[martymcfly]

I have a 09 950 with about 4k on it. Last week I went on a 1500 mile trip and my speedometer is not even close to accurate. After riding 100 miles on my odometer, my wifes odometer read 97 mi. I checked it with my GPS and it is about 6 mph off at 65. Is this adjustable or do I have a defective part somewhere?

 

[ModlrMike]

This is absolutely the norm on motorcycles. The spedo difference ranges from 5 to 10% depending on the bike. Our 950s are about 8% off, meaning that at 100kph your doing about 92. I use my GPS for accurate spedo info, otherwise, I don't worry about it.

 

[Rider]

My 650 is 10% off. Completely normal for bikes.

 

[martymcfly]

Do they do this to get you out of your warranty earlier? Maybe it is so you don't get as many speeding tickets.

 

[tombstone]

Mine is about 4 MPH off at 80 MPH. As long as you know it, you're good to go. I found those speed signs that display "Your Speed" are good for checking your speed too.

 

[busterrm]

oh thats the norm

My 05 1100 custom is about 6 % off, at 80 I am actually doing about 75. I just have all the numbers in my head now.

 

[DMTJOY]

Having the speedo read faster than actual has saved me from many tickets. Maybe they are on to something for us?

 

[busterrm]

I agree whole heartedly!!

 

[Fulltilt1]

You could adjust with a Larger tire. A 200 width with the same aspect ratio would give you about 6%.

 

[GaryTJ]

They do it to keep from getting into trouble with the Gov.

By law they cannot have the speedo read slower than you are going on any imported bike, so they error on the safe side.

 

[bevo1981]

great post. i never realized this before. is this done on purpose or just a side effect because the makeup of driving on 2 wheels is not as accurate as driving on 4 wheels?

 

[DMTJOY]

It is much better to think you are going faster than you really are. I set the speedo at 70 in a 60 zone and have never gotten pulled over. Only when I set it at 70 in a 40 does this happen. OOOPs

 

[TheGrumpyOne]

It does suck when you think you are doing the speed limit and people start honking for you to get out of the way. My speedo is about 5 mph off.

 

[Madski]

Every bike I have ever owned has been this way.
I don't know if a Speedo Healer is available for these bikes but I run one on my R1 which allows you to "correct" for the % of error in the factory set up and have the speedo display the correct speed.