Just like cars, our bikes too have a dashboard. We sometimes prefer to call it as a console. Yes it also performs the same way as in cars, just with a bit of customization on it to suit the needs of the bike. But what our meter console or dash has is a combination of loads of components sometimes individual or else combined. The main components that it has are a Tachometer, a Speedometer and an Odometer and they have their own specific set of functions i.e. to display information to the rider about a certain entity of the bike. So let’s check out what the functions of the parts are.Tachometer:
A tachometer on your bike is the one which displays the engine speed or the RPM of the bike’s engine. The higher the revving of the bike, the more the RPM will be. A tachometer is actually very useful for those who love to ride their bikes to the limit as well as for those who want complete control and absolute knowledge as to how they want to operate their bike. For example, a rider who is on the track will definitely want to get the most out of the bike and hence will want to ride at the limit. Hence he will always have his eye on the tachometer to make sure he redlines the bike on every gear to make sure he is using the complete capacity of the bike.
Similarly if someone is riding in the city and wants to get the best fuel efficiency from the bike, he/she will make sure the RPM of the bike is in its economy levels or the bike is revving in the slowest RPM level as possible without stalling or puttering. This way they know at what RPM to shift to a higher gear so as to not let the fuel intake rise due to high RPM and get the best fuel efficiency from the bike. Many people who ride commuters don’t really worry about it since they are made for the city use and hence they are not fitted with a tachometer at all.
Speedometer:
This is pretty much the most basic meter on the dash console of any vehicle. The only difference is that nowadays most new bikes are getting a digital speedometer. The use for this is to show the speed at which the bike is running and that is it. Many people confused the term speedometer for a tachometer and hence there was a reason to get it cleared out. So the next time when anyone tells you this, make sure to impart them the knowledge that the tachometer is different from the speedometer.
Odometer:
Most people don’t really know this terms used for the distance calculator on the bike. They simply call is the distance measurer or distance calculator on the bike. But the correct term for this is actually an odometer which measures the distance a bike travels. Earlier this used to an analogue one and still it comes in an analogue form in the budget bikes, but these days even the commuters are getting a digital odometer. There are a lot of advantages for a digital one since you also get trip meters in it in which you can calculate how much distance you exactly travelled in that trip and so on. Also it is easier to calculate the fuel efficiency of your bike that way. Hence digitals are better that way.
So there are the terms Tachometer, Odometer and Speedometer explained. Many of you must already be knowing all these terms and their usages and meanings, but it is better to have it out there for the newbies. So also the next time if you happen to find yourself confused with what exactly is what, you know now where to look. Hit is with your comments down below if you need any more terms explained or their meanings or usage explained and stay tuned to BikesIndia for everything about two wheelers.A tachometer on your bike is the one which displays the engine speed or the RPM of the bike’s engine. The higher the revving of the bike, the more the RPM will be. A tachometer is actually very useful for those who love to ride their bikes to the limit as well as for those who want complete control and absolute knowledge as to how they want to operate their bike. For example, a rider who is on the track will definitely want to get the most out of the bike and hence will want to ride at the limit. Hence he will always have his eye on the tachometer to make sure he redlines the bike on every gear to make sure he is using the complete capacity of the bike.
Similarly if someone is riding in the city and wants to get the best fuel efficiency from the bike, he/she will make sure the RPM of the bike is in its economy levels or the bike is revving in the slowest RPM level as possible without stalling or puttering. This way they know at what RPM to shift to a higher gear so as to not let the fuel intake rise due to high RPM and get the best fuel efficiency from the bike. Many people who ride commuters don’t really worry about it since they are made for the city use and hence they are not fitted with a tachometer at all.
Speedometer:
This is pretty much the most basic meter on the dash console of any vehicle. The only difference is that nowadays most new bikes are getting a digital speedometer. The use for this is to show the speed at which the bike is running and that is it. Many people confused the term speedometer for a tachometer and hence there was a reason to get it cleared out. So the next time when anyone tells you this, make sure to impart them the knowledge that the tachometer is different from the speedometer.
Odometer:
Most people don’t really know this terms used for the distance calculator on the bike. They simply call is the distance measurer or distance calculator on the bike. But the correct term for this is actually an odometer which measures the distance a bike travels. Earlier this used to an analogue one and still it comes in an analogue form in the budget bikes, but these days even the commuters are getting a digital odometer. There are a lot of advantages for a digital one since you also get trip meters in it in which you can calculate how much distance you exactly travelled in that trip and so on. Also it is easier to calculate the fuel efficiency of your bike that way. Hence digitals are better that way.
By: Pratik Patole