Overdrive Light - Not Too Bright (not that I should throw stones)

[terryboyle]

Looking for suggestions on what I can do to make it easier to see the overdrive light in direct sunlight.

I'm tired of trying to shift up only to find I am already in fifth gear. The neutral is bright enough and so are the high beam indicator and the turn signals indicator.

Is there a brighter bulb, some way to shade the area or run an led light somewhere else on the dash area?

I could get one of the gear position gizmos but hope there is a simpler less expensive solution.

Thanks

[willtill]

Shoot, I have a GIPro installed and I STILL try to shift pass 5th at times... It's just the nature of the beast.


https://www.bikehps.com/gipro/

[terryboyle]

Shoot, I have a GIPro installed and I STILL try to shift pass 5th at times... It's just the nature of the beast.


https://www.bikehps.com/gipro/

Please let me know:
Which model GIPro did you install?
which color did you go with?
where did you install it?

I bought a 2014 new in 2016 and this has annoyed me for 5 years. Time for me to find a solution or get over it.

[dksmith]

I just got used to observing the angles of the tach and speedo: Speedo angle steeper than tach means 5th; about same is 4th. Still occasionally reached for a higher gear.

[rdbonds]

Interesting.

I've always wondered why the OD light was there (other than my BMW, I've never owned a bike that had any indication of what gear you were in...you just kind of knew). It also seemed odd that a "normal" situation like being in 5th gear would be amber...since typically normal conditions are green, caution lamps (MIL) are amber and warning (oil light) are red.

[tenxxx]

The OD light isn't very bright for sure. I installed a red gear indicator light under the left speaker grill. Used some very sticky putty tape to mount it.
It has worked flawlessly, and you can see it in the sun. I installed a blue volt meter of the same size under the right speaker grill.
But I agree the B could use another gear, or, Spread them out more.
First gear is a creeper gear and I only use it when taking off on hills.
The motor has plenty of power for a better gear ratio set up. 3k rpm at 70 is a bit much for the power it has.
Id like to see it around 2600rpm where your getting into the low end of the power band.

[F6Dave]

As I remember my 1984 V65 Sabre had a numeric gear readout as well as the the OD light. It also had self cancelling turn signals that worked as poorly as those on my F6B.

[Dweisman429]

I have a gipro gear indicator on mine. It is red lights and I am mostly happy with it. I have it mounted behind the left speaker grill and I can see it pretty well. My only gripe is that if the clutch is pulled in the indicator goes blank. Nothing major...just annoying.

I would REALLY like to have a 6th gear on this bike as well. Its got plenty of power. It would definitely be nice to see the rpm a bit lower at interstate cruise speed

[F6Dave]

I have a gipro gear indicator on mine. It is red lights and I am mostly happy with it. I have it mounted behind the left speaker grill and I can see it pretty well. My only gripe is that if the clutch is pulled in the indicator goes blank. Nothing major...just annoying.

I would REALLY like to have a 6th gear on this bike as well. Its got plenty of power. It would definitely be nice to see the rpm a bit lower at interstate cruise speed

I have a Valkyrie rear tire (180/70 x 16) mounted on my spare rim, and will install it as soon as the current tire wears out. It will increase the diameter by about 3/4", which will drop the revs a bit. I'm interested to see how the increased ride height and lower RPM works out.

[BBB]

Have you heard of HENRY’s Final Drive?
It’s a remanufactured final assembly with taller gear ratio.
It actually puts the rpm right where you mentioned.
I installed it on my 2016 F6B last December and I cannot be happier!
Mine runs right around 3000rpm @80mph.

I highly recommend it!