So with the new 1300 K bikes, BMW finally ditched the funky indicator controls and now does it the way everyone else does. Took quite some time.
Wonder how many model years of people complaining about their (Porsche now) controls for their new pdk gearbox in the 911 it'll take before they join the standard for paddle shifters there too.
Different isn't allways better. Once a control layout gets accepted something better be really good to be different.
I don't like the PDK shifter controls much at all. If you Keep your hands at 10 and 2 while you drive you can't reach em. Paddles like the Ferrari has would be better. If your driving aggressively they can be hard to get too.
Yeah, glad to see the news about the new Beemers. Seriously thinking about a K-bike this summer instead of adding an ST4 as I was considering.
Re: the Porsches, it's hard to understand the stubbornness you sometimes see from manufacturers. Porschaholic, do you think the pdk controls are affecting sales? Seems to me most people buying 911's at current prices are older guys who just cruise the freeways at the speed limit. Younger buyers seem to go to the Cayman.
No I don't think sales have been affected. A manual trans is still available. Next year will have the Boxster/Cayman line with the PDK also. The PDK replaces tiptronic and is leaps and bounds over it. The PDK cars are considerably faster and smoother than a manual or tiptronic. As for younger people driving the Cayman, it is a cheaper car and in my opinion drives much better than a 911. Just don't tell anyone I said that.
Sorry for the thread jack Stat.
I'm the one who brought up pdk.
I think I'll move to nmc as we're more likely to continue talking cars than bmw switchgear.
Controls mean a lot. I like the vw/audi dual clutch but only with paddles. I drive a friend's vw often and it's a gti dsg. To shift in manual mode it's only with the stick. And it's backwards. Forward to shift up a gear and backwards to shift down. I'd be so much happier if it were reversed.
Quote from: porschaholic on December 07, 2008, 02:25:59 PM
I don't like the PDK shifter controls much at all. If you Keep your hands at 10 and 2 while you drive you can't reach em. Paddles like the Ferrari has would be better. If your driving aggressively they can be hard to get too.
No one keeps their hands at 10 and 2 anymore. Even most DMV license books recommend 9 and 3.... ;D
Quote from: NAKID on December 07, 2008, 04:19:30 PM
No one keeps their hands at 10 and 2 anymore. Even most DMV license books recommend 9 and 3.... ;D
I thought the hands went on the coffee and the cell phone?
Quote from: MrIncredible on December 07, 2008, 04:22:27 PM
I thought the hands went on the coffee and the cell phone?
Psh, duh! You gotta have 1 hand holding the cell phone to your ear because you don't wanna spend the bucks on a handsfree set or comply with the new (CA) law and the other hand is holding your latte because putting it in the cup holder is just stupid. Besides, that's where my wallet and keys go. [roll] You can always steer w/ your left knee since your foot is already on the seat and your knee up in front your chest anyway.
Quote from: MrIncredible on December 07, 2008, 04:22:27 PM
I thought the hands went on the coffee and the cell phone?
The knee steers the wheel that's why the GTI wheel is flat on the bottom.
BTW Mazda has it correct with the shift direction when it's automatic is in "manual mode" on my 3.
Most sports type steering wheels have contours at 10 and 2 that make holding the wheel that much easier. If I'm driving aggressively I use 10 and 2.
(http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/upload/10065/images/4PorscheCarrera4Scarreview.jpg)
Notice the thicker wheel at 10 and 2. Now look at the buttons at 9 and 3. Kinda hard to reach IMO.
Quote from: porschaholic on December 07, 2008, 05:02:58 PM
Most sports type steering wheels have contours at 10 and 2 that make holding the wheel that much easier. If I'm driving aggressively I use 10 and 2.
(http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/upload/10065/images/4PorscheCarrera4Scarreview.jpg)
Notice the thicker wheel at 10 and 2. Now look at the buttons at 9 and 3. Kinda hard to reach IMO.
Wow, that is a dopey setup and they're on the front of the wheel too. I like where the paddle shifters are on my wife's GTI, my hands seem to go naturally to them.
They go over and behind the spoke so you can reach them from behind, but with your pinky finger. I do not like.
Guess it's the modern way, but damn, that interior looks cluttered to me.
Quote from: porschaholic on December 07, 2008, 03:32:52 PM
As for younger people driving the Cayman, it is a cheaper car and in my opinion drives much better than a 911. Just don't tell anyone I said that.
I've been hearing that. Cayman's significantly lighter, isn't it? - prob more fun to toss around.
Quote from: Statler on December 07, 2008, 03:39:45 PM
To shift in manual mode it's only with the stick. And it's backwards. Forward to shift up a gear and backwards to shift down. I'd be so much happier if it were reversed.
Funny how different people perceive things differently. Our Infiniti G35 also shifts this way in manual mode...but it makes total sense to me. Pulling back to go up a gear sounds weird! ;D
Quote from: Triple J on December 07, 2008, 08:25:06 PM
Funny how different people perceive things differently. Our Infiniti G35 also shifts this way in manual mode...but it makes total sense to me. Pulling back to go up a gear sounds weird! ;D
Yeah, forward to upshift is natural. Plus I believe almost all auto trans are this way. (?)
Hey Swamp, yeah the Cayman is 3 -500 pounds lighter if memory serves me correctly. It handles much better. Its also a mid engine layout versus a rear engine. A Cayman is one of the best handling cars out there imo.
The Cayman can look funny from certain angles in pictures, but they look gorgeous on the road. Porsche will never admitt the rear engine drive layout is not a good idea. The mid-engined Cayman proves it though. It gets better lap times than the 911 except on tracks where the extra motor helps the 911. Porsche won't give the Cayman the 911 engines though because it has it's place at the bottom of their lineup.
I love this picture
(http://joshinthecity.files.wordpress.com/2007/08/porsche-cayman-s-design.jpg)
Could just be I'm backwards. I apparantly wear my watch clasps backwards...allways have to have them flipped around when I buy a watch.
I'd much rather pull back to change up.
Quote from: Statler on December 08, 2008, 01:06:41 PM
Could just be I'm backwards. I apparantly wear my watch clasps backwards...allways have to have them flipped around when I buy a watch.
I'd much rather pull back to change up.
+1
Quote from: Travman on December 08, 2008, 12:58:12 PM
The Cayman can look funny from certain angles in pictures, but they look gorgeous on the road. Porsche will never admitt the rear engine drive layout is not a good idea. The mid-engined Cayman proves it though. It gets better lap times than the 911 except on tracks where the extra motor helps the 911. Porsche won't give the Cayman the 911 engines though because it has it's place at the bottom of their lineup.
I love this picture
(http://joshinthecity.files.wordpress.com/2007/08/porsche-cayman-s-design.jpg)
You hit the nail on the head Trav. They can't have their lower end car beating up on their flagship. We had several of those Porsche Design edition cars come through here. Very expensive for a Cayman but very very nice.
I love this picture
(http://joshinthecity.files.wordpress.com/2007/08/porsche-cayman-s-design.jpg)
[/quote]
I have seen that car in person and the picture does it no justice! It's my favorite RECENT Porshe...
Quote from: Travman on December 08, 2008, 12:58:12 PM
I love this picture
(http://joshinthecity.files.wordpress.com/2007/08/porsche-cayman-s-design.jpg)
I need a raise. That car really belongs in my driveway. [bow_down]
BMW wasn't the only one with the signal on each side. The V-Rods sitting on the showroom floor are configured that way too ~
JM
Quote from: the_Journeyman on December 09, 2008, 05:21:21 AM
BMW wasn't the only one with the signal on each side. The V-Rods sitting on the showroom floor are configured that way too ~
JM
Yeah but those don't turn :P
Quote from: MrIncredible on December 09, 2008, 09:05:11 AM
Yeah but those don't turn :P
True the V-Rods aren't quick turners due to all that front end rake, but the self canceling turn signals found on all Harleys are the best in the business IMO. Once you get used to self canceling turn signals that acutally work it makes you wonder why all manufacturers don't have them. Imagine if a car manufacturer didn't have self canceling signals.
My 1985 Suzuki GS1150 had self canceling signals. However, they were the single switch like we're accustomed to ~
JM