Digital speedo, GPS speedo and certifications?

**Hardstylehaz** · 27th March 2014, 12:32

Hey everyone,

I am looking to mount a digital GPS driven speedo on a naked ninja. I have some questions that no one seems to be able to answer and am hoping someone here can help me.

I want to mount a digital speedo on my bike, but do not know whether GPS driven ones are legal.
In order to take my fairing off, I need to mount my speedo on my forks. the original dash is way too big to mount and would like to replace it with a digital speedo.

I can't find one that is cable driven and is self learning, nor can I find one that will work for my bike, so naturally, the GPS driven one is the only other option.

A: Where and how do i get one certified?
B: Are they legal?
C: If they are not legal, is it legal to mount the original dash unit (in a new alluminium casing bolted on to the front of the forks?

The bike is a GPZ500S (EX500) Ninja.

If anyone can help, please get at me!

**Mushu** · 27th March 2014, 12:50

There is the other option of a speedo that uses a magnetic pickup, I have a trailtech vapor on my DR that uses a magnet bolt which is on the rear brake disc and a pickup on the swingarm, the bike has been through 2 WOFs like that without it being mentioned (and the guy I go to see won't let anything dodgy through).

It's also possible to get a mount for the vapor that incorporates idiot lights which I think are legally required and will need to be sorted for your bike because they will be part of the cluster you intend to remove.

**SPman** · 27th March 2014, 12:55

Don't know if they are legal or not. I run a GPS speedo on the phone, ( http://ulysse-speedometer-pro.soft112.com/), and it's a damn sight more accurate than the vehicle speedos! Also run it on the bike in a bracket mounting. The only drawback is that it sometimes has a couple of seconds hiccup if the satellites are blocked from view.

**bogan** · 27th March 2014, 12:58

Originally Posted by Mushu

There is the other option of a speedo that uses a magnetic pickup, I have a trailtech vapor on my DR that uses a magnet bolt which is on the rear brake disc and a pickup on the swingarm, the bike has been through 2 WOFs like that without it being mentioned (and the guy I go to see won't let anything dodgy through).

It's also possible to get a mount for the vapor that incorporates idiot lights which I think are legally required and will need to be sorted for your bike because they will be part of the cluster you intend to remove.

Did similar thing to mine, works better than the cable driven ones too.

Reckon it'd be the go over a GPS one, unless the gps comes with some other functionality you desire.

**Mushu** · 27th March 2014, 13:24

Originally Posted by SPman

Don't know if they are legal or not. I run a GPS speedo on the phone, ( http://ulysse-speedometer-pro.soft112.com/), and it's a damn sight more accurate than the vehicle speedos! Also run it on the bike in a bracket mounting. The only drawback is that it sometimes has a couple of seconds hiccup if the satellites are blocked from view.

GPS speedos are great, accurate and plenty of extra functionality, I've been using them for ages, have recently upgraded to Ulysse myself. They do, however, have their problems, they would need to be removed from the bike whenever it's parked or may get stolen, if using a phone there may be problems making it waterproof, they need anywhere from about 30 seconds to 5 minutes to boot up and connect and heavy cloud / tree cover / tunnels can render them useless meaning you could be suddenly caught with no speedo at all.

I think the Vapor or something similar would be the way to go, you can always back that up with a GPS if you feel the need.

**Hardstylehaz** · 27th March 2014, 14:57

Originally Posted by Mushu

There is the other option of a speedo that uses a magnetic pickup, I have a trailtech vapor on my DR that uses a magnet bolt which is on the rear brake disc and a pickup on the swingarm, the bike has been through 2 WOFs like that without it being mentioned (and the guy I go to see won't let anything dodgy through).

It's also possible to get a mount for the vapor that incorporates idiot lights which I think are legally required and will need to be sorted for your bike because they will be part of the cluster you intend to remove.

Where would I get one? are they self learning or are they specific to a size or style of wheel?
I'm trying to find something universal that would work for any bike, there's definitely nothing made specific for an old diesel pig twin like mine.

**bogan** · 27th March 2014, 15:02

Originally Posted by Hardstylehaz

Where would I get one? are they self learning or are they specific to a size or style of wheel?
I'm trying to find something universal that would work for any bike, there's definitely nothing made specific for an old diesel pig twin like mine.

I got a Trailtech Vapor (includes neutral, oil, high beam and indicator lights), you program in the wheel circumference and number of pickups (magnets). Then just find a good place to stick the sensor and magnets, wire shit up and she's all go.

**Mushu** · 27th March 2014, 15:31

Originally Posted by Hardstylehaz

Where would I get one? are they self learning or are they specific to a size or style of wheel?
I'm trying to find something universal that would work for any bike, there's definitely nothing made specific for an old diesel pig twin like mine.

A quick google search turned up Whites powersports nz (my DR came with one already on it) but they are universal, you add the sensors yourself so it's pretty much stand alone. And as said above it's calibrated by the diameter of the wheel and tyre just measure it and plug in the number, rev limits (shift light) and temp limits are also adjustable.

**pete-blen** · 27th March 2014, 21:49

speedo / rev counter / L & R flasher , neutral , high beam , oil lights etc..
total milage & trip counters... Has a magnetic wheel sensor that is programmable for wheel dia...
And is bloody small...

http://imageshack.com/a/img209/293/0qss.jpg

**Big Dog** · 27th March 2014, 23:40

GPS speedo might be a bit of an issue in a tunnel, parking building or in a bad enough storm. You may also find it not working in the building you get the warrant. So far as I know the only rule is you must have a working one.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

**biggo** · 28th March 2014, 05:50

This is what it says on the NZTA e VIRM

Speedometer means an instrument in a motor vehicle that continuously indicates to the driver the forward speed of the vehicle in either kilometres per hour (km/h) or miles per hour (mph). For clarification, this definition does not include the speed provided by a GPS system.

**iYRe** · 28th March 2014, 10:49

fwiw, the GPS is generally accurate, but if the accuracy of the GPS drops from 1-3m to 5-10m, its ability to give an accurate reading for speed is affected. There is potential (although unlikely) for it to be -+30kmh

My phone is generally 1-3m, but I have had it as high as 15m randomly, while driving around, as it loses and gains locks on different satellites.

There are a few GPS apps (gps status for android, for example) which you can test and see how accurate you are. They are NOT 100%. At 110kmh on my speedo, my GPS shows anything from 103-106 kmh depending on how good its lock is.

(the BEST test is a magnet based cycle speedo... these are 100% accurate)

**Big Dog** · 28th March 2014, 19:34

Originally Posted by iYRe

fwiw, the GPS is generally accurate, but if the accuracy of the GPS drops from 1-3m to 5-10m, its ability to give an accurate reading for speed is affected. There is potential (although unlikely) for it to be -+30kmh

My phone is generally 1-3m, but I have had it as high as 15m randomly, while driving around, as it loses and gains locks on different satellites.

There are a few GPS apps (gps status for android, for example) which you can test and see how accurate you are. They are NOT 100%. At 110kmh on my speedo, my GPS shows anything from 103-106 kmh depending on how good its lock is.

(the BEST test is a magnet based cycle speedo... these are 100% accurate)

Provided correct info has been input.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

**imdying** · 1st April 2014, 10:44

Originally Posted by Big Dog

Provided correct info has been input.

No shit sherlock, what was your first clue? We also need to remind us that it depends on whether the speedo is turned on, has batteries, isn't drowned in water, and that we also need to avoid solar flares. Any other obvious shit we've missed?

**bogan** · 1st April 2014, 10:51

Originally Posted by imdying

No shit sherlock, what was your first clue? We also need to remind us that it depends on whether the speedo is turned on, has batteries, isn't drowned in water, and that we also need to avoid solar flares. Any other obvious shit we've missed?

Well, the most obvious one would be is it stuck on the bike?