Speedo's: The untold story???

[storysunfolding]

There are other fixes as well. Some bikes can plug an electronic box between the speedo and the display that corrects this, some bikes have corrected gauges or gauge corrections etc.

The bike speedo is definately the best and easiest way to go. However, you'll soon learn what indicated speeds correlate to actual

[anarchy]

If anything a motorcycle speedometer showing a slower speed is understating mileage. I wouldn't complain about that.

DOH!!! i guess i had that backwards!!!

[Gnarlyroad]

Yes I know you need to have a speedo in order to get your liscense etc. How many of us really pay any attention to them. I don't. I keep up to traffic around me(well maybe a little bit faster . I pay attention to my rpms and my gears, the motor sound(don't motos sound good at some high revs), I think the only time I pay attention to my speedo is when I spot a radar car

[flynrider]

check out the class action suit against honda

From my understanding of these law suits certain honda cars are overstating mileage which would hurt it's overall value. If anything a motorcycle speedometer showing a slower speed is understating mileage. I wouldn't complain about that.

I believe the original post (if that's what you're referring to) is also a case of the speedo reading higher than actual, which would also overstate the mileage. The OP said he was moving slower than surrounding traffic when his speedo read the limit. That's a speedo reading faster rather than slower.

[storysunfolding]

check out the class action suit against honda

From my understanding of these law suits certain honda cars are overstating mileage which would hurt it's overall value. If anything a motorcycle speedometer showing a slower speed is understating mileage. I wouldn't complain about that.

I believe the original post (if that's what you're referring to) is also a case of the speedo reading higher than actual, which would also overstate the mileage. The OP said he was moving slower than surrounding traffic when his speedo read the limit. That's a speedo reading faster rather than slower.

touche

[ngsalvo]

check out the class action suit against honda

From my understanding of these law suits certain honda cars are overstating mileage which would hurt it's overall value. If anything a motorcycle speedometer showing a slower speed is understating mileage. I wouldn't complain about that.

I believe the original post (if that's what you're referring to) is also a case of the speedo reading higher than actual, which would also overstate the mileage. The OP said he was moving slower than surrounding traffic when his speedo read the limit. That's a speedo reading faster rather than slower.

That is correct. I'm going 60 according to my bike, yet mothers with their prams on the footpath are overtaking me! (Okay, so that's an exageration). But it is annoying when you're not sure if you're going slower than the speed limit and legitimately annoying other traffic, or if they're just being impatient and want to make it look like their 1987 Honda Civic can beat a motorcycle.

As for never looking at the speedo, this is not a habit I ever want to adopt. Speed limits are enforced, and they are in place to save lives. No cop would ever let anyone off because they used the excuse, 'But I was only going as fast as the car in front of me.'
Ignorance is no excuse.

The debate on this has been great. I'm glad that the dealer/service guy didn't just fob me off with a 'Yeah, it's supposed to be like that' line. It's good to know that he was being upfront with me.

In answer to the question asked early on in the thread, yes it is the same place I purchased the bike from.

[slimcolo]

Sev I've read articles about that idea (wheel turning faster in turns) and it does make a difference.

As for speedos I have had them read 15% over and 25% under. Most will stay in the +or(-) 10%. I have also seen tyres that may have 3/4" tread and circumference changes as the tyre wears. Also manufacturers will often use same speedo on different models/sub models with different wheel sizes. (especially true of older bikes) Most of the mechanical ones were unadjustable.
Many custom bikes may have stock speedo drive but a different size rim. I've also seen speedos read off but odometer accurate. (and vice versa) Many Adventure Touring bikes are now omiting speedo and mounting GPS in place.

[Gnarlyroad]

I keep up to traffic around me(well maybe a little bit faster ) This is just good driving. It doesn't mean I keep up to the idiot that has to prove he can go faster than me( haven't we all seen these)or try to keep ahead of the cager catching up to me like I'm standing still or the guy on the sportbike I didn't even see till he was past me and a miler down the road.It does mean I know in 5th at 4500 rpms I'm doing100km at 5000rpm I'm doing 110. In 3rd at 4500 I'm doing 60k. How do I know I'm doing okay. I'm passing the slow cars and the speeders are passing me. Here in BC very rarely get a ticket for doing 10k(6mph aprox) over the limit and ussualy people are driving faster than that. 40 years of driving the same way and I have never gotten a speeding ticket while riding my bike. Not to say I haven't done some pretty dumb things while riding . Sorry but I spend my time on the bike in making sure the bolts are all tight, the oil is changed and the right level, my brakes and clutch are adjusted and my tires are properly inflated than is my speedo 10, 15 or 20% off

[dr_bar]

Thus, by setting the speedometer to 5-9% slower,

I'm sure you meant to say faster...

In doing this, (setting the speedo to show a faster speed) you also screw around with the odometer. My odometer is definitely off as well as my speedo. Now, higher mileage than is true, kills the warranty sooner... As I get faster, the speedo is even more off.

At 100 km/h indicated, the GPS showed me at 99 km/h

At 120 km/h indicated, the GPS showed me at 118 km/h

At 130 km/h indicated, the GPS showed me at 125 km/h

At 140 km/h indicated, the GPS showed me at 132 km/h

When travelling, I came across many odometer test areas, not a single one was correct acording to MY odometer. (Going to have to get the DOT on that and get those corrected... )

[slimcolo]

[quote]When travelling, I came across many odometer test areas

We used to have these everywhere but they disappeared years ago[/code]