Just bought a Raid and very pleased with it. However, I'm a bit concerned at the legality of the digital speedo what with it being in KpH. How does it comply with the construction and use regs regarding the need for a mph speedo? Does it need to?
I did a quick Google and, whilst it seems that our MOT testers are happy with kmh speedos, there may be a RTA or somesuch legal requirement that vehicles registered in the UK after 1977 display both kmh and mph. This is not really possible with the TTR digital speedo.
It is possible to buy a speedo healer which converts the TTR speedo to read accurately in mph (an example here) and then to put a sticker saying mph over the km/h on the TTR speedo face but the speedo still isn't reading both.
However, surely most modern cars with digital speedos are only reading in mph so surely our TTR digital speedos are legal
Thanks for that. A speedoDRD will be ordered shortly!
The likelihood of having any issues due to minor infringements of construction and use regs is probably negligible. However, With the police becoming more target driven these days "easy" tickets help keep the management off the poor PCs' backs. This is a particular problem for traffic officers - I have a number of friends who are either currently or are ex traffic and they are under a lot of pressure to get the figures up.
Sadly, the days of common sense policing where traffic infringements were merely an "in" for other, more serious offences are a thing of the past.
I'm also very wary of anything that insurance companies may pick up on to wriggle out of a claim. Maybe I'm a bit paranoid, but I'd rather not give them any ammunition that they can use against me.
Thanks also for the welcome. The bike only arrived today but I've enjoyed an hour out on it already. Photos will come when I get the opportunity, as will a lot of questions no doubt (probably all legal!).
Always happy to contribute if I can - I'm new to bikes but I'm an electrician, ADI, and former software developer so if I can help with anything in these areas don't hesitate to ask.
Fairly thick skinned too, so feel free to take the mick!
Speedos are not part of the MOT test but yeah its illegal as far as the police rule book is concerned to have kmh only on a digi, but your never likely to get pulled over let alone have your bike picked over. Cos it is a bit of a grey area no one really takes any notice of it. A vapour dash will cost you £100 or more.
They're not all bad, my mate was pulled over the other day for overtaking a plain old bill car(black BMW estate) and continuing to hammer it through the bends whilst they watched him for a mile or so. They just told him to slow down and that was about it. But yeah some jobsworth old bill can be promotion seeking, and all insuro underwriters can be f**kers.
The one that chatted to me recently was very polite while he was telling me 92 on the A30 was a bit quick. Only cost me £100 and I got 3 bonus points...
Traffic cops will do you in an instant if you are speeding, especially those bastard ones you get on the a30 through devon and cornwall, dont see that many on the a30/a303 up this way
Speedo healers are brilliant! Just put one on mine as we have a few speed cameras up the other end of the A30! And for fed up of trying to figure out the conversion on my morning commute!
Only thing is I didn't get any MPH stickers with my healer
I asked one of our boys in blue that I know. He says:
The regs do state that the speedo should display both km/h and mph, although from what I've read, there is no stipulation that this has to be at the same time! So provided the speedo can display both, then it would be legal IMO.
So if you have a SpeedoDRD fitted reading in mph, just by disconnecting it you are back to kph - so you can display both
Good point about an mph sticker. Hadn't thought of that. I got one of those Lidl/Aldi label printers so might just print one for the TTR.
There is a picture of a cable speedo conversion on a white TTR here but much much cheaper to put a mountain bike speedo on or, if funds available, a proper motorcycle after market device. A few examples shown in the thread.
hi there folks does anyone know how to test a speedo head i have the sender but no magnet i do not want to buy any parts then find out the speedo head is no good many thanks
You could send to Brian and get him to plug into his shopping TTR. Relatively pricey though with signed for I spose. What town you live in? There might be someone near you who can help you
John I can send you my sender stuff on sale or return if you want! If your head works with it, you can buy or still send it back if you have a change of plan. Give me a ring on the number I gave you on the pm.
thanks brian but how do i test speedo head i do not want to buy other parts such as magnet & cover for sender & find out the head is us you are very helpfull many thanks once again pal many things to sort out yet such as sprag clutch realy noiesy going green laning with my son when done & isle of man not going on my bandit 1200 next year just for a change might need info on sprag clutch done many on other bikes but need where to buy bits at good price
Is there anyone near to Johnyboy in Yorkshire, can you borrow some bits to try? Or how about you send the speedo head to someone who can plug it in and see if its working, it would only take 5 minutes!
A lot of unknowns e.g. what is a "General mechanical speed line interface ." ?
I am assuming it is cable driven but maybe check to make sure. Also check that the speedo drive cable size matches that of the TTR.
I presume the speed reading will be all over the place but could easily be calibrated by running it alongside a GPS to get the main 20/30/40/50/60/70 mph equivalents.
Be nice if it worked. Are you going to volunteer to be the guinea pig?
I only know of the DT125 drive. It is slightly different in that it has a straight cable fixing whereas the TTR's is slightly angled. Not really a problem I don't think.
I've had my bike for a few years now, original speedo didn't show the time, then after an accident speedo was replaced from ebay still can't get the clock to show.
hi brian,i presume i'm the martin you are asking about regarding the speedo.i wanted to fit a mechanical speedo as i can't get on with the digi setup and was thinking of a small dt/xl type head unit.i bought the drive from a dt125lc mk3 thinking it would fit but the drive is for the l/hand side so no chance of it fitting on the right as the cable attachment casting area cant clear the fork,just bad luck but i will put it back on ebay,a ttr set up will come along one day.
regarding the small 'custom' speedometers,if i remember right they cant fit all jap bikes as there are 2 drive ratios used ie honda/yamaha use 1 ratio and kawa/suzi use another,all the best.martin
This drove me nuts on my 93 OE but I came across a post somewhere that said that early TTRs didn't have the clock function. Can't remember where I saw the post.