Honda CBF250, 2008 model, speedo not working

[Aki]

Hi Guys and Girls,

I recently purchased a Honda CBF250, 2008. It is my first bike and it has been pretty good riding so far. The only unfortunate thing that has happened is that my speedometer stopped working and being a learner this kinda sucks. The display itself works as when I turn on the bike the needle goes to the max speed then returns to zero. The rev meter is working but the odometer is not ticking over. I have spoken to the Honda dealer and they think it is iether the cable or the sensor. They quoted me $40 for the cable or $175 for the sensor (excluding labour). I am a student and can't really afford that right now. Can someone please give me some advice as I am new to riding and I am not sure where to go from here :(.

Thanks
Aki

[FJRider]

Hi Guys and Girls,

I recently purchased a Honda CBF250, 2008. It is my first bike and it has been pretty good riding so far. The only unfortunate thing that has happened is that my speedometer stopped working and being a learner this kinda sucks. The display itself works as when I turn on the bike the needle goes to the max speed then returns to zero. The rev meter is working but the odometer is not ticking over. I have spoken to the Honda dealer and they think it is iether the cable or the sensor. They quoted me $40 for the cable or $175 for the sensor (excluding labour). I am a student and can't really afford that right now. Can someone please give me some advice as I am new to riding and I am not sure where to go from here :(.

Thanks
Aki

You will require a working speedo for a WoF. No arguements to the contrary will be accepted. Most likely the problem will be with the sensor though. Check and clean any connections .. but I doubt if it will help.
Welcome to the reality of motorcycling.

Was there a warranty with purchase ... or was it a private sale ... ???

[Aki]

You will require a working speedo for a WoF. No arguements to the contrary will be accepted. Most likely the problem will be with the sensor though. Check and clean any connections .. but I doubt if it will help.
Welcome to the reality of motorcycling.

Was there a warranty with purchase ... or was it a private sale ... ???

Thank you for replying. I have now checked and cleaned all the connections and I have also checked the fuses, all of which appear to be in working order. It actually has a current WoF but I have still not been riding it around since I am still learning. It was a private sale so no warranty unfortunately. Ive had it for just under 3 months now. It's a bummer that it happend just as I was starting to get the hang of things. What do you rekon my next step is? Bite the bullet and fork out for a new sensor?

Thanks

[FJRider]

What do you rekon my next step is? Bite the bullet and fork out for a new sensor?

Thanks

Drip feed the required amount to the bike shop may be an option ... other than the full amount straight off. Talk to your bike shop about payment options.

[The End]

I would say check the cable first, better to spend $40 on it and hope that is the fix, rather than to go all out on replacing the sensor only to find it was a broken cable.

[Hitcher]

You're lucky you've got a Honda and not an Aprilia. You should find that the local distributor will facilitate a speedy repair.

[Tigadee]

Could be the cable came loose - happened to my Zeal. Riding along one day and all of a sudden the speed dropped to zero, all the while I'm still moving along at 110kph.

Turned out the speedo cable came out under the dial/dash and screwing it back in nice and tight kept it in place and working fine again. So for you, OP, it may be a simple matter of that. Look for the cable and check it from end to end.

[Aki]

Drip feed the required amount to the bike shop may be an option ... other than the full amount straight off. Talk to your bike shop about payment options.

Oh I didnt know you could do that. I am taking it to the honda dealer tomorrow so they can assess it. I will talk to them about payment options. Thank you for your help

[Aki]

I would say check the cable first, better to spend $40 on it and hope that is the fix, rather than to go all out on replacing the sensor only to find it was a broken cable.

I do hope it is just the cable. Theyre gona assess it first and then let me know whats going on. Im taking it to the Honda dealer. Are they quite honest? or will they take me to the cleaners?

[rustyrobot]

I do hope it is just the cable. Theyre gona assess it first and then let me know whats going on. Im taking it to the Honda dealer. Are they quite honest? or will they take me to the cleaners?

Heya, I had a similar problem with my VT250 Spada a few years ago. Luckily it turned out to be just the cable, AND I was able to get a part from a shop (not the motorbike shop) which was not OEM, but about 1/3 the price. The way I checked was pretty simple, but might not work for all - unhook the speedo cable from the speedo and push the bike forwards, if the middle of the cable spins it might be the sensor, if not - it's either the cable or the connection to the wheel. (Presume it's a similar setup and not something more tech).

If this works for you and it turns out to be the cable I'm happy to find out the name of the shop for you.

[Aki]

Heya, I had a similar problem with my VT250 Spada a few years ago. Luckily it turned out to be just the cable, AND I was able to get a part from a shop (not the motorbike shop) which was not OEM, but about 1/3 the price. The way I checked was pretty simple, but might not work for all - unhook the speedo cable from the speedo and push the bike forwards, if the middle of the cable spins it might be the sensor, if not - it's either the cable or the connection to the wheel. (Presume it's a similar setup and not something more tech).

If this works for you and it turns out to be the cable I'm happy to find out the name of the shop for you.

Hey Sorry I just got around to trying that. I unhooked the cable and it looks like the middle of the cable doesnt spin. So it might be the cable?

[rustyrobot]

Hey Sorry I just got around to trying that. I unhooked the cable and it looks like the middle of the cable doesnt spin. So it might be the cable?

Sounds like it! I read back over my old posts on here when my cable broke. First I took it to 'The Speedo Shop' in Frankton Hamilton to see if it could be fixed, but he said unfortunately not. Then Boyd Honda got me an aftermarket replacement for $30 - so a pretty cheap fix, and easy to replace yourself!

[Akzle]

most bike shops will sell multi-fit cables.
what you need to do is unhook the cable at both ends, stick one end in a drill and check for spin at the other, if it doesn't: it's a snapped cable,
if it does spin, it may be the worm gear or pinions that the cable engages in/on the gearbox. if these are stripped then it's a replacement. it's generally not too hard to pull em out and check. i'd offer to do it for a box of lion rouge if i was in your hood....

[F5 Dave]

You will require a working speedo for a WoF. No arguements to the contrary will be accepted. ...
So has the law changed?

It used to be you needed an instrument to indicate speed. A tacho with the speeds vs revs for each gear was a valid argument, used many times, although it usually took a phone call to validate that was actually legal.

[FJRider]

So has the law changed?

It used to be you needed an instrument to indicate speed. A tacho with the speeds vs revs for each gear was a valid argument, used many times, although it usually took a phone call to validate that was actually legal.

A working speedo is required. It seems an accurate speedo it not. It must work though. If alternate means of speed notification is required ... it's between you and the tester to define/discuss what is "allowed" ... NOT what you believe or what a "mate" may have told you.

If the tester has a valid legal reason for giving a fail ... the fail stands. If you believe you have been wrongly failed ... there are processes to follow to redress the issue. (but untill such time it is investigated ... the fail stands)

From a WoF information site. Feel free to check yourself.

A Warrant of Fitness inspection includes the following safety checks:•Tyre condition (including tread depth)
•Brake operation
•Structural condition (rust isn't allowed in certain key areas)
•Lights (are all bulbs working?)
•Glazing (is your windscreen safe?)
•Windscreen washers and wipers (do they work?)
•Doors (do they open and close safely?)
•Safety belts (must not be faded or damaged; buckles must work properly)
•Airbags (if fitted - SRS light should work correctly)
•Speedometer (must be working)
•Steering and suspension (must be safe and secure)
•Exhaust (there must be no leaks and the exhaust must not be too loud or too smoky)
•Fuel system (there must be no leaks).
After your vehicle passes its Warrant of Fitness check, it becomes your responsibility to keep it in the condition that it was in when it passed the inspection.

[awa355]

I had a 2008 CB250F. Fantastic bike, but for parts contact the Sidney Honda dealers. Their prices are half the NZ prices. Local dealer quoted me $180.00 for a rear sprocket and a 3 week wait. Got one from Auss for $90.38c landed at my door in 5 days.

Dont look for an aftermarket sprocket, They dont supply them under 40t. Yours is 38t. Front sprocket is the same as Honda's xr bikes. I still have a PDF workshop manual , and a riders handbook. ( if you can read Spanish)

Oh. dont mash the exhaust system. $1900 for a single header pipe and a muffler.

[Akzle]

cool story:

my speedo stopped working, thought it were the cable, too.

dismantled the speedo drive (at the front wheel) there is a bend-tabbed washer that engages the wheel hub and the drive gear (from opposite directions), somehow this had worn and the tabs had jumped off the drive gear.

(it went ping near whangarei.. i didn't look at it till akl.) >< :doh:

so anyway, bent the washer and tabs in back the opposite direction to give it a bit more stick, went back together and all worked OK by hand. today will be my test/ride home...