Speedo Inaccuracy

Netnorske · 09-10-2008, 11:54 PM

I have read many times here and elsewhere that the speedo is off on the stock Nomad/Tires combo. This seems odd (if not downright negligent) coming from the factory.

Can anyone educate me on how much over or under the thing reads? If your speedo says 70, how fast are you really going, and how might this have been discovered (aside from the obvious answer...a radar gun and ensuing ticket....

)?

I've also read where certain tire sizes can closely correct this difference. Has anyone determined what the best tire size is to accomplish that? Thx!

Kris

cactusjack · 09-11-2008, 12:19 AM

With the stock Bridgestone tires, I had about a 10% error. If the speedo read 50, I was doing 10% less or 45 mph. I pass 3 or 4 of those speed indicator signs on my way to work every morning, so I've checked it many times. With the Metzeler ME-880's, it is much more accurate, I'd say 1-2% off (still fast).

rksaw · 09-11-2008, 01:56 AM

I was wondering the same thing. Is there another way to check our speedo's other than using the Interstate Milage markers? The nearest one to me is about 200 miles away.

ells · 09-11-2008, 08:13 AM

Best way to check it is with a GPS. My speedo is about 7% fast with 160/80 Metz 880 but the odo is dead on, sort of like things are with the OEMs. Correct the speedo with tire size (or Speedohealer) and the odo will be off. I'd rather have the speedo a little fast and the odo correct for several reasons.

macmac · 09-11-2008, 08:23 AM

So far as I can tell most all bikes, not just these, are off. The vulcans seem to average 10%, so 70 mph will say 77, and 50.5 will say 55, and etc..

There is a device called 'speedohealer', but I never bought one, as i really don't care what any speedo says. I just go with the flow, which beats looking DOWN.

I also don't run a stock rear, and so not knowing if ther speedohealer is adjustable, well I just don't need it.

My current rear tire is 195/60/R16 anyway.... Closer to correct, but I don't know how much...

**schoeney** · 09-11-2008, 09:04 AM

10% off here as well. I don't mind..it is easy to calculate and makes me go a little slower which is important when you are riding the fastest color....hard to keep all that speed harnassed.

dkdixie · 09-11-2008, 09:31 AM

Same here on the 10% off, according to GPS.
Metz 180 rear corrected to approx 3% off......which is probably good. Little fudge factor.

cactusjack · 09-11-2008, 10:02 AM

When you install a speed-o-healer you calibrate it, but if you correct your speedo, it will cause your odometer to become inaccurate. I'd rather have an accurate odometer, personally. I can do the speedo math in my head. Keeps me awake while riding.

cactusjack · 09-11-2008, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by schoeney

10% off here as well. I don't mind..it is easy to calculate and makes me go a little slower which is important when you are riding the fastest color....hard to keep all that speed harnassed.

Wow, I didn't think you had a black Nomad???

**schoeney** · 09-11-2008, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cactusjack

Quote:

Originally Posted by schoeney

10% off here as well. I don't mind..it is easy to calculate and makes me go a little slower which is important when you are riding the fastest color....hard to keep all that speed harnassed.

Wow, I didn't think you had a black Nomad???

You are right...I don't!

dkdixie · 09-11-2008, 07:16 PM

Black Nomad's don't have the speedo problem......they don't go fast enough to worry about it!!!

rksaw · 09-11-2008, 08:33 PM

Boy, How many times will those boys walk into the same wall?!? They know they can't compete with the Red ones.

dogdoc · 09-12-2008, 09:22 PM

good one dkdixie, LOL

09-10-2008, 11:54 PM	#1
Netnorske Top Contributor Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Everett, Washington Posts: 5,709	Speedo Inaccuracy I have read many times here and elsewhere that the speedo is off on the stock Nomad/Tires combo. This seems odd (if not downright negligent) coming from the factory. Can anyone educate me on how much over or under the thing reads? If your speedo says 70, how fast are you really going, and how might this have been discovered (aside from the obvious answer...a radar gun and ensuing ticket.... )? I've also read where certain tire sizes can closely correct this difference. Has anyone determined what the best tire size is to accomplish that? Thx! Kris __________________ *Kris Olsen* VBA #0691 2017 HD Ultra Limited Low 2013 Victory Cross Country Tour 2012 1700 Vulcan Voyager 2008 1600 Vulcan Nomad 1997 Vulcan 800 Classic *"Growing old is mandatory,* *but growing up is optional"* Custer 2009\|Kalispell 2010\|Cortez 2010\|Crescent City 2011\|Kanab 2012\|Canmore 2012\|Estes Park 2013\|Orofino 2014\|Lake Tahoe 2015\|Red Lodge 2016 Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

09-11-2008, 12:19 AM	#2
cactusjack Mega-Contributor Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Where it doesn't snow...ever! Posts: 21,926	Speedo Inaccuracy With the stock Bridgestone tires, I had about a 10% error. If the speedo read 50, I was doing 10% less or 45 mph. I pass 3 or 4 of those speed indicator signs on my way to work every morning, so I've checked it many times. With the Metzeler ME-880's, it is much more accurate, I'd say 1-2% off (still fast). __________________ Scott "Cactusjack" Hanks VBA #00105 H.O.G. #4250060 2011 H-D Ultra Limited 103ci :: 2011 HD Electra Glide Ultra Limited w/Stage 1 :: Rallies: Mesquite '08\|Custer '09\|Cortez '10\|Crescent City '11\|Kanab '12\|Antlers '12\|Estes Park '13\|Antlers '13\|Orofino '14\|The Dalles '17
	0

09-11-2008, 01:56 AM	#3
rksaw Sr. Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Damascus, OR Posts: 1,430	Speedo Inaccuracy I was wondering the same thing. Is there another way to check our speedo's other than using the Interstate Milage markers? The nearest one to me is about 200 miles away.
	0

09-11-2008, 08:13 AM	#4
ells Sr. Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Boulder County, Colorado Posts: 2,014	Speedo Inaccuracy Best way to check it is with a GPS. My speedo is about 7% fast with 160/80 Metz 880 but the odo is dead on, sort of like things are with the OEMs. Correct the speedo with tire size (or Speedohealer) and the odo will be off. I'd rather have the speedo a little fast and the odo correct for several reasons.
	0

09-11-2008, 08:23 AM	#5
macmac Sr. Contributor Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tamworth New Hampster 06 1600 Posts: 12,484	Speedo Inaccuracy So far as I can tell most all bikes, not just these, are off. The vulcans seem to average 10%, so 70 mph will say 77, and 50.5 will say 55, and etc.. There is a device called 'speedohealer', but I never bought one, as i really don't care what any speedo says. I just go with the flow, which beats looking DOWN. I also don't run a stock rear, and so not knowing if ther speedohealer is adjustable, well I just don't need it. My current rear tire is 195/60/R16 anyway.... Closer to correct, but I don't know how much... __________________ 06 1600 Nomad Just call me Mac molon labe come and get it Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

09-11-2008, 09:04 AM	#6
schoeney Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: NW Region Posts: 5,222	Speedo Inaccuracy 10% off here as well. I don't mind..it is easy to calculate and makes me go a little slower which is important when you are riding the fastest color....hard to keep all that speed harnassed. __________________ VBA #659 2003 Nomad 1500 (Gone but never forgotten) 2005 Honda ST1300 - Sweet and still kickin 2006 Honda Goldwing - Best Boat in the Marina
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09-11-2008, 09:31 AM	#7
dkdixie Sr. Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Blairsville in N. GA mountains Posts: 1,625	Speedo Inaccuracy Same here on the 10% off, according to GPS. Metz 180 rear corrected to approx 3% off......which is probably good. Little fudge factor. __________________ Dick Campbell Blairsville, GA 2008 Red & Black Nomad 1600 (retired) 2009 1900 Yamaha Stratoliner (retired) 2013 1900 Yamaha Stratoliner 2018 CanAm RT Limited Spyder (Sold) 2014 Goldwing Roadsmith Red Trike (Sold) 2019 Goldwing DCT Roadsmith Copper & Black Trike VBA #243 Darkside #115 Patriot Guard Rider American Legion Rider
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09-11-2008, 10:02 AM	#8
cactusjack Mega-Contributor Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Where it doesn't snow...ever! Posts: 21,926	Speedo Inaccuracy When you install a speed-o-healer you calibrate it, but if you correct your speedo, it will cause your odometer to become inaccurate. I'd rather have an accurate odometer, personally. I can do the speedo math in my head. Keeps me awake while riding. __________________ Scott "Cactusjack" Hanks VBA #00105 H.O.G. #4250060 2011 H-D Ultra Limited 103ci :: 2011 HD Electra Glide Ultra Limited w/Stage 1 :: Rallies: Mesquite '08\|Custer '09\|Cortez '10\|Crescent City '11\|Kanab '12\|Antlers '12\|Estes Park '13\|Antlers '13\|Orofino '14\|The Dalles '17
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09-11-2008, 07:16 PM	#11
dkdixie Sr. Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Blairsville in N. GA mountains Posts: 1,625	Speedo Inaccuracy Black Nomad's don't have the speedo problem......they don't go fast enough to worry about it!!! __________________ Dick Campbell Blairsville, GA 2008 Red & Black Nomad 1600 (retired) 2009 1900 Yamaha Stratoliner (retired) 2013 1900 Yamaha Stratoliner 2018 CanAm RT Limited Spyder (Sold) 2014 Goldwing Roadsmith Red Trike (Sold) 2019 Goldwing DCT Roadsmith Copper & Black Trike VBA #243 Darkside #115 Patriot Guard Rider American Legion Rider
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09-11-2008, 08:33 PM	#12
rksaw Sr. Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Damascus, OR Posts: 1,430	Speedo Inaccuracy Boy, How many times will those boys walk into the same wall?!? They know they can't compete with the Red ones.
	0

09-12-2008, 09:22 PM	#13
dogdoc Top Contributor Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 5,263	Speedo Inaccuracy good one dkdixie, LOL
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