Modern Vespa

I wonder does BV 500 Speedometer shows correct speed?, because when I am on the freeway with 80 mph, I do not feel very fast and scooter runs very stable and smooth eventhough I speed up to 90 mph. BV500 owner feel the same like me? Thanks.

I doubt it. Piaggio speedos tend to have an error of 10%. Your 90mph is probably close to 80.

I find both by wife's bv 250 and my bv 500 is shows about 5 mph too fast. This is true at every speed 50 and over. I tested the true speed with a stop watch. I checked the number of seconds between mile posts on the highway at 60 mph 70 and 75 indicated on the speedometer. True speed was 55,65 and 70 respectively. For those of you who don't know how to do this, here's the formula for true speed. Maintain a constant speed between mile markers. Start the stop watch when passing the first post - then stop the stopwatch at the next milepost. Divide 3600 (the number of seconds in an hour) by the result on the stop watch. For example if you go one mile in 57 seconds, you are going 63 mph (3600/57 = 63.15).

I believe it is about 10% fast like stated above. At 90 indicated though I am flying past everyone.

Mine's off by approx. 5 mph like the others. I've radared myself. So when I'm on the freeway and doing 80, I'm actually doing 75.

Generally speaking, motorcycle and scooter speedometers are 7% to 10% optimistic.

Dave

I'm relieved to know that I'm not the only one that has been wondering about this. I was just getting ready to take mine back to the dealer to have it checked out. I'm curious if the same percentage applies at lower speeds. I hate that sinking feeling in my stomach when I pass a police car and am using my "adjusted" speed.

This is my first post, but I look forward to learning from all of you.

Has anyone tried a GPS? If so, did it give you an accurate reading, or can you tell?

My BV 500 is about the same as the others posted. About 5 mph slower.

My 2007 BV 500 speedometer has always read about 5 miles per hour faster than actual. I think this is due to when at a complete stop it only goes down to 5 mph because there is a metal stop there.

That's a new one.

I've got that on mine and it runs a little shy of 10% optimistic based on my GPS reports.

In terms of "feeling" fast, are you also referring to the perception of speed compared to a scooter? My Sport City is more squirrely on the freeway than my Beo but nothing compared to my old GTS at the same speeds. The BV and Scarabeo have large wheels so gyro stability + long wheel base effects are greater...