Why a bicycle speedo on a motor cycle?
Because they can be calibrated (made accurate) by the operator
without fuss.
They are cheap and light.
Other alternatives exist
GPS units , and purpose built motorcycle speedos.
Both of these are more expensive and heavier than the bicycle speedos.
There is a more expensive bicycle speedo by Topeak that has back lighting and a larger screen and about $10us more than a BC1400.
A supplier.
Another supplier who do an alu bracket to go around it as an accessory.
Why A Sigma?
Because they claim to work to 300 km/h (183 mph).
Missing features/problems?
Night lighting, is now a possibility with an accessory light,
battery powered 15 hours life.
Length of cord to sensor is not long enough. Most people extend
the cord themselves by soldering in a bit of wire. There is a
rear wheel kit (for bicycles) that has a longer cord.
Larger buttons. The sigma buttons are at the top and bottom for
most models, and these are reasonable for gloved use.
The display units are not waterproof; water-resistant... yes but
best kept out of heavy rain. Mount it in a sheltered
location.
A
description of each sigma model with it's features.
Update - December 2000. New BC1400 looks to have replaced the
BC1200. Maybe the BC1400 has 14 functions? More - May 2001. BC400 replaced by 401 - no more automatic scrolling :(
Uses one button to manually scroll through functions.
Basically the BC401 has 4 functions, BC600 has 6 functions, BC800
has 8 functions and the BC1400 has 12 functions.
They all display the current speed in the upper display area. The
lower display area shows the other functions, mostly one at a
time. The 401 cycles between odometer, clock and
trip meter as the (single) button is pressed. The trip meter resets to zero if the machine is not
moved for 3 hours. The 600 adds maximum speed during this trip,
and elapsed trip time, with the trip reset to zero done by a
button and the function displayed also controlled by a second button.
The 800 adds average speed during this trip and a separate
display to show if you are above or below your average speed. The
1400 adds yet more functions and button/s. The details are on the site.
The BC1400 has small buttons. The wireless kit is reported not to operate on
motorcycles. The Targa model is a metal packaged BC800.
dead link http://www.sigmasport.com/ASP/A_Computer/A08_Night_Light/a08_e.asp#">
on A sigma night light accessory - about $AUD22. Your
bicycle shop may not stock these. The on/off button is small. the home page requires flash player - I'm not installing it ...
dead link "http://www.zing.com/album/?id=4293241597" on Installing
two Targas on a bmw R1150GS with a single sensor photos
mostly .. Includes the night light accessory.
Installing a
BC700 on a sports bike full description of why, how
..
The BC700 is no longer available but all the sigma models now
(July 2000) claim to operate to 300 km/h.
dead link "http://www.bmwsearch.net/bmw-digests/tech/digest/V1996/N00/digest-19960047.html#subject1996004702" that had
a report on 'Two models of Avocet, and one CatEye that don't go over
71mph.(114km/h)'
A commercial
firm that has a page on installing sensors and
magnets.
Sigma 800 to a ST1100.
My calibration data for
If you do have any other links, then please let me know.
back to my home page & start again Dated 25 March 2002