SPEEDO CALIBRATION

[Aussie-Hoss]

Is it possible to recalibrate the speedometer on the R18 (specifically the Transcontinental)? Mine reads 6kph low. In other words, at 106kph indicated speed I am actually only travelling at 100kph. I derived this from using two independent GPS signals - one using the WAZE app, and the other using a DigiHUD app - both gave me the identical reading of indicated 100kph while the bike's analogue and digital speedometers indicated 106kph. Interestingly, I derived the same 6kph error at 60kph and 110kph. I looked at the "SpeedoHealer" from Healtech electronics, but... BMW use a 2-wire sensor system and the Healtech is not compatible with the system (and there are no indications from healtech-electronics.com if there ever will be a compatible system either).

 

[Anibal]

I am not sure if it can be calibrated, I like to think so.
Last year, when my bike was around the 600mls mark, my analog speedometer suddenly started reading about 10mph lower than the digital one on my Bagger. The fault corrected itself after a couple of weeks.

 

[Cu Dubh]

Not that I'm aware of, however I have never had a speedometer read exactly what my speed over ground indicates. My '02 GS has a 10% error; it's a common & known idiosyncracy.
Good luck & hope you find a solution.

 

[Noelpolar]

Speaking from an Australian perspective, this is mostly normal for every motor vehicle delivered in this country. Most just don't know it.... it is the reason that trucks seem to be on ones tail when you think you are doing 100.... they are looking to do a real 100 whiltst you are doing 95.

Anyway.... I always ride at the limit plus 8% (when not intentionally speeding) .... so just under 110 in a 100 zone etc.

Off course tyre rolling diameter etc varies things a bit.... so going 70 profile tyres on my 4wd rather then stock 65's sorted it.

 

[JeffwithaG]

I have an FE and mine is off by about 10% as well. I mentioned it to the dealer and he said it is within tolerances and its not possible to calibrate.

 

[BobW]

This is common for BMW. In Germany (perhaps other countries too), if an individual was stopped for speeding and was fined for the violation and it was proven the speedometer was inaccurate/contributing factor the OEM received a substantial penalty. On BMWs (and perhaps other OEMs) the practice for years was to deliver motorcycles that showed approximately 5 miles per hour under the actual speed being traveled so they could avoid penalties. Not sure if that holds true with all the new electronics, but it seems like it may still be the case.

 

[IN2R18s]

I cannot find it now, but I read a post in the internet somewhere recently, and I remembered it saying that the latest GS-911 software could correct the speedo on another BMW model.....
It is possible to correct the errors on Harley and other bikes, so I am sure it is possible with the correct tool...

 

[Star-Lord]

I also saw an offset, while reviewing the GS-911 parameters on my R18 B; I didn't make any changes, since I'm still working on becoming familiar with the GS-911 platform.

I wasn't sure if it was an offset for the displayed speedometer or when the shift indicator would suggest an upshift?

 

[BER18 100]

I have owned 4 BMW bikes and all four were way off on their speedo accuracy. A neighbor I ride with has a Triumph whose speedo is also way off. Must be something about European civilization.