650 Savage speedo problem

[wrenim]

After years of packin' behind me, the lil woman spotted an '04 650 Savage in the dealer's showroom.
$4500 later I'm ridin' this thing home fer her.(Yeah, she liked lots of accessories, too.)
Being a picky sort, this girl was made to take the Honda Rider's Training Course.(I work at Honda.) After that, the break-in period for the bike was also her break-in period.( She had a very picky trainer fer this-me.)
So, we have a new rider that was taught right, along with everything she learned from behind me all those years.
One day we're out fer a ride and all of a sudden the lil purple critter shot out in front of me and moved right on down the road.OK. It's *** chewin' time.
Well, it turns out she was readin' 47 mph on her speedo and she thought I was still babying her.So, she figured it was time to bring the lil critter up to 55. Problem was, we were already doin' 55.
Took the time to pace her bike in the next few days with 3 different vehicles and found out that, yep, that speedo was way off.
Called the dealer.He got hold of Suzuki to get a new speedo and they told him nope.
I called Suzuki and was told in 3 different calls that a 10 percent error was acceptable.
My response wasn't anywhere near acceptable, believe me.That's my woman out there on the road with a new bike and a 10 percent acceptable error is NOT ACCEPTABLE.
So, anybody out there have any suggestions as to what I can do with this situation? Anyone else have this experience?

[Gixxerdale]

Originally Posted by wrenim

After years of packin' behind me, the lil woman spotted an '04 650 Savage in the dealer's showroom.
$4500 later I'm ridin' this thing home fer her.(Yeah, she liked lots of accessories, too.)
Being a picky sort, this girl was made to take the Honda Rider's Training Course.(I work at Honda.) After that, the break-in period for the bike was also her break-in period.( She had a very picky trainer fer this-me.)
So, we have a new rider that was taught right, along with everything she learned from behind me all those years.
One day we're out fer a ride and all of a sudden the lil purple critter shot out in front of me and moved right on down the road.OK. It's *** chewin' time.
Well, it turns out she was readin' 47 mph on her speedo and she thought I was still babying her.So, she figured it was time to bring the lil critter up to 55. Problem was, we were already doin' 55.
Took the time to pace her bike in the next few days with 3 different vehicles and found out that, yep, that speedo was way off.
Called the dealer.He got hold of Suzuki to get a new speedo and they told him nope.
I called Suzuki and was told in 3 different calls that a 10 percent error was acceptable.
My response wasn't anywhere near acceptable, believe me.That's my woman out there on the road with a new bike and a 10 percent acceptable error is NOT ACCEPTABLE.
So, anybody out there have any suggestions as to what I can do with this situation? Anyone else have this experience?

There is an outfit out there that makes a kit to correct speedo error. Just can't remember the name or find the link right now. Sucks gettin old! Any body else know the link ?

[Gixxerdale]

Check this out.

http://www.blackrobotics.com/

[High Plains Thumper]

Doing 55 mph with 47 indicated is 14.5% error, not 10%. Also there may be some error associated with your motorcycle in following her, which will compound the problem. Are you using a different size rear tire than the 140/80H15? A 140/90H15 is larger in diameter and will give an error, but it should not be 14.5%, it will most likely be around 6%. (There are variances between theoretical size and actual manufacturing tolerance.)

One way to check is along a stretch of highway in which the mileage markers are reasonably accurate. (Believe me, I've seen stretches of road particularly state roads where it was off, I'd try a US highway.) At 55 mph, you should be hitting each mileage marker at 65 seconds. At 60 it is 60 seconds. At 65 mph - 55 secs, 70 mph - 51 secs, 75 mph - 48 secs.

A check of both your bikes will let you know where your bikes stand. Then speed up or slow down at the particular speed you are trying to maintain until your speed times right with the mileage markers for that particular speed. Glance down at your speedo, this will be the speed you should be traveling in order to maintain the proper speed. At least then you will have established "Kentucky windage" on your motorcycle and be able to stay out of harms way with the LEO's and theoretically people following.

- George

[High Plains Thumper]

Only problem with the black box speedo corrector is it only works on electronic speedometers, not mechanical ones like the Savage. Another solution is installing a bicyle type speedometer with a pickup installed on the front wheel.

If one does a search on the message titles in the "Forum" tab on the following webpage:

http://www.heise-workstations.de/ls650/LS650-e.html

will find a description on how to do this.

- Laters, George

[Kropatchek]

Best thing to do is fitting a bicycle computer. This can be mounted on the handlebar which also gives you a better sight on your speed without looking down.
I have fitted the Sigma Sport Targa M. The pickup was glued with 2 part epoxy to the brake caliper mounting bracked and as for the signal I substituted the supplied magnet for a very strong magnetic washer stuck and glued to the brakedisk.
For pictures:
http://img67.exs.cx/img67/1451/TachSav2.jpg

Greetz
Kropatchek

[High Plains Thumper]

Originally Posted by Kropatchek

Best thing to do is fitting a bicycle computer. This can be mounted on the handlebar which also gives you a better sight on your speed without looking down.
I have fitted the Sigma Sport Targa M. The pickup was glued with 2 part epoxy to the brake caliper mounting bracked and as for the signal I substituted the supplied magnet for a very strong magnetic washer stuck and glued to the brakedisk.
For pictures:
http://img67.exs.cx/img67/1451/TachSav2.jpg

Greetz
Kropatchek

I've seen similar installations to that. On some one gains a tripmeter and lapse time. That I might try if I find a decent fuel tank (4 gallons or more) to replace the stock one. I heard the 500LTD Vulcan one was doable, but I'd want one without the integral speedo. I don't know if some have tried the GZ250 Marauder tank, which is at 4 gallons.

- Laters, George

[bat4255]

Hmm, I have never heard of reading slow, usually their off the otherway.
Most of what other riders are saying is, 60 indicated is 54 actual, or, off by 1-2%. I read 80 indicated = 72 actual. My son has a GSXR 600, his is within 1 mph of mine. Verified by GPS and Wisconsin State Patrol Radar, (71 in a 55, 79 indicated) I have to mentally adjust for it.
I'm to cheap to buy spedo correctors available out there.

[wrenim]

OK. Thanks fer the responses.
Just a note. The bike is totally stock, showroom new.Its been run with quite a few different chase vehicles at this point, and, yep, this sucker is way off.
Suzuki's response to the situation has pretty much made sure that my woman won't buy another Suzuki.While she loves her lil thumper, she's as fried as I am about Suzuki happily taking our money and tough %%%% if ya have a problem.Pity.

[High Plains Thumper]

Originally Posted by wrenim

OK. Thanks fer the responses.
Just a note. The bike is totally stock, showroom new.Its been run with quite a few different chase vehicles at this point, and, yep, this sucker is way off.
Suzuki's response to the situation has pretty much made sure that my woman won't buy another Suzuki.While she loves her lil thumper, she's as fried as I am about Suzuki happily taking our money and tough %%%% if ya have a problem.Pity.

That is amazing that Suzuki won't replace her speedo or have it calibrated. I thought there was an issue sometime back that required motorcycle manufacturers to fix their way off speedo problems.

Have you consulted with the consumer protection division in your state?

I'm a little surprised as my 1987 Savage speedo is very close on the money. Luck of the draw?

- HPT

[bat4255]

It never ceases to amaze me, Manufactures spend Millions on R&D and advertising to get new customers, but won't spend pennys to keep the ones they have.

Thinking like that has caused more than 1 company to lose business.

Like they say, "The devel is in the Details".

[Uncle Bob]

Suzuki speedos are notorious for being off but usually not by this much.

One avenue to explore might be a GPS unit, I've seen one that looked like a chrome clock that would fit right in on a cruiser and would add all the advantages of a GPS ( like not getting lost and being able to find your way home ) in addition to also serving as a very precise speedo.

Sorry can't seem to find the link right now but I'll eventually come across it.

[wrenim]

Well, guys, we cured the speedo problem.Traded the Suzuki in and the woman got herself a new Shadow Aero. Sayonara, Suzuki. Ya blew it.

[Uncle Bob]

Originally Posted by wrenim

Well, guys, we cured the speedo problem.Traded the Suzuki in and the woman got herself a new Shadow Aero. Sayonara, Suzuki. Ya blew it.

Cured ? I don't think so !

Traded one problem for another is more like it, Honda's are as bad as Suzuki for speedo error. Hope you enjoy your bikes !