Turn signals turning me off

[stephanotis]

I'm a bit of a newbie and would love some advice on how the heck to remember to turn off my indicators after making a turn.

I keep signaling for blocks on end, which is not only annoying for other drivers but pretty dangerous! I know I have to get in the habit, but does anyone have a trick or something? It's driving me batty.

 

[Sofa88]

I'm probably as much of a noob as you are since I still sometimes honk at people when trying to turn them off. Sometimes I go through a check list in my head when performing certain things to make sure to get into the routine "alright starting bike, neutral kickstand key on switch on start" "alright turning left, signal look LOOK! Turn DONT DIE! ok signal off"

You get the picture

 

[Smash Allen]

i've developed a compulsion to hit the cancel signal button with my left thumb about 15 times for the first 30 seconds after making a turn. just wait, it will happen with you too :laughing

 

[asdfman]

We all did it in the beginning when we were too busy concentrating on other things while riding. You'll get used to turning it off as you ride more.

 

[planegray]

That's nothing that money can't fix

https://www.amazon.com/Signal-Dynamics-Motorcycle-Self-Cancelling-Module/dp/B0039X2PQM

 

[zixaq]

You'll get the hang of it with time.

I, too, compulsively push the cancel button every 10 seconds or so in traffic.

 

[dravnx]

And everyone occasionally forgets.

 

[stephanotis]

Thanks very much. I feel less dorky now! Will develop a trigger-happy thumb then :thumbup! Also nice to know there's a mechanical solution if I just can't get it straight...

 

[dravnx]

Thanks very much. I feel less dorky now! Will develop a trigger-happy thumb then :thumbup! Also nice to know there's a mechanical solution if I just can't get it straight...

It's an electrical solution not a mechanical solution.
Don't worry about. It will come with time.
Take part in some group rides and you'll get tired of someone pulling up next to you and giving you the hey dipshit, your signal is on hand sign.

 

[Phanuel]

I'm usually glancing down at my dash when the road is clear ahead of me after a turn looking for a blinking green idiot light.

 

[stephanotis]

Ha, good suggestions, going to try everything. Is there a reason behind not having auto shut-off for signals?

 

[Smash Allen]

cost...some newer models have them...models that use CANBUS system i believe...

 

[Pushrod]

Intentions become muscle memory. Relax, make every ride an attempt at perfection, forgive yourself.

Or consider the blinking signal one step in the practice of becoming a driver in retirement.

 

[Pking]

Turn-Click, Turn-Click, Turn-Click, Turn-Click, Turn-Click.....

With that said, how often are you checking your mirrors after a turn? If you're checking your mirrors often your eyes should almost naturally sweep across the dashboard and you'll see the signal blinking much sooner than a few blocks. At least that's how it worked for me.:teeth

 

[berth]

Just ride with someone that keeps yelling at you to turn it off, even while theirs is on.

Other than that, simply cancel the turn signal -- several times per minute…constantly. I also do that.

You'll eventually get it, and even then still forget. There will always be a time something distracts you a little bit during a turn that you forget to turn it off.

 

[Moto Beck]

Once everything stops feeling like a life or death moment, you can focus on canceling your turn signal. Just try to repeat back to yourself when you throw a leg over that you will cancel your turn signal. Ride in a development if that helps you and practice coming to an intersection, signaling and then canceling the signal. Do this enough and it will become second nature.

I went back to some of my riding videos - this was from 2 years ago - just watch the first minute - i hit the signal cancel 3 times - no rhyme or reason to doing it (not a damn turn in sight haha), just a force of habit at this point - still signal occasionally when i'm at the track - that's always embarrassing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSz-IiMsAoQ&t=4s

 

[NSR500]

I spam the button (Signal Cancel).

 

[Alan_Hepburn]

I got in the habit of punching the cancel button randomly. But now I've got a Goldwing - the signals self-cancel after turns, or after a certain distance traveled without turning. It took me a while to get used to that but now it's pretty nice - I can signal for a lane change on the freeway and not worry about canceling the signal!

 

[davidji]

Ha, good suggestions, going to try everything. Is there a reason behind not having auto shut-off for signals?

My BMW has it. I think some Harleys too. Doesn't seem as important on a normal bike that has all turn signal operations performed with the same button.

What makes a difference to me is the bike having the green turn signal dash indicator lights high on the dash rather than low. Especially if you have other stuff mounted that obscures them.

 

[gixxerjeff]

i've developed a compulsion to hit the cancel signal button with my left thumb about 15 times for the first 30 seconds after making a turn. just wait, it will happen with you too :laughing

:laughing
Some of us never completely get past it. I've been riding since 1974 and still submit to the compulsion to hit the cancel button needlessly about 10,000 times per ride, regardless of pace and distance. At this point it's just redundant behavioral insurance. They're almost never erroneously "on" anymore but throwing my thumb up there periodically for no apparent reason falls under the category of *involuntary reflex* at this point. I've even fought the urge on the track sometimes....like part way between 6 & 7 at Sears Point. :wow