Are speedometers necessary?

kachunk

kachunk

Active Member
Maybe this is a stupid question, but I don't see it posted here, so I'll be "that guy"

Are we required to have speedometers on bikes (to be legally compliant)?
Does it vary by state?
 
Well I emailed the Michigan Secretary of State and got this link as response.

See the first section of page 2:
http://www.michigan.gov/documents/TR-54_38480_7.pdf

Lokks like very minimal requirements. There aren't even specifics here about decibel levels for exhaust, license plate location, or requirements for turn signals.......
This can't be the complete list. This is just an inspection report.
I'm going to check my local po-po branch to see if they have details.
 
if im not mistaken...

its not required by law...

just good luck maintaining the speed limit ;)
 
They are technically not required. Dont rely on it being your ticket out of a speeding fine, the judge will not care.
 
There's a link somewhere in the legal and regalatory for the AMA that gives specifics by state. Besides, without a speedo and odo, how would you know when to change your oil?
 
I'd put in a small one, plus some small indicators. That way you know when you're over the limit and people can see you turning. It may also be a bonus for insurance to have these basic instruments (eg I didn't see him indicating so I turned...*bang*).

- boingk
 
Good point Boingk. Especially that pesky "oil pressure" light. Seems like that one might be a little important
 
I put in LED indicators for oil, bat and neutral in my headlight bucket, but have no gauges or turn signals. Even when I ride with indicators, I usually use hand signals also and also flash my brake light a few times before slowing down when someone is behind me. I never trust anyone to see me or my signals. I am always ready to pass the turn and nail the gas if someone looks like they are not stopping or if I feel sketchy for some other reason. So far as the speed goes, I have been riding long enough to have a pretty good idea of how fast I am running, and generally have traffic to judge by anyhow. I am generally either following the limit or blowing it with abandon when I ride, and in both cases I know it with out having a gauge tell me.
Regards,
Joe
 
Just browsing through Pennsyvania's inspection codes and it states that speedo's are required here.

Here's the link:
http://www.pacode.com/secure/data/067/chapter175/subchapHtoc.html
 
I've considered eliminating my guages before. But the aforementioned reasons plus the lack of knowing your mileage with any certainty has stopped me. I may eliminate my tach eventually and keep the speedo... I don't see many people going this route, and I wonder why? It's much easier to listen to the motor and know where you are rev-wise than guessing speed, fuel level (my bike has no fuel guage so the odometer performs this task for me), and when to change you oil and filter... I can tell by my ears when my revs are too high, low, etc. I never even look at my tach in everyday riding.
 
Swapmeet Louie said:
Tach is a tuning necessity...
Click to expand...

no tach on my dads shadow... i tune the idle by ear. checked it once at the local bike shop and i was dead on, 1000 rpm.


not a necessity, but definitely useful. as for myself, ill keep both the guages ;D
 
My bike came without a tach, so I just built an aluminum adapter to center the speedo. as for the necessity of a speedo, its pretty important. you can be written up for faulty equipment.also, in the even you want to sell the bike, not having the odometer can only hurt resale value.
 
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