[dmdan]

Anyone have a clue on if the bike speedo is accurate? I always thought that radar has a difficult, if not impossible time, trying to read something without a flat piece of metal on it. We have an automatic speedchecker near me, that displays your speed as you pass by.

I tested it at a couple different speeds (72, 68, and 60 mph) At all these speeds the radar catches me about 20 feet in front of it (around 200 ft for cars) and it registers a consistent 6 mph below what my speedo says. It might just be the unit. Anyone else wonder about this?

 

[Gixxerdale]

Your speedo is probably off just like you thought. They all appear to be that way. I've tested those speed sensors on the road before. They seem to post a fairly accurate speed. Problem is finding the triple digit versions! :lol:

 

[stevie c]

Car and bike speedos are usually 7-10% out,so at a reading of 33 you are doing 30,and so on,so a reading of 170 you are doing less than 160.
Best way to gauge actual speed is with GPS.

 

[pitbull76]

Yeah, mike bike's speedo is about 7-10% off as well. I've heard that it's fairly common. My car's speedo is nearly dead-on.

 

[gsxrjeffro]

the joe rocket pheonix jacket would be my choice. thye now offer a zip in water proof liner and a cool-liner that you can soak in water and zip in. but the jacket by itself is good for 65-95 all by itself.. they even make matcking pants and gloves...

 

[Clint]

Car and bike speedos are usually 7-10% out... Best way to gauge actual speed is with GPS.

I've tested a number of modern cars and pickups with my GPS and have found that they're remarkably accurate. Never have they varied by more than 1%.

Bikes, on the other hand... :roll: Mine reads 8% high.

 

[dmdan]

Thanks very kindly. I am glad on resolving this query. I guess my mind can wonder why and how the increasing speed can be a percentage and not just a fixed rate. I feel I can gauge my speed more accurately now. I also have a 92 jetta that I have run by a couple of speed indicators and it is consistently 3 mph above what it reads, at 30 and at 70. Maybe I will make up a little 8% cheat sheet to tape on my arm like a quarterback.

mph
32 = 30
38 =35
49 = 45
54.5 = 50
71 = 65
76 = 70
82 = 75
156 = 143

 

[stevie c]

Maybe depends on country of origin for actual against indicated speed.Like I said earlier my bike is 7-10%and my jap car is the same.
I know this because I went thru' a police speed trap and my idea and thiers of actual speed were a bit different!
Also had my car measured with gps on a track day,definately out.