The optimistic speedometer - a consensus?

[NikVee]

Hey y'all,

Is there any kind of consensus on how optimistic the Buddy's speedos are? On my 150/Blackjack, it seems like it reports ~5mph faster than reality in say, the 20-45 range, and up to 10mph faster with the throttle wide open with real speeds in the mid 50's to 60's.

Has anyone come up with an elegant solution for this? I was thinking of making some kind of nice looking overlay.

[Rusty Shackleford]

I've tested mine at 6 different speeds and calculated the average. It's 16.7% optimistic. There's no quick fix for it. I've read and commented on countless posts about this topic. It's irritating, but they're built that way on purpose. I looked into doing something with the display cluster, but it's more trouble than it's worth. What I do is ride 5mph over at low speeds; 10mph over at high speeds.

[OldGuy]

They tend to be 10% or more off. If you want accuracy, ignore the
speedometer and add a "bicycle computer" to the scooter. These can be
very accurate; the one I use is +/- 1% per the manufacturer's specs,
across its entire range.

I mounted mine on the right, just inboard of the throttle assembly. I used
the upper throttle mount screw (behind the throttle) to fasten
the "computer" to.

I attached the magnet to the rim of the wheel; epoxied it in place and painted to match the rim.
The magnet pickup is mounted on a small bracket I attached where the speedometer cable wire loop mounts on the fork.

Some other advantages to this include:
- The display is higher than the normal speedometer so I don't have to glance down so far to read it; makes it safer
- I also have a trip odometer, handy for monitoring fuel usage and such
- Doesn't affect the standard speedometer, so no loss of looks or function
- Mine has a clock so I know how late I am!
- Mine has a backlight for night use, but I have to push a button to activate it. Some can be wired into battery power so they are always lit at night.

After about 1000 miles with mine, I am really liking it.

[Christophers]

They tend to be 10% or more off. If you want accuracy, ignore the speedometer and add a "bicycle computer" to the scooter....

I mounted mine on the right, just inboard of the throttle assembly.

Can you post a few pics?

[KABarash]

Like 'Rusty' said, there's no easy fix since it's more a percentage thing not a straight set that amount miles per off.
I've calculated mine to be roughly 12% off, so I just keep that in mind and do the mathematical calisthenics as I ride. Other wise I just keep with traffic.

[TVB]

You could always relabel the gauge.

[NikVee]

I'm actually really digging the Bike computer solution.

I was thinking about pulling everything apart and scanning what's there, adjusting it appropriately and then print/cut/secure somehow.

[OldGuy]

I have done the "pull it apart and adjust" thing, and have described that on previous posts. But it is not worth it, as you can only get reasonable accuracy at a single speed. I chose 25MPH when I tweaked mine. But every other speed is progressively off from there.

Included are pictures of my bicycle computer installation. This one is technically a dirt bike enduro computer, but there are many good bike computers available.

A couple of pictures show what the computer looks like installed, and might give an idea of what it is like to use.

Another picture shows the magnet epoxied on the far right of the rim (I used a strong rare earth magnet); the extra cable for the pickup coming down through the speedometer cable locating loop, and a small flat bracket I made to attach the pickup in the right location, using the screw that holds the speedometer cable locating loop.

The last picture tries to show the back of the throttle housing where I fastened the computer mount to the upper screw. The pickup wire travels inside the cowling to keep things sanitary; it is not hard to get in there. Use a few cable ties to keep it in place, and allow it to move, as the speedometer cable does, when the fork turns or compresses.

[Rusty Shackleford]

You could always relabel the gauge.

I'd thought about this at one point, too. The problem is that it's back-lit.

[Danielm]

The bike computer is an interesting idea, I wonder if a wireless one would work too?

[Dooglas]

Fairly easy to use a GPS and see what the actual error is at several speeds. Them apply some brightly colored reference marks (thin strips of colored tape are available or you can make your own) on the face of the speedo at several points, 15/30/45/60 or whatever you like. Presto - you have reliable references for when you need them. Of course, most of the time you don't ride by keeping your eyes glued on the speedo anyway .