BMW’s Retractable Turn Signals

Admin · September 29, 2022

BMW patent application illustrations show two methods by which turn signals could be retracted for off-road or on-track use. (BMW/)

In recent years BMW has shown increasing interest in track-oriented models, with bikes like the radical carbon-framed 2017 HP4 Race and the M 1000 RR homologation special. Now the company has filed a patent application related to a machine designed for easy transition between the street and the racetrack, using retractable rather than removable turn signals.

The patent focuses on the rear turn signals, which are bolted to a long license plate hanger that appears to be very similar to the unit used on the existing S 1000 RR superbike. It’s easy to imagine the same idea could be applied to models like the R 1250 GS or the upcoming R 1300 GS and M 1300 GS models expected to debut in 2023, models intended for occasional use off-road. The patent shows two different ways in which the turn signals could be engineered to retract out of harm’s way, protecting them from damage, with one variant using pivoting turn signals and a second revealing versions that slide laterally.

BMW’s patent says: “…the turn signals are usually attached to arm-shaped holders that extend in a transverse direction of the vehicle on both sides away from it. What significantly benefits visibility and thus safety on the road is more of a hindrance when operated away from road traffic. For example, when used off-road or on a racetrack, situations can arise in which there is a significantly increased risk of damaging or even breaking off the protruding arm-shaped holders.

“In order to avoid this, the corresponding components are dismantled…for these modes of operation, since the expected driving [riding] situations usually cannot completely rule out the possibility of the motorcycle tipping over. However, this procedure is quite complex and usually requires the use of tools, so that it is impractical for frequent alternation between on-road and off-road operation.”

Signals could simply be pivoted out of harm’s way for off-road, or on-track riding. (BMW/)

The simpler of the two designs shown in BMW’s patent incorporates pivots at the bases of the turn signal brackets, allowing them to be manually swung forward where they clip into place alongside the license plate bracket. As a variation on this idea, BMW shows inner extensions on the pivoting turn signals (marked 19a below) that project rearward when the turn signals are swung into the off-road position. These extensions are intended to stick out where the license plate would normally be, only allowing the turn signals to be put into off-road mode when the license plate is removed, presumably to prevent riders from inadvertently riding on the street with the turn signals in the folded position.

This variation ensures that the license plate would have to be removed in order to retract the signals. (BMW/)

The second version features retractable turn signals that slide into sleeves inside the license-plate bracket, but do not entirely disappear. This potentially has the advantage that the remaining stubs of the turn signals would still be visible, even if they no longer complied with legislation that dictates their position. With a host of new models on the way with dual purposes, either street and track or street and off-road, including a new M 1000 RR, an R 1300 GS, and an M 1300 GS, don’t bet against the idea of retractable turn signals appearing on a production model in the not-too-distant future.

Top view showing how the turn signals retract into the housing. (BMW/)