Any way to convert the M696 tach into a speedometer?

ManaloEA · June 16, 2011, 01:00:49 PM

Although I might catch some flack from the track enthusiasts... here goes.

I ride my 696 as a daily commute / driver. I don't get tickets for over-revving, I get tickets for going too fast. Here in Richmond VA, you cannot use radar detectors. The cops give you a 5mph buffer but after that, all bets are off. The digital speedo is too difficult to see with my peripheral vision when wearing a full face helmet, and I find myself continually looking down when riding through areas where cops are known to hide.

Is there any way to convert the bars on the tach into a 0-120 speedometer?

DoWorkSon · June 16, 2011, 01:23:01 PM

Doubtful... You would probably have to re-program the entire gauge cluster somehow.... That's if it is even possible, probaby unlikely..

Probably much much easier to get an aftermarket speedometer and wire it in...

Something like...

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/3/13/123/25413/ITEM/Dakota-Digital-5000-Series-Classic-Digital-Speedometer.aspx?SiteID=SLI|Digital%20Speedometer&WT.MC_ID=10010

or...

http://www.trailtech.net/vector.html

Howie · June 16, 2011, 02:12:38 PM

RPM in a gear = MPH. in other words (made up, not for your bike) if every increase of 500 RPM in 5th gear is another 10 MPH you will know how fast you are going. Note the relationship and you won't need a speedometer.

2-Skinny · June 16, 2011, 02:30:20 PM

Easier/cheaper to add a traditional speedometer higher up or somethething. The cluster on 696 is linked to the ECU- not sure you can just eliminate it to run a whole new cluster, also not sure if you can "flash" that relationship out of the ECU. You could mount an additional compact speedo above the stock cluster.

OR

For the same price install a heads-up display so your bike doesn't look funny when it isn't on the track...

http://www.amazon.com/Motion-Research-SPORTVUE-DISPLAY-99-1000-0001/dp/B000WMUR2M

ManaloEA · June 16, 2011, 04:22:02 PM

Thanks guys. At least I have some options. Going for a ride now...

alibaba · June 16, 2011, 09:11:19 PM

My biggest and only real complaint with my '09 M696 is I can't hardly ever read the digital speedometer. And, depending on the lighting conditions sometimes it is impossible. What I would give for a nice set of black on white round analog gauges. I spend so much time trying to read that damn thing that I take my eyes off of the road for too long. Memorizing the rpm, mph relationship in the last 4 gears is tedious at best.

Raux · June 16, 2011, 10:32:24 PM

man I must have eagle eyes cause I have no issues with the speedo, even at higher speeds.
do you think it's the vibration you guys are having issues with? Mine's solidmounted but stock they are rubber mounted

ungeheuer · June 16, 2011, 11:51:33 PM

I'm with Raux, I have no issues either. Mine's back-lit white... wonder if that helps?

Although I do agree that its much easier to get a feel for your indicated speed by knowing that when an analogue needle is at say.... 10 O'clock that your doing 90km/h (or whatever). I mean that by catching the angle of the needle in an analogue speedo dial in your peripheral vision, you kinda know what speed that angle relates to.

Whereas with the digital speedo you have to look at and read the numbers.

ManaloEA · June 17, 2011, 06:53:29 AM

Quote from: alibaba on June 16, 2011, 09:11:19 PM
My biggest and only real complaint with my '09 M696 is I can't hardly ever read the digital speedometer. And, depending on the lighting conditions sometimes it is impossible. What I would give for a nice set of black on white round analog gauges. I spend so much time trying to read that damn thing that I take my eyes off of the road for too long. Memorizing the rpm, mph relationship in the last 4 gears is tedious at best.

Exactly. Because the cops around here are so eager to give out speeding tickets in suburban areas, we really have a small "speed window" where we can play. In the higher gears, playing in a 5 mph zone by reading the tach is impossible.

And reading a digital speedo takes too much time and thought... did it say 42, or 45, or 49?

battlecry · June 17, 2011, 08:04:59 AM

Maybe there is a market for a programmable LED idiot light speedo. Two maps, switchable with left handlebar switch, map 1 - 55 white, 60 red, 65+ blue, map 2 - 25 white, 30 red, 35+ blue.

2-Skinny · June 17, 2011, 08:05:56 AM

Quote from: ManaloEA on June 17, 2011, 06:53:29 AM
And reading a digital speedo takes too much time and thought... did it say 42, or 45, or 49?

Well I can understand wanting to see on a track- which is what I thought you originally wanted it for when I read your post- but "too much time"? We're talking a fraction of a second to glance at the speedo.

The amount of time it takes isn't the difference between speeding or not. Just get a feel for how fast you are going in each gear- not mathematically, just by the feel of the bike at a given speed. On my old bike I didn't even have a working speedo, never had a ticket. OR just get in the habit of glancing at it more- same as in a car.

DoWorkSon · June 17, 2011, 10:18:06 AM

Lots of options... If it was me, contantly checking and rechecking my speed would be annoying.... And I can see why you would want something more visible...

I would get a handle bar mount, and use either one of the speedometers I listed, or use a gps that displays speed. You can use the stock gauges, just wire in the new speedometer in... The mount should raise up the gps/speedometer so it's in view while your looking down the road.

Not sure, but you might be able to program one of those speedometers to flash, or turn red or something so you know when you hit a certain speed. Similar to a tach light for racing that notifies you of shift points without actually having to look at the tach.

Raux · June 17, 2011, 11:26:20 AM

http://www.litewave.co.uk/HUD.asp

ManaloEA · June 17, 2011, 12:02:58 PM

Quote from: 2-Skinny on June 17, 2011, 08:05:56 AM

Well I can understand wanting to see on a track- which is what I thought you originally wanted it for when I read your post- but "too much time"? We're talking a fraction of a second to glance at the speedo.

The amount of time it takes isn't the difference between speeding or not. Just get a feel for how fast you are going in each gear- not mathematically, just by the feel of the bike at a given speed. On my old bike I didn't even have a working speedo, never had a ticket. OR just get in the habit of glancing at it more- same as in a car.

Yeah, it should only take a fraction of a second... but it takes my eyes a half second just to refocus on things close after looking at things far away, at least things I need to read. Maybe its time for bifocals.

aveldina · June 19, 2011, 09:44:56 PM

I really do just glance and go by rpm to gear. Not long enough to read the number in detail, more just to see the 1st number. If I'm trying to maintain say 50 km/hr, (54 after 8% diff) I just check to see that I've got a 5X and then maintain the approximate speed after that. I find I'll know if I'm going too slow (everyone's passing me) and if I see a 6X or 7X it's time to tone it down. I also use cars to pace so I don't have to keep looking down. That said, I've found it's important to maintain a speed that's similar to traffic flow, and generally that's what I do anyway.

After awhile you just know how fast you're going, and when you're pushing your luck I find. The only time I need to reset that internal sense is after I've been riding unusually fast for a day.

But yeah I agree, I find my display impossible to read in day light with rain on it. Back light just isn't strong enough.

News:

Any way to convert the M696 tach into a speedometer?

Raux

Raux