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Self-canceling blinkers/directionals

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14K views 22 replies 18 participants last post by  pistonlegs  
#1 ·
Anyone know if there's a way to adjust the self-canceling feature on the directionals. Mine blink long after I've made the turn and I sometimes forget to manually cancel them which is dangerous. Thanks in advance!
 
#2 · (Edited)
They cancel themselves? I learn something every day in this forum!

Seriously - didn't know they had an auto feature. I guess I have just gotten into the habit of canceling the signal myself by pushing the button inward after completing the turn.
 
#3 ·
I distinctly remember the salesman at Max BMW telling me that. Years of riding bikes with a self-canceling feature make it difficult to think of doing it. My bike is having work done and the owner's manual is in the hump.
 
#10 ·
Quick follow up to this older thread ... talked to the dealer (mine's a 2016) and he said the minimum the indicator can be adjusted to is 12 seconds! 12 seconds is a lifetime after taking a turn. I'm sure many of you are used to canceling the indicator yourself and I'm sure I will too. I came from bikes that canceled the indicator based on time AND lean angle so you didn't have to worry about it at all.
 
#12 ·
I came from bikes that canceled the indicator based on time AND lean angle so you didn't have to worry about it at all.
I came from bikes that cancelled the indicator based on how long you kept your arm up in the air! :D
 
#13 ·
The 12 second minimum is probably based off of the idea that you are going to start the signal 100ft before your turn. Here's what is being taught in the U.S. based drivers education.

"Your signal lets other drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians know your intentions. You must give a proper turn signal at least 100 ft (200 ft in some states, e.g.,Indiana) before turning or changing lanes."
 
#14 · (Edited)
It's probably best to never rely on self-canceling. When you change bikes you lose the reflex of doing it. It's a nice feature in that if you do forget it, it will eventually be cancelled but I dont think it was meant to used by itself. Simply a safety net if you do forget to cancel it, for that reason, it's probably best to have it set on longer than 12 seconds.
 
#15 ·
I think it's probably best to never rely on self-canceling. As then when you change bikes you lose the reflex of doing it. I think it's a nice bonus for it you do forget it, it will eventually be cancelled. I dont think it was meant to used by itself, but simply as a safety net if you do forget to cancel it.
This is exactly how I think of them. Just reassurance you don't leave them and look like an old fart riding down the road with your blinker on. I don't need to broadcast that I'm old and forgetful.
 
#17 ·
I don't think leaving your blinker on while riding a motorcycle is an old fart move, it's so easy to enjoy the ride and forget that you even hit the blinker while the adrenaline rush is going strong. I just realized that the auto shut off has probably saved my butt many times from leaving it on and I didn't know my bike had this option till I saw this thread a few days ago.
 
#18 ·
2018 R9t scrambler turn signal cancellation drama

I think the default time for the turn signal cancellation was way too long ~ around 18 seconds. I usually turn on the turn signal about 50 yards before the turn and it only take about 8~10 seconds to complete my turn and the turn indicator just keep going and going until I turn it off manually.

So when I did my 1st 600 miles service I ask the my dealer to make it shorter. They said no problem will do it but when I pick up my bike they told me the shortest time they can set it up was 20 seconds or 500 yards ( or feet? ) which ever come first. That doesn't make any sense at all, it was even longer than my default setting. OK I took whatever they said and rode my bike home. And this morning when I rode my bike to work and surprisingly found the time became ~35 seconds before it automatically cancel itself. Job well done, BMW dealer.

From now on I will turn it off myself. No big deal, who need that lousy automatic turn signal cancellation? This is an old school bike and belong to an old school person like myself. Technology just not my thing.
 
#21 · (Edited)
interestingly today while going around a big roundabout notice my blinker/indicator went off. thought bulb died which would have been odd for a new led bulb. so went around again and cancelled itself. was probably less than 10 seconds but was leaning the bike at an aggressive angle. interesting. well keep an eye on it to learn how it operates.

but in my view this system should be a safety backup in case you forget. would not trust the system to someone pulling in front of me.