Front Turn Signals

[Sorg67]

I had a very experienced rider tell me he does not like having front turn signals on his bikes. He said he takes responsibility of what is ahead of him and that front turn signals can cause problems if you forget to turn them off.

Of course, that would make the bike not street legal. But setting that aside, anybody agree with this guy?

I am usually good about remembering to turn off my turn signals, but I am not 100%. I will make a point of being more careful remembering.

[Trials]

You know how many texters out there really don't know the hand signals!

[AZridered]

Of course, that would make the bike not street legal.

That would depend on the State your're riding in. In Arizona, you can legally remove your turn signals. That does not releive you of the responsibility to signal all turns though.

[Sorg67]

I had assumed that turn signals were required in Florida, but I have not checked.

But my real questions is whether anybody has an opinion about my friends perspective that front turn signals are not useful.

[Trials]

I've had bikes where I had to issue hand signals all the time, it's no fun and like I said, you'd be amazed how many drivers have no idea what the proper hands signals mean despite it being part of every driver test. I take it your friend also doesn't like to ride at night. There's 3 reasons right there to like front signals

... it's when you are stopped in an intersection or stopped to make a turn that the signals are most useful.

[AZridered]

I had a guy in class a few years ago who would downshift to slow down, rather than use the brakes. He said that he did so in order to not wear out the brakes. He only used the brakes at the very end of a stop. I wonder if he knows your turn signal guy?

[Shadow Shack]

I had a very experienced rider tell me he does not like having front turn signals on his bikes. He said he takes responsibility of what is ahead of him and that front turn signals can cause problems if you forget to turn them off.

That's actually a paradox..."very experienced" and "forgetting to turn off the flashers" in the same paragraph.

I mean just how far does one have to travel before realizing that yellow idiot light near the speedo is still flashing? As an equally experienced driver (presumably), does he disconnect his automotive flashers for the same reason?

I had a guy in class a few years ago who would downshift to slow down, rather than use the brakes. He said that he did so in order to not wear out the brakes. He only used the brakes at the very end of a stop.

It's actually a good idea, considering how clutch plates & springs are so much more affordable and easier to swap out compared to doing the same with brake pads.

[Mad Matt]

That's actually a paradox..."very experienced" and "forgetting to turn off the flashers" in the same paragraph.

Not sure about that. Most of the car drivers I see with their signals stuck on seem to be older. My dad has got really bad about it because he just can’t hear the clicker anymore.

[Sorg67]

Not sure about that. Most of the car drivers I see with their signals stuck on seem to be older. My dad has got really bad about it because he just can’t hear the clicker anymore.

Yes, experience and ability are two different things.

[AZridered]

I mean just how far does one have to travel before realizing that yellow idiot light near the speedo is still flashing?

The indicator is not always yellow, may not be very bright, and may not be near the speedometer.