Error in real speed

Most bikes will have some error, but it is usually around 5%. Could be due to the tyres you have installed. If they are a different size to the stock tyres, then more than likely, the calibration will be out. Dealer may be able to fix it, but you will have the same problem again if you change to different tyres. Easiest solution is to remember what the error is and ride accordingly.

It seems to me that the brands built bikes with increasing speedometer errors from year to year. My previous XT1200Z, he too showed the speed with an exageration of 15 km/h around 150.... I bought a speedometer/healer, a little gadget that corrected the value to true speed. Costs about 100 euro, but not available for AFrica Twin until now

I thought mine was about 10% out so i adjust my speed to suit 100=110 glad to have my estimations confirmed

The review last week in Bike (or was it MCN) showed over 10% error (overreading), which to me seems way too much.
Mike

What are you moaning about!, it will mean your 60,000 mile bike will only have actually done 51,000 miles and your mpg will always look better.

At the risk of sounding a plonker, are the speedomerer and the odometer linked to or separate from each other? The speedo over-read might be deliberate to avoid excessive speeding...

I noticed mine was about + 5mph on average.

cadoganpier said:

What are you moaning about!, it will mean your 60,000 mile bike will only have actually done 51,000 miles and your mpg will always look better.

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If it's like all the other bikes I have had, then this isn;t true. The odometer is always spot on.
Mike

the speedohealer is available now for the manual version speedohealer v4 honda 5 fits

mine is 9% out after fitting new tyres

This thread has got me thinking, next time out I'll take my Garmin and do a check. Basically I'm happy if my speedo is a little fast, it will help to keep me on the right side of the Law.

M

Personally I feel it's out too far, lower speeds 5-6%, 90+ Kph around 8-9%.
Good for staying on the right side of the law but a problem with annoying other motorists.

I've had other Honda bikes and they have all been about 10% out - on the high side.
Odometer and speedometer are not linked. So you'll still have 60,000 miles, you just won't ride as fast as you think to get there. :laugh:

cadoganpier said:

What are you moaning about!, it will mean your 60,000 mile bike will only have actually done 51,000 miles and your mpg will always look better.

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I did a check today against my Garmin 660 and I found the speedo is reading >10% fast which I think is too much. Whilst I welcome being kept on the right side of the Law I think it should be around 5%.

M

Speedo error grumble....

My Suzuki Vstrom was out 110kph on the speedo was 103kph by my GPS. I think my AT is even worse. The problem is on the highway when you get drivers who obviously don't have such inaccurate speedos getting impatient because you're holding them up. Mazdas suffer the same malady so if you are following a Mazda and you're wondering the why the driver is holding you up it's most likely his speedo being out by about 6% at 100kph. Surely an accurate speedo isn't too much to ask. I don't have my GPS on my bike yet but I will need it as the speedo is way out and the Queensland police like collecting revenue.

Justdrew said:

My Suzuki Vstrom was out 110kph on the speedo was 103kph by my GPS. I think my AT is even worse. The problem is on the highway when you get drivers who obviously don't have such inaccurate speedos getting impatient because you're holding them up. Mazdas suffer the same malady so if you are following a Mazda and you're wondering the why the driver is holding you up it's most likely his speedo being out by about 6% at 100kph. Surely an accurate speedo isn't too much to ask. I don't have my GPS on my bike yet but I will need it as the speedo is way out and the Queensland police like collecting revenue.

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Well you won't be too happy to hear that the US-spec ATs speedometers are spot on, thanks to earlier class action lawsuits over inaccurate odometers. I don't know why Honda wouldn't simply put the same accurate speedos on all ATs.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/30/automobiles/30MILEAGE.html

Bugger

It is really poor that they have a solution but only use it when someone twists their arm.

True Ad Venture said:

Well you won't be too happy to hear that the US-spec ATs speedometers are spot on, thanks to earlier class action lawsuits over inaccurate odometers. I don't know why Honda wouldn't simply put the same accurate speedos on all ATs.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/30/automobiles/30MILEAGE.html

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I am no expert but I think that applies to just the Odometer not the speedometer. Bikes can have accurate odometers and inaccurate speedometers. The speedo seems to be optimistic by between 5 and 10% on mine but I think the Odometer is fairly accurate. I guess Honda also have to take a punt on the type of tyres the rider will be using and that would also introduce an error.

My speed reading is exactly 10% out, but the mileage is exactly right. If you add a Speedo Healer the speed will be corrected, but the mileage will then be wrong.