external temp gauge

[ahutcheon]

a sudden drop in temperature can indicate that it's about to rain.

Greg

I've noticed that, and I don't even have a temperature gauge on the bike. I find that being outside and all I can feel it happen. Maybe they'd be more popular if they automatically adjusted the heated grips?

 

[Clem]

The sensor systems in modern cars have a very complex algorithm to convert the temperature reading from the sensor into an accurate reading of outside ambiant temperature (OAT)

OAT calculations for some cars are ridiculously complex due to the positioning of the sensor - the first Nissan Terrano had the sensor inside the spare wheel mount on the rear door, and warmed aior from the exhaust caused the calculation to be inaccurate at high speeds. The sensor was then moved to the drivers' door mirror, needing a new algorithm!

Most cars now have the sensor mounted in front of the radiator which requires a wind chill algorithm only. Any simple temperature sensor mounted on the bike will be far from accurate because of air flow, wind chill etc.

Better to get a home weather station!

 

[Mzokk]

The sensor systems in modern cars have a very complex algorithm to convert the temperature reading from the sensor into an accurate reading of outside ambiant temperature (OAT)

OAT calculations for some cars are ridiculously complex due to the positioning of the sensor - the first Nissan Terrano had the sensor inside the spare wheel mount on the rear door, and warmed aior from the exhaust caused the calculation to be inaccurate at high speeds. The sensor was then moved to the drivers' door mirror, needing a new algorithm!

Most cars now have the sensor mounted in front of the radiator which requires a wind chill algorithm only. Any simple temperature sensor mounted on the bike will be far from accurate because of air flow, wind chill etc.

Better to get a home weather station!

Emm that sounds a bit odd as wind chill would only be a factor if the sensor was in a position to get wet (cos of the latent heat of vaporisation) (if the sensor is dry no amount of wind will change its temperature) the amount the temperature of the sensor is depressed would depend on the relative humidity so you'd need an RH sensor as well to tell the much the sensor temp would be depressed by the moisture on the sensor......and the system would have to know if the sensor was wet. Most car systems have a simple thermocouple as far as I know

 

[Tarka]

Whatever the type....wherever they`re mounted.... and however they do the calculation for display...as stated earlier,they`re still another completely useless gadget to worry about needlessly.

 

[motobiker]

the only time you would get an accurate(ish) reading is when you first sit on the bike... this assuming the bikes not parked in the sunshine... or wind... or rain...

however.. that aside.

the moment you pull away.. the airflow will reduce the temperature. the moment you stop... warm air rising from the engine will raise the temperature.

sorry.. but the more you think about this - the more ridiculous it gets.

It would have been the simplest thing in the world for BMW to have incorporated a thermometer into the RID.. they didn't bother. they knew it was pointless too.

 

[alimey4u2]

Temperature gauges... Hmmm..
Well speaking as a person that has a USA Patent on a temperature monitoring device, I spose this gives creedence to what I am about to say.. Actually it doesn't but WTF....

Save your money... The only creditable devices are infra red surface monitors. However, their reaction ( damping) time normally means you have just ridden over black ice. The numbers ( green or red LED...your choice sir ?) that are burned into your memory as your arse is sliding across the tarmac, have you wondering.... WTF ?

Weather forcast prior to riding is a more effective means of prevention.... Hey, spit on the floor...solid means danger...