Speedo Reading

[boots]

Hi
I own a 2008 Vulcan Nomad 1600. I was following my friend to to work the other day and thought it was odd he was going kind of fast? To make a long story short, he used his GPS, set his cruise on 120 Km's and was bang on and my speedo was reading 130 Km's. So all in all, my speedo is showing 130 Km's but in reallity, I'm only going 120 Km's? Is 10 Km's difference normal or should I be concerned? I have stock tires on out of the show room. Any info would be appreciated as I'm what we call a Virgin Rider! HA!
Thanks.

Randy "Boots" Boutilier
Nova Scotia,Canada

[cactusjack]

Welcome to the Nomad Nation from the Grand Canyon State!

Yes, about a 10% speedometer error (reading fast) is absolutely normal on these bikes with stock tires. Don't know why - they are all like that.

[naugaman]

When I sold my Nomad, I pulled of the speedohealer. I put that on shortly after I bought the bike and was able to get within 2 or 3 MPH difference to my GPS. I may have been able to dial it right in if I spent more time with the initial set up.

Anyone interested in getting a great price on a speedohealer, just send me a pm.

[VulcanE]

Welcome to the forum boots, from NW. Georgia. Yes it's normal, it seems that all the Nads read fast on the speedo, about 10-12%. I am running the larger rear tire (180/70-16) and mine is still off about 6%, but the odometer is reading "right on" on the distance traveled part.

[ells]

Welcome Boots from Colorado. As others have said, that sort of speedo error is normal but so is the odometer being dead on at the same time. That's possible because of their independent digital operation. So, for example, gas mileage calculations or distances between service will be correct even if the speed is not. Some people think it is intentional at the factory to keep speeds down, or to reduce liability if the speedo was in error the other direction, same for many autos.

[Heater_Guy]

My speedometer seems to be at about the 10% error mark too. On last week's ride I checked the GPS and had about a 2% difference in the odometer reading. Bikes odo showed 100.2 miles and the Zumo had 98.3 miles traveled.

[papat]

My speedo is about 5 MPH fast the odometer logs about 103 miles in 100 miles traveled. BTW welcome from Route 66 in New Mexico

[davidjones1]

welcome from southeast tenn boots and yes as everyone has said this seems to be true in all the nomads. I went to the 180/tire and it has gone too about a 3-5% diff. you have come too the right site to find I would say just about all the the answers you could want for your nomad and life lol. welcome.
ride safe.

[oldbikers]

On my way to Sturgis Ky I was with a 1500 vulcan and 5 HD I was going by my GPS which showed 70 MPH my speedo. showed about 80 MPH but everyone the vulcan and all 5 harley guys said I was running about 80 MPH so everyone's speedo. must be off as far as mine.

[waterman]

Welcome from Colorado. Like everyone has said, they are off from the factory. I recently changed to a 160/80 Dunlop E3 and the speedo is much closer.

[racinchef]

I didn't visit your posting at first because I thought it contained a picture of a biker in a speedo swimsuit. I too have noticed that my speedometer shows 50 and my GPS has 55 mph while the odometer is nearly comparable. How odd! I think that it is purposely designed that way by Kawasaki engineers to keep the lawyers happy.

[pirate]

Welcome to the board from North Dakota! My 08's speedo is off too. I knew that it was, but I checked it with a friend's gps, and when the Nomad showed 75 mph, the gps showed 69. I think Kawa has an inside deal with Speedohealer so they can sell units. These bikes shouldn't be off that much.

[ells]

Note that Speedohealer ails your odo.

[nomad561]

My 07 is off as well. I just use my GPS to make sure I stay reasonably close to the posted limit

[boots]

Hi
First of all I want to thank all those who replied to my post and thank everyone for the warm welcome!! And to "Racinchef"! I rolled out of my chair laughing me butt off when you thought I was a biker wearing a speedo swimsuit!! Too funny! Great sense or humor! That's what keeps us goin eh! Sense of humor!!! Oh yeah one more thing? How does one get pics on here of there bikes,etc.,when either posting or replying???

Boots