Total Motorcycle Community Forums

As a new biker (mature), any tip on remembering to cancel the signal/indicator switch.

If it's after an intersection, I always turn off my signal in between shifting from first to second as I leave the intersection (second nature by now). As for making just any regular turn/lane change, it just become habit after awhile to make sure it's off afterwards.

Plus, I always try to keep an eye out, and check every few minutes.

I got used to hitting the cancel button every time I shift.....

Couldn't tell ya - I still don't I do when I get a signal from my DH on his bike that my blinkers are on.

Become OCD about the turn signal and hit cancel every couple of miles even if you haven't made a turn for hours.

It's just a habit that you'll have to grow into. Much like activating the turn signal in a car before making a turn. Most of us don't even think about it anymore. As a matter of fact, I've seen police chases where the suspect car would always signal the next turn. I'm sure they weren't conciously doing that.

My habit is to hit the button as soon as the bike straightens up after a turn.

My first bike, a Kaw KZ400, had this loud, annoying beeping device that was linked to the flasher, to remind you to switch off. Depending on the battery voltage and the engine rpms, it often sounded like someone strangling a cow.

It just becomes a habit. With lane changes its such a fast thing. With turns now and then I forget when I have to accelerate across the street at a good clip. I also glance down and notice them and flick them off. You'll develop a little bit of conscious mind that notices it and you'll leave them on all the time at first because you don't have the attention to devote to them just yet.

Thats one problem I've been having too, anytime I need to avoid an obstacle in a turn or something grab my attention I forget about my turn signal. Then I feel silly when i go to use it again and notice its on lol. But anytime i stop i look down at my neutral indicator so i usually notice it then. When I'm changing lanes its a little easier to remember.

I always remember to cancel when riding at night because it's hard to forget a continuous flash when dark out.

Sometimes I miss them during the day because I don't notice as often, but it will become habit after a time, whether light or dark.

Practice makes perfect I suppose.

Veda wrote:Become OCD about the turn signal and hit cancel every couple of miles even if you haven't made a turn for hours.

Hah! That's totally what I do (in the daytime anyway). Like checking your fly when walking down the street. Yep, still open...