Where's the Freakin' Horn Button?

[hipsabad]

My hat's off to you Klink. You've got my vote should you run for the position of said minor deity. From many responses here, it would seem that if a car manufacturer decided to have a left-turn signal on a stalk to the left of the steering wheel and a right-turn signal on a stalk to the right of the steering wheel and a separate cancel switch for both on yet a different stalk to the right of the steering wheel some people would claim that it is better. Why? Because you get used to it? That's entirely beside the point - we can get used to anything, including reaching behind our butts for a cancel switch. Because it's logical? Logically speaking, shouldn't BMW have a 4 switch system with a cancel switch on each handlebar? After all, if it's deemed more correct to have two switches for two signals why would you only have one cancel switch for two signals? And if you're going to have only one, why put it on the throttle side?

I would have thought that, amidst all the farkling, somewhere, some soul might have re-wired the system to a single-switch system. Alas, perhaps not. The re-wired solution mentioned by ErikM is an interesting start when using what is there, but why not simplify further? Maybe I'll be the first...

[Klink]

My hat's off to you Klink. You've got my vote should you run for the position of said minor deity.

Haha! And where were you when I was getting flamed on AdvRider like a scene from Saving Private Ryan?

Sadly, I suggest your posts regarding the creation of a single switch replacement set up will prove fruitless. BMW has fixed it so you'd have to buy both a left and right hand switchblock from Honda or Yamaha and even then you'd run out of switches on the new blocks before you got your heated grips, trip computer or ESA wired up.

I see no "neat" answer except to continue to lobby BMW for being a bunch of fatheads. I think it's a tribute to BMW motorcycles that we continue to buy the things despite these dumkopf switches.

[NeilS]

I'm not even sure that buying replacement switch blocks would work. Do the switches connect to a conventional wiring harness, or is there a microcomputer in the block that talks to the CANbus? I've never looked, and, no surprise, there's no wiring diagram in the service manual.

[famousperson]

On my Harley Sportster, I'd hit the turn signal switch a second time to cancel it. Very simple. It took me forever to get used to the BMW system of a separate cancel switch. I feel it is an unnecesary extra button.

The horn was just as hard to find on the Harley. I live in fear of ever having to use it on the R. I would never find it. I ride quite defensively as a result.

[motorradguy]

I find myself actually having to "think" about what button to push. I've been riding BMW's for a good number of years now but just find the one button blinker more intuitive. As for the horn, I've just given up on occasion. There have been two times in recent memory when I NEEDED to sound the horn and just found myself flailing around with my left thumb to no avail. I WILL NOT LOOK DOWN AT THE BAR IN AN EMERGENCY situation to find the stupidly place horn switch. So fancy riding maneuvers have prevailed and whisked me away safely.

[Zen Rider]

I share the angst associated with locating the BMW horn switch in a panic situation - you really do have to release your grip to find the horn button.



As I write this, my K12S will leave the stable tomorrow morning to it's new owner.

However, when riding the K12S, there was an easy solution to this problem ... forget the horn button and accelerate, rapidly

Gawd, I'll miss that aspect of the bike.

[Lost Rider]

I love the BMW button layout, and have had no problem hitting the horn when necessary, without removing my hand.
I don't have to think about it at all...
I hope that there will be a signalminder available soon so I can have same button cancelation though.

[deilenberger]

I hope that there will be a signalminder available soon so I can have same button cancelation though.

I wouldn't hold your breath on that since there is no turn-signal relay.. it's all part of the ZFE module AFAIK.. it would require reprogramming of the module to get this "feature" and I don't think the aftermarket is quite at that level yet..

Nice day today - left it was 42F, stopped to walk around a fleamarket 100 miles away - it was 49F, got home just now - it was 45F. Can't beat that for a February day in NJ..

[thepeacebullgrunt]

I am wondering if I can glue a smartly shaped bigger piece of plastic
on the already quite large original horn switch
which could help my thumb to reach it more easily.

I agree this horn switch location is really an ergonomic challenge and a safety issue...

I am shy to approach the electrical system for the installation of an extra small switch on the left grip even if I like and respect the idea.

Anyone has an Idea of what type of plastic object could be recycled
and glued or super-velcro on this naughty horn switch ? to make more accessible "in the dark" almost like "Kill switch" emergency button.

Thanks for your time
Have a great week end all !


PS: I use to own an old rusty Honda CB750...the horn switch died, I removed it and got in home depot one of those quite very sensitive Door Switch used in cabinet furnitures... it is a plastic switch block with long flexible piece of metal and a small roll at the end !

In a hurry I vulgarly MickeyMoused the connection and taped it at a convenient position near my thumb...

Geeez !! I NEVER HAD A BETTER HORN SWITCH !
So much Fun !

[LumpyCam]

You know that BMW is migrating to the one button setup, right?



K1300GT

[thepeacebullgrunt]

Geeez LumpyCam I thought German Weed was relaxing and help to clarify the minds.

Well.... For the horn The best would be a voice sensitive bluetooth switch... riders will just have to raise their voice a little in their helmet just like while riding a horse and instantaneously the system will turn on the horn for a second. ---> 8-) Yeah ! I know me too...

But seriously speaking I was looking at the horn switch last night.
This is a big and large piece of plastic on to another bigger piece of plastic conveniently shaped could be Velcroed or even glued but I don't really like this option. Some Velcro tape are very sturdy.

[ShinySideUp]

You know that BMW is migrating to the one button setup, right?

I like it! Now all we need is some engineering mind to tell us if and how the K1300 switch gear can be installed on the R1200R.

[snag]

Last three rides in 2008 were on Hondas, first ride this year was on a GS. First thoughts after getting onto the 101 loop in Phoenix was it was nice to be home (switchwise). There must be some German in me somewhere ( I was adopted). Having said that, I'm probably 1 for 5 in the panic horn department. I too don't think that looking for a horn button is an approprite activity while my life flashes before my eyes.

Doug

[thepeacebullgrunt]

Ah ah ! funny Doug.... I am testing a sturdy but removable outdoor Velcro piece on the switch and on the other side I'll fill some glue inside the velcro fiber to bond and stiff the Velcro attachment then finally on the forth side I'll super-glue a smartly shaped piece of of Plastic... the idea is to facilitate a quick blind access like a kill switch in order to increase the size of the horn switch without damaging it nor disturbing the access of the turn light switch.

I am just starting to get use to it but yes indeed this horn button is a bit of a problem too often while riding..

I knooow it sound like I am inventing the double-face tape but I don't know any of those tapes capable to provide a similar service...