Has anybody else noticed the strangness of the ambient temperature gauge? While you think you are getting one decimal place precision, you are actually getting changes in 0.9 F degree increments, not 0.1, as you might think from the display (nn.n). After days of watching it and puzzling, I finally figured out that that is equal to exactly 0.5 C degree.
I just thought I'd mention it. It is obviously an observation of note.
Peter
Ambient temperature guage
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- Sextuple Lifer
- Posts: 523
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- Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Ambient temperature guage
'07 R1200R
Life Member #599
NAUI Inst. #1434 (since 1969)
Life Member #599
NAUI Inst. #1434 (since 1969)
Re: Ambient temperature guage
This was beat to death somewhere "in true BMW fashion". Sometimes I wish the stupid thing wasn't even there, if I'm 300 miles out and heading home, I can figure out if I'm hot or not, I don't have to know that it's 100.9F. But then again if it jumps from 100.1 to 100.9 then it might really be 100.4 and then I would feel cooler.
It's like the average miles, MPG and miles to empty - just a toy.
It's like the average miles, MPG and miles to empty - just a toy.
Harry Costello -- Jersey Shore
2007 R1200R
1974 + 75 CB125S
1971 R75
2020 Guzzi V85TT
BMWMOA 57358
2007 R1200R
1974 + 75 CB125S
1971 R75
2020 Guzzi V85TT
BMWMOA 57358
Re: Ambient temperature guage
The temp gauge reads in 0.5 degree C increments. So when 15.0 C is converted, you get 59.0 F exactly. Unfortunately, since 0.5C=0.9F, as the temp rises the US gauge reads 59.9, 60.8, 61.7, etc. It implies great precision, which is misleading.
Cheers, Tom
Cheers, Tom
2014 R1200GS
2007 R1200R
ex-2010 Ducati Monster 1100
ex-1988 K75S
ex-1980 R100S
ex-'70's UJM's
2007 R1200R
ex-2010 Ducati Monster 1100
ex-1988 K75S
ex-1980 R100S
ex-'70's UJM's
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- Sextuple Lifer
- Posts: 523
- Joined: Thu May 17, 2007 1:35 pm
- Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Re: Ambient temperature guage
Since I don't have an MP3 player, I actually enjoy watching it on long stretches of desolate highway. It is no more useless than "miles to empty" (which I don't believe) or mpg (which I don't believe, either).mogu83 wrote:This was beat to death somewhere "in true BMW fashion". Sometimes I wish the stupid thing wasn't even there, if I'm 300 miles out and heading home, I can figure out if I'm hot or not, I don't have to know that it's 100.9F. But then again if it jumps from 100.1 to 100.9 then it might really be 100.4 and then I would feel cooler.
It's like the average miles, MPG and miles to empty - just a toy.
'07 R1200R
Life Member #599
NAUI Inst. #1434 (since 1969)
Life Member #599
NAUI Inst. #1434 (since 1969)
Re: Ambient temperature guage
I like it also. I keep it on the temp display at least 80% of the time. I wish I had an altimeter too. But that's just me.famousperson wrote:Since I don't have an MP3 player, I actually enjoy watching it on long stretches of desolate highway. It is no more useless than "miles to empty" (which I don't believe) or mpg (which I don't believe, either).mogu83 wrote:This was beat to death somewhere "in true BMW fashion". Sometimes I wish the stupid thing wasn't even there, if I'm 300 miles out and heading home, I can figure out if I'm hot or not, I don't have to know that it's 100.9F. But then again if it jumps from 100.1 to 100.9 then it might really be 100.4 and then I would feel cooler.
It's like the average miles, MPG and miles to empty - just a toy.
Mark
What is happening to my skin?
Where is that protection that I needed?
Air can hurt you too
Where is that protection that I needed?
Air can hurt you too
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- Sextuple Lifer
- Posts: 523
- Joined: Thu May 17, 2007 1:35 pm
- Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Re: Ambient temperature guage
Altimeter, yes! I yearn for one. I have a Garmin (not my Zumo) that gives the altitude but it is on some fairly inaccessible screen. You can get cheapie dash stick-ons for cars that work great but 1) I don't know where it would fit and 2) I doubt if they're weatherproof.celticus wrote:I like it also. I keep it on the temp display at least 80% of the time. I wish I had an altimeter too. But that's just me.famousperson wrote:Since I don't have an MP3 player, I actually enjoy watching it on long stretches of desolate highway. It is no more useless than "miles to empty" (which I don't believe) or mpg (which I don't believe, either).mogu83 wrote:This was beat to death somewhere "in true BMW fashion". Sometimes I wish the stupid thing wasn't even there, if I'm 300 miles out and heading home, I can figure out if I'm hot or not, I don't have to know that it's 100.9F. But then again if it jumps from 100.1 to 100.9 then it might really be 100.4 and then I would feel cooler.
It's like the average miles, MPG and miles to empty - just a toy.
Mark
What I would really love to see is one along the lines of the nice little clocks and temerature gauges that are made for motorcycles.
Peter
'07 R1200R
Life Member #599
NAUI Inst. #1434 (since 1969)
Life Member #599
NAUI Inst. #1434 (since 1969)
Re: Ambient temperature guage
I believe mine. Filled up this morning at 219 miles with it showing 15 miles to empty and took on 20 litres. That's 10.85 miles per litre consumption. 1 litre left in the tank and it reading 15 miles to go isn't far off - I run the tank on this bike far closer to empty than I have on any other bike precisely becasue I trust the coundown plus or minus a few miles. The fuel consumption readout isn't more than +/- 2mpg out on what I calculate either - usually closer.famousperson wrote:It is no more useless than "miles to empty" (which I don't believe)......
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- Sextuple Lifer
- Posts: 523
- Joined: Thu May 17, 2007 1:35 pm
- Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Re: Ambient temperature guage
I trust my odometer and my personal knowledge (from keeping track at fill-ups) that I get 45 mpg, highway. I use the fuel gauge (the accuracy of which I question, also) only to tell me when to start paying attention to the odometer.
Now, I will confess I am probably negatively biased against milage computers because my truck's computer really is wildly inaccurate. The mpg and dte figures are jokes. I guess it is unfair to compare a a Dodge truck with a BMW motorcycle but I simply don't want to run out of gas. Since you know for a fact that your computer is accurate, by all means use it. That's what it's for--when it works.
Now, I will confess I am probably negatively biased against milage computers because my truck's computer really is wildly inaccurate. The mpg and dte figures are jokes. I guess it is unfair to compare a a Dodge truck with a BMW motorcycle but I simply don't want to run out of gas. Since you know for a fact that your computer is accurate, by all means use it. That's what it's for--when it works.
'07 R1200R
Life Member #599
NAUI Inst. #1434 (since 1969)
Life Member #599
NAUI Inst. #1434 (since 1969)
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- Lifer
- Posts: 547
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- Location: Sydney, Australia
Re: Ambient temperature guage
1 degree Fahrenheit = 5/9 degrees Celcius, hence 0.5C = 0.9F (plus 32, of course, since 0C=32F)
When are you septics gonna catch up?
I like watching the temp, too, especially when riding through variable country ...
When are you septics gonna catch up?
I like watching the temp, too, especially when riding through variable country ...
#584 Crystal Grey tour-farkelled Vespa GTS250 PX150
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xF650CS R1150RS R80 K1100LT R65LS K100RT
- websterize
- Lifer
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Re: Ambient temperature guage
Temperature display and Tripmeter 1 are the most meaningful readouts for me, especially in winter, so I'll see your 80 percent and raise temp. to 99 percent of the time.celticus wrote:I like it also. I keep it on the temp display at least 80% of the time.Mark
The residual range part of the OBC has left me stranded twice, once at 30 miles to 0, so I ignore it. That's probably the reason BMW recommends not trying to use the full range before refueling.
Bill
Re: Ambient temperature guage
I just wish there were a way to tell the unit to read out in C rather than F. The false precision bothers me.Caroanbill wrote:1 degree Fahrenheit = 5/9 degrees Celcius, hence 0.5C = 0.9F (plus 32, of course, since 0C=32F)
...
Re altimeters, there's this thingie:
http://www.chinavasion.com/product_info ... ermometer/
The weather prediction aspect caught my eye.
Good roads,
- Lewellen
Ask not why we should do a thing; rather, ask why we should not.
Re: Ambient temperature guage
I think most of the reason is that recommendation is that running the fuel pump dry is likely to damage it. And the closer you get to a 0 mile range the closer you are to running the pump dry.websterize wrote:celticus wrote:That's probably the reason BMW recommends not trying to use the full range before refueling.
Re: Ambient temperature guage
Celticus did not write that. Someone is "snipping" over fervently.sproggy wrote:I think most of the reason is that recommendation is that running the fuel pump dry is likely to damage it. And the closer you get to a 0 mile range the closer you are to running the pump dry.websterize wrote:celticus wrote:That's probably the reason BMW recommends not trying to use the full range before refueling.
Mark
What is happening to my skin?
Where is that protection that I needed?
Air can hurt you too
Where is that protection that I needed?
Air can hurt you too
- websterize
- Lifer
- Posts: 993
- Joined: Mon Oct 06, 2008 4:41 pm
Re: Ambient temperature guage
Anyone know if this is possible with a GS911 diagnostic tool? If not, maybe the dealer can do? You can easily switch from Celsius to Fahrenheit in BMW autos.lewellen wrote:I just wish there were a way to tell the unit to read out in C rather than F. The false precision bothers me.
Bill
Re: Ambient temperature guage
I like the ambient temp guage, like tonight riding home from work i reached the lowest low temp so far (for me) 4C or last summer i reached a high of 45C. Its also good when crossing mountains & back down into the valley, the difference a few k's up or down is fun to watch.
2009 R1200R
1981 R65
1968 DUCATI 250 MK3
1975 Suzuki GT380
1981 R65
1968 DUCATI 250 MK3
1975 Suzuki GT380
Re: Ambient temperature guage
The GS-911 information page doesn't really say; I think the info. on the website refers to being able to change the units the GS-911 software uses, not what the bike shows: http://www.hexcode.co.za/products/gs-91 ... ion-buttonwebsterize wrote:Anyone know if this is possible with a GS911 diagnostic tool? If not, maybe the dealer can do? You can easily switch from Celsius to Fahrenheit in BMW autos.lewellen wrote:I just wish there were a way to tell the unit to read out in C rather than F. The false precision bothers me.
Good roads,
- Lewellen
Ask not why we should do a thing; rather, ask why we should not.
- websterize
- Lifer
- Posts: 993
- Joined: Mon Oct 06, 2008 4:41 pm
Re: Ambient temperature guage
Seems a dealer computer can do it, but it's probably gonna cost you. The last time my dealer plugged in the computer — to clear a LAMP error after I installed the OEM LED tail light — it cost $74.
Bill
Re: Ambient temperature guage
Maybe I'm missing something here, but Fahrenheit is the accepted temperature scale in the US, right? So why do you want to change to Celsius - just because you don't like seeing fractions of a degree on the scale? Imagine what we have to put up with - half the time there's an annoyingly untidy ".5" after our temperature readings and........get this.......just because it says ".5" it doesn't necessarily mean it is - it could be ".4" or even ".6". Or ".3" or ".7". The horror of it all - temperatures rounded to a non-round figure. And the boredom - always ".0" or ".5" - no variety at all.
I'm going to have to sell the bike.
I'm going to have to sell the bike.