Modern Vespa

I love my 2013 Piaggio BV350 but I hate that the Piaggio's turn signal indicator is only a single green light indicator on my dash which I fail to notice sometime. I feel like a motorcycle fool when this happens.

I decided to buy a set of "Universal Motorcycle Bike Amber 6 LED Turn Signal Indicator Blinker Light Strip + 3M Adhesive Tape" at amazon.com

Took me 3 hours to disassemble the rear cover to the handle bar and splice the wiring into the turn signal wiring.

My problem is now solved. When I now use my turn signal, I can never forget to turn it off since the lights are so bright. The amber color also matches the amber color on my stock turn signals and the wiring fits under the rubber grommet to the mirror so there was no drilling involved. I used electrical ties since the 3M adhesive will probably fail after a while.

Here are some photos of the final installation. I may add more photos of the actual installation process if some members are interested in seeing the 10 step to remove the rear cover to the handle bar.

Nice!
After only riding my new BV250 about 165 miles I left my signal on and had the same problem. I generally use hand signals because I think they get seen better (YMMV) but find the wee-little single light almost camouflaged in the dash!

Since those are pointed back at you do they blind you in the dark? If so could you rotate them more to the side but still enough so that you notice them?

Very cool idea! I bet they c u now!

Bob 😎

Good idea. Most of my scoots were pre-'74 and did not have signals. But when I ride a more modern one, I usually forget to turn 'em off. One light would do it for me, though.

What design flaw?
That's a good mod job. Sorry to seem like I'm raining on your parade. Your arms are going to block most of it from behind. Its a better reminder for leaving the signal on than my mod, but I use my signal so much, I rarely forget.
I'm not ready to unveil my custom BV yet, but I'll show you my mirror mod.

When I change lanes, I am not worried about cars behind me since they should see my tail light and my rear signal lights.

However, what about a driver that is in your blind spot or almost next to you?

For example, if the location of the driver's eyes are exactly to the side or slightly in front of my taillights and my rear signal lights, then that driver won't know that I am trying to change lane. Any additional signal lights between the front and rear turn signals should increase safety.

My mod and as well as breaknwind's mod will help. I do agree that my arms will block the signal lights from behind...but not to my side where I want the cars in my blind spot to see them.

The main reason for my mod is for me to see them so that I won't forget to turn them off. The safety benefit of a signal light between the front and rear signal lights was a positive after effect.

Brilliant!

Why not just look just look down at your clocks once in a while ?

Or just try to remember ?

Bill xxx

It certainly isn't a flaw in the bikes turn signal if you forget to switch it off! I'd personally prefer self cancelling indicators based on distance travelled. If you want to signal to a vehicle that's almost next to you then I'd suggest that's the wrong time to be wanting to change lanes. I definitely don't like the idea of all those lights of yours shining into my eyes at night - why not just have one LED at the top of the mirror stalk? or get one of those turn beeper systems? or just learn to turn your indicators off!

I'll be the first to admit my approach to traffic is different to most folks. I don't normally indicate when I'm changing lanes but I'm normally overtaking vehicles continually and I just plan ahead so decent gaps are available when I need them. When I accelerate away after a turn I also automatically hit the cancel indicator button (whether they were on or not). YMMV

I wired in a Sonalert with a couple of steering diodes, to the rear turn signals. Along with checking the instrument panel and the audio alert, I rarely forget to cancel them.

I try to remember to turn my signals off but I forget sometimes and it's dangerous because a driver might think I'm turning when I'm not. I don't like beepers because ther're annoying in town and inaudible on the highway. Yes, I know about Jimc's brake light activated silencer and the Audicator. I mounted LEDs to the inside of my windshield right above the top of the uprights. I can't find the picture right now. There are six in a pod about 1 inch by a half inch. They are compleatly silent yet command attention. I never forget to cancel them now. Signaling other drivers with the LEDs is a small benift, but was not really my motivation.

I did something similar with my BV350 except I wrapped the LED strips around the outside of the mirrors. The LEDs on the top of the mirrors are visible while I'm seated but they're often difficult to see in bright daylight. I think a better solution may be single high brightness red LEDs on the mirrors, with a bit of a shade around them to make them easier to see in bright light.

Or why not just look at your clocks after using your indicators ?

Or is it just me ?

There's really no design flaw with the BV.

The flaw is with the rider not having the ability to look down and check they have left them on.

Bill xxx

I signal at every lane change and every turn and when I enter a turn lane. After I'm in the turn lane, I cancel the signal.
If they signal every time, its easy to remember to turn them off.

There is certainly no design flaw. The BV is the only bike I have that doesn't have self cancelling signals. Do I leave them on occasionally? Yep. Do I feel sheepish when I do it? Yeah, a bit. Do I care? Nope.

I think the whole idea of it being dangerous leaving it on is a bit overblown. That assumes that other drivers SEE the signal in the first place. Most of the time, other drivers don't SEE me at all, so I'm hardly worried about them seeing the signal and assuming I'm doing something I don't intend to do.

OK I confess. I am age 65 and this is my first scooter/motorcycle. I have been a bicyclist most of my life but my bicycling legs are getting slower and slower so I decided to trade in my bicycle for a BV330.

I am a newbie and I am still on my learner's permit which mean I can't ride at night or the freeway until I get my license next month. I keep forgetting to turn off my turn signal since turning off the turn signal is not embedded in me.

I guess "design flaw" was too strong of a characterization since the problem is also attributed to my inexperience. In any case, I started thinking of buying a 150cc scooter when my Harley friends convinced me of getting something faster. One of my Harley friend is also my age and he is struggling with the 800 lb weight of his Harley. When I discovered that the BV350 is only 390 lbs and is also fast enough to go on the freeway so I can ride with my Harley friends, then this formed my decision.

I love the BV350 as my first scooter but like I stated earlier, I keep forgetting to turn off my turn signals. Since I like to tinkle with my toys, I decided to make this mod and share the mod in the forum.

Just like using a shoulder check, simply look down after you've made the turn to ensure that your indicators aren't still going.

Could have saved yourself a whole bunch of money and time.

Ride safe.

Bill