Speedometer error??

[ARtraveler]

All five of my :spyder2:s' were/are consistently high by 2 mph. All checked by the speed zone radar indicators over the years.

All my Kawasakis were 5 mph high.

Have not checked out other brands, but guessing the same.

I use OEM tires on mine, and also notice a difference in mileage between :ani29: a + b if there is more tire tread left on one compared to the other. Not enough to make a difference, or make me worry about it though.

For speed purposes, I figure the 2 mph slow to keep up with traffic and not wake up the sleeping troopers.

I usually drive up to 5 plus posted. The current difference allows me to go 7 plus. I go by radar several times a week and have never received a speeding ticket in Alaska.

 

[Bob Denman]

Makes you wonder if there is a conspiracy with motorcycle makers to do this so people don't speed as much

Bob

You need to buy a snowmobile...
The Speedometers are usually off by 10 to 15 percent... :banghead:

 

[2Paw]

My Spyder is closer to true that any other bike I've ever owned. My Burgman is off by 7 mph at an indicated 70, 6 @ 60, 5 @ 50 etc. I learned to compensate in my head without thinking about it after a time. So this doesn't bother me much, but I know it seems to upset some people more than I think it should:dontknow:.

 

[ARtraveler]

I don't think anyone is expressing being upset. We are just discussing a normal happening that comes up from time to time.

 

[2Paw]

I didn't mean to imply that anyone in this thread was upset, but I have seen that in other forums and conversations, so it was just a comment based on past experience,

 

[Kraut]

Another Senior Moment

It seems that when I keep up with traffic ( hyway or byway) that the speedo on the :spyder2:is reading 5 to 8 MPH fast. I have to get my wifes Garmin to check it out.

Have any of you noticed this???

My speedo always indicated 2-3 mph high (at 70 indicated was actually 67-68 compared to both watch and Garmin). After switching to General Altra 175R65/14 on front, my indicated speed was pretty well on at 70 mph compared to Garmin and watch. Forgot that I also switched the rear to General Altra 205R60/15.

Not Altra-GENERAL ALTIMAX, ALTIMAX. I hate it when that happens. :banghead:

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

OK, here's the skinny. Be happy the Spyder speedo is as close as it is. Federal regs allow it to show up to over 10% more than actual speed but not less than actual speed. Here's what I posted last May in this thread: http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/...gs-I-do-not-understand/page2&highlight=speedo. See post #30.

I asked a BRP Techmition about the RT speedometer being off, and he said it is very common. He has a VW that is off by ten KMH, and when he complained about it was told "it is within the law as long is it is ten percent lower than the posted limit, but not allowed if above".

That is correct. Believe it or not it is a United Nations regulation, originally adopted in 1958, established to facilitate international sales of vehicles by having a uniform requirement among trading nations.

United Nations Regulation No. 39
UNIFORM PROVISIONS CONCERNING THE APPROVAL OF VEHICLES
WITH REGARD TO THE SPEEDOMETER EQUIPMENT
INCLUDING ITS INSTALLATION

5.3. The speed indicated shall not be less than the true speed of the vehicle. At the test
speeds specified in paragraph 5.2.5. above, there shall be the following relationship
between the speed displayed (V1 ) and the true speed (V2).
0 ≤ (V1 - V2) ≤ 0.1 V2 + 4 km/h

Except Spyders, being three wheel motorcycles (L5 category), are subject to the following variation.

The production shall be deemed to conform to this Regulation if the following
relationship between the speed indicated on the display of the speedometer (V1) and the
actual speed (V2) is observed:
In the case of vehicles of categories M and N:
0 # (V1 – V2) # 0.1 V2 + 6 km/h;
In the case of vehicles of categories L3, L4 and L5:
0 # (V1 – V2) # 0.1 V2 + 8 km/h;

Therefore, at 80 mph the speedometer is allowed to read anywhere between 80 and ~92 (80 + 0.1*80 +8*.6 = 92.8 mph). A 3 mph error is well within the prescribed limit.

 

[Big F]

I didn't mean to imply that anyone in this thread was upset, but I have seen that in other forums and conversations, so it was just a comment based on past experience,

For what they get for these new Spyders, BRP should make the speedometers register to what size tire they put on the machine.. Duh??? If they can make the reading 2-3-5 or whatever over they certainly can adjust the unit to record the correct speed. Yes, I hear about wear and changing tires, but it would be nice to start our correct. Makes absolutely no sense to me.
BIG F

 

[mrfats]

So what's accurate...the Spyder or the Garmin?

 

[Bob Denman]

From what I've been able to see; the Garmin is more accurate.

 

[Chupaca]

Oh yeah..!!

don't know by how much. Don't use the gps except in town and most of the speed monitors miss me but those that do catch me have a different reading. I do remember when they spun the speedo dial so 50 mph was at the 12:00 position hoping people would think they were going faster...:roflblack:nojoke

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

NOT REALLY

You need to buy a snowmobile...
The Speedometers are usually off by 10 to 15 percent... :banghead:

It depends on how much you spin the track ............and don't go anywhere..............just sayin........Mike :thumbup:

 

[Bob Denman]

With my ears pinned back, and the speedometer pegged on a WFO lake run; my 1992 Polaris XCR "520" showed 102 mph on radar.
...And she was hooked-up! :2thumbs:
We never counted a run when the tracks were spinning...

 

[Bfromla]

Any answer to this?!

See the same -2mph on my 2013STL :banghead: Gps updated & fine in other vehicles, have ideas of how to test and confirm may even get my Leo buddy involved. :yikes: Disturbing to see so many reports so closely related. BRP needs to address this properly. Had bike less than a year fyi.

 

[SethO]

It seems that when I keep up with traffic ( hyway or byway) that the speedo on the :spyder2:is reading 5 to 8 MPH fast. I have to get my wifes Garmin to check it out.

Have any of you noticed this???

Kaos
PS: Yah I know that 72 is really 65-----I'm figuring this in.

Its a error , at 118mph your really 112

 

[JayBros]

Going to/from Spyderfest I found my speedo reading 2-3 mph faster than the GPS (Zumo 590) when riding between 68 and 80. From 68 - 74 or so it was 2 mph faster, above 75, 3 mph faster.

 

[Rockwall]

The same is true in my truck.

 

[AY4B]

On my Yamaha Royal Star Tour Deluxe I had before the Spyder, It was around 8 MPH less than actual speed but it varied on how fast I was going. The Spyder shows 1-2 MPH difference which is a big improvement.
Maybe let some air out of the tire to correct it?


Just Kidding:joke:

 

[Bob Denman]

Put some in...
It'll (in theory) allow the tire to expand and increase it's overall diameter.
That'll slow it down for a given road speed, and things should read more accurately! :thumbup:

 

[AY4B]

Put some in...
It'll (in theory) allow the tire to expand and increase it's overall diameter.
That'll slow it down for a given road speed, and things should read more accurately! :thumbup:

Well If you reduce the tire diameter and go let say 60MPH The tire has to spin faster and in so doing, the Speedometer will show a higher MPH. "in theory":chat: