Tried looking for answer in manual but found everything but this
Can the mph digital speed be changed to kmph when riding abroad
Can the mph digital speed be changed to kmph when riding abroad
mph speed
- Thread starter madmechanic
- Start date
The Nav V can if you have one?
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Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Bizarrely enough I've just been doing the same, as has the wife for her r1200r. We've come to the conclusion that you can't, so I'm watching carefully in case someone comes up with a solution. Those kph numbers on the analogue speedo are far too small.
Just ask your wife - or anyone else - to remember that 80 kph is 50 mph and that 50 kph is 30 mph, she'll not go far wrong. Come across a village that has a 20 kph limit? That's near enough 12 mph. Nobody will shoot her if she does 15 mph. So if she sees a 20 kph sign, just remember that it's near enough half the speed limit of most villages in the UK.
If she (or anyone) is avoiding the twisties and hooning down the motorway, it's similarly easy:
If it's dry, it's 130 kph which is 80 mph.... An easy to remember 10 mph higher than in the UK
If it's wet, it's 110 kph, which is very easy as it's 70 mph, just like here at home.
The best (and easiest) tip of all? Is to really not worry about it al all. Simply work on the premise that France's speed limits are broadly the same as ours; they just express them in funny numbers, as they are foreign. She / anyone really will be not too far out and would very unlucky to be caught doing anything wrong.
Failing any of that? Take her to any motor factors or shop that sells little stickers. Stick a suitably sized sticker at the key kph points, 50... 80... 110... Just like bods used to do when riding grey import motorcycles in the UK with KPH calibrated instruments. But really, it's so easy to remember the MPH equivalents, she'll not need to bother. Take the stickers off when she comes home.
If she (or anyone) is avoiding the twisties and hooning down the motorway, it's similarly easy:
If it's dry, it's 130 kph which is 80 mph.... An easy to remember 10 mph higher than in the UK
If it's wet, it's 110 kph, which is very easy as it's 70 mph, just like here at home.
The best (and easiest) tip of all? Is to really not worry about it al all. Simply work on the premise that France's speed limits are broadly the same as ours; they just express them in funny numbers, as they are foreign. She / anyone really will be not too far out and would very unlucky to be caught doing anything wrong.
Failing any of that? Take her to any motor factors or shop that sells little stickers. Stick a suitably sized sticker at the key kph points, 50... 80... 110... Just like bods used to do when riding grey import motorcycles in the UK with KPH calibrated instruments. But really, it's so easy to remember the MPH equivalents, she'll not need to bother. Take the stickers off when she comes home.
He's right though
Broadly what I do on foreign shores
Also I like a bit of mental maths as I'm riding
For example if your destination is shown on a road sign at 240km, that's 150 miles (km divide by 8 & times by 5 to convert to miles)
Even the most basic old gps like my £30 Garmin 2610 switches from metric to statute or vice versa, at the flick of a button for Europe
Just use that - that's what I do
Jeez - you buy a £15k bike & £500 gps & still struggle with the basics that can be achieved on a £2k bike & £30 used gps
Progress eh
Less whispering from the pews, or it's back to the convent for you, nun Kritou.
Nobody's struggling. We've done thousands of miles in that there Europe without issue and are perfectly capable of working out the limits. Just found it odd that a £15k bike that has a full digital dash and capable of adapting traction control to lean angle, electronically adjusting engine power/suspension, putting your headlight on automatically and giving you a completely customisable dash can't perform the simple task of showing kph. Thought we were being excessively thick and missing an obvious menu option or something
Complain in writing to BMW, Munich that they've spoiled the ship for a ha'ppeny of tar.
If nothing else, translating the colloquialism into German will take them several days and teach them all a severe lesson.
If nothing else, translating the colloquialism into German will take them several days and teach them all a severe lesson.
Nobody's struggling. We've done thousands of miles in that there Europe without issue and are perfectly capable of working out the limits. Just found it odd that a £15k bike that has a full digital dash and capable of adapting traction control to lean angle, electronically adjusting engine power/suspension, putting your headlight on automatically and giving you a completely customisable dash can't perform the simple task of showing kph. Thought we were being excessively thick and missing an obvious menu option or something
There you go
You have summed up succinctly what is wrong with modern bikes - all that techno gubbins & none of the important stuff like a speedo to read in the correct data on your travels
Even the electronic dash on my lowly £2k DRZ 400 can switch between kph & mph in an instant
I see the WC knockers are on line early today 
Me? I think it's a bloody good motorcycle. Fit for purpose.
What I love about this forum site , asked what seems a simple question and you get some great answers , maybe not the one you asked but you can be sure you will have a smile on your
face and even a chuckle at the replies.
P.S thanks for the replies about working the speeds out , being of what you might call the thick nature I will try and look for a tank bag with a clear top so I can put a calculator in
and work it out as I go along lol
face and even a chuckle at the replies.
P.S thanks for the replies about working the speeds out , being of what you might call the thick nature I will try and look for a tank bag with a clear top so I can put a calculator in
and work it out as I go along lol
The Grey One
Registered user
As has been pointed out it is ridiculous that a modern digital dash cannot be simply swapped from mph to kph. Most manufacturers have been doing this for years so it is something BMW ought to address. Likewise the situation with keyless systems whereby if the fob is lost a new one has to be ordered from BMW. It should be possible for a BMW dealer to program a new key to the vehicle on the spot. We have had one K1600 recovered from our place this summer because of this. Key lost on the day before departure, local BMW dealer here says at least 3 days to order in a replacement. So the guest ends up getting a taxi to Salzburg airport, a flight home and the bike recovered later-all paid for by BMW assist. Not so tragic at the end of a holiday but had the loss occurred earlier a holiday could have been ruined.
I would have thought that the ability to provide a new "key" direct from any BMW dealer without he need for ordering (and waiting) for parts would be a selling point for the keyless system.
John
I would have thought that the ability to provide a new "key" direct from any BMW dealer without he need for ordering (and waiting) for parts would be a selling point for the keyless system.
John
Having enjoyed the mph / kmh switchable speedo on the basic, rather old fashioned Super Tenere for the past 3 years I was a little disappointed that my new "amazing steed" was lacking this ability.
Ah well such is life.
Matt
Sent from my D6503 using Tapatalk
Ah well such is life.
Matt
Sent from my D6503 using Tapatalk
Always thought this was a big missing on a bike made for adventure. Like everyone else I have to rely on the SatNav when abroad clearer KPH readings
My other bug bear is tyre pressure monitor being in Bar. PSI is an option the dealers can swap to, unless you get one of the muppet techs at Southport who couldn't workout how to do it at the first service days before heading off across Europe and set it in KPA instead !!! Had to wait till I got back and have their only decent tech set it up in PSI for me !!!
Snowman
My other bug bear is tyre pressure monitor being in Bar. PSI is an option the dealers can swap to, unless you get one of the muppet techs at Southport who couldn't workout how to do it at the first service days before heading off across Europe and set it in KPA instead !!! Had to wait till I got back and have their only decent tech set it up in PSI for me !!!
Snowman
Use the sat nav should be big enough to see??
Could have changed it to Km but cba!
Could have changed it to Km but cba!
Yes I know you can use the Nav. Done so for years. This is more about the missing functionality on the bike. Lovely big, clear mph digital speedo but no way to change it.
A first world problem, it has to be said.
Matt
Sent from my D6503 using Tapatalk
A first world problem, it has to be said.
Matt
Sent from my D6503 using Tapatalk
If your numpty guest who lost his keyfob for his 'keyless' bike had troubled himself enough to bring the (free) spare plastic key that BMW presented him with when he bought his awesome steed, he could have started, stopped, restarted and ridden his bike forever thereafter, without inconveniencing either himself, you or BMW's excellent recovery service. He could then order his replacement fob (or find it tucked into his nappy) at his leisure.
Pages 51 and 52 of the owner's handbook (a little thumbed document, also given away free at time of purchase) explains all.
That's progress.
PS Before anyone panics and accuses BMW of making their keyless steeds liable to attack and inevitable theft by armies of plastic key clutching Eastern European scum, panic not. It requires the specific plastic key, coded to the bike. Don't lose it!
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