2009 Swing speedometer off

When I'm running 70, I'm actually only doing 65. Brand new machine and its that far off. My 1800 GW trike is right on, just traded a Vulcan 900 and it was 7 mph off. There wouldn't possibly be a fix for this, is there!

Dale M wrote:

When I'm running 70, I'm actually only doing 65.

Dale M wrote:

There wouldn't possibly be a fix for this, is there!

Darkside tire

-or-

GPS (which displays MPH)

-or-

Mechanical devices ( http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:3_zxDT6TftEJ:silverwing.org/cgi-bin/topic_show.pl%3Ftid%3D461+speedometer+inaccuracy+site:silverwing.org&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us )

Bill thanks.... very thorough. I was fairly sure u guys had done the research on this. Used my gps to discover the error.

Or live with it.

Wendell,

I'm shocked! How dare you suggest that? How in the world do you live man?

Did y'all realize that the all infalible mighty GPS can have inherrent error and deviation between manufacturers and receiver types? Oh no - it can't possibly be true.

I don't know about the States but in Europe speedometers are up to 10% off.
This supposedly insures that manufacturers cannot be held responsible if riders/drivers exceed the speed-limit and blame the speedo reading.
70 MPH showing at actual 65 MPH is about right for the 10%, I think.

If you find it something you wish to correct, just stick markers on the speedo glass or use a chinagraph pencil to make the marks. Friends have done this.

Mike nearly all manufacturers build in errors to most gauges. As you said 10% is a maximum figure, they are allowed up to that figure.

In the UK if caught speeding by real live policemen they give allow the speed limit + 10% + 3 MPH. However if speed is captured by one of the many speed cameras then there is NO leeway!!

Even in aviation, gauges gave the wrong readings. Next to the gauge would be a table showing the offsets to apply.

It's life I suppose.

jdeereanton wrote:

Wendell,

I'm shocked! How dare you suggest that? How in the world do you live man?

Did y'all realize that the all infalible mighty GPS can have inherrent error and deviation between manufacturers and receiver types? Oh no - it can't possibly be true.

Yep Dale, that little error keeps me legal. I just pretend that the speedo's correct. I have a tendency to want to do about 10% over the speed limit.

Wendell

Wendell,

I'm with you - I don't have a GPS for the bike. I may get one some day,but I really like maps. Maps are fun to use.

All bikes have a bit of error, like Wendell I use the 10% figure as a guide. I figure that if I never go above that I am probably within the tolerance the local gendarme is likely to extend.

Waspie wrote:

Even in aviation, gauges gave the wrong readings. Next to the gauge would be a table showing the offsets to apply.

It's life I suppose.

Doug I had almost forgotten about that deviation table. Even our compasses are off a bit relative to grid / true north. Stupid declination diagram...

Dale,

My SWing is just like yours...when I'm doing 70 mph indicated my gps says 65 mph. I don't think that is too bad since my Majesty was doing 64 mph indicated. I just live with it and adjust to the error. I think your Goldwing didn't have an error at 70 indicated because they can't go that fast.

jdeereanton wrote:

Wendell,

I'm with you - I don't have a GPS for the bike. I may get one some day,but I really like maps. Maps are fun to use.

All bikes have a bit of error, like Wendell I use the 10% figure as a guide. I figure that if I never go above that I am probably within the tolerance the local gendarme is likely to extend.

I'm with you on the maps. I've got a hand held GPS that stays in the glove box 99% of the time. I'd much rather use a map. I have dug out the GPS a few times tho to figure out where the crap I was.

JeffR, I'm going to live with it also. Like I said, the Vulcan was almost the same but, its good to know what the error is so you don't compensate the wrong direction. On the gps, can't do without it. Its portable and mounts in all our vehicles 2,3, or 4 wheels. Saved our butts any number of times.

DaleM, most Silverwing riders that keep track of this topic report that the speedometer seems to be about 6% off, but the odometer is very accurate. If you go with a bigger tire, your odometer will be off.

I think that Honda did it on purpose to keep people a bit slower.

It's better than the chinometer on my 150cc scoot - it's consistently 10% off and the odometer is about 5-6% optimistic too.

Hope you are enjoying the new ride!

jdeereanton wrote:

Waspie wrote:

Even in aviation, gauges gave the wrong readings. Next to the gauge would be a table showing the offsets to apply.

It's life I suppose.

Doug I had almost forgotten about that deviation table. Even our compasses are off a bit relative to grid / true north. Stupid declination diagram...

There are loads of corrections to get you in a straight line and on time!!!!

COmpass variations sorted by a good old compass swing!

Then there is IAS to RAS to TAS!!!! Always a favourite of mine that one!!

You had frequency offsets prior to the computer and it goes on!!!

And I have to agree with regards maps. With GPS there is no fun turning down the wrong lane and discovering all sorts that you would miss if following GPS.

To be lost is fun, to navigate out of being geographically confused is a true sense of achievement.