- Joined
- Oct 19, 2005
- Messages
- 18,978
Smith Speedo accuracy
I'd read how accurate Smith speedos can be and here's another test that confirms it. Unbelievable steady needle reading in past Peel made me search out prior for some reality check.
http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/ ... ter_72.htm
Norton is to be commended for the accuracy of their speedometer. We tested accuracy at both 60 and 80 miles per hour. The speedo was consistently optimistic but by less than one mph at either speed. At 60 the percentage error was less than one and a half while at 80 mph it dropped to just over one percent. The Harley edged out the Norton by six one hundreds of a percentage point for speedo accuracy at 60 mph but was out of the ball park upon increasing speed to 80. It read about six miles per hour under actual speed—almost an eight percent error. It is interesting to note that the Harley and the Trident were the only two bikes that went faster than their instrument indicated. We could detect no lag in tachometer performance. We did find it necessary to concentrate on instrument location as our left hand searched for the various light and turn signal controls. The tach and speedo are separated just enough to make it difficult to take in their respective information simultaneously. We would like to see a trip meter added. It's a handy little addition and can save the rider from those old empty gas tank blues.
I'd read how accurate Smith speedos can be and here's another test that confirms it. Unbelievable steady needle reading in past Peel made me search out prior for some reality check.
http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/ ... ter_72.htm
Norton is to be commended for the accuracy of their speedometer. We tested accuracy at both 60 and 80 miles per hour. The speedo was consistently optimistic but by less than one mph at either speed. At 60 the percentage error was less than one and a half while at 80 mph it dropped to just over one percent. The Harley edged out the Norton by six one hundreds of a percentage point for speedo accuracy at 60 mph but was out of the ball park upon increasing speed to 80. It read about six miles per hour under actual speed—almost an eight percent error. It is interesting to note that the Harley and the Trident were the only two bikes that went faster than their instrument indicated. We could detect no lag in tachometer performance. We did find it necessary to concentrate on instrument location as our left hand searched for the various light and turn signal controls. The tach and speedo are separated just enough to make it difficult to take in their respective information simultaneously. We would like to see a trip meter added. It's a handy little addition and can save the rider from those old empty gas tank blues.
