I have a question for anyone who KNOWS. (I can assume or guess all by myself thank you)
Is there a difference in the accuracy of the odometer vs the speedometer?
Now on most mechanically driven speedometers (like most older cars) any error in the odometer also shows up in the speedometer because they are mechanically linked.
But on our bikes, the electronic signal from the rear sensor gets split inside the speedometer. The odometer signal goes through one electronic circuit and the speedometer signal goes through a different electronic circuit. The electronic circuits are the source of "the standard BMW speedometer error".
The reason I ask is that in the process of evaluating different rear tires, I noticed the large difference in rolling circumference between different brands in 130/90-17.
I'm not all that concerned about speedometer error but I'm very concerned about odometer error. I ride a lot of poker runs at rallies and a lot of tours with turn by turn route sheets that list mileage for the turns.
What dawned on me was, in all these years of following route sheets that were prepared with Garmin Zumos, my odometer was usually only off by a few tenths after 100miles. VERY accurate!!!
What's the problem? Why don't I think my speedometer is correct also? Well it has to do with the Range of Light Gypsy Tour last Labor Day when I was chasing a Honda Turbo (650?) across the Nevada high dessert (5400ft elev.) with full bags and a top box at 122MPH indicated for over five minutes!!!!! I still had about 800rpm to redline but because of all the aero drag from the luggage and the altitude, it wouldn't pull it.
If the speedometer is also correct, that would mean that this is EASILY a 130MPH bike which most people agree is overly optimistic.
So, for those of you that KNOW, what is it? If the odometer is accurate, is the speedometer also accurate? Or in BMW's infinite wisdom, knowing how riders like to go "just a little over the speed limit" did they make the odometer accurate and the build in a fudge factor into the speedometer circuit.
I know, I could hook up with a buddy with a GPS and do some test runs (which I will when I get a chance but probably not for several weeks as life keeps getting in the way) but I'm curious NOW.
Anyone?
Bueller?
Bueller?
Is there a difference in the accuracy of the odometer vs the speedometer?
Now on most mechanically driven speedometers (like most older cars) any error in the odometer also shows up in the speedometer because they are mechanically linked.
But on our bikes, the electronic signal from the rear sensor gets split inside the speedometer. The odometer signal goes through one electronic circuit and the speedometer signal goes through a different electronic circuit. The electronic circuits are the source of "the standard BMW speedometer error".
The reason I ask is that in the process of evaluating different rear tires, I noticed the large difference in rolling circumference between different brands in 130/90-17.
I'm not all that concerned about speedometer error but I'm very concerned about odometer error. I ride a lot of poker runs at rallies and a lot of tours with turn by turn route sheets that list mileage for the turns.
What dawned on me was, in all these years of following route sheets that were prepared with Garmin Zumos, my odometer was usually only off by a few tenths after 100miles. VERY accurate!!!
What's the problem? Why don't I think my speedometer is correct also? Well it has to do with the Range of Light Gypsy Tour last Labor Day when I was chasing a Honda Turbo (650?) across the Nevada high dessert (5400ft elev.) with full bags and a top box at 122MPH indicated for over five minutes!!!!! I still had about 800rpm to redline but because of all the aero drag from the luggage and the altitude, it wouldn't pull it.
If the speedometer is also correct, that would mean that this is EASILY a 130MPH bike which most people agree is overly optimistic.
So, for those of you that KNOW, what is it? If the odometer is accurate, is the speedometer also accurate? Or in BMW's infinite wisdom, knowing how riders like to go "just a little over the speed limit" did they make the odometer accurate and the build in a fudge factor into the speedometer circuit.
I know, I could hook up with a buddy with a GPS and do some test runs (which I will when I get a chance but probably not for several weeks as life keeps getting in the way) but I'm curious NOW.
Anyone?
Bueller?
Bueller?