Aftermarket speedometer/tachometer road king
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 100
Likes: 57
From: BC
Aftermarket speedometer/tachometer road king
I have a road king special. I don't like only having the digital readout tachometer and would prefer a gauge. I tried searching for a thread on here where people have shown what they have and what they like about different t products but wasn't able to find much. If this has been discussed before, please forward a copy of the thread.
I have seen a thread showing a secondary tachometer install similar to police bikes and I really like how you don't have to look down at it as much but it was a pretty involved custom install that I don't feel like doing.
I'd rather just do a replacement gauge. I've seen the harley one and I like that it has different colours and separate gauges for the speed and rpm. I read that people didn't like that it's hard to see the gear you are in. Does anybody have any other things they really like or dislike about this gauge?
Also, what are other aftermarket options for replacement gauges. And what are the pros and cons of them?
I have seen a thread showing a secondary tachometer install similar to police bikes and I really like how you don't have to look down at it as much but it was a pretty involved custom install that I don't feel like doing.
I'd rather just do a replacement gauge. I've seen the harley one and I like that it has different colours and separate gauges for the speed and rpm. I read that people didn't like that it's hard to see the gear you are in. Does anybody have any other things they really like or dislike about this gauge?
Also, what are other aftermarket options for replacement gauges. And what are the pros and cons of them?
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 380
Likes: 272
From: Lebanon Missouri
I purchased a Fat Bob with the accessory tachometer, gear indicator and fuel level,
Everything is right there when you glance down at gauge face.
The tachometer is a little too small for knowing exactly what rpms you are riding at, the needle is pretty thick, I think it is more than accurate enough for a quick glance down, I don't use the gear indicator all that much, mostly at stoplights, if I forget if I made the last downshift into first gear,
The bar graph fuel indicator, works well enough, I find myself using the range to empty more so for a more accurate, and the numbers are larger and easier to read when you're on the highway.
There is a lot of information in a small space, I just focus on what's more important to me, rpms and how many miles in the gas tank.
Everything is right there when you glance down at gauge face.
The tachometer is a little too small for knowing exactly what rpms you are riding at, the needle is pretty thick, I think it is more than accurate enough for a quick glance down, I don't use the gear indicator all that much, mostly at stoplights, if I forget if I made the last downshift into first gear,
The bar graph fuel indicator, works well enough, I find myself using the range to empty more so for a more accurate, and the numbers are larger and easier to read when you're on the highway.
There is a lot of information in a small space, I just focus on what's more important to me, rpms and how many miles in the gas tank.
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,051
Likes: 399
From: Bournemouth United Kingdom
Aftermarket if you like the ‘traditional’ look Smiths Instruments have been in the game for years. There is also a company called Digital Speedos that also sell Smiths but have a much wider range of other aftermarket options.
https://www.smiths-instruments.co.uk/motorcycles
https://www.digital-speedos.co.uk/?g...SAAEgLwFvD_BwE
https://www.smiths-instruments.co.uk/motorcycles
https://www.digital-speedos.co.uk/?g...SAAEgLwFvD_BwE
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,899
Likes: 3,412
From: OH
I have the Harley CVO speedo/tach unit. The gear indicator is basically the same single digit LCD as the other units on the touring platform. I am not sure why people have a harder time seeing it than on other models but I don't look at it very often if ever. The gauge tells me everything I need to know plus the gas gauge on the bottom of it is actually fairly accurate. I am not sure what your infatuation with having a highly visible secondary tach would be. After looking at the tach a few times I don't use it much. On a Harley it's pretty easy to feel/hear where you are in the RPM range. You must want to drag race the bike and are looking for shift points?
Overall I am happy with the CVO speedo/tach. It has given me zero issues with it. The back light is color adjustable and the gauge does everything it's advertised to do.
Overall I am happy with the CVO speedo/tach. It has given me zero issues with it. The back light is color adjustable and the gauge does everything it's advertised to do.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 100
Likes: 57
From: BC
I have the Harley CVO speedo/tach unit. The gear indicator is basically the same single digit LCD as the other units on the touring platform. I am not sure why people have a harder time seeing it than on other models but I don't look at it very often if ever. The gauge tells me everything I need to know plus the gas gauge on the bottom of it is actually fairly accurate. I am not sure what your infatuation with having a highly visible secondary tach would be. After looking at the tach a few times I don't use it much. On a Harley it's pretty easy to feel/hear where you are in the RPM range. You must want to drag race the bike and are looking for shift points?
Overall I am happy with the CVO speedo/tach. It has given me zero issues with it. The back light is color adjustable and the gauge does everything it's advertised to do.
Overall I am happy with the CVO speedo/tach. It has given me zero issues with it. The back light is color adjustable and the gauge does everything it's advertised to do.
No, not looking to drag race. While reading other threads about tachometers, I've seen some funny discussions between people who want to see rpms and people who say you only need to hear and feel it.
There are definitely times I push the bike and just like to know where it's at, especially in the mountains where I might not be familiar with a road and it's steepness. An analog tach would mean I'd be looking down for half a second less vs the small digital read out I have now. Ya, you can feel and listen but it's nice to add a third sense (visual) to understanding where the motors at. It's no different than any car or truck I've had, standard or automatic, I'd rather have the visual tach in front of me. I even added boost guages to my diesels. I wasn't drag racing but when I was pushing the truck hard, i felt more in control and was more dialed in to my engine (no pun intended). I also have a full face with music in my helmet so I cant hear the engine the same that I would with open face and no music. I'd say I'd forgo the gauges when I'm 80 in a wheelchair but I'd bee lying. I'll probably to a bigger motor and higher output battery with digital gauges on that too
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 6,090
Likes: 1,963
From: Somewhere on the Bourbon trail
I have the H-D speedo/tach combo on my '13 King. It's a great gauge and have had no issues since I installed it about 6 years ago. Just a few cons - I agree the tach is on the small side but have gotten use to it. I don't look at it much, but just a quick reference. The fuel and gear indicators are small as well, and as someone posted, I use the range to 0 more. I do have the digital gas gauge on the left side of the tank and use that for a quick reference. If you want a separate tach gauge, here are a couple analog gauges to consider.
Koso analog gauge here.
Baron Custom analog gaugehere.
If you want a larger gear indicator, H-D makes them for the RK here. It provides a quick glance w/o looking down on your speedo.
Koso analog gauge here.
Baron Custom analog gaugehere.
If you want a larger gear indicator, H-D makes them for the RK here. It provides a quick glance w/o looking down on your speedo.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 6,090
Likes: 1,963
From: Somewhere on the Bourbon trail
Another option to consider if you want something more temporary is a speedo and tach app on your phone. You could mount the phone on the bars. An app called RPMitUp is an example. You can look at it here. It has other info like gear indicator, engine temp, MPG, engine performance like torque and HP. You can make the gauges digital or analog. You would just need the Bluetooth ODBII module to connect to the data port on your bike.
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Road Master
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 750
Likes: 200
From: WNY
I have the dakota digital speedo/tach on my RKS. Main reason I went with it was because my stock speedo would fog right over the tach display and I hated it. I read that the harley replacement had similar issues so I went with this one. Its pretty nice. I can change the colors and the display right on my phone in the setup screen via bluetooth. I will say tho, that it is somewhat hard to see the colors in the daytime. Its supposed to invert color when the suns out, but it doesn't work all the time. I can try to get pics tonight/tomorrow so you can see, but I think its the MLX2000 or something like that. I got it for $200 from a guy on FB marketplace and sent it to dakota to get the odometer reset for $20. Not sure I would pay full price though.
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Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 100
Likes: 57
From: BC
I have the H-D speedo/tach combo on my '13 King. It's a great gauge and have had no issues since I installed it about 6 years ago. Just a few cons - I agree the tach is on the small side but have gotten use to it. I don't look at it much, but just a quick reference. The fuel and gear indicators are small as well, and as someone posted, I use the range to 0 more. I do have the digital gas gauge on the left side of the tank and use that for a quick reference. If you want a separate tach gauge, here are a couple analog gauges to consider.
Koso analog gauge here.
Baron Custom analog gaugehere.
If you want a larger gear indicator, H-D makes them for the RK here. It provides a quick glance w/o looking down on your speedo.
Koso analog gauge here.
Baron Custom analog gaugehere.
If you want a larger gear indicator, H-D makes them for the RK here. It provides a quick glance w/o looking down on your speedo.
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 100
Likes: 57
From: BC
Another option to consider if you want something more temporary is a speedo and tach app on your phone. You could mount the phone on the bars. An app called RPMitUp is an example. You can look at it here. It has other info like gear indicator, engine temp, MPG, engine performance like torque and HP. You can make the gauges digital or analog. You would just need the Bluetooth ODBII module to connect to the data port on your bike.