I doubt the author of the post ever rode a bike, much less a BMW.
Any biker worth their salt could ride either model and with little preference at that. My last bike (in a long dark past) was a Honda, with the left hand thumb arrangement, I can easily see why the BMW arrangement might be a little bit more convenient but so little that it really doesn't matter.
And if you're busy with your signals while doing emergency evasive maneuvers I hope you have your health insurance paid up.
Something else to consider - many of the newer BMW designs have moved to the 'standard' approach. Why make the move, given the 'brand' value already mentioned and the history behind the design?
3 reasons come instantly to mind - consistency, human physiology and safety. :-)
I can see the 'consistency' angle. After all, if 90% of the market does it one way being 'counter culture' is sometimes helpful sometimes a hindrance. User interfaces on motorbikes are a lot less easily customized than on websites after all.
I see some reasons why the BMW design is better, but there is lots of evidence to the contrary out there:
Any biker worth their salt could ride either model and with little preference at that. My last bike (in a long dark past) was a Honda, with the left hand thumb arrangement, I can easily see why the BMW arrangement might be a little bit more convenient but so little that it really doesn't matter.
And if you're busy with your signals while doing emergency evasive maneuvers I hope you have your health insurance paid up.