186 on an SV650? Surely Not!

And the answer clearly is not, over the last couple of days my speedo on my K3 has been acting somewhat erratically. When I turn the ignition on the speedo starts flashing random speeds (including 186) and carrys on for about 10 minutes before seeming to return to what it should be and works normally for the rest of the journey. Has anyone any idea what the problem is or has had something similar?

No idea what's causing it, but I imagine the 186 may well be the max the speedo will read due to the 300kmph/186mph agreement between the big 4 jap manufacturers. Sorry, pointless bit of trivia and not really helpful.

[jambo]

Check for dodgy connections, I would especially check that the battery terminals are both on tight.

[tj2]

had that on my k3 650, was the wiring from the sensor/faulty sensor at the wheel was replaced under warranty with no problem...... will show 199 mph max !!!!!!!

Terry

Certainly sounds like the speed sensor could be the culprit, but in my case it was the connector on the main wiring loom accessible after removing the rhs black panel below the seat. It had come apart slightly after me tugging around that area prior to setting off on a euro trip. Significantly in my case it caused much more than the 186 mph issue . I would get nothing at all at ignition on ( no green or red lights) and starter dead. Wait a few moments and then the rev counter would go crazy , the warning lights come on and I had ignition and could start up. This happened a few times until the bike started to die completely on me whilst running ( good dose of crazy speedo numbers including 186 just b4 the final cutting out.) So I approached a garage to check things out. To their credit they checked for 30 mins and eventually found the problem and wouldn't take any payment(!!) this was a Suzuki dealer outside Metz near luxembourg. Can't quite see that happening at home can you!!! I did give the mechanic a good drink though!!
HTH

loose or corroded battery connections can cause erratic guage behavior

Originally Posted by creamerybutter

And the answer clearly is not, over the last couple of days my speedo on my K3 has been acting somewhat erratically. When I turn the ignition on the speedo starts flashing random speeds (including 186) and carrys on for about 10 minutes before seeming to return to what it should be and works normally for the rest of the journey. Has anyone any idea what the problem is or has had something similar?

I had the same problem on the car, except the rev counter was also eratic.

How I can do 289mph in a 2.0l Ford Galaxy at 2k RPM I have no idea, but I did, apparently. Maybe a really long run up, and a gearbox that has 700 gears...

Anyway, the cause was that the alternator was screwed. Hopefully it'll be cheaper than the £300 it cost me! Naturally, the bike might be a different part, but it's somewhere in the electrics, from the alternator through to the speed pickup to the dash, including any dodgy connections between them.

If it's the reg/rect/generator (aka alternator) setup, you'll soon find that your battery doesn't get charged. Fun fun.

I gave the bike a quick jet wash yesterday (I know avoiding wheel bearings etc) as it was quite manky and all my cleaning stuff is sealed in my garage (along with my tools) and it seems to be ok. Although worryingly the engine just died while I was riding to work this morning, started again fine but still concerning.

It started doing it again so now that I can actually get into my garage I took the wheel off, the roter in the speed sensor looks fine with no damage. I checked all the connectors and they seemed fine and the terminals on the battery were on tight.

The only thing I can think is the wiring in the sensor is damaged (I have no idea how) but that is £70+ quid . I have seen a curvey one on ebay quite cheap but I am assuming they aren't interchangable. Is there a way to test the sensor before I fork out on a new one?