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question about speedometer....

bone crusher

Alignment Specialist
As I drive my Spyder more, I am finding more glitches with the thing...still love it, but it's not as perfect as I thought it would be...

Does anyone else here have about a 3-4 mph difference between the stick gauge and the digital readout for the mph? The digital appears to be 3-4 mph less than the stick reading...

I rely more on the digital because the big numbers are right in front of my face, but it's odd that they don't match and at times are noticeably different...
 
Your digital is far closer to your actual speed than the other. Wait until you get a GPS on the Spyder you'll have three different opinions of how fast you're actually going. :thumbup:
 
Most speedometers are out of synch with reality. The average BMW is 10-12% high, for instance. My advice is to pick the gauge (or gps) you perfer, learn how the speed shown relates to the real thing, adjust accordingly, and ride. Don't let the little things bother you.
-Scotty
 
Your digital is far closer to your actual speed than the other. Wait until you get a GPS on the Spyder you'll have three different opinions of how fast you're actually going. :thumbup:

And the cop with a radar/laser gun will give you a fourth opinion:yikes:
 
Last trip I took, I noticed the odometer adds 1 mile every 25 miles. As far as speed goes, the radar in the construction zones shows me about 2~3 mph slower than indicated on the LCD digits.
 
As I drive my Spyder more, I am finding more glitches with the thing...still love it, but it's not as perfect as I thought it would be...

Does anyone else here have about a 3-4 mph difference between the stick gauge and the digital readout for the mph? The digital appears to be 3-4 mph less than the stick reading...

I rely more on the digital because the big numbers are right in front of my face, but it's odd that they don't match and at times are noticeably different...


Mine too. I just go buy the digital for the same reason & it is the more accuate of the 2. A gps will be right on dead nuts.
 
This is another of the "too much information" issues on the Spyder. Standard motorcycles have a standard speedometer that is generally inaccurate, but we have nothing to compare it to. Standard motorcycles don't have temperature bars, gear indicators, ambient air temperature readouts, etc. Each of those are nice features of the Spyder, but overload us with info that we then fixate on. Since my eyes aren't what they used to be, I like the digital mph since I can read it. The needle on the standard speedo has a scale that is so small it is hard for me to tell what speed I am at other than in 5 mph increments.
 
This is another of the "too much information" issues on the Spyder. Standard motorcycles have a standard speedometer that is generally inaccurate, but we have nothing to compare it to. Standard motorcycles don't have temperature bars, gear indicators, ambient air temperature readouts, etc. Each of those are nice features of the Spyder, but overload us with info that we then fixate on. Since my eyes aren't what they used to be, I like the digital mph since I can read it. The needle on the standard speedo has a scale that is so small it is hard for me to tell what speed I am at other than in 5 mph increments.

It is one of those threads... I only really look at digital readout, as well. Although, I have glanced over at the analog speedo.
When I get my GPS mounted and wired, it will probably be the most accurate speed. At least, that is my understanding. My Escort Passport 9500i has GPS. It won't be mounted on the Spyder, however. It tends to be about 2mph off the speedo in my Frontier. I go by the Passport's readout. :) For example, if my Frontier's Speedometer is indicating 60mph, the Passport 9500i is 58mph (if I remember correctly).
 
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Used a road signs a couple times, but the distances between are a little irratic. Tested 3 times with Mile Markers and it was always the same. Over the course of 25 miles, I would gain 1 mile...about 211.2 ft per mile.
I also noticed this is a generic instrument cluster on the spyder...in the sun, you can see pictures of a SeaDoo and other icons.
 
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Used a road signs a couple times, but the distances between are a little irratic. Tested 3 times with Mile Markers and it was always the same. Over the course of 25 miles, I would gain 1 mile...about 211.2 ft per mile.
I also noticed this is a generic instrument cluster on the spyder...in the sun, you can see pictures of a SeaDoo and other icons.
That's 4% high, and that's not all that bad. It is not unusual to see 10% or higher error in motorcycle speedometers.
-Scotty
 
I'm a bit disappointed the digital thermometer is so off once the bike's been stopped after operating. It starts off as right on (due to ambient air temp) but once heats up and sits a bit, the engine heat causes it to be WAY off. I'm assuming this is something everyone is seeing? (I did a search but didn't find a thread???:dontknow:) I'm suggestible - if it reads hot, I'm too warm:chill::Dand if it reads within my comfort zone, I'm fine!:hun:
 
Honestly, I never look at the stick, it's too small (cramped) because they chose to have a ridiculous top reading of 200mph. What the heck were they thinking? Maybe the future SuperSpyder will push 190.
 
Honestly, I never look at the stick, it's too small (cramped) because they chose to have a ridiculous top reading of 200mph. What the heck were they thinking? Maybe the future SuperSpyder will push 190.
It needs to go to 200 when switching to kilometers.
 
Ahh.... excellent point - never thought of that. I have had a number of people ask me if it could do 200 and I tell them I got it to 180 and could no longer hang on.
 
hmmm

Thanks for all the good replies...I have the zumo 550 and I'll see what that reads...haven't reallly used it yet...then I'll have 3 readouts and will probably (hopefully not) crash looking at all 3...argh...

I was just curious if this was an error with the bike but it seems like everyone has a little difference between the stick odometer and the digital...

I followed advice from here and filled the gas tank up ALL the way...what a difference...I guess it's full when that little half-bar is lit up...never knew the meter when the far up, so now I know it's actually full...should give better read on mpg the next time I fill up....
 
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