[Keithkmb]

I am a happy owner of an 06 LT. I check my speed often.... the GPS (garmin) sez one thing, the speedometer sez another and the digital one on the computer sez something else. between the three there is a 5-6 mph spread.

Comments? don't tell me to average, I hate math.

 

[bgerrity]

You don't need to average. Your GPS is probably accurate, and the LT has a pretty well-known speedo error of up to 10%. The odometer is off, too. The threads listed at the bottom of this page should be good reading, and there are articles in the FAQ and HOW (in the Technical Forum) about the error and what can be done about it. I followed the instructions and corrected the error on my 2001. On my next one, I may not bother.

 

[cwo]

I use the GPS. Had a cop do a radar check at 55mph, and the GPS was right on. The speedo read 60.

05 LT

Chris Ogle

 

[BecketMa]

Once upon a time, BMW decided that the only customers who needed accurate speedos were police. All other customers "needed" speedos that read around 10% higher than actual speed.

But, one day, an LT owner discovered that the speedos for police and everyone else were identical except for a jumper wire between two pads on a pc board.

It seemed that customers, for some strange reason, wanted accurate speedos.

Of course, if you called BMW NA and complained about the speedo on your brand new motorcycle being inaccurate, Big Brother was silent.

When modified the LT speedo is accurate.

The odometer is accurate.

I didn't pay attention to what BMW did with the speedos when they changed the dash board.

Bob

 

[DMiller]

For all the hassle of getting to the circuit board I too have done nothing, and when I want to check my speed I look at my GPS. Maybe, when I've got too much time and energy I'll take it apart and fix it....not! :bmw: ya gotta love it ;-)

 

[Kra961]

LOL I stopped worrying about it awhile back seems that no matter what I do its never the speed limit.
Can't drive 55

 

[jzeiler]

The only way to fix the 05 and up is to pull the pointer off and replace it so it then reads correctly. The instant read on the digital dash is very accurate following a reset, then it goes into an average mode. The analog speedo has tick marks that are 3.333 mph. Who thunk that one up?
I just use my GPS.

 

[Boatzo]

Been lazy here too and never corrected the jumpers. I use the GPS.

 

[wa1200lt]

You see! once again the old ones reign .......superior? I fixed my '01 and it is spot on with the GPS. I find it satisfying to know how fast I'm going so that I can know how hard to pucker up when I pass LEO.

Truthfully though it really is nice to have an accurate speed displayed.

Bob, great story! Did anyone live happily ever after?

John, is the shaft on the speedo indicator as fragile as the shaft on the fuel gauge? If so then I would definitely leave it alone. $$$$$$$$$$

Loren

The only way to fix the 05 and up is to pull the pointer off and replace it so it then reads correctly. The instant read on the digital dash is very accurate following a reset, then it goes into an average mode. The analog speedo has tick marks that are 3.333 mph. Who thunk that one up?
I just use my GPS.

 

[BecketMa]

After the "White Knight" told us how to slay the dragon, only those who could solder on pads made for surface mount technology rid their kingdoms of the 110% dragons.

Bob

 

[oosel]

The only way to fix the 05 and up is to pull the pointer off and replace it so it then reads correctly. The instant read on the digital dash is very accurate following a reset, then it goes into an average mode. The analog speedo has tick marks that are 3.333 mph. Who thunk that one up?
I just use my GPS.

So on my 09 I cant just solder the jumpers? I was going to do that this winter. I did not know they removed the jumpers after 05.

 

[Patric]

I don't know if it works on the newer bikes , but if you get to a steady speed on the older bikes. You can put the computer on MPH then hit the reset. It will tell you exactly how fast you are going.

 

[jzeiler]

So on my 09 I cant just solder the jumpers? I was going to do that this winter. I did not know they removed the jumpers after 05.

Totally different design on the board. 1. is old board on the back of the speedo itself.
2 & 3 are the entire integrated dash on the 05 and up. Quite a difference.

 

[tconnell]

Find the post on the 'Spedo Fix' probably below somewhere.

You'll have to remove the most of the Tupperware to get to where you need to get and that starts with each top side first and work your way in. Best to remove top and bottom of handlebar covers and loosen the handlebars and lay a towel on the tank under them. This way you won't scratch the dash and related parts then they come off. You'll have to get to and remove the instrument panel, and I'd suggest taking a good clear digital pic of the rear of the dash so you can get the 17 (I think it was) lights back in their sockets and all the wires attached to the correct places. A Clymers Manual will help here also. On you digital pic. Set camera to Close Up or Macro mode. I'd suggest, if you know how, reduce flash by about 2/3 stop as you'll be in close and be sure you are at a slight angle to the rear of the instrument panel when you shoot so you'll not get glare on the shot. You'll probably need this pic later.

Read the article and you jumper a couple of places using something like #20 wire across the two places. Use a very small soldering iron to do that. Don't let it be a cold joint and don't burn it up.

Did all that to my '99 LT right after getting it and it's spot on at 70 and 80. I had a couple of burnt out dash lights and had found the temp sensor and a good used On Board Computer so installed all that in one go.

Good luck

 

[tconnell]

Sorry - didn't note your bike was an '06. Just disregard my above post

 

[Beemerick]

FWIW, I mounted a $20 Sigma bicycle computer on my LT. It was easy to mount with NO mods to the bike, it's calibratable to the millimeter and works great (except at night...it's has no lights).