Speedometer greatly over estimates - can I calibrate it?

[drowningbird808]

i got pulled over doing 55 in a 35 the other day and my speedo said 55 on the dot...

[dgyver]

i got pulled over doing 55 in a 35 the other day and my speedo said 55 on the dot...

That is one way to check your speedo... not a good way though.

[Pigeonroost]

OOOOOOOOOOOOOO.......  20 over............. CHING!

Time for radar detection and pealed eyeballs.

prs

[DoD#i]

Time for radar detection and pealed eyeballs.

There is another method. 

Cheap, easy, immune to RADAR, VASCAR and LIDAR.

Look up and to the left just a touch for this shocking secret. 

[tripleb]

sorry, I got the need....the need for speed!

I know that was corny, but I couldn't resist

[kitten_mittons]

So. . . I've been searching the forums for this topic as I would like the speedometer to just show correctly rather than use a GPS or a bike computer (because I'd like the odometer and trip to read correctly as well.)  If I take it to get it calibrated, will it fix this, or is it just always going to be off?

[Yuri.]

So. . . I've been searching the forums for this topic as I would like the speedometer to just show correctly rather than use a GPS or a bike computer (because I'd like the odometer and trip to read correctly as well.)  If I take it to get it calibrated, will it fix this, or is it just always going to be off?

Then you don't need to do anything.
I've installed a sigma bike computer, and while the speedometer is about 8% over the real speed, the odometer and trip meter are pretty accurate.

[kitten_mittons]

So. . . I've been searching the forums for this topic as I would like the speedometer to just show correctly rather than use a GPS or a bike computer (because I'd like the odometer and trip to read correctly as well.)  If I take it to get it calibrated, will it fix this, or is it just always going to be off?

Then you don't need to do anything.
I've installed a sigma bike computer, and while the speedometer is about 8% over the real speed, the odometer and trip meter are pretty accurate.

Oh, it seemed my odometer was off, maybe it's just me.  I'll have to go test it over the weekend.  Thanks for the help.

[crzydood17]

this might be hard but why not use a GPS to get accurate readings and mark them on the speedo window... then design a augmented speedometer gauge. This can be customized and adjusted for whatever % off you are...

[mister]

My ODO is accurate, speedo reads higher than actual. So if I do a tad higher than speedo I am still Probably safe, and doing what speedo says means no way can I get booked for speeding. I don't see this as a big issue - now if it read lower than actual, then yeah, you got problems...

Michael

[runabout879]

I was wondering if this might be the case after following my wife and getting onto her for doing 80 down the highway. She said she was only slightly over 70 on her speedo, which I know shows a few miles higher than actual, checked against 2 different GPS units.

[kitten_mittons]

I was wondering if this might be the case after following my wife and getting onto her for doing 80 down the highway. She said she was only slightly over 70 on her speedo, which I know shows a few miles higher than actual, checked against 2 different GPS units.

Yeah, I'm assuming it's the same issue. I was driving about 75 on the interstate and was getting passed by everyone.  Needle gets pretty jumpy after about 65 as well.  I'm pretty new to motorcycle riding (got my bike around a month ago) so I really do not know a lot about my bike yet.

[runabout879]

I was wondering if this might be the case after following my wife and getting onto her for doing 80 down the highway. She said she was only slightly over 70 on her speedo, which I know shows a few miles higher than actual, checked against 2 different GPS units.

Yeah, I'm assuming it's the same issue. I was driving about 75 on the interstate and was getting passed by everyone.  Needle gets pretty jumpy after about 65 as well.  I'm pretty new to motorcycle riding (got my bike around a month ago) so I really do not know a lot about my bike yet.

I did a follow-up check using my GPS unit, and it seems to be about 15% off. Or, if you have to adjust it down from indicated to actual, it's a 16% adjustment. At 80 indicated, I was actually running 75. I almost lost my GPS in the process of checking this, as the suction cup let go of the tach lens running at 75mph. Luckily, I still have fairly good reflexes from time to time. My wife would have killed me had I lost it, since I haven't even had it for 2 weeks yet.

[numus]

My speedo read 0 the other day.. granted that was because i forgot to tighten the cable down and it came undone...

[grader]

your math just aint right. 80 indicated and 75 actual is just over 5%, not 16%. your speedo is actually pretty close close compared to many others on here.

[Phil B]

Do it "old school". no money expenditure required, other than gas:

Find a place where they have "odometer check" markings on the freeway.
(you know, "1 mile, 2 mile" thingies)

Go drive 1 mile at "60 miles an hour".

Tweak speedo, until "60 miles an hour" takes you exactly 60 seconds.