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An Accurate Speedo : Science of the Speedo Healer

When the numbers just don’t add up, it might be time for a closer look at that gauges. Is it accurate speedo?

the speedohealer provides recalibration for an accurate speed picture shown of unit

I have a problem with speed: that is, besides getting caught and paying the ticket. What I have is a First World Problem—having more than one bike licensed is not going to get me any pity. This one has to do with my speedometers.

You see I ride three different bikes, but all of them read wrong and not all in the same “direction.” Harleys normally have some of the most accurate speedos available but not mine. My Harley Dyna with its trick shift six-speed reads about 100 at 113 kmh, while my Hayabusa reads a bit fast. 

But the worst offender is my DL1000 V-Strom, and it’s way out: an indicated 120 kmh is actually 100, according to my Garmin GPS. This instrument is very accurate but the display is small, and not a convenient speedometer. This is my fault entirely; I have been playing with the gear ratios on all of them.

Yes, I can do the math in my head and get close to the speed limit if I see Smoky, but sometimes I get confused. Traveling in the good old USA adds another step: let’s see, correct the speed then convert to MPH. It was starting to feel way too much like work.  Besides which, the odometer is getting mileage piled on it that it does not deserve.

So a Speed Healer for the DL seemed the logical answer—at least one bike will be correct and an accurate speedo. There are many kinds out there but I liked the look of the Healtech Electronics Speedohealer. I bought it from Pimp Ur Ride on the net. It’s a good unit but make sure you buy the right one (they come with model specific plug-in wiring).  

the cables for the accurate speedo installation

The install went easy: removing the left side cover and fishing around produced the sensor plug. I was initially thinking the tank might have to be lifted but, no … nice when it’s easier than anticipated. 

After plugging in the bypass wires the hardest thing was deciding where to put the small “healer.”  It comes with two-sided tape on the bottom, but I didn’t use it. I might want to pick it off to change programing or whatever so went with some Velcro on the back instead, found a spot I liked and made the decision. 

The healer comes with an option some folks might like—it’s a remote (micro-sized) button that can be mounted in a fairing panel. Pushing the button causes your speedo to momentarily display the top speed you have hit. It’s a feature that holds little interest to me on the V-Strom though it might be interesting on the ‘busa, so that cable went on the “Parts I didn’t use Shelf.” 

The instructions are good and programing was straightforward:

120 kmh on the speedo was 100 kmh on my GPS. So, 100 divided by 120 = .833 or 83.3 per cent. 100 – 83.3 = 16.7 (a 16.7 per cent error). All I needed to do was enter -16.7. You also can go positive if you have geared higher. 

After a test ride where I carefully watched the speedo and my GPS, well the speedo is now bang on! If you don’t have GPS there are gearing calculators on the web. Another easy thing to do is switch to MPH although it would require stopping and taking the seat off. 

So there you have it, an easy one. The only downside to the accurate speedo might be I will have to say, “Why yes officer I did know exactly how fast I was going.”

by Rich Burgess Canadian Biker Issue#305

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