Oh oh. Horn. Horn! HORN!!!! Where's the #$%@ horn button??!!

[Ric]

Been there...done that.

I'm a long time Jap bike rider - the hand controls on the beamer is just plain stupid...in every respect.
Having to work a blinker switch with your throttle hand is...(did I already say this)....just plain stupid.
I understand BMW has seen the light and are making design changes.

[grwrockster]

I'm another long-time Jap bike rider (27 years), and been on my Beemer now for another 3 years, and it's really grown on me. I think I'll have it for the forseeable future (it's not an R1200R, but the switchgear problem is the same). I've got used to using the indicators - no problem there, but trying to use the horn in a hurry is a big problem for me too.

Here on the small, uber-congested rock that is the UK (riding on the left of course), and with all the ageing, myopic drivers and T junctions all over the place (junctions are often poorly situated, with limited visibility due to hedges and buildings, and of course we have rural obscured driveways, junctions close to bends on 60mph narrow roads etc. etc.), you sometimes need to let a driver know you are there - NOW! The horn being the tool for this job. If I could see a driver wasn't looking and hadn't seen me, a short blast on the horn was a very effective way to minimise the chance of being T-Boned by some muppet.

Trouble is, on the Beemer, even if I hit the horn (by no means guaranteed), I invariably hit the left indicator switch as well. This could actually increase the danger, as there's the very real possibility that the dozy driver will look up, decide I'm going to turn left into the side road he's sat in, and pull out anyhow.

I'm now trying to resist the habit of using the horn in this way, simply because of the unnatural position of the horn button and it's close proximity to the left indicator switch. IMO, it's a very poor design, that compromises safety.

An indicator is something you are aware you are going to need and use in advance (so you have time to feel it out before you use it) - whereas the horn button needs to be placed where you hit it intuitively - it should fall naturally under the thumb. In this respect, IMO, the BMW L/H switchgear cluster would be a safer arrangement if the function of the LH Indicator and the Horn buttons were reversed - I'd find the horn every time if it was where the LH Indicator button is!

[websterize]

If there is a new R12R announced at INTERMOT on Wednesday, I hope it has the R1200RT switch. Slide left, slide right, push to cancel.

[sunny72]

That's how it is on my last bike the Ducati Monster... makes a lot of sense to me not to be involving the throttle and brake hand. I was really surprised when I got the R since BMW is focused on safety. I am getting used to it but the horn's gonna take some practice.

[Caroanbill]

Stebel Magnum.

Exhibit one, last long ride, Griffith NSW - white landcruiser replete with blonde:
Oh, yeah, sweetie, you heard that?
Rocked you right out of your I'll-just-drive-straight-into-the-rounabout-without-looking day, I bet ...
- ah, the satisfaction (I'd already stopped to avoid her: even a Stebel can't argue with 2.7tonnes of 4WD)

The difference between the anaemic bee-fart horn and this one is the difference between please-don't-hit-me and Ah'm heah, honey!

.. now I gotta fit one to the Vespa!

[D-Rider]

Oh man---I do like that new RT switchgear.

And good story re the blond in the SUV! That must have been quite satisfying (I mean laying
on the horn...not...oh never mind).

[famousperson]

The horn button sucks! I've actually not found it several times when I needed it. I'm going to start using Don E's method, of thumb on the horn at all times.

[mogu83]

If you want to get attention when you hit the horn (after you find it) try this. Install a Stebel Nautilus and then connect the horn control lead to the driving light control lead (assuming your using relays to control your accessory items) with a diode. When you hit the horn you WILL be noticed.
It's so effective I put another smaller horn on the bike for when I just want to give a courtesy beep.

Check it out:

http://s239.photobucket.com/albums/ff30 ... V04522.mp4

[boxermoose]

If you want to get attention when you hit the horn (after you find it) try this. Install a Stebel Nautilus and then connect the horn control lead to the driving light control lead (assuming your using relays to control your accessory items) with a diode. When you hit the horn you WILL be noticed.
It's so effective I put another smaller horn on the bike for when I just want to give a courtesy beep.

Check it out:

http://s239.photobucket.com/albums/ff30 ... V04522.mp4

Very cool!

The mullet well...not so cool

[angellr]

If you want to get attention when you hit the horn (after you find it) try this. Install a Stebel Nautilus and then connect the horn control lead to the driving light control lead (assuming your using relays to control your accessory items) with a diode. When you hit the horn you WILL be noticed.
It's so effective I put another smaller horn on the bike for when I just want to give a courtesy beep.

Check it out:

http://s239.photobucket.com/albums/ff30 ... V04522.mp4

Very cool!

The mullet well...not so cool

+1 Video; The mullet ... hell, at least he has hair [follically-challenged here]