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Odometer vs trip meter distances

5.2K views 17 replies 11 participants last post by  dbyker  
#1 ·
Since taking delivery of my bike last week, I’ve been taking advantage of some nice early fall weather to rack up some break-in km. At my first fuel stop I recorded, as I always do, total (odo) km, trip 1 km, and reset trip 1.The readings at that time were:

Odo: 286 km
Trip 1: 291.7 km
Trip 2: 291.7 km


‘Odd’, thought I to myself, ‘how could the trip meters possibly have a greater value than the total distance odometer?’ I didn’t record the values on delivery, but recall the odo showed 7 km and I’m pretty sure trip meters both showed a slightly lesser value, which seemed reasonable assuming trip meter readings are volatile, and whatever distance put on at the factory would have been lost when the battery was disconnected after assembly line testing.

I’ve been keeping an eye on the odo vs trip reading since then and the discrepancy does not seem to be a one-time thing. The readings as of today are:

Odo: 535 km
Trip 1: 257.6 km
Trip 2: 549.3 km

According to the odo, the distance covered since the fuel stop is 249 km, yet the trip meters indicate a distance covered 257.6 km, a discrepancy of over 3 %.

It’s not like I’m out to take make measurements with the odo or trip meters, but for the life of me I can’t think of how or why the odo and trip meters would not record distance exactly the same. Any ideas as to why this might be happening? Has anyone else run into this and if so, is there a fix?

I’ve done a thread search but haven’t been able to find previous discussion on this subject. Mind you, what with all the fuel strip related hits for keywords like odometer or trip meter, I might have missed something.
 
#2 ·
Something else to worry about...

L of S
 
#3 ·
Welcome

Welcome Tippit. We are glad you joined us on the Roadster Forum.
The R1200R is a great machine for many tasks. Great ride!
This discrepancy has been noted, and is found on other motorcycle and car forums. Don't think it's just your Roadster. Not the case.
Try a Garmin navi, or a smart phone app. for different comparison just for fun.
Don't be anal. RIDE MORE, WORRY LESS. Fill up at 200 miles and enjoy your R.
 
#7 ·
Tippit, I think it's curious too, not anal. Observant, like a detective.

It may just end up being one of those questions we never get an answer to, like why do boys have nipples.
 
#8 ·
Re: the Odometer vs trip meter discrepancy, that's a very good observation, Tippit! I would never have noticed it myself.

It may just end up being one of those questions we never get an answer to, like why do boys have nipples.
I can explain, but it might weird some people out, so ye be warned :001_tt2:
In a nutshell, it's because us humans, both male and female, start off the same template/mold. We are basically made of the same design and components, with the different bits only turn out different as we grow and develop. This includes our genitals - different as they are now as fully grown-up men and women, they were originally the same bits of tissue and whatnot.
 
#9 ·
Well I've had the vee 7 for a week now, I cannot phathom (spelling) the instrument dials...I push buttons, and they do nothing, so have a total....miles readout of 286...which really means nothing to me, I guess I fill up with petrol when the empty fuel gauge comes on....and when this happens I have ???? so much left in the tank.

Ah a different mind set...nice and refreshing.
 
#13 ·
I'm dyslexic - what does alan mean?

S of L
 
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