Tengiz99
Registered user
I like the indicator arrangement, very logical and intuitive, but the 800 was my first bike so had no prior programming to overcome. The horn does take a bit more 'finding', which can be a pain in the arse when needed most.
elevensies
Registered user
bmw have played around with indicator switching over the years,
they have the usual 3 switch system (which harley davids also use by the way)
they have used the standard jap style on the 650gs
then the even more stupid single up and down rocker on the right handlebar (up for left, down for right) now try getting used to that!!
all in all newbies ALWAYS seem to complain, but ffs they bought the bike they wernt forced onto it
get used to it.
they have the usual 3 switch system (which harley davids also use by the way)
they have used the standard jap style on the 650gs
then the even more stupid single up and down rocker on the right handlebar (up for left, down for right) now try getting used to that!!
all in all newbies ALWAYS seem to complain, but ffs they bought the bike they wernt forced onto it
get used to it.
F650Dakar_Norway
Registered user
Yup. But as another has mentioned; they don't always cancel appropriately early and occasionally ( and very irritating ) cancel swith operation upsets throttle action too much. IMO the newer switchgear from BMW with single indicator switch would have been far better and more intuitive to use.
On a heavier, more road-oriented bike with heavier flywheel mass this is not as noticeable - as I experienced test riding an R1200GS earlier.
But yes, I'm conditioned and used to 1-button indicator switches since 1978.
I stll hate the 3-button design. Harley-Davidson have a better cancel functionality by simply pressing the relevant port or starboard indicator button a second time around.
YMMV
Blobby
Registered user
Like you, come from Jap bikes and GS indicators take some getting used to. 12 months on, I still believe the simplicity of the jap indicators is superior but that said, the GS system is not an issue anymore. You will get used to them. It also looks like BMW are finally taking steps towards to single indicator button.
Klanky
Registered user
Yes, i've furiously indicated at myopic car drivers before now.
I've got used to the indicators. I just don't bother using them.
I've got used to the indicators. I just don't bother using them.
Hi oystein
Like you I'm new to the BMW indicator thang (and 800GS ) and after a bit of eh?!. I now like it, good for overtaking etc, just hit the button in the direction you want to go, makes sense. As others have said there is a lot on the indicators on this forum and the best tip I've seen is that you don't have to
"reach" for a full right thumb on the cancel button, a quick flick to the
end of the button will do it.
Have fun ride safe.
... Now the standard seat oh my lordie.
Like you I'm new to the BMW indicator thang (and 800GS ) and after a bit of eh?!. I now like it, good for overtaking etc, just hit the button in the direction you want to go, makes sense. As others have said there is a lot on the indicators on this forum and the best tip I've seen is that you don't have to
"reach" for a full right thumb on the cancel button, a quick flick to the
end of the button will do it.
Have fun ride safe.
... Now the standard seat oh my lordie.
Blobby
Registered user
Glad I'm not the only giving drivers the indicator treatment. Nothing like seeing a driver about to pull out in front of you so you hit the horn but get the left indicator instead so he thinks you turning off, so pulls out in front of you anyway.
Blind Lemon Ade
Registered user
...and if you're going 360-degrees round a roundabout, the indicators cancel when you're half-way round 
Why didn't they have "push-to-cancel" on the indicator switches themselves, instead of the third button?
They're clever blokes, they must have thought it through...
Why didn't they have "push-to-cancel" on the indicator switches themselves, instead of the third button?
They're clever blokes, they must have thought it through...
BOBAD
Registered user
This was my problem too.
Since the mid-80s I have owned 3 KRSs, a GS1100 and 2 GS1150s so it's not as though I'm not used to the switchgear.
In my opinion the standard switchgear is downright dangerous....
Imagine you are driving straight on at a junction and dozy Derek approaches from a side road on your left......... You try to hit the (badly designed) horn switch but you don't locate it and guess what?......you hit the left-turn indicator switch instead. Dozy Derek then takes it as a sign that you are turning left and pulls out right in front of you. Brilliant.
For this reason I have had the left hand switch re-wired by switching the horn button with the left-hand indicator switch.
Now I hit the horn button instinctively and immediately.
I still have to make an appointment with the bike to get the left-hand indicator to work though...
Bob.
GEm
Guest
I learned on a Kawasaki and found the indicators quite hard to get on with as I don't really do right and left instinctively so my 650GS with the indicators on the side I want to turn to suit me just fine. The additional cancel button I would guess is because of the autocancel (which you can switch off or alter to 9 seconds btw) as you sometimes need a second hit on the indicator if you are waiting at a junction/roundabout etc. I have tiny hands (ladies size 5 in gloves are big on me) and don't find reaching any of the switches a problem. I've also had a mega horn fitted so it sounds like the QE2 when I hit the red button. Not had the experience of remonstrating with anyone by indicating left yet.
Getting on is a challenge for me as I am a spit over 5ft and up to last week I was putting my leg on the saddle and just wriggling over. Now I have learned to throw my leg over with the side stand down and reach for the opposite foot peg rather than the floor. Then press down on the foot peg and bring the bike up, as it comes up you can drop your other leg to the floor, kick your side stand up and you are on (reverse for getting off). I also learned to hover so I didn't have to put my feet down very much at all once I am on.
Getting on is a challenge for me as I am a spit over 5ft and up to last week I was putting my leg on the saddle and just wriggling over. Now I have learned to throw my leg over with the side stand down and reach for the opposite foot peg rather than the floor. Then press down on the foot peg and bring the bike up, as it comes up you can drop your other leg to the floor, kick your side stand up and you are on (reverse for getting off). I also learned to hover so I didn't have to put my feet down very much at all once I am on.
The horn is really a last measure. I can't remember the last time I used it on my bike or in my car. The indicators are easy, it's just the horn that's a problem. So wise up. Look ahead, and forget the horn. Anyone you're trying to blast has probably got his stereo on full blast anyway.
BOBAD
Registered user
Have you ever ridden your bike outside your garage?
Wonderful idea.
Perhaps a notch on the petrol tank for every dead jaywalking pedestrian too ?
Yep, you are probably right..........far better to forget the horn altogether and just let him drive straight in to you.
I wonder why I never thought of that?
Blobby
Registered user
I never used to use the bike horn until accompanied by a police biker who picked me up on it after I had ridden past a car that was clearly unaware of my presence and was also clearly unsure which way they were about to turn or when. His view was that a quick 'I'm here' toot was all that was needed to be noticed and increase my safety. Clearly he was right. Likewise the half asleep pedestrian about to walk out in front of you just needs a friendly toot. It's worth using.
GEm
Guest
I very rarely use my horn but like you on my bikesafe ride the police inspector who took me out encouraged me to make judicious use of it. If you generally ride looking well ahead his view was that most of the time you should be able to ride so as not to need it. I have used it once in anger when an idiot in a pick up truck (which by the logo on the window was clearly owned by someone who had something to do with bikes) reversed in the middle of the lights coming up to the magic roundabout in Hemel because he had started to take the wrong turn (right) and wanted to go straight on. He almost reversed into the white van who was next to turn right and then reversed straight across the two lanes into the oncoming traffic and almost took the front of my husband who's bike was at the front of the traffic queue to go straight on when our lights changed. As I have the loud horn I stood on it very loudly and he drove off pretty quickly. Interesting that they have loads of "safety" cameras in Hemel and are well known for trigger happy prosecution on them but nary a traffic cop or CCTV around when someone does something really dangerous rather than 35 in a 30mph area.
Racey
Registered user
For me this just rings alarm bells. However, my original point was more of a dig at the 'get out of my way' blast compared to the correct use of an 'I am here' toot.
Hi GEm. I learnt to ride in Hemel (took my test in Berkhamsted), and know the magic roundabout well. I'm afraid that the traffic/speed cameras have freed all the traffic cops up. So they no longer need to do tedious patrols, and can instead concentrate on the serious business of drinking tea whilst doing the important paperwork which keeps the politicians happy.
Blobby
Registered user
Scanario was I had waited/stopped for 20 seconds before passing because car had stopped on blind bend and driver had a map out. An unpredicable danger but I crept past without using horn when a toot would have been sensible. Stay safe as they say.
Think we're drifting
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