so not to frighten her. She wound down her window and asked her if she thought that I was going to turn left at the roundabout. She said “Yes, I thought I saw your indicator come on and as you slowed down slightly I thought you were going to start turning”. I sort of told her that it wasn’t entirely her fault. By the time I was as close to the roundabout, where I would have began turning, if I had been turning left, she wouldn’t have been able to see the indicator (also permanently on) on the right of the bike.
It could’ve been worse if she’d maybe been older and had slower reflexes, or just in a steaming hurry. I might not have had time/space to avoid a collision. As it was, on this occasion, it was just one of those ‘Mmmmm’ moments and everything was ok. I immediately starting thinking… is this what it’s going to be like going forwards (no pun intended). Only 500 miles on the clock and I’ve already encountered the same issue many other people have described as happening to them - because of the ‘daft indicators’! And that’s just the front end!
Has only else encountered this problem? Has anyone else swapped over their indicators? I know that Steve Able ‘A Bike Thing’ sells kits, and the chap (Carl) who has ‘Just The Way It Is’ (YouTube) talks about and demonstrates an installation of them.
I might have to take another look….
About 500 miles on the clock and, yesterday, it happened! I approached a straightforward, 4 junction, mini roundabout with good visibility across it and from all exits. I intended to go straight on and therefore gave no indication other than reduce speed a little. As I got nearer, a lady stopped at the give way to the roundabout, 90° to my left. I could see her look in my direction and waited at the give way. As I got closer to the roundabout, just about to enter it, she pulled out and entered the roundabout area. I had momentum and as there was no other traffic, at any of the other junctions, or indeed approaching the roundabout, I decided it’d be far easier to just move well over to my right and slip past the lady in her car. She looked quite surprised that I was going straight on and it was then clear that she stood on her brakes.
I continued on my intended path, at which point she then continued and turned left to head in the same direction as myself, behind me. The traffic ahead just happened to be gridlocked, so I took the opportunity to get off the bike and speak with her. I made it clear I was chilled and relaxed so not to frighten her. She wound down her window and asked her if she thought that I was going to turn left at the roundabout. She said “Yes, I thought I saw your indicator come on and as you slowed down slightly I thought you were going to start turning”. I sort of told her that it wasn’t entirely her fault. By the time I was as close to the roundabout, where I would have began turning, if I had been turning left, she wouldn’t have been able to see the indicator (also permanently on) on the right of the bike.
It could’ve been worse if she’d maybe been older and had slower reflexes, or just in a steaming hurry. I might not have had time/space to avoid a collision. As it was, on this occasion, it was just one of those ‘Mmmmm’ moments and everything was ok. I immediately starting thinking… is this what it’s going to be like going forwards (no pun intended). Only 500 miles on the clock and I’ve already encountered the same issue many other people have described as happening to them - because of the ‘daft indicators’! And that’s just the front end!
Has only else encountered this problem? Has anyone else swapped over their indicators? I know that Steve Able ‘A Bike Thing’ sells kits, and the chap (Carl) who has ‘Just The Way It Is’ (YouTube) talks about and demonstrates an installation of them.
I might have to take another look….
