Advice needed from experienced riders...

[gaffer49]

I continually find myself leaving my turn signals on long after they are needed. The only solution I can think of is to only use them when there is oncoming traffic. It seems more of a hazard to leave them going than not to use them at all.

 

[gkgeiger]

Eventually you'll remember to turn them off. Even on my bikes that had auto cancelling I would turn them off manually.

 

[michaelks]

I like to start a mental stopwatch whenever something is running that i have to keep track of. I don't know if it'll work for you, but as soon as you turn it on, start counting. It helps me also for my daily swim btw, i imagine the second hand on a clock that moves one second for every stroke, it's much easier to do the whole series this way. And finally whenever i get ready to ride, i do a one-two-three-four checklist - glasses, key, cell, and licence, never forget anything this way.

 

[cyrano138]

I'm not an experienced rider, but I would say the best strategy is to keep using them at all times, and it will eventually become second nature. If you start picking and choosing when to use them it will take longer for it to become a natural part of the sequence of stuff you do when you turn, in addition to which you're now introducing another set of steps and decisions that will make turning or merging more complicated which, of course, will distract you when your mind should be on other things. I just started riding a few months ago but it's already pretty natural; my thumb just seems to go down there on its own and shut the thing off after I turn, and that's what you want. Just keep at it.

 

[V-FORE]

Even if you leave them on, it will give others something to see & think about....I know there is the other viewpoint also that people will ignore it, but since you can not change others protect yourself and be as visible as possible. Being Visible or even a nuisance is less of a hazard than not using them!

Ride Safe!!

 

[wozza]

Ah someone else a bit like me.... Oh what I would give for Harley's wonderful self cancelling indicators on my bike... One of the bestest inventions ever on a motorcycle. Yamaha used to have them as standard fitment in the late 70s - early 80s then dropped the idea....

 

[Beemerphile]

The Kisan Signalminder will cancel them. I have seen 3-wire and 9-wire Honda, but I haven't seen one for the 4-wire Honda yet, but they may be able to help you if you call or write them. I think you have to remove the detent spring in the turn signal switch so it returns to center by itself. Might be easier to just train your muscle memory and develop the habit.

 

[Cap'n Kirk]

The most dangerous part of leaving them on is oncoming traffic thinking you are going to turn and they will turn right in front of you!!! I recommend using them all the time and just training yourself to turn them off! After a while, it will become routine.

 

[sdouble]

Don't worry... just wait and keep focused. You'll get used to switch them off automatically eventually

 

[mike5100]

I don't really have much of a problem with the NC700X as the symbol in the dash is right in my eyeline, but that wasn't the case on my Versys. I started a little project to put repeaters fastened to the top of the screen pointed at my eyes so that I couldn't miss them BikeIt LED Black Motorbike Number Plate Lights. Sold the bike before I got them finished but I think it would work and wouldn't look too bad.
Mike

 

[tromba]

I continually find myself leaving my turn signals on long after they are needed. The only solution I can think of is to only use them when there is oncoming traffic. It seems more of a hazard to leave them going than not to use them at all.

I had trouble remembering to turn them off for a while when I started riding. It's second nature now....most of the time!

 

[Rocker66]

I don't know if they are still available but you used to be able to buy a buzzer that sounded when the indicators (turn signals) flashed

 

[Cutter J. Duke]

After some time in the saddle you'll start hitting the cancel button without thinking about it. The good thing is your new to riding and the fact that the horn and signal buttons are opposite of almost every other motorcycle will not going to bother you, as for me I BEEP a lot as I finish my turns, I BEEP a lot coming to turns, I Beep changing lanes....but I'm starting to get the hang of it.

 

[BttrThnWrk]

After some time in the saddle you'll start hitting the cancel button without thinking about it. The good thing is your new to riding and the fact that the horn and signal buttons are opposite of almost every other motorcycle will not going to bother you, as for me I BEEP a lot as I finish my turns, I BEEP a lot coming to turns, I Beep changing lanes....but I'm starting to get the hang of it.

When I'm switching out between my Suzuki and my NCX, I find that I tend to beep once for left and twice for right, no matter which bike I've just switched to. It's self correcting after awhile, though. I've started ignoring the stares and just acting like I MEANT to blow the horn when turning! Doesn't everybody do that?

 

[wgwgoldwing]

Give it time. It will become habit if you do it enough. Three steps to the turn, signal on prior to turn, turn, signal off after turn. Same with lane changes, signal on, change lane, signal off. My Goldwing does the auto-cancel thing, but I still push the signal switch to cancel it even though I don't have too. It just keeps the habit going across my "fleet".

Another thing you should be doing is scanning. Scan ahead, mirrors, and instrument panel routinely. The flashing indicator light will get your attention if you include the instrument panel in your scanning.

Or, if you want to go old school, use hand signals. Chances are you won't forget to cancel a hand signal.


WGW

 

[bamamate]

I use hand signals on my bicycle. People frequently wave when I make right hand turns.

 

[Seabee Bob]

I make it a habit to cancel the turn signals asap with or without self canceling turn signals. I still find myself canceling the signals when they are already off. It doesn't hurt to be certain. It will eventually become second nature for you. Keep using them for your safety and others.

 

[Naked_Duc]

You trained yourself to use the turn signal when you are getting ready to turn, and you can train yourself to hit the cancel button after you turn. It's all habitual. When I was a kid, I would open the frig to get something out and forget to close the door behind me. after awhile, and gotten yelled at by my mom, closing the refrigerator door became automatic.

 

[Cyclerosis]

Lot's of excellent advice here! And while the topic is about turn signals, remember this. Develop good habits in everything you do on a bike because what you do by habit is what you'll do in a panic situation.

 

[Beemerphile]

When I'm switching out between my Suzuki and my NCX, I find that I tend to beep once for left and twice for right, no matter which bike I've just switched to. It's self correcting after awhile, though. I've started ignoring the stares and just acting like I MEANT to blow the horn when turning! Doesn't everybody do that?

Once you replace the OEM clothes dryer buzzer with a couple of real horns, you will get more than stares.