2011 R1200R Classic: 2 cents after a 2-mile ride

[bluebeemerII]

We need KISAN to come out with a turn signal module as for the Oilheads which had the push on / push off, self cancel, 3 quickflashes when the turn signal is held, and best of all converted the turn signals to running lights. If KISAN is monitoring this site I would buy one in a minute. Some other nice features the CAN BUS eliminated were using the turn signal cancel switch to turn on the Moto or PIAA lights and the High Beam switch to turn open the garage door. Sometimes progress is partial not total.

John L.

[dbrick]

Some other nice features the CAN BUS eliminated were using the turn signal cancel switch to turn on the Moto or PIAA lights and the High Beam switch to turn open the garage door. Sometimes progress is partial not total.

I had an extra clip-to-the-sunvisor-sized garage door opener. I added an external NO pushbutton, mounted the button in a new hole next to the throttle cable hole on the left side of the black plastic cover under the front tank edge, and ziptied the opener to the charcoal cannister on the right side. Voila.

[deilenberger]

We need KISAN to come out with a turn signal module as for the Oilheads which had the push on / push off, self cancel, 3 quickflashes when the turn signal is held, and best of all converted the turn signals to running lights. If KISAN is monitoring this site I would buy one in a minute. Some other nice features the CAN BUS eliminated were using the turn signal cancel switch to turn on the Moto or PIAA lights and the High Beam switch to turn open the garage door. Sometimes progress is partial not total.

John L.

John,

Not gonna happen since all the turnsignal functions are programmed into the ZFE (body-control-module).. The sort of things available for oilheads were only available since it was an old-fashioned switch-wire-bulb sort of system. The hexheads use a computer bus (CANBUS) that talks over the wires on the bike to different modules, switches, controls, lights, etc - and they tell each other what to do (or what they're doing.) It greatly simplifies wiring on the bikes (and simple generally means more reliable..)

Nice idea - but don't hold your breath for it..

[Catchina]

Getting a red one, should have it by the end of the month!
It's going to be a great summer

[famousperson]

If we're gonna have this argument, I'd like to say that the best turn signal arrangement is on a Harley. Wanna turn right? Push switch on right handle bar. Done with the turn? Push same switch again.

Hear, hear!!! After 4 years on my R1200R, I still prefer the Harley arrangement. It makes sense, the beemer's does not.

[mvk]

If we're gonna have this argument, I'd like to say that the best turn signal arrangement is on a Harley. Wanna turn right? Push switch on right handle bar. Done with the turn? Push same switch again.

Hear, hear!!! After 4 years on my R1200R, I still prefer the Harley arrangement. It makes sense, the beemer's does not.

And when you want to be sure that the indicator is really on because you can't remember if you hit it or it might have cancelled? Hit the button again and it is off on a Harley - take your eyes off the road to check, look up and whoah - little logic in that folks. Now three buttons each with one function only is a beautiful thing...

[dirty red]

Well since this is more about turn signal controls than than the new R1200R I will throw in my 3 cents. Starting in 1988 I got introduced to the BMW style of activating turn signals. I thought it was stupid then, thought it was stupid all the years since then. Thank god someone over there found a rope and pulled their heads out of their butts.

Change is coming boys, for the better. I bet in two years they will all have the new {really old} style turn signal control. Why would they change, customer request, better system, safer?

Dereck

[deilenberger]

Change is coming boys, for the better. I bet in two years they will all have the new {really old} style turn signal control. Why would they change, customer request, better system, safer?

Dereck

None of the above.

They're changing because the magazine "reviewers" (all superb racing riders who have Doglike abilities none of us can even come near to..) universally pan what is "different".. and BMW does things differently. It costs BMW points in magazine reviews, so - rather then ditch vital stuff like the paralever rear, or telelever front end, they make a small concession to "ratings" by going with the inferior turn signal arrangement. And that is pretty much from the horses mouth..

I'm just glad they didn't change the '11 R12R. Guess they figure it's targeted at riders, not posers or people who are heavily influenced by magazine (and on-line) reviewers.

[deilenberger]

Some other nice features the CAN BUS eliminated were using the turn signal cancel switch to turn on the Moto or PIAA lights and the High Beam switch to turn open the garage door. Sometimes progress is partial not total.

John L.

Just a thought - I have a garage door opening system that uses a remote transmitter that is triggered by two pulses of 12V.. (FlashtoPass http://www.f2ptechnologies.com/) I have it hooked to my auxilary lights on the R12R.. mostly because I have a headlight modulator on the R12R - that modulates the high-beam. If you don't have a modulator, it could just as easily be hooked to the high beam (and in that case, would probably fit just fine inside the headlight shell.) The house side is simple - a receiver (with button) that replaces your current garage door button in the garage.

I have transmitters on two other BMW vehicles that didn't come with a built-in HomeLink transmitter. Works just fine. I pull down the street, flash my auxiliary lights twice, and my garage door starts opening. It has a code-jumping technology, and a range of about 1,000 feet or so. Highly recommended, and completely CANBUS compatible.

[mogu83]

I'm still getting use to shifting on the left side. What a stupid idea. Most people are right footed and can do things easier with their right foot. Also if they going to move the shift lever why didn't they also move the sidestand. Just another stupid senseless change,I can't wait for them to go back.

[2wheels]

Left to go left, right to go right. Simple, logical and the switches fall easily to thumb. Love it, but am just as happy with conventional system. Nothing to get hot and bothered about.

And wouldn't it be nice to get back to discussing the '11 models?

I get mine next week. Red and raring to go!

Brian

[tinytrains]

Getting a red one, should have it by the end of the month!
It's going to be a great summer

Welcome Catchina,

Everyone is too busy arguing about turn signals to notice a new member.

You will love the R1200R, and if I had to replace mine, the red would be my choice.

Scott

[hoonu]

I still think it looks like a skunk.

That was exactly what SWMBO said when I showed her the pix I took today.

Has anyone else mentioned that it appears that the Classic models have tube-type tires?

Woops, I just went back and finished reading the thread. Old school mebbe, but that's pretty much a deal-breaker for me. Why not go with 90-series bias plys too?

[Catchina]

Getting a red one, should have it by the end of the month!
It's going to be a great summer

Welcome Catchina,

Everyone is too busy arguing about turn signals to notice a new member.

You will love the R1200R, and if I had to replace mine, the red would be my choice.

Scott

Thanks for the welcome. I got the bike yesterday, love it already with only 101 miles so far. Its very smooth and easy to ride, just think about where you want to go and it takes you there.

[famousperson]

Hey, Cachina! Glad to have a new R1200R rider here. What do YOU think of the turn signal switch layout?

Peter

[redwing]

On my 2010 R1200R the signals will self-cancel after about 1/4 of a mile or about 5 seconds at freeway speed

Can the time frame be changed. Something simple so adjustment from road to freeway wouldn't require one to stop. I would like to be able to change the distance to a shorter distance and if I needed more blink just hit it twice.

And I think the flat black with no strip would be nice except I already got an 08' with two of five years paid and only 13,000 miles. By the time I wear out my bike I'll be 105.

Maybe I'll get two R1200Rs. D@MN!!

Robert

[Catchina]

Hey, Cachina! Glad to have a new R1200R rider here. What do YOU think of the turn signal switch layout?

Peter

I think it is fine, press both and you have emergency 4way flashers, the switch on the right side to turn everything off is easy to access. The display with on board computer is easy to read and operate.

I set the display to show trip1 as I was starting to break her in yesterday and after a while it went to a flashing display of the temperature, 34F, it wasn't until I got back home and read the owners manual again that I realized it was warning me of cold conditions that could mean ice on the road. You guys probably knew that but this is my first beemer...

[mogu83]

You guys should give up on the turn signals. The real problem is advancing the clock for what ever time system we're in now. Setting the time is almost as intuitive as quantum physics, at least for me. I have to get the book out every time. I can't believe I'm riding a bike with the wrong time on the clock.

I never had this problem with my other bikes --

[angellr]

Harry,

Have a better solution ... just leave the clock alone when you put it away in the Fall/Winter (thats what I did) and it is on the correct time now - amazing how that works (Standard Time it normally sits in the garage anyway, right?).

Now, go focus on the seats and windshield issues!

[redwing]

Gee Harry.... my bike's clock adjusts itself for daylight savings time.... doesn't everyone's?

Robert