A Computer For My Dirt Bike?

I've installed Trail Tech Motorcycle Computers on my Honda CRF230F and my CRF250X, along with a Billet Protector on the 250X. In both cases, the clear and concise instructions allowed easy and quick installation, taking less than 45 minutes per bike. Briefly, one front brake disc bolt is removed and replaced with a supplied magnetic bolt. Then the front brake caliper is removed, a single 1/8" mounting hole is drilled, and the cable assembly sensor is installed with a single screw provided in the kit. Then replace the brake caliper assembly, route the sensor cable up along the brake line to the master cylinder, and then over to the computer. I spent more time determining where I wanted to mount the computer on my CRF230F than anything else! Be careful when drilling the 1/8" hole in the brake caliper, though. The hole must be straight, clean, and properly positioned. After that, the rest is a piece of cake.

Note: Because I'm using Fast Way Hand Guards with their special handlebar clamps, I had to buy and use longer bolts for the two that fasten the Billet Protector in place. The Billet Protector then adds a trick look to the whole setup, as well as providing additional protection for the computer itself. With the Billet Protector or the supplied handlebar mount, the computer can be removed and replaced in seconds, with no tools required. It simply snaps into place with a positive but easily released retaining arm.

Honda CRF250X Trail Tech Computer and Billet Protector
CRF250X Trail Tech Computer Kit and Billet Protector	Stock Odometer	Trail Tech Computer and Billet Protector	Computer Sensor

Before I get into the many functions and features of the Trail Tech Motorcycle Computer, I'd like to mention some other things you should know.

The computer is powered by an easily replaceable #CR2032 flat-cell battery that should last around 18 months, depending on how often you use the backlighting feature. The computer even has a built-in low battery warning! Replacement batteries are available wherever batteries for electronic devices are sold. Camera stores and departments almost always have them.

The two kits I installed both included some little pieces that were never identified or explained in the instructions. This was a bit confusing at first, but the pieces you need for your particular bike are adequately explained. The CRF250X kit includes two different size caps to cover the exposed opening on the Honda odometer drive unit, to prevent debris from entering after the cable is removed. One fits perfectly, and the other can be saved or discarded. The CRF230F kit also included such a cap, even though the 230 has no odometer. Both kits included all the pieces and parts needed to install the computer using a handlebar mount. I used this mount on my 230, but I installed the optional, sharp-looking Billet Protector on the 250X (it will also fit the CRF230F). In both cases, the computer is easily removed from the mount (no tools required) for battery changing, when washing the bike, or simply to safeguard the computer when not in use. The Trail Tech computer is said to be waterproof, but should not be used under water. I'll take their word for it and not ride underwater any more.

Honda CRF230F Trail Tech Computer
CRF230F Trail Tech Computer Kit	Trail Tech Computer Installed	Trail Tech Computer Clamp	Computer Sensor

By the way, do yourself a favor and visit the Trail Tech website. They not only offer other useful and interesting products, but their website is a marvelous example of one that's set up to assist and inform their present and potential customers. This is not your typical "Buy Buy Buy!" website! Their other products include helmet mount lighting kits, bolt-on kick stands for motocross bikes, special handlebars, heavier flywheels, and more.

I was also very pleased to learn that replacement parts are readily available at reasonable prices. A new computer (without cable assembly and parts bag), for example, sells for just $45.00. A replacement cable assembly, complete with sensor and mount, runs only $23.95. A new handlebar mounting kit or replacement magnets? $7.95. Each kit came with the required magnetic bolt and a universal round magnet. These are very powerful "Rare Earth" neodymium magnets, by the way, and are quite interesting to play around with. You seldom see magnets this powerful.

Since the Trail Tech computer has two bike memories for settings and accumulated data (more on this later), you could buy one complete kit for one bike, and then buy just a cable assembly and mounting kit for another bike. Then move the computer to whichever bike you plan to ride that day. It takes only a second to move the computer from one mount to another, and each bike can have its own total mileage odometer (up to 99,999 miles) and total riding time.

Honda CRF450 Trail Tech Computer Kit
CRF450 Trail Tech Computer Kit	Sensor Installed	Magnetic Bolt for Sensor Pickup

HOW DOES IT WORK?

The Trail Tech Motorcycle Computer uses just two inputs, time and distance, for all of its calculations and resulting readouts. The Time information comes from its own internal clock, which also provides a clock readout for the rider, so he'll know just how late he really is in getting back home on time. The later you are, the bigger excuse you'll need.

Second is the Distance input, which comes from the sensor on the brake caliper. In short, the sensor is a magnetic switch which closes momentarily every time the magnet passes by. This sends a trigger or pulse to the computer, telling it that the bike is moving, and that it just traveled a distance equal to the circumference of the front wheel. The computer comes with useful default values for the front wheel circumference, but they can be changed to calibrate it to your specific bike. The instructions explain how to do this, and the computer accepts wheel sizes from 1mm to 3999 mm. A typical 21" knobby has a circumference of 2205mm, which is one of the default values.

The Trip Odometer, by the way, is resettable back to zero, or it can be adjusted forward or backward in 1/10 unit (mile or kilometer) increments. This is a must-have feature for enduro riders who encounter resets during their event, or who want to compensate for wrong turns and other errors that result in inaccurate mileage readings. Both the odometer and speedometer can be set to show miles or kilometers.

TRAIL TECH MOTORCYCLE COMPUTER FUNCTIONS

1. Current Speed (0-299kph, or 0-199 mph): Your basic speedometer showing current speed.

2. Average Speed with Auto Start/Stop (0-299kph, or 0-199 mph): This readout shows your average speed only while moving. It does not include your 'crashed and lying upside down under the bike in the mud' time. It can be reset to zero at any time.

3. Maximum Speed (0-299kph, or 0-199 mph): The top speed latch holds and displays the highest top speed achieved since last reset. It too can be reset to zero at any time.

4. Trip Distance Odometer (0 to 999.99 km or miles): Your basic trip odometer which can be reset to zero, or advanced or retarded in tenths.

5. Trip Distance Odometer Adjustments (plus or minus, in 1/10 increments): This feature allows us to adjust the Trip Odometer forward or backward in 1/10 (mile or kilometer) increments.

6. Odometer - Bike 1 (0-99999.99 km or miles): Your regular readout for total accumulated mileage for Bike #1.

7. Odometer - Bike 2 (0-99999.99 km or miles): Your regular readout for total accumulated mileage for Bike #2.

8. Adjustable Wheel Sizes for two bikes (1-3999 mm): Bike 1 and Bike 2 can have two different wheel sizes to maintain speed and distance accuracy.

9. Riding Time with Auto Start/Stop (up to 99:59:59 (hours:minutes:seconds)): This timer accumulates only while the front wheel is turning. It does not include stopped time unless the wheel keeps spinning while you're trapped and screaming for help while pinned under the bike.

10. Trip Time (Like a stopwatch, reading up to 99:59:59 (hours:minutes:seconds)): This timer accumulates every second since it was last reset, so it counts riding time and stopped time.

11. Accumulated Riding Time: (up to 9999:59 (hours:minutes)): The total accumulated riding time (only counts while bike is moving), with separate readings for Bike 1 and Bike 2.

12. Clock (in 12 (0.00 to 12.59) or 24 hour (0.00 to 23.59) format): Self-explanatory.

13. Lubrication Reminder (up to 990 km or miles): You can set this odometer feature to display an "oil can" icon every time the pre-set mileage is reached. If you plan to change your oil every 100 miles, set this function to 100 and the flashing icon will remind you every time you accumulate another 100 miles. When the warning icon pops up, don't worry about missing it while riding, because the icon keeps flashing until you turn it off. You can disable this feature by setting the reminder mileage to zero.

14. Maintenance Reminder (up to 990 km or miles): You can set this odometer feature to display a "wrench" icon every time the pre-set mileage is reached. If you plan to adjust your valves, for example, every 500 miles, then set this function to 500 and the flashing wrench icon will remind you every time you accumulate another 500 miles. When the warning icon pops up, don't worry about missing it while riding, because the icon keeps flashing until you turn it off. You can disable this feature by setting the reminder mileage to zero.

15. Low Battery Warning: If the battery gets low, a "LO" icon is displayed before the unit shuts off. Note: You lose all data when changing the battery, but if you record your total time and mileage before changing the battery, you can re-enter those figures after the new battery is installed, to maintain the original and still accumulating data. If everything on the screen is blank, the battery is dead. If only the clock is showing, the computer is simply asleep. (See Auto-Sleep below.)

16. Speed Pacer: Remember the standard speedometer and average speed features (items 1 & 2 above)? Well, if your current speed is higher than your accumulated average speed, a small upward pointing arrow is displayed just to the left of your current speed reading. If your current speed is lower than your accumulated average speed, a downward pointing arrow appears just to the right of your current speed reading. I don't know how useful this feature is, but it's kinda cool anyway.

17. Back Light: If you need to take a reading in the dark, press the button on the right for four seconds of back light.

18. Auto Sleep: If the bike doesn't move (and no buttons are pressed) for 30 minutes, the computer goes to sleep to conserve battery power. While asleep, only the clock function is displayed. The computer wakes up automatically if the bike is moved enough for the magnet to pass the sensor, or if any button on the computer is pressed.

SUMMARY

The Trail Tech Motorcycle Computer is lighter, less expensive, and more useful than the simple odometer Honda gives us on the CRF250X. It's been so interesting to use, I now consider it a "must have" item, a great bargain, and fun to boot. Needless to say, it's a great bonus for a bike like the CRF230F which comes with no odometer or speedometer at all. I love mine! And if you later sell your bike, just take the Trail Tech off, reset everything back to zero, and put it on your new bike! It's just that simple!

CRF's Only Review By Gordon Banks, December 2004
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