Ever wonder why others drive up your a**e on the road

I now that speedo's can be out but my god is mine.

I used an android app to determine my GPS speed and speak it to me as I ride. I know it is averaging things out so it means steady revs/speed and wait for a result.

My speedo was showing just under 60 kph and the phone saying 30 mph, after a conversion the reading was around 7 mph out. At a speedo reading of 30 mph or 48'ish kph, phone said I was doing 24 mph.

I think if I was behind me, I would be trying to get past, going too fast is dangerous but so is going too slow. I have the head off at the moment and will be figuring out if I can improve matters by say moving the needle etc.

Adrian

 

Some people have added a high quality bicycle speedometer, that works, but you have to buy and add components.
I just assume my speedo is off, and use some home brewed estimates. I used my GPS to determine I was going 45mph when the speedo says 55mph. I guestimate from there.

I often use an old Garmin i2 GPS on the scoot mounted with Velcro. It works, but have to remember to put it under the seat when I park.

 

The little bicycle computers are the way to go...they are super accurate..a computer that turns your tire circumference into MPH..just plug in the factor..
Have an ECHO F1 on my KZ1000 & reads to 120mph...yeah I know bicycles don't go that fast..
Its a little slow to refresh if accelerating but it seems to grab the MAX speed number very well..also you get average speed & trip time..max speed.
I removed the old tach & speedo, fitted a rev limiter set to 8500 rpm...now my dash is gas gauge at top & computer underneath it..
Also have a couple of OKTOS computers on other small bikes....cool looking items...one is teardrop shape..
The mountings are set up for handlebars so a little different on scooters...getting the magnet & sensor in the right place can be fiddly also

 

Well I have moved the needle position on the speedo work it out with a bit of maths and an electric drill at low speed and a mechanical rev counter.

I will have a ride tomorrow and use the phone/gps again to check error. I can live with a few percent error but not going on for 20 percent over.

Adrian

 

Now that's got me thinking, are scooter speedos that bad? I'm a strict speed limit person (all because of a close call over 30 years ago). I'm downloading a speedo app to the phone as I post here. I'll have a check on my way to work tomorrow. Sticking to the speed limit is fine but I don't want to hold people up because my speedo is out! A lot of car drivers (and I am one) often have little time for other road users but it doesn't mean I need to give them more reasons to drive like nutters!

 

Well my speedo is better only 10% out now not 20!, more adjustment when I have more time.
I like the idea of a bike one but I will get my own closer first and make sure it never reads under.
Using my android app again today and it shows that the scooter will do 50 plus, with a tail wind down hill. But god is it windy on them there hills.

Adrian

 

I seem to remember a bicycle speedo that was wind-powered...long ago & far way..had a little propeller on the frontside..went thru some gears...to a speedo face...im sure it was quite accurate..NOT!!