Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Hi everyone!

Just wondering if you know when your speedometer is off. WHen I'm on the freeway, I got 60 - 65 mph. My husband will be following me and he said I better slow down cause he was going 65 - 70mph. When I ride with my son who has a GXS600R says I'm going between 70 and 75. (YIKES) So how do you know if your spedometer is really off and how do you fix it? THanks for your responses.

Is it chain driven?

Do you have an aftermarket sprocket on the bike?

Do you have a GPS, or a friend with a GPS? They make very accurate speedometers to compare yours against.
If you can't get the GPS, you can always use a stop watch and mileposts.

Bikes tend to have optimistic speedometers. When I'm traveling at 60 mph my bike says I'm going 66-67. It could be that your indicator is closer to accurate then the other bikes, I don't think there are many manufactures that make it possible to be unknowingly exceeding the speed limit.

Having a sprocket that is not the stock size can also foul up your speedometer, depending on where the sensor is located.

Easiest way. Take it to a shop.

When you drive your car in traffic. Do you tend to stay with the 'average' speed of the pack, go a bit faster, or a bit slower? Next time, pay attention to your car's speedometer and your relative speed.

It is usually a bit safer to go the same speed as traffic, or just a bit faster, NOT slower. If you're keeping up with other traffic, then don't sweat it.

On the other hand, if the speed is making you uncomfortable, then find another route.

P

I had assumed that this was on the Suzuki C40 in her sig line.

Yes, it is the C40 as my sig. It is belt driven, and I usually stay up with the traffic or just a little faster. I don't like to ride too fast as my bike will start vibrating, so I slow down. Thanks for your responses, all are real good and I'm sorry, can't remember who suggested it, but taking it the shop may be what I'll end up doing.

Thanks again, and do appreciate your responses.

If you've got access to a GPS, that'll answer you question pretty quickly. Just attach it somewhere visible and go for a ride.

If you're in this part of the state (I'm in Bremerton) I can help you see if it's reading right. I've got a GPS we could clip on.

GPS is the way 2 go. Mine tells me the speed I am traveling on my bike is about 1mph faster than what the GPS says. On my van its about dead even. I plan on hooking a 12v accessory battery up on my sons Peg Perego Gaucho and then powering the GPS off it (my GPS isnt battery operated) to see how fast his Gaucho goes. Im guessing 9mph since I upgraded a few things on it .