Kawasaki Concours Forum

The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => The Bike - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: Z71 on February 03, 2013, 07:50:57 PM

Title: Speedometer error
Post by: Z71 on February 03, 2013, 07:50:57 PM
What is the real speed at 90 MPH indicated on C14?
Title: Re: Speedometer error
Post by: jimmymac on February 03, 2013, 07:56:08 PM
85
Title: Re: Speedometer error
Post by: Pokey on February 03, 2013, 08:07:46 PM
Speedohealer or a GPS is your friend.  8)
Title: Re: Speedometer error
Post by: Son of Pappy on February 03, 2013, 08:29:16 PM
Put a 55 on the rear.  Improved everything...
Title: Re: Speedometer error
Post by: Snibbor on February 03, 2013, 09:31:06 PM
Put a 55 on the rear.  Improved everything...

+1
Title: Re: Speedometer error
Post by: chap on February 04, 2013, 07:48:20 AM
I am just about to order new tires for my 2010 Connie. I am ordering the Michelin PR3's. So (you are saying) if I put a 55 tire on the rear the speedo would be closer. Are there any drawbacks to putting this tire on. ie clearance feel etc.
Title: Re: Speedometer error
Post by: gPink on February 04, 2013, 07:59:21 AM
Nothing but positive on the 55. Speedo will be closer.
Title: Re: Speedometer error
Post by: chap on February 04, 2013, 08:00:53 AM
Then I'll get the 55 tires. Thanks for the advice. It was well timed.
Title: Re: Speedometer error
Post by: Slideways on February 04, 2013, 08:01:40 AM
Put a 55 on and still had a speedo reading of 1mph to 2mph higher then the GPS showed. For me that is close enough, as long as I can figure out what the true mph are I can use that info to help answer that age old question, " Do you know how fast you were going?".

By the way, "Faster and faster until the thrill of speed overcomes the fear of death?" is not a good reply to the above question. A friend tried it thinking humor would easy the situation, not so much...
Title: Re: Speedometer error
Post by: tjpgi on February 04, 2013, 08:08:50 AM
Noooo! Don't correct anything so when you get asked the question about knowing your speed, you can truthfully answer" Sorry officer, I have no idea". When you contest the ticket in court you can blame it all on mama  Kaw! :thumbs:
Title: Re: Speedometer error
Post by: chap on February 04, 2013, 08:22:06 AM
Great comedy guys. Actually the speedo was close enough for me. I always use GPS speed anyway. It just will slow down the accumulation of miles (km's) on the odometer.
Title: Re: Speedometer error
Post by: CADMAN97 on February 04, 2013, 09:16:30 AM
I think the faster u go the more it's off. At an indicated 80 my GPS says I'm doin like 76. At 90 your prob only at 84 or so???  Too cold to test that theory here in the buckeye state, have to wait till the spring thaw ;D
Title: Re: Speedometer error
Post by: Rhino on February 04, 2013, 09:18:32 AM
Put a 55 on the rear.  Improved everything...

Better handling and improved speedo accuracy? Ok, next rear tire will be a 55.
Title: Re: Speedometer error
Post by: PH14 on February 04, 2013, 10:37:03 AM
Great comedy guys. Actually the speedo was close enough for me. I always use GPS speed anyway. It just will slow down the accumulation of miles (km's) on the odometer.

Actually, if you are going 65 MPH according to the speedometer, but you are really approximately 59.5 MPH due to error, the odometer will be logging MORE miles than you are truly traveling. So your bike will have more miles on it according to the odometer.

I prefer to have an accurate speedo. I installed a SpeedoHealer on my RC51 but haven't yet done it on the C14 but want to.
Title: Re: Speedometer error
Post by: chap on February 04, 2013, 10:40:04 AM
I think the faster u go the more it's off. At an indicated 80 my GPS says I'm doin like 76. At 90 your prob only at 84 or so???  Too cold to test that theory here in the buckeye state, have to wait till the spring thaw ;D

Looks like you have a bigger difference than most. You are saying over 5% diff. I see 120 kmh on the speedo and 117 kmh on GPS. That is under 3%. I think 3% is what most I have seen here are reporting.
Title: Re: Speedometer error
Post by: chap on February 04, 2013, 10:44:22 AM
Actually, if you are going 65 MPH according to the speedometer, but you are really approximately 59.5 MPH due to error, the odometer will be logging MORE miles than you are truly traveling. So your bike will have more miles on it according to the odometer.

I prefer to have an accurate speedo. I installed a SpeedoHealer on my RC51 but haven't yet done it on the C14 but want to.

Its logging more miles in the original configuration. If you put a tire on that will reduce the indicated speed to the correct value you will also decrease the accumulated miles.
Title: Re: Speedometer error
Post by: Rhino on February 04, 2013, 10:45:57 AM
Looks like you have a bigger difference than most. You are saying over 5% diff. I see 120 kmh on the speedo and 117 kmh on GPS. That is under 3%. I think 3% is what most I have seen here are reporting.

I'm seeing about 5% as well. 79 on my speedo is 75 on my GPS.
Title: Re: Speedometer error
Post by: Conrad on February 04, 2013, 10:48:13 AM
Its logging more miles in the original configuration. If you put a tire on that will reduce the indicated speed to the correct value you will also decrease the accumulated miles.

We had this discussion once or twice before. If I remember correctly, the speedo is off but the odo is not.
Title: Re: Speedometer error
Post by: Rhino on February 04, 2013, 10:55:42 AM
We had this discussion once or twice before. If I remember correctly, the speedo is off but the odo is not.

Hmmmmm... I'm going to have to check that out.
Title: Re: Speedometer error
Post by: Conrad on February 04, 2013, 10:59:30 AM
Hmmmmm... I'm going to have to check that out.

Let us know, I'm pretty sure that I'm remembering correctly.
Title: Re: Speedometer error
Post by: Rhino on February 04, 2013, 11:07:38 AM
Let us know, I'm pretty sure that I'm remembering correctly.

If the error is deliberate for liability purposes then this makes sense. Just never thought about it before.
Title: Re: Speedometer error
Post by: Rhino on February 04, 2013, 11:09:35 AM
Also brings up the question if Ghul or someone else that can flash the ECU can correct the error. I wouldn't do the re-flash just for that but if your changing the map anyway and it can be done then why not?
Title: Re: Speedometer error
Post by: chap on February 04, 2013, 11:23:27 AM
If the error is deliberate for liability purposes then this makes sense. Just never thought about it before.

I am sure the error is deliberate. As far as I know all bikes read high.

An interesting effect would be the indicated fuel economy would be worse by the 3% as well, and looks like the odo will now show actual - 3%, with a tire size change
Title: Re: Speedometer error
Post by: jimmymac on February 04, 2013, 03:37:34 PM
Most cars read fast as well.
Title: Re: Speedometer error
Post by: maxtog on February 04, 2013, 03:43:48 PM
Nothing but positive on the 55.

That is not quite correct.  The tire is taller, so that will raise the bike some.  That is not necessarily "positive" (for example, if you need a lower bike due to shorter legs).
Title: Re: Speedometer error
Post by: gPink on February 04, 2013, 03:57:47 PM
Max,you're giving me a complex.
Title: Re: Speedometer error
Post by: VirginiaJim on February 04, 2013, 04:18:16 PM
I'm going with 4.5%....
Title: Re: Speedometer error
Post by: ZG on February 04, 2013, 05:27:24 PM
I'm going with 4.5%....

Are we talking about alcohol % in beer?  ???
Title: Re: Speedometer error
Post by: maxtog on February 04, 2013, 05:49:03 PM
Max,you're giving me a complex.

LOL :)  Gotta keep everyone on their toes!
Title: Re: Speedometer error
Post by: gPink on February 04, 2013, 06:36:04 PM
Have to get a taller bike for that.  ......or a 55.   8)
Title: Re: Speedometer error
Post by: PH14 on February 04, 2013, 09:49:11 PM
Its logging more miles in the original configuration. If you put a tire on that will reduce the indicated speed to the correct value you will also decrease the accumulated miles.

I'm aware of that. I was commenting on his statement regarding the bike in its current state.
Title: Re: Speedometer error
Post by: Conrad on February 05, 2013, 04:35:03 AM
Have to get a taller bike for that.  ......or a 55.   8)

 :rotflmao:
Title: Re: Speedometer error
Post by: Rhino on February 05, 2013, 07:47:02 AM
Most cars read fast as well.

Relative to the same GPS I use on the bike my Titan is right on the money.
Title: Re: Speedometer error
Post by: stevewfl on February 05, 2013, 08:31:30 AM
+1 on the "55" rear tire chatter.

Plus it makes it handle much better (http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/bigthumb.gif)
Title: Re: Speedometer error
Post by: maxtog on February 05, 2013, 03:39:51 PM
Have to get a taller bike for that.  ......or a 55.   8)

THAT was just incredibly witty :)
Title: Re: Speedometer error
Post by: stevewfl on February 05, 2013, 05:07:26 PM
I can forgive Kawasaki for making a crude unperfect bike with a spedo off in this day and age....   but only because of the mad pow-ah of KiPass (http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/bigthumb.gif)
Title: Re: Speedometer error
Post by: chap on May 13, 2013, 10:24:26 AM
I have just put on the set of PR3's 55 series on the rear. My speedometer is showing correct v the GPS now. The ODO is showing 98.5km on a 100km (GPS distance) run. So it is showing 1.5% low for accumulated distance. I think the fuel economy etc is probably low buy the 1.5% also (but that is hard to tell). Something I was also thinking about is the effect on the Traction Control, it will probably be less sensitive, as the rear is turning slower (with respect to the front), also may have some ABS sensitivit change.
Title: Re: Speedometer error
Post by: PlaynInPeoria on May 13, 2013, 11:16:04 AM
I'm seeing about 5% as well. 79 on my speedo is 75 on my GPS.

Wait. You're saying you BREAK THE LAW?
Title: Re: Speedometer error
Post by: wally_games on May 13, 2013, 11:21:23 AM
Wait. You're saying you BREAK THE LAW?

He must have tested on the Austin bypass toll road. Speed limit it 85.  ;)
Title: Re: Speedometer error
Post by: Rhino on May 13, 2013, 12:06:45 PM
He must have tested on the Austin bypass toll road. Speed limit it 85.  ;)

Yea... I tested on the Austin bypass toll road... and I married Morgan Fairchild, whom I've seen naked.  Yea, that's the ticket.