Perfect, keep it simple I always say. I have a BMW Z4 that doesn’t make that clicking noise when the signals are on and I always forget to cancel them. The device that makes that sound is on a circuit board behind the instrument cluster and a huge pain to replace. I may have to use something like that.
Why, why, why,
- Thread starter timtune
- Start date
Somewhat yes they do.So then they don't work always then.
BTW that is not how they work.
Maybe the question isn't why aren't manufacturers standardizing self-cancelling turn signals.
Maybe the question is why are you riding with someone who can't even remember to turn his signals off?
I think your disappointment is misplaced.
Many have it, mine Ducati's have them, so does some of the triumph's
No. I don't believe it is. I don't ride in big groups. I ride with a small group that I have ridden with for a couple decades. Guys that I expect would have a similar number of miles under their belt as you do. At some point in most rides it happens. When it does it's a safety hazard.
It's the reason I mostly only signal by hand.
Might be an age factor?
I think it's a memory factor. You're watching the road not the dash, you don't see the light blinking and simply forget. Do a big group ride with newbies (if you dare) and you'll see the same thing.
Happens most times when I do a demo ride.
Mad Mike
Well-known member
Yup. I’ve been riding for decades. More than 1/2 million km with zero crashes.
I forget them all the time. That’s why I install signal buzzers - problem licked.
That was my first thought when I read "guys I've been riding with for decades" too.
I know with my concussion I'm mentally not the rider I was just a year ago and I'll be riding like a granny this season
I don't think manufacturers should add turn signals that automatically cancel to make up for my shortcomings. I think pushing for manufacturers to do that is how we train new riders to be dependent on the bike to do more of the work, rather than training new riders to always be considering what their bike is doing.
It's to make you safer not make up for your short comings.
Do you wear a seatbelt when you get in someones car? Or when you fly?
Mad Mike
Well-known member
I’ll simply admit it a rider deficit for me. I’m hyper focused on my surroundings, I think this drowns out my focus on signals. But it’s dealt with using my buzzer.That was my first thought when I read "guys I've been riding with for decades" too.
I know with my concussion I'm mentally not the rider I was just a year ago and I'll be riding like a granny this season
I think pushing for manufacturers to do that is how we train new riders to be dependent on the bike to do more of the work, rather than training new riders to always be considering what their bike is doing.
Advice: if you have any persistent issues stemming from a concussion, driving puts you at extreme legal risk. Insurance may will not cover you, and any accident could have life altering legal and financial consequences.
And like I said, training riders to rely on their bikes to do more, while training them to be less aware of what their motorcycles are and aren't doing, isn't a good thing in my opinion.
To answer your question, yes, I obey laws.
My car gets turning off my signals right and wrong much better than my Harley-Davidson with self-cancelling turn signals ever did. I don't think the two are in the same category.
With the Harley, if there is anything but a straight road leading up to where the intersection was, I would end up having to turn on the turn signals twice, once to signal before the intersection, then the self-cancelling signals think you're done turning when you straighten up at the intersection, and then you need to turn them on again.
With the car, it's pretty good at reading what the steering wheel is doing and knowing "Nope, he hasn't turned his wheel back yet"
In Ontario it's maybe not so much of a problem, because most of our roads... now see what it's like in the rockies or coastal regions of the country... I know in Italy, where most of the country is all either mountains or coastal, self cancelling turn signals would be a pain in the ass. I'm assuming in a lot of other countries, where curvy roads are the norms, they would feel the same.
Auto-cancelling turn signals a safety feature?
Dunno about that. I've owned many bikes from different manufacturers and almost all of them have had them as stock. NONE of them work 100%. Maybe 85% of the time they function the way they are supposed to. They are not infallible.
To me, that's not a good success rate to be considered a safety feature. Especially when they cancel the signal when you didn't intend it to.
Yikes.
For the times that they eventually cancel because you did forget, that's still a good 20-30 seconds when the turn signal is still activated where other motorists believe you are turning when you do not intend to. Yes, better than leaving them on forever, but 20-30 seconds is still a long time.
Double yikes.
Definitely not safe. More of a convenience feature, IMO. You still have to stay on top of the tech to make sure it's operating the way you intend it to.
Despite all my bikes having auto-cancel, I still hit the cancel button every single time. That way I am sure they are off.
Dunno about that. I've owned many bikes from different manufacturers and almost all of them have had them as stock. NONE of them work 100%. Maybe 85% of the time they function the way they are supposed to. They are not infallible.
To me, that's not a good success rate to be considered a safety feature. Especially when they cancel the signal when you didn't intend it to.
Yikes.
For the times that they eventually cancel because you did forget, that's still a good 20-30 seconds when the turn signal is still activated where other motorists believe you are turning when you do not intend to. Yes, better than leaving them on forever, but 20-30 seconds is still a long time.
Double yikes.
Definitely not safe. More of a convenience feature, IMO. You still have to stay on top of the tech to make sure it's operating the way you intend it to.
Despite all my bikes having auto-cancel, I still hit the cancel button every single time. That way I am sure they are off.
On my AT i have the option to turn the auto signal feature off
Dirty Frank
Well-known member
True that but the GS also had that awful 4 way left/right, high beam/low beam all in one switch that sucked IMO.
My 1980s FZR400 has self cancelling signals. It's just a counter in the odometer that turns the flasher off after a fixed distance which is never enough.
I would rather it be set for a longer than usual distance, thus serving the intended function of turning off a forgotten signal more frequently than the unintended function of cutting off an actual intended signal...
I would rather it be set for a longer than usual distance, thus serving the intended function of turning off a forgotten signal more frequently than the unintended function of cutting off an actual intended signal...
