tripmaster out cyclecomputer in??

[z-weiser]

does anyone know if a cycle computer (as for an MTB) would work on a motorbike as i am getting fed up of the unreliability of the tripmaster!

just want the distance and countdown functions!

if anyone does this i'd be interested in the make/model and how effective it is!

thanks

Z

[anton88]

Howdy, Yep this is possible.

i bought one from Halfrauds for under £10 (sorry cant remember model, but it was own brand) and its worked very well - even on Salisbury Plain with the mud etc.

You need to buy one with a cable from the computer to a sensor which you can mount on the fork leg. A magnet fits onto a spoke. You will have to make a bracket for the sensor, as this needs to be within a few mm of the magnet on the spokes, otherwise you wont get a reading.

Have compared it to my GPS and its pretty accurate - you will need to calibrate the computer for the size of wheel/tyre - instructions should be included on how to do this.

Dont buy a wireless one, as they need a clear view from the computer to the sensor, which isnt possible with all the fairing and cables.

Hope this helps, Oh and leave slack in the cable for when the forks are fully extended, otherwise if you do a hoist one, the cable will be ripped out.

[Rubberchicken]

Or they work by radio, which is utterly hopeless with the coils under the tank. ;-)

I've got one made by Sigma, they work up to 300 km/h (or so they say). Some of the models only have 2 digits, but for you imperial types that only becomes a problem at highly illegal speeds. ;-)

Brake rotors are also a good spot to glue some general purpose magnet, and you'll probably have to lengthen the cable (or buy a special one that's meant for the rear wheel of a pushbike.)

Here's mine, mounted on the NX:
http://rubberchicken.nl/foto/gps/med_IMG_2592.JPG

Oh, and don't get a CatEye. They're expensive, and I've been told they conk out when you go over 96 km/h. (Friend of mine has one on his 250cc MZ cargo sidecar. It's not much of an issue there. ;-))

[Rubberchicken]

I've got one made by Sigma, they work up to 300 km/h (or so they say). Some of the models only have 2 digits, but for you imperial types that only becomes a problem at highly illegal speeds. ;-)
Um, the 2 digit models often simply don't show the 1 in front and just keep counting on. I take it you can be trusted to appreciate the difference between 10 mph and 110 mph. ;-)

[Jenna]

I had a Halfrauds sigma cat thingy on the quad as they are not fitted with a speedo from stock, it was a cable type one and worked fine under all conditions (even in mud on the MX track!) however it did get a bit inaccurate at high speed as the quad tended to lift the front off the ground at 60mph+ and the wheels are tiny.

Other half says the couriers often fit them on there bikes to give a recordable record of milage for each drop and a total.

most the rally raid bikes have a dedicated trip unit like a Brantz or Terratrip, these are a million times more accurate and have loads of countdown/splits and total milage displays, they alsoo are rear wheel signaled and then a compensation % is automatically removed to allow for the wheel spin.

[Rubberchicken]

http://www.trailtech.net/vapor.htm

That one looks nice too :-)

[Jenna]

trail teck has been arround for a while and works well apparently, there is a thread on Adv Rider about it some where..

At £50 for the basic unit is way dearer than a halfrauds tomo but then its its also got quite a few more features... from the spec i can see it has cumalitive odometer which is legally required if you replaced the stock speedo.

the unit KTM has been using is a Coralba. but its mega bucks!

http://www.coralba.se/roads/readone.php?categoryID=2&id=1

[piguglyshandydrinker]

The Sigma Sport works well and are not expensive.

The ammount of functions depends on the model, once calibrated are accurate too.

Phil

[matthelliwell]

does anyone know if a cycle computer (as for an MTB) would work on a motorbike as i am getting fed up of the unreliability of the tripmaster!

just want the distance and countdown functions!

if anyone does this i'd be interested in the make/model and how effective it is!

thanks

Z I fitted an expensive (and tended-to-go-wrong-in-the-rain) Touratech unit when I was tarting up my Bandit. The best thing about though was that it could measure your 0-60 time :D

[z-weiser]

cool thanks guys!

will be getting myself to halfrauds asap!

will have a look for one with either a rear wheel sensor or a very long cable!!

thanks again

Z

[piguglyshandydrinker]

cool thanks guys!

will be getting myself to halfrauds asap!

will have a look for one with either a rear wheel sensor or a very long cable!!

thanks again

Z

Cables are easily extended at home using a piece of bell wire soldered/chocklateblocked to the existing wire - this is best done behind the fairing away from road crap.

Phil

[z-weiser]

nice one, ta for the tip! :D