Speedo error

tbonelynch · 05-06-2007, 4:22 AM

I have a 2000 with analog gages. Has anyone checked their odometer against the mile markers along the highway? Mine is 10-15% high. Is this Honda's way of making you think you are going faster than you actually are? If this is true, then my mileage (40K) would actually be 34K-36K miles. This would change the value of any bike.

For those of you that have disassembled them. Is there any way to calibrate it?

haWHYnXX · 05-06-2007, 5:53 AM

Only way I know of to correct the error on a stock bike is to use a SpeedoHealer. General consensus is that the error is about 5-8% and can be corrected to almost perfect by changing to an 18 tooth front sprocket.

tbonelynch · 05-06-2007, 9:23 AM

Thanks.
I was thinking about switching the sprocket to lower the RPM's at highway speed.

Wockman · 05-08-2007, 9:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by haWHYnXX

Only way I know of to correct the error on a stock bike is to use a SpeedoHealer. General consensus is that the error is about 5-8% and can be corrected to almost perfect by changing to an 18 tooth front sprocket.

+1 What he said...

I've checked my '03 against my GPS and it is consistently 8-10% low all the way up... I've read that manufactures purposely calibrate the speedo high as a safety measure.

Warchild · 05-08-2007, 1:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wockman

I've read that manufactures purposely calibrate the speedo high as a safety measure.

Yes, they do, it's a common practice. Honda is by far the worse, IMO.

I just this past weekend installed a Speedohealer on my R1.... pretty nice to read at an accurate speedometer...

I was about to get the Speedohealer for the Blackbird, but this past weekend I installed a 18T front sprocket. As others have also notice, this modification has actually made the speedometer pretty frickin' accurate.... in comparing it with a known accurate Sigma BC1400 and a Garmin GPS, the 18T front sprocket produces the following speedometer readings:

00 - 35 mph: speedo reads ~ 1 mph high
35 - 65 mph: speedo reads ~ 2 mph high
About 70mph and up: Speedo reads ~ 3 mph high.

ConqSoft · 05-08-2007, 1:32 PM

See also: Speedo problems

wayoutthere007 · 05-08-2007, 1:45 PM

Based on the recommendations here I ordered an 18T from sprocketcenter.com. I'd like to know how fast I'm going when a 5-oh get's behind me. I don't care that I'll lose .9% in acceleration. A correct speedo and odo is what's important.
I'll let you know when I have it installed if it's noisier/slower/sexier than the 16T that was installed by the previous owner.

haWHYnXX · 05-08-2007, 2:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wayoutthere007

I'd like to know how fast I'm going when a 5-oh get's behind me.

With stock set-up you should be okay as indicated is always higher than actual.

Quote:

I'll let you know when I have it installed if it's noisier/slower/sexier than the 16T that was installed by the previous owner.

Coming from a 16T, you will notice a slightly slower acceleration from stop, but will not be looking for 7th gear anymore when cruising at highway speeds - and you'll also be waving at all the other suckers at the gas stations as you pass by with your increased fuel mileage.