BMW changes bike controls..now dual clutch car discussion.

[Statler]

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.

[Porsche Monkey]

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.

[swampduc]

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.

[Porsche Monkey]

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.

[Porsche Monkey]

Sorry for the thread jack Stat.

[Statler]

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.

[NAKID]

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.... 

[Popeye the Sailor]

No one keeps their hands at 10 and 2 anymore. Even most DMV license books recommend 9 and 3.... 

I thought the hands went on the coffee and the cell phone?

[erkishhorde]

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.  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.

[lethe]

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.

[Porsche Monkey]

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.



Notice the thicker wheel at 10 and 2.  Now look at the buttons at 9 and 3.  Kinda hard to reach IMO.

[lethe]

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.



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.

[Porsche Monkey]

They go over and behind the spoke so you can reach them from behind, but with your pinky finger.  I do not like.

[swampduc]

Guess it's the modern way, but damn, that interior looks cluttered to me.

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.

[Triple J]

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!