Recalibrating the Gear Indicator

[kevinw]

I've just fitted a Healtech SpeedoHealer to correct the inaccurate speedo reading (it was, er, 'fun' but that's another story). It works perfectly but now the Yamaha gear indicator doesn't work. If I reset the SpeedoHealer so it's not altering the speed signal the gear indicator comes back...but now of course the speed is wrong

I assume it's a software gear indicator as it doesn't display the gear if the clutch is pulled in (like aftermarket gear indicators) and I suspect it just needs to be recalibrated to cope with the altered speed signal. I popped down to my local dealer to see if they could sort it out for me only to be told the gear indicator calibration is factory-set and there's no process to recalibrate it.

It's just software, is there really no way to do that?

Thanks.

Kevin

 

[markjenn]

Short of major hacking in the ECU code, I doubt there is any way to fix this. You're correct....Yamaha's gear indicator is software-based, meaning it infers gear position by looking at the ratio of wheel speed to engine speed. Yamaha probably never intended for anyone to be modifying the wheel speed inputs to this algorithm, so the ratios are probably "hard wired" without any provision for re-calibration. Just because things are software does not mean they're easily modifiable. Most embedded systems like this have no provisions for re-programming.

That being said, I'm surprised a minor speed correction change caused the system to go AWOL.... you would think it would be able to compensate for the change as part of its general compensation it does for differing tire diameters and the like. The ABS and traction control systems certainly are fairly tolerant of changes in wheel diameter, so it surprises me that the gear indicator isn't. Did you modify the front or rear wheel signal?

I'm surprised you felt the need to correct the 2014's speedo error. Most are reporting that it is fairly accurate and much better than the 8% +/- error of the 2012-2013.

- Mark

 

[kevinw]

Just because things are software does not mean they're easily modifiable. Most embedded systems like this have no provisions for re-programming.

All aftermarket gear position indicators rely on being able to be calibrated once they are fitted so it's not an insurmountable programming issue.

That being said, I'm surprised a minor speed correction change caused the system to go AWOL.... you would think it would be able to compensate for the change as part of its general compensation it does for differing tire diameters and the like. The ABS and traction control systems certainly are fairly tolerant of changes in wheel diameter, so it surprises me that the gear indicator isn't. Did you modify the front or rear wheel signal?

I was quite surprised when it didn't work. A wire is cut between the ABS ECU and ECU for the SpeedoHealer to fit in between so I don't know which wheel that signal comes from.

I'm surprised you felt the need to correct the 2014's speedo error. Most are reporting that it is fairly accurate and much better than the 8% +/- error of the 2012-2013.

Ours is wrong by 7.8% so not much different to the figure you are quoting for the earlier bikes.

I've reset the SpeedoHealer so it doesn't alter the signal for the time being. If I want an accurate speedo and a gear indicator, and I do, I guess the only answer is to bite the bullet and fit an aftermarket gear indicator.

Kevin

 

[echo_four_romeo]

Is it really that difficult to do an on the fly plus or minus of a few MPH/KPH to get your actual speed? I've never understood the need to add a speedohealer...it screws with the odometer readings as well. I guess I'm just a young guy with an old school way of doing things.

 

[kevinw]

Not at all but why would I want to if I can get it to display the correct figure? Of course it screws with the odometer readings, it corrects them!

I guess I'm just an old guy who likes things to do what they're supposed to do .

Kevin

 

[Simon]

I haven't tested my theory but I think the ecu is smart enough to increment the odo accurately and display the speed with an intentional preset "error". Adjustment with the Speedo healer may make the odo inaccurate. Just a thought.

 

[kevinw]

I don't think it does. When we do long distance runs or rallies the odo always over-reads compared to the satnavs.

Kevin

 

[markjenn]

I don't think it does. When we do long distance runs or rallies the odo always over-reads compared to the satnavs.

Due to position jitter, GPSs make lousy odometers.

I don't know about the 2014s, but the 2012-2013 models have reasonably accurate odometers (within 2% or so measured by driving long distances against interstate highway markers) and very optimistic speedometers (up to 10% high). This is strange since the two systems use exactly the same inputs, but most vehicles deliberately bias the speedo high to avoid it ever reading low. Conversely, odometers must be reasonably accurate to avoid problems of premature warranty aging, lease payment problems, etc. Ask Honda what happens if you deliberately bias your odometer high.

- Mark

 

[markjenn]

All aftermarket gear position indicators rely on being able to be calibrated once they are fitted so it's not an insurmountable programming issue.

Aftermarket systems HAVE to provide for calibration as they must work on a wide variety of bikes. For a bike like the S10 with fixed gearing, there is no requirement to provide for calibration so Yamaha didn't add this function. And it is a non-trivial problem - you either have to allow end-user programming with all the attendant UI issues of doing the calibration with the limited controls on the dash or you have to provide a way for dealers to load new software to the bike, something that I don't believe Yamaha has ever done on any of their bikes. And generally mfgs are prohibited by law for providing any ability to adjust the speedo calibration, so it would be very strange to provide for gear indicator calibration to correct for a speedo calibration change they aren't allowed to support.

- Mark

 

[kevinw]

On these two things we're going to have to agree to disagree.

Due to position jitter, GPSs make lousy odometers.

On the contrary, I find the satnav odometers to be very accurate.

you either have to allow end-user programming with all the attendant UI issues of doing the calibration with the limited controls on the dash

While I'll grant you that as far as Yamaha is concerned there is no need to provide it I'm going to query the 'attendant UI issues' statement. The aftermarket gear indicator manufacturers manage to do this with a tiny single-character display; there is a plethora of buttons and a large display available on the S10 with which could easily accommodate the UI required for this task.

And on that note I'll have to leave it as we're off riding for a week.

Kevin

 

[markjenn]

This whole discussion just draws more attention to the cheesy way Yamaha decided to do a gear indicator on the S10. Adding a way to re-calibrate the system would be a band-aid on top of a scab. I love my S10, but I wish Yamaha's bean counters could have been beaten back a little more.

- Mark

 

[kevinw]

[nods] There's nothing at all in that post I could disagree with .

Kevin (From a hotel in Stuttgart. There appears to be some sort of classic motorcycle convention just down the road and they are making lots of noise - bloody motorcyclists )

 

[fredz43]

I've got a 14 with the gear position indicator and I say BFD. Ok, so it goes to - when the clutch is pulled in, who cares? The only thing it has done for me is to save some wear and tear on my left boot, as I no longer do the "confirmation shift" to make sure I am in high gear, other than that, it has zero value to me. They could have done the same as the GL1800 Gold Wings as far as I am concerned and just have a light that tells you that you are in top gear. Otherwise WHGAF. The 14 has some very good upgrades, but the gear indicator has limited value to anyone who has ridden a motorcycle for any time and knows how to shift when the engine needs it and I find it hard to believe all the whining we have seen on it being a "cheap" way to do it.

 

[markjenn]

I've got a 14 with the gear position indicator and I say BFD. Ok, so it goes to - when the clutch is pulled in, who cares? The only thing it has done for me is to save some wear and tear on my left boot, as I no longer do the "confirmation shift" to make sure I am in high gear, other than that, it has zero value to me. They could have done the same as the GL1800 Gold Wings as far as I am concerned and just have a light that tells you that you are in top gear. Otherwise WHGAF. The 14 has some very good upgrades, but the gear indicator has limited value to anyone who has ridden a motorcycle for any time and knows how to shift when the engine needs it and I find it hard to believe all the whining we have seen on it being a "cheap" way to do it.

One guy's BFD is another's "must have". Different people have different priorities. Bikes today have tens of features that many would say are totally unnecessary. While I don't think a gear indicator is a big deal, it is more/less standard equipment on today's big adventure bikes and if Yamaha is going to provide it, then do it in a decent way, instead of the half-assed way they did. It just screams "cheap".

- Mark

 

[kevinw]

I've got a 14 with the gear position indicator and I say BFD. Ok, so it goes to - when the clutch is pulled in, who cares? The only thing it has done for me is to save some wear and tear on my left boot, as I no longer do the "confirmation shift" to make sure I am in high gear, other than that, it has zero value to me. They could have done the same as the GL1800 Gold Wings as far as I am concerned and just have a light that tells you that you are in top gear. Otherwise WHGAF. The 14 has some very good upgrades, but the gear indicator has limited value to anyone who has ridden a motorcycle for any time and knows how to shift when the engine needs it and I find it hard to believe all the whining we have seen on it being a "cheap" way to do it.

I'm very pleased for you. I, on the on the other hand, find it useful.

 

[scott123007]

One guy's BFD is another's "must have". Different people have different priorities. Bikes today have tens of features that many would say are totally unnecessary. While I don't think a gear indicator is a big deal, it is more/less standard equipment on today's big adventure bikes and if Yamaha is going to provide it, then do it in a decent way, instead of the half-assed way they did. It just screams "cheap".

- Mark

Actually, I think there is a degree of logic on Yamaha's part for the gear indicator to be this way. They must feel that if you are so clueless as to not realize what gear you are in even though you are the one that put it in that gear, that they had better notify you that when your clutch in pulled in, that you are in essence, in no gear, until you let the clutch out. ::025:: ::025:: ::025::

 

[kevinw]

Actually, I think there is a degree of logic on Yamaha's part for the gear indicator to be this way. They must feel that if you are so clueless as to not realize what gear you are in even though you are the one that put it in that gear, that they had better notify you that when your clutch in pulled in, that you are in essence unable to move forward, and therefore in no gear, until you let the clutch out. ::025:: ::025:: ::025::

You're not really thinking this through are you. If that were the case don't you think they'd have fitted an inclinometer as well?

 

[markjenn]

Actually, I think there is a degree of logic on Yamaha's part for the gear indicator to be this way. They must feel that if you are so clueless as to not realize what gear you are in even though you are the one that put it in that gear, that they had better notify you that when your clutch in pulled in, that you are in essence, in no gear, until you let the clutch out. ::025:: ::025:: ::025::

You need to work for Yamaha. It's BOTH a gear indicator and clutch disengaged indicator! It's two instruments in one.

- Mark

 

[XtreemLee]

I had a gear indicator on my 2000 RT and I loved it. It showed what gear the transmission was in regardless of clutch actuation. I use my indicator all the time. On my 2012 I would catch myself in fourth gear on the highway because it was so smooth. I also would have liked Yamaha to fit a proper gear indicator, and to all those who don't think its necessary - good for you