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I like the automatic system. The thing to remember is to not signal too early, and certainly not where a waiting car would misunderstand your intentions. The car in this story assumed too much, and in that the driver was wrong (failure to yield the right of way). That doesn't help much when you prang his car thought, does it?
I do monitor what the automatic system is doing though.
Mine some times don't seem to go off as soon as I think they should or if it's not a tight turn not go out at all. I just watch the indicator and cancel manualy if needed. On a second note I do not trust anyone elses turn signals untill I can actually see them start their turn.
I grew up w/manual signals and automatically keep trying to turn them off manually...which usually causes the signal to cycle again and then I have to hit it a 3rd time to turn it off. I hate the auto cancel feature.
Or on long ramps they turn off when you are 1/2 way to your turn.
Methinks there should be a disableswitch built in so you can choose yourself. How hard could it be with all theprogrammable gizmosnowdays to make it so I could program it myself to cancel after3, 4, 5 or 20 minutes if I choose.
I'd make itten minutes...that way I'd always be manually cancelling...and in the million to one chance I forget eventually it will go out.
That's just me...I hate the self-cancellers. I want the signal to do what I want exactly when I want exactly as long (or short) as I want.
Got a brand new 2008 XL 1200 anyone know how to disable the auto cancel turn signals?
For older bikes (I am cut/pasting from another place on this forum - I read this and slapped myself in the head saying, "That's right NOW I remember!")
Ok, so for anyone interested, disconnecting the reed switch will allow the turn signals to run as long as you want until you hit the button again to cancel them. To do this on pre '03 bikes, mine is a 94 (Hugger) take off the back of the speedo cover (2 nuts) disconnect the reed switch wire, on my bike(white wire with green stripe) and that's all there's too it. (Just remember to tape up or otherwise insulate wire end so it don't ground out.)Just have to remember to cancel the signal after a turn though.
Anybody know what the program for the self-cancellation is? Seems like it has something to do with speeding back up and/or upshifting after slowing down. Been trying to figure it out for a couple of years.
Anyone else had this happen? I'm making a right turn from a main road onto a side road and there happens to be a CVS Pharmacy on the corner. I hit my right turn signal switch well in advance of the turn and begin my turn. Well, there's an exit from the CVS onto this side road about 100 feet or so from the corner. As I'm completing my turn, the automatic turn signal hasn't quit blinking yet and, you guessed it, there's a car waiting to come out of CVS's side exit. He sees my signal still blinking and assumes I'm turning into CVS so out he comes. Luckily it was all pretty slow speed and I saw the whole thing coming so I was already on the brakes and when he stopped smack in front of me (after figuring out I wasn't turning) and I already knew noone was coming in the opposite lane so I was well clear to swerve around him.
So, my question. Do I need to begin a habit pattern of self-cancelling the signal as I enter the turn so I don't give drivers in front of me the wrong idea about my intentions? What's everyone else been doing?
I try to never, ever assume an automated system will do my job while driving or riding. They are handy, but they are stupid.
The HD turn signal automatism will detect banking and straightening back, and disengage after a given distance. Usually it's ok. In certain situations, it isn't.
The same applies to ABS brake control ESP stability managers on cars, or automated rain detection wipers or automated turn-on lights.
The only brain on board is yours, so is the ultimate responsibility for what your vehicle does.
They will usually turn off as you come out of the turn. Now if you're duck walking your bike through the turn, I can understand why they aren't turning off imediately. 8-) On the other hand, if you're going through the turn, scraping your knees on the asphalt, yeah, those turn signals are too scared silly to do anything till they recover.
I've never liked HD's switch layout. I'm use to it but don't care for it. HI/Low and horn should be opposite what they are and the automatic directionals are frustrating. I liked the old hold it in and they work, let go they stop switches. Plus on my RK you have to look so far down to see the dash indicator just to see if they are working is dangerous. Thinking of getting the v-logo indicator for the clamp cover just to get it a little farther up in the "safer to look" region.
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