Signal Minder - Any Good?

[drdetroit]

I've always been a bit paranoid about leaving my signal on by error and someone playing left turn chicken with me.

There is a product out there that is supposed to be easy to hook up, signal minder I think it is called.

- is it really a 'plug and play' unit
and
- does it work ok?

thanks for any info

'01 r1150gs - 48,000 KM's

DrD

[sportridertex]

After you make a turn or lane change, turn the signal indicator off,,, what's hard about that ?

[drdetroit]

that's good, you should write for leno :-)

[henzilla]

Kisan Signal minder...about $115 these days, replaces stock relay as asked plug-n-play.Also turns signal lights to running lights at two different brightness levels with a few pushes of handlebar controls SM-5 model for your bike..Have them on 4 bikes, the running light option for conspicuity...the hexheads self cancel now

http://www.kisantech.com/index.php

sometimes we just forget to push the cancel button:brow

[MCMXCIVRS]

Signal minder works like the BMW signal controller should have from the factory. By all means get one. I wish I had not waited so long to put one in my RS.

[Paul_F]

I assumed, quite wrongly I guess, that all beemers came with self-cancelling signals. At least mine self-cancel.

[pawork]

Extremely easy to install (I elected not to tie into the braking system; I live in the flatlands and don't sit with my brake on at stoplights) and some nice features. I like the running lights, and I no longer need to use turn signal cancel button - each signal button now works as toggle-on, toggle-off, which I find much more intuitive. I only use the turn signal cancel button to turn on my driving lights, now that I've also installed an autoswitch.

[GSfornow]

Love mine - made the turn signals function similar to my (dare I say) HD. The only thing I miss would be a nice time and distance cancel function. I connected mine to my stop light circuit and like the running light feature. Money well spent. Easy install.

[41107]

On my rt/p my turn signals never cancel them self's.Was that a police motor think?

[ROGERP]

I bought a used RT-P and it has the Kisan Signal Minder in it.
I LIKE it. I also have a '95K1100RS and the K bike has self canceling signals.
Without the Kisan on the R bike I'm sure I'd be leaving the turn signals on a lot.
They flat WORK and they are reliable.
Get one.
I cannot understand why the K bike HAS self cancel and the R bike doesn't, Whats Up With That??

[ragtoplvr]

My rs has a signal minder. I decided I did not like it and took it off.

It is back on now, and I like it. The running lights are a good feature. The toggle on and off is good. The emergency flashers are good.

It is worth having.

Rod

[secondroy]

Thanks for the post. I've stuck a bookmark on the link not only for the turn signal canceler but for the temperature and voltage minder. I can't see the temperature gage I put in the tank bag so I'll know how cold I am.

[Hoorenga2]

I'm the absent minded professor type and find that it depends on how well a particular bike is set up as to whether or not I forget to turn them off. My R1100RT is so intuitively laid out that I never forget to turn off the turn signal but on my R100RT I am constantly forgetting it. If you are forgetting to cancel your turn signal it is probably a good idea to have a signal minder for safety reasons.

Doug

[r11rs94]

Extremely easy to install (I elected not to tie into the braking system; I live in the flatlands and don't sit with my brake on at stoplights) and some nice features. I like the running lights, and I no longer need to use turn signal cancel button - each signal button now works as toggle-on, toggle-off, which I find much more intuitive. I only use the turn signal cancel button to turn on my driving lights, now that I've also installed an autoswitch.

Question, I have an autoswitch for my nmoto-lights, Do you have any problem using both the autoswitch and the signal minder. Thanks in advance.

[scootrp125x]

I had self cancelling turn signals on my first two Beemers (K bikes) and was disappointed to find that my R1150RT did not have them. I figured I would ride for awhile and see how I made out without them. I also like to have running lights so that was a concern too.

Twice last summer I was almost involved in accidents when cars pulled out in front of me. I was ready to give them the "evil eye" when I realized that my turn signals were still on. I bought a Kisan unit a short time later on e-bay at a good price.

I also like the running light feature, I was going to install an aftermarket kit if I didnt buy the Kisan.

[MotorradMike]

After you make a turn or lane change, turn the signal indicator off,,, what's hard about that ?

:rofl
No, it's not hard but have you never forgotten and thanked your lucky stars that all the cages around you figgered out you really didn't want to turn and acted accordingly?
I think the bike manufacturers discontinued this feature because it's a liability for them. "Yes your honour, my client indicated a turn but the bike cancelled it in an unreasonably short time and ..."
I added cancelling to my bike that counts wheel revolutions so it's quick on the highway and patiently waits forever at a light. I considered trying to market it but the liability is crazy and installation is pretty tricky.

[moondog]

After you make a turn or lane change, turn the signal indicator off,,, what's hard about that ?

Maybe your not old enough to realize people can forget at times.....;)

Signal Minder is a good idea. I put one on my K1100 not realizing that it had the factory install. I left it in for the running light option.

[beemrtim]

I have one on my 1150RT and also one on my 1100GS. Great product!

Added convienience (to me) is you can turn off your signal by just pressing the same turn signal switch a second time. Only time I end up using the self cancelling feature is when I "forget".
T

[Ridealot]

I assumed, quite wrongly I guess, that all beemers came with self-cancelling signals. At least mine self-cancel.

Sshhhhh. That because you ride the superior K model. The lowly R models aren't worth BMW putting it on. But don't mention that out loud. :whistle

[bogthebasher]

ooooooooooooooooooooh now that hurt... :bolt actually I might try the Kisan because I find my 1200RT to be quite erratic about cancelling and I am right hand challenged to be twisting on the throttle and hitting the right hand cancel button while turning left. Just not intuitive for me. Just can't seem to adjust...

[drdetroit]

SOLD! Good stuff and thanks for all the input, general witicisums etc.

[PETDOC]

Question, I have an autoswitch for my nmoto-lights, Do you have any problem using both the autoswitch and the signal minder. Thanks in advance.
I've got an '04 1150 GS with an Autoswitch fro my PIAAs and a SignalMinder. They both work fine.

[kgadley01]

I bought a used RT-P and it has the Kisan Signal Minder in it.
I LIKE it. I also have a '95K1100RS and the K bike has self canceling signals.
Without the Kisan on the R bike I'm sure I'd be leaving the turn signals on a lot.
They flat WORK and they are reliable.
Get one.
I cannot understand why the K bike HAS self cancel and the R bike doesn't, Whats Up With That??

Think about what you said :laugh maybe R bike owners pay more attention :bolt

[OfficerImpersonator]

I installed on on my K75S and would have installed one on my RTP if it didn't already have one.

I can't imagine riding without a signal minder. I have mine set to 45 seconds of flash. That way it will stay on through most left turn signals, although there are times when I'm pushing the turn signal button three or four times at a light, reminding me just how long I've sat waiting for a green!

I have it set so my turn signals are running lights, and have them set to the brightest setting.

[glennhendricks]

I thought that once we hit 57 we were required to leave the left signal on. Or maybe that was AARP rules.

[Boxwrench]

Got one too. love it.
Only thing I didn't like was that it was just a tiny bit taller w/ the the jack in the top for the brake canceling the timer option.
The fuse box lid won't close and I don't know how to relocate it.
I tried and now Have 2 instead of one broke plastic latches ( had one already from last owner).

[GSfornow]

Got one too. love it.
Only thing I didn't like was that it was just a tiny bit taller w/ the the jack in the top for the brake canceling the timer option.
The fuse box lid won't close and I don't know how to relocate it.
I tried and now Have 2 instead of one broke plastic latches ( had one already from last owner).


On my '99 GS I was able to move the relay to another compartment in the box or something because my closes fine. Could be a difference in BMW models though.

[Boxwrench]

On my '99 GS I was able to move the relay to another compartment in the box or something because my closes fine. Could be a difference in BMW models though.

The jack to it from the bike has very little extra length and the rest of the wire dives under the plastic fuse box into a thick wire bundle.

W/O a serious rewire or a extension plug I was sadly left w/ no options but plug it in and still use the brake option.

[mark from maine]

Hope it is considered OK to revive an old thread. I seem to have gotten away with it in the past....so,

I have been using the Kisan Signal Minder model SM-5 for over a year now on my R1100RT and like many of it's features. However when sitting at an intersection that takes forever to allow me to pass through, the max setting of 45 seconds on the signal minder is not enough.To me this seems as dangerous as not having the turn signal self cancel at all, (the way BMW thought best for this bike).

I find myself watching the taffic light and/or traffic and not always noticing that my turn signal has canceled. If not for the other nice features of the Kisan I would have removed it and stuck the original back in.

Just curious as to others experience with their Signal Minders concerning this feature.

And as for sometimes forgetting, yes I am aging but I am certainly not over the hill,..........although sometimes I think I can see it from. here.

Mark

[Boxwrench]

The brake option keeps resetting the brake light timer as long as the either the front or rear brake lever is tripped.
I use 8 seconds and at a light the signal stays on as I mentioned.

[PETDOC]

I am curious if any of you that have the SignalMinder and run your turn indicator lamps continuously have gotten pulled over? Apparently in most States it is against the law to have anything but red running/brake lights on the rear of a vehicle. If you did get pulled over please mention the State and if it was State or local law enforcement.

[Boxwrench]

It's legal in Florida.
I had a question for Kissan an talked to their tech ( a BMW bike owner) and he claims that With the importation of some BMW cars w/ amber the DOT ok'd it at the Federal level.
Guess that hasta be fact checked.

[scootrp125x]

I have mine set on the longest option and I usually get through a traffic light before it stops blinking. Even if it doesn't I'm still safer knowing that it will not be forgotten and left on by mistake. My 2 previous K bikes had self cancelling signals and it only took 1 time on this bike for me to forget to turn them off and a car turned in front of me. I thought the other driver was in error until I realized it was my fault for not cancelling the the turn signal. I ordered the signal minder the next day.

[OfficerImpersonator]

I find myself watching the taffic light and/or traffic and not always noticing that my turn signal has canceled. Mark

I find that when sitting at heinously long left turn lights - my brain intuitively knows when those 45 seconds are about to expire.

Invariably, I'll catch my self glancing down at the turn signal indicator just as it stops blinking, reminding me to re-activate my turn signal. It really isn't that difficult to simply push the turn signal button every 45 seconds.

I'd hesitate to call this a flaw in the device. It's certainly not a safety issue, and a rider should always glance at their turn signal indicator prior to entering an intersection to make sure it is indicating your intended direction of travel.

As someone who rides in dark winters and inclement weather, I love the conspicuity provided by the running lights. The safety benefit of having running lights far outweighs any perceived deficit of having to push the button every 45 seconds.

[RODNEY.ANDERSON@COX.NET]

I noticed a few people mentioning fitting the SignalMinder into the box, but the only other place I could try putting mine is in the back center, and I can't get the SignalMinder to fit in there, either. I see that you can take the retaining clip for the stock turn signal relay out, but I can't figure out how to remove it. It seems that there's a tab on the underside of it that I can barely get my finger on to but I don't know which way to try to push it and cant really get any strength behind moving it anyway. Aside from cutting it out (so I can put the OE relay back in later if I get rid of the bike) can anyone tell me how to remove the retaining clip so that I can drop the SignalMinder into the stock relay opening? I use the brake light option on the unit and can't close the box with it on unless that piece comes out. Thanks much!

[RODNEY.ANDERSON@COX.NET]

My son and son-in-law got it taken care of today. I haven't had a chance to ride the bike, but they tell me the Signal Minder is all hooked up.