Intermittently I get a 4 way turn light activation without using the emergency switch. It can be reset by hitting the indicator off switch on the right handlebar,  but that's a bit of a fumble and takes time and attention away from a left hand turn. 

I've been advised to clean the switch but I'm not sure if that requires removal of the switch or it can be done on the handlebar.

Yep, could be the switch. If the horn works but also fails to work when the left turn signal goes to hazard mode, it seems to me that the problem would be an intermittent earth problem before the switch. In that case I'd clean the earth connections under the tank, or look at the left handlebar electrical plug, also under the tank.

A wire within the switch on the dash pad has likely broken from its soldered switch contact. Remove the switch from the dash pad, open the switch to verify and re-solder the wire to its contact if necessary. Instructions here for removal and disassembly of the switch.

As Laitch says. That would be the first place I'd look too because it's a short cable under constant pressure from turning the handlebars.

Laitch wrote:A wire within the switch on the dash pad has likely broken from its soldered switch contact. Remove the switch from the dash pad, open the switch to verify and re-solder the wire to its contact if necessary. Instructions here for removal and disassembly of the switch.

I believe your referring to the emergency flasher rocker switch on the dash pad.   I'm referring to the left turn signal on the left handlebar.  I'm not intending to turn on the 4 way enthralled lights,  just the left hand turn signals. 

As I said, this problem is intermittent.   Are you saying a bad or dirty 4 way rocker could be the reason for my handlebar switch turning on all 4 turn signals?

BlueBrick-75RT wrote:Are you saying a bad or dirty 4 way rocker could be the reason for my handlebar switch turning on all 4 turn signals?

I'm not intending to turn on the 4 way enthralled lights,  just the left hand turn signals.

Translation successful.   It's easy enough to check.

Are you saying turning on all 4 signals only happens when the left turn signal is activated?

Yes but not always. Had it happen once today.

It's still worth checking the hazard switch. A broken wire can be giving you backfeed through the indicator relay and triggering the hazard circuit when you request a left turn, especially if you're on the move (road vibration). BMW made the indicator circuit over-complicated (sigh) - it's not a simple case of the hazard switch cross-connects the indicators on each side. That would have been too easy and not at all Teutonic.

The Germans made something overly complicated? Say or isn't so! At least it's not French!