[Cpz28]

I am a brand new rider and so far I've logged about 3 hours or so on my Kawi 800 Classic. I never rode a motorcycle before now. I am having ENORMOUS difficulty remembering to cancel my turn signal - I am so busy concentrating on proper turning, keeping my speed, shifting properly, and of course, looking out for road condition, other drivers, and anticipating my course. None of those things are "second nature" to me yet so I am so distracted that I just can't remember to turn the **** thing off.

My husband who is teaching me is getting very frustrated, and is almost at the breaking point because of the danger of giving miss-signals to other vehicles. I submit this problem to your collective wisdom for advice - Cathy

 

[Spok]

Welcome aboard first. When you say your a new rider, how long have you been on? Give it some time and give your husband a valium...lol :lol:

It will come to you, just as there is a mental checklist to prepare for the turn, there should be a checklist for things to do after the turn. This should include a trip to the turn signal to shut it off.

 

[suresh]

I agree that there should be a check list for post turn.

But alternatively give this a try. A bit pricy.

http://www.kisantech.com/kisanWeb3/signalMinder.htm

Suresh

 

[jonesie619]

Welcome Cathy. Congrats on your learning how to ride. You'll see this on just about any reply posted here, but let me be the first to say, "Take the MSF Course". Now that that's out of the way, let me say that you're a brave soul for aloowing your husband to teach you. I remember trying to teach my wife how to drive a stick. It wasn't a picnic for me, and I'm sure it was less of one for her (I swear i could her the names she was calling me under her breath). Anyway, on to your issue...

Try leaving your finger (thumb) on the turn signal button until after you complete your turn. This may help you to remember to cancel the signal. Ride safe!

 

[1Adam12]

I do the Jonsie method and keep my left thumb on the signal and as I finish my turn I flick it off!

Try it, it may help you.

 

[Ken]

The "checklist" as it's been referred to is the key. After more experience, you'll develop a pattern of events that will become as natural as riding a bike. They will include your own method of signal, brake, downshift, downshift, countersteer, accelerate, shift, cancel signal, shift. It will come. But I too HIGHLY recommend the MSF class. Well worth the money, and the peace of mind you get from learning how to ride safer.

 

[TrashMonkey]

DELETED

 

[bikeaholic]

re

that is the ting i HATE the most about the 800

why they left that off i'll never know-i did it all the time when i first got mine
you'll get used to it pretty quick when folks start looking at you like your
stoooopie :lol:

 

[Aikata]

Re: re

you'll get used to it pretty quick when folks start looking at you like your
stoooopie :lol:

Hehe, I thought they just looked at me like that because I was wearing full gear in 100 degree weather

Nah, I still don't always remember to cancel my signals... especially from lane changes. Practice, and routines are a good thing. Have to make the signal and cancel part of the ride, however it works for you...

 

[ZX6RRNewbie]

Hi Cpz28!

Maybe you should try this gadget:

http://www.cyclegadgets.com/Products/product.asp?Item=SM

I've never used one but you may want to give it a try.

 

[ZX-2R]

SIGNAL

Simple things like saying out loud "turn, turn, turn" or even holding your index finger straight out, or holding your thumb straight out...but if you are riding with another person just have them tap thier horn... or pass you with the turn signal on...or even flashing you with high beam... Welcome aboard!!! My buddy used to do the same thing when we rode together, and he had the lead I would just tap the horn as the signal flashed...whe he was following I would turn mine on untill he turned his off...finally we worked things out for him...as for me, I actually do very well now, because if I am riding alone I use the thumb AND the "turn...turn...turn" so that I remember to cancel it. When I forget to follow through, it sounds silly, I end up having to talk to myself aloud and use the thumb again...I think...hope that I'm through now, as I very seldom forget now.

 

[bud8fan]

welcome to the forum cpz...dont worry...you'll get used to turning it off in a few more rides..husband thinks he can do any better or if he's a rider..did he ever forget too....look at how many drivers on the road are cruizin at 70 goin down the interstate with their blinker blinkin..you will get used to it..dont worry... :wink:

 

[Blake_ae]

Same problem on my 78 KZ at first. For me, the more I got comfortable with riding in traffic, the more in tune to the bike I became. This included the blinker. Now I rarely forget and if I do, its only for an extra second or two. My girlfriend's brother still does it on his GSXR1000 quite often. I'll watch it for a bit as he always leads, and then honk if he doesn't catch it.

But yeah... the more comfortable you get with riding in traffic and in varying conditions, the more you'll get used to the riding mechanics and feeling of the bike. don't worry about it and like everyone else said, try to keep it in mind somehow during the turn as it can be dangerous.

Happy riding!

 

[ipscshooter]

I got tired of this problem on my 800A so I traded it in on a new bike with auto canceling. :lol: :lol:

Tell your hubby to chill. It will come to you after you ride more than 3 hours. If that's your biggest problem you are doing great.

You have a lot of new things to learn and he can't expect you to get them all at once.

jonesie619 may have a good idea, but what I did when I was 1st learning was just glance down at the indicator AFTER making the complete turn and going down the road a bit. When I felt comfortable glancing down. Depending on the situation it may be 50 feet or 200 feet. After doing this for awhile I found that poking the cancel had become second nature and the indicator was seldom on. You could even make it part of glancing at the speedo, since they are right there together. Whatever works for you.

Practice, practice. It will all come to you.

Also, TAKE THE MSF COURSE. Best money you will spend for your new hobby.

 

[ZX-2R]

Canceling

After coming out of a corner you don't look down and see the speedo, tach, or any of the instruments yo umay want to make it a part of yor routine...a rut, or make it rote. Something you do everytime...you should glance around at your intruments from time to time and scan just like you should do in a car....side mirrors, rearview mrror, dash lights...blindspots...just like in a car...just because you are on two wheels you still have to do the same...remember YOU are invisible...check the instrument panel...get used to it...make it something you do. set a pace on a stopwatch so that every 3 minutes you LOOK at the panel...everytime you come out of a curve you look at the panel...worse things like an oil light, temp gauge...low fuel light...you never know..l.it could be something important...then again you could just leave it flashing all of the time and people would stay away from you...most of the time...!!!

 

[kyhick1]

Welcome to the World of Motorcycles!!!!!

Cathy,

Welcome to the forum and to motorcycle riding. I have been riding a long time +20 years and I still forget to turn my signal off every now and then.....be patient...it will come to you...I agree that keeping your finger over the button until after the turn is completed is the best way!!!! It will all come natural and 2nd nature the more you ride!!!!!!


My KZ750 Spectre has self canceling signals...and I find I don't like it because they cancel too soon. I end up holding the signal switch open until my move is completed, then releasing it. I like to give the 4 wheelers and 18 wheelers plenty of time to see my signal. I ride on a major interstate all the time in rush hour traffic so signaling is very important.

Enjoy the road and the ride. Be Safe

Heather

 

[bross]

My wife forgets to cancel hers as well, but she's getting much better. One of our fellow riders offered her this tip that I use as well. Turn your blinker off before you shift out of first gear. Doesn't help with lane changes but everyone else had lots of good tips. Don't worry though it will come. I hope I don't anger any of the women riders but I think it's a girl thing though too. Women think way more than men. When my wife started riding (2 years ago), she would stress herself out about all the "things" she had to remember. The things she would mention were things that I had never thought about and still don't, you just do them. Now after 2 years she has relaxed a lot more and doesn't "stress" over the "things" that have become second nature.

 

[Neo]

First of all, welcome, Cathy! My hat's off to you for taking on motorcycles in the first place.

Let me chime in and agree that taking the Motorcycle Safety Foundation's Basic Rider Course will be the best ~$200 you'll spend and will eliminate the stress associated with a family member teaching you how to ride. It will provide you with quality instruction in a safe environment. My instructors were extremely knowledgeable, but also very patient. Our class was about half-and-half men and women. A man and a woman each dropped their brand new MSF-provided bikes during the course and the instructors didn't even raise an eyebrow. They helped the students pick up the bikes, checked the student and the bike for injury, and continued on with the class.

 

[ronboskz650sr]

You mean to tell me, after 3 hours of riding experience, you forget to cancel your turn signals!?!?!? I'm surprized you remember to use your turn signals! Good job! Give yourself a pat on the back and press on with one thing at a time. Make a goal to get it cancelled before it matters (the next available street you aren't turning into). Note to yourself that you are not turning and look at the indicator...and give yourself a break. Three hours, and you made it back to the keyboard! Good job!

Ride safe...God bless!

-Ron

 

[Spok]

You mean to tell me, after 3 hours of riding experience, you forget to cancel your turn signals!?!?!? I'm surprized you remember to use your turn signals! Good job! Give yourself a pat on the back and press on with one thing at a time. Make a goal to get it cancelled before it matters (the next available street you aren't turning into). Note to yourself that you are not turning and look at the indicator...and give yourself a break. Three hours, and you made it back to the keyboard! Good job!

Ride safe...God bless!

-Ron

Ron, you picked up on probably the best part of the story, only 3 hours in the seat. Good job at bucking up a positive attitude.