Speedo stuff

[Stuey]

Evening chaps,
I caught the tail end of a news story the other night about some guy who'd been in an accident. When he was in court one of the charges/offenses he had been done for was "not having a working speedo".

So here's the question (don't know if I SHOULD now the answer or not).
What is the legal requirement regarding speedo's, given that it is not part of the MOT. Is it an offence, or could it be used as a defence, to have a wildly innacurate and therfore useless speedo? :dunno:

Stuey

 

[Supabird1100]

Construction And Use Regulations say "Every motorcycle first used on or after 1 April 1984 and capable of more than 25 mph must have a speedometer which reads in both miles per hour and kilometres per hour either simultaneously or separately by the use of a switch"

I know it can over-read by +10% but it must never under-read.

Hope this helps M8.

Steve :beer:

 

[Stuey]

So how...

then if its not part of the test, and/or calibrated, could you now whether it read correctly or not. And more to the point be done for it?
I'm not talking specifically about bikes here but cars/vans also.

Stuey

 

[Supabird1100]

then if its not part of the test, and/or calibrated, could you now whether it read correctly or not. And more to the point be done for it?
I'm not talking specifically about bikes here but cars/vans also.

Stuey

To produce a speedo that was spot-on would be expensive and would need regular recalibrating to ensure it's accuracy. all vehicle makers fit a speedo that over-reads by some margin.....so if the speedo says you're doing 40mph, the chances are you're only actually doing 35'ish.

The only accurate ones fitted to road vehicles are the ones in police cars/bikes.......should be checked on a regular basis to ensure that if they pull you they can produce a certificate to say their speedo is 100% correct.

 

[Stuey]

Hi Supabird1100,
My point was more like, if you altered the gearing, for example, so that your speedo was under-reading, and then travelled round with the speedo indicating the speed limit, then got caught, could you use this as a defence?

Stuey

 

[Supabird1100]

Hi Supabird1100,
My point was more like, if you altered the gearing, for example, so that your speedo was under-reading, and then travelled round with the speedo indicating the speed limit, then got caught, could you use this as a defence?

Stuey

Probably not, Stuey !!!! If you altered the gearing then you would know the speedo was no longer accurate. If caught speeding and it went as far as the police inspecting the bike for modifications from standard (do they go that far??).....I suspect they would 'doubt' your defence plea !!!!!!

However......if you said you BOUGHT the bike in it's present state of gearing and had no idea the speedo was under-reading .........????????? :blush: :blush:


Steve :beer:

 

[Pugwash]

Phew! No pictures of speedos!

 

[ianrobbo1]

same bloke with more clothes on???? :dunno:

 

[gypsy]

ian on moped

sorry Ian
ive looked at all the pictures i have and cant find one of when you were actually on the bike and not on the floor
sorry man8um :f

 

[Sphere]

I'm not talking specifically about bikes here but cars/vans also.

Stuey

it does not have to be something as gearing to change the speed readings these kids with the flash hatchbacks that have decided to drop on low profile bigger wheels are also changing the cars speedo reading by doing so.


:bow: BLUE :bow: