trail tech computers

[badshow13]

hey guys I bought a 98 gs500e.. and I am rebuilding it for dual sport. basically all that changed was front end and rear suspension spring, and obviously a few more things were involved considering height changed because I put a dr650 front end and wheels on.. I am a tool maker/machinist so before questions are raised yes I know what I am doing and any changes or additions were done precisely... point of my post is I am going to be getting rid of my gauge cluster and I want to buy a trail tech... not sure on which one I should be buying, for the dr650 or gs500e considering it is air cooled unlike the 650 which is water cooled and aside from that which one is the best one at a 130$ budget. anybody have any luck with any or any ideas on which direction I should be going with? much appreciated. thanks for your time in advance.

[twocool]

I'm not sure a completely understand you question(s)...

A Trail Tech should work on any bike....air cooled or water cooled.. should make no difference.

I installed an Acewell...electronic speedo /tach ..not on my GS but on by Yamaha Cafe racer..

It uses simple magnets on the front wheel to get the speed...it is calibrated to your tire circumference...so it works with any size tire.   The tach has a pic-up wire that goes to either your coil, or your spark plug wire...again you can set it for any number of cylinders...wasted spark...any number of revolutions per firing...

I was able to not only eliminate the large speedo and tach gauges, but also the large drive cables...

Most of the trail tech units I've seen seem to work the same way...Should work fine for your application IMHO

Cookie



point of my post is I am going to be getting rid of my gauge cluster and I want to buy a trail tech... not sure on which one I should be buying, for the dr650 or gs500e considering it is air cooled unlike the 650 which is water cooled and aside from that which one is the best one at a 130$ budget. anybody have any luck with any or any ideas on which direction I should be going with? much appreciated. thanks for your time in advance.
[/quote]

[twocool]

I just checked out the Trail Tech website....It looks like their units are very "model specific"...probably they make a custom mounting hardware for each type of bike...

I don't see the GS500 listed...but I'm sure you could make it work.

I opted for the Acewell unit instead...see site below...this seller gave me great fast service too...

https://www.amazon.com/Acewell-1550T-Computer-Digital-Speedometer/dp/B00CRDW3HQ

The Acewell seemed simpler to me...a few $$$$ cheaper, and more universal fit...I  love it!


Cookie




https://www.amazon.com/Acewell-1550T-Computer-Digital-Speedometer/dp/B00CRDW3HQ

I'm not sure a completely understand you question(s)...

A Trail Tech should work on any bike....air cooled or water cooled.. should make no difference.

I installed an Acewell...electronic speedo /tach ..not on my GS but on by Yamaha Cafe racer..

It uses simple magnets on the front wheel to get the speed...it is calibrated to your tire circumference...so it works with any size tire.   The tach has a pic-up wire that goes to either your coil, or your spark plug wire...again you can set it for any number of cylinders...wasted spark...any number of revolutions per firing...

I was able to not only eliminate the large speedo and tach gauges, but also the large drive cables...

Most of the trail tech units I've seen seem to work the same way...Should work fine for your application IMHO

Cookie



point of my post is I am going to be getting rid of my gauge cluster and I want to buy a trail tech... not sure on which one I should be buying, for the dr650 or gs500e considering it is air cooled unlike the 650 which is water cooled and aside from that which one is the best one at a 130$ budget. anybody have any luck with any or any ideas on which direction I should be going with? much appreciated. thanks for your time in advance.

[/quote]

[badshow13]

thanks for the reply guys...

so I take it the better bought would be the acewell? and reviews on it compared to the trail tech? one thing I don't notice is their is no neutral light or oil light or directional light... not sure if this is a big deal or not or if it is required by law to have ... considering I am in Massachusetts...

thanks for the fast responses

[lefty1615]

I have trailtech vapor on my 96, it seemed like the most appropriate model for the street. I can't remember the exact model number but just email trail tech with your model/year and they'll get you the info you need. Might take a couple messages back and forth but they got me sorted out quick. I'm sure they can get you sorted regardless of the model you pick.

Make sure you get the tach lead with the in line resistor, only way the tach will read right.

[twocool]

I think the trail tech has two LED's  for neutral and oil pressure or some such...

They also have and accessory addition for their computer with something like 6 warning lights for "whatever" ...On my Cafe Racer, I fabricated a very small aluminum panel and mounted 5 lights into it and connected to the existing wiring...

Trail Tech is probably more "main stream" and more available....the Acewell seems popular in England and other countries, but no so much in uSA....I heard the USA distributor dropped the line...so maybe trail tec his the way to go...

thanks for the reply guys...

so I take it the better bought would be the acewell? and reviews on it compared to the trail tech? one thing I don't notice is their is no neutral light or oil light or directional light... not sure if this is a big deal or not or if it is required by law to have ... considering I am in Massachusetts...

thanks for the fast responses

[twocool]

Regarding resistors in the tach pick up wire:

I originally got my Acewell to work without a resistor..then suddenly it went haywire....I installed the resistor, and it solved the problem.


Modern bikes have quite a strong signal from the coil...if so, it can "overwhelm" the electronics in the computer...the resistor simply cuts down the signal to an acceptable level...


Cookie

I have trailtech vapor on my 96, it seemed like the most appropriate model for the street. I can't remember the exact model number but just email trail tech with your model/year and they'll get you the info you need. Might take a couple messages back and forth but they got me sorted out quick. I'm sure they can get you sorted regardless of the model you pick.

Make sure you get the tach lead with the in line resistor, only way the tach will read right.

[lefty1615]

thanks for the reply guys...

so I take it the better bought would be the acewell? and reviews on it compared to the trail tech? one thing I don't notice is their is no neutral light or oil light or directional light... not sure if this is a big deal or not or if it is required by law to have ... considering I am in Massachusetts...

thanks for the fast responses

You can either use your old lights in a custom bracket or something or they offer a dash kit for ~50$ that comes with a frame for the dash lights and 4 bulbs you can switch in for the old lights.