In any condition other than nighttime or extremely overcast I cannot see the speed or any of the indicator lights on my yamaha bolt 2014 speedometer.
2014 Yamaha Bolt electrical complaints
Page 2 of 3: complaints 11 to 40 of 56, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Can not view speedometer display in most daylight conditions. This creates a very unsafe condition requiring the rider to avert eyes from the road and focus on speedometer for 3-5 seconds. In some conditions it is impossible to read speedometer at all (polarized lenses on sunglasses).
Under normal daylight driving conditions, the lcd speedometer will black out completely when the sun shines at any angle other than directly on the cluster. I have nearly been in 3 accidents now because my attention has been focused (more than a momentary glance) on figuring out how fast I am going. The speedometer is so dark, in fact, I have given up worrying about how fast I'm going most times, which is still unsafe.
It is virtually impossible to read the speedometer on the 2014 model because yamaha tinted the glass on the lens too much. It can only be read if the sun is out and directly behind you, or at night when the backlight can be seen. This creates an extremely unsafe riding situation. Yamaha corrected the lens on the 2015 model, but nothing has been done to correct this dangerous issue on the 2014 models.
The speedometer display cannot be seen unless it is dark or sun is directly in front of the bike. If sun is over, to side or behind, the glass is black and vital information cannot be seen.
Unless the sun is directly behind rider or night time, speedometer is unreadable.
With the sun shining the speedometer turns completely black making it impossible to read your speed!
The yamaha star bolt speedometer is impossible to read in certain lighting conditions. That is, with a bright sun overhead. The polarized glass in the lcd readout becomes black, making it impossible to read. This is a serious safety problem, especially when I drive through school zones. At times, it's impossible to read the display and can cause me to drive at an unknown speed, encroaching on the safety of children. Other times, I may not be able to read the speedometer, resulting in a tailgating situation with other aggressive drivers who think I'm going slow on purpose when in reality, I'm trying to safely negotiate the road at the correct posted speed limit and having to use my 'gut' feeling rather than a calibrated, useful instrument (the speedometer). Yamaha, fix this problem before someone gets injured or killed over it. Recall, not an upgrade as you've indicated through the star motorcycles hotline (800.656.7695). You're hiding behind words. I know because I've called you and that was your explanation.
The digital speedometer on the 2014 bolt is impossible to read under certain light. I contacted yamaha to ask about this after reading multiple complaints and seeing that they had fixed the speedometer on the 2015 model and was told that there is nothing wrong with the 2014 speedometer, they know it can be hard to read in certain light but they don't consider that a safety hazard or defect. I believe not being able to tell my current speed is a defect considering that is exactly what a speedometer is designed to do. Also, it can be a safety hazard because it leaves you looking down at your speedometer longer instead of watching what is going on around you.
Speedometer is very hard to read in direct sunlight. Could lead to accident or speed violations. Needs to be addressed immediately. Also, yamaha knows there is a problem because on the 2015 models a selling point is "new speedometer to correct 2014 glare issues." why would they need to fix it if there is no problem.
The oem speedometer is impossible to read in daylight.
The speedometer on the bike goes black in direct sunlight and you cannot read it at all.
The digital speedometer on this motorcycle is unreadable under certain lighting conditions. Angled sunlight (morning, evening when light is coming from the front of the vehicle) creates a condition where the speedometer readout is unreadable. The only method of measuring speed is by surrounding traffic. This creates a dangerous situation for motorcycle drivers, especially on expressways and urban environments where the speed limit changes by location.
The digital lcd speedometer is unreadable in bright sunlight making it impossible to check your speed or odometer reading. Excessive or improper speeds are impossible to monitor safely endangering the rider, the other drivers that may be involved in any speed related accidents, and the patrol officers issuing the ticket that could have been avoided. Yamaha has indirectly admitted the default by replacing the speedometer on the 2015 models with a readable one. My greatest concern is the fact that this a entry level, affordable motorcycle that many inexperienced riders have already purchased. An inexperienced rider often has difficulty gauging the proper speeds for curves and wet conditions until they gain the proper experience. They tend to rely on the speedometer because they have not yet developed a feel for riding. It's only a matter of time before the faulty speedometer is going to cost someone their life.
The vehicle speedometer does not perform as needed to provide information to operator. Illumination of speedometer display is not sufficient enough during times of day where sunlight is bright. The speedometer is a digital display behind glass that appears to be tinted. No method for operator to adjust or any automatic means of adjustment of readout for conditions exists. Operators are at risk of injury or death when the speedometer readout cannot be read to adjust their speed to recommended speeds posted to safely navigate dangerous roads, ramps, curves, rough road and other conditions. Many other conditions exist where the importance for operators to travel at safe posted speeds is paramount for the operator's and or the public's health and safety. Because this speedometer cannot be read it puts the operator and the public at risk.
Yamaha design flaw in speedometer. Cannot be seen in direct sunlight. Can put rider in dangerous situations trying to see what speed that are traveling. Yamaha has upgraded the meter for the 2015 models but will not do anything for the 2014 model owners.
The speedometer is impossible to see in sunlight. I saw a police officer looking for people speeding and I couldn't tell what speed I was traveling!! I had to take my eyes off the road for extended periods of time. There needs to be a recall now!!!
The speedometer display on this bike completely washes out in the bright sun making it hard to see the speed you are traveling. With addition in not being able to read the speedometer you have issues seeing any indicator light (blinker, fuel light etc..) this complaint comes from all yamaha bolt owners.
The speedometer display on this bike completely washes out in the bright sun making it hard to see the speed you are traveling. With addition in not being able to read the speedometer you have issues seeing any indicator light (blinker, fuel light etc..) this complaint comes from all yamaha bolt owners.
Speedometer is very difficult to read. Requires tilting my head up or down and/or leaning forward or back to be able to read every time, regardless of sun orientation. Turn signals and the odometer have the same issue. This issue requires that I take my eyes and concentration off of driving to be able to read the speedometer. The issue is more pronounced when wearing sunglasses as I always do when riding. This is made even worse by my helmet's built in visor which I use occasionally. This occurs every time I ride the motorcycle.
The speedometer is dangerous and difficult to see in certain conditions. The read out on the speedometer is nearly impossible to see when riding with the sun behind me. It is difficult to read with the sun in front of me. These are afternoon and morning issues. It's not bad at mid-day. Also, the reflection from the speedometer bezel temporarily "blinded" me one day. Basically I had stared into the sun while riding a motorcycle. This is dangerous. Whoever designed this thing should be fired from yamaha. Yamaha should correct these flaws and issue a recall before someone is blinded and crashes. I'm not asking for a fancy upgrade. Just a speedometer I can read while riding without having to worry about being blinded. Guess I'll just keeping riding by feel for now.
The speedometer display on this bike completely washes out in the bright sun making it hard to ensure adherence to speed limits. The use of polarized sunglasses or lenses makes the visibility of this display even more difficult.
Smoke colored speedometer lens too dark in bright sunlight, especially when wearing polarized sunglasses. This creates a hazard when attempting to gauge speed during city or highway riding.
It is very hard to see the speedometer during the day. Especially, when the sun is rising or setting. If it's the middle part of the day it becomes difficult once I have sunglasses on.
Speedometer readout is extremely difficult to see in sunlight and impossible to see if wearing polarized sunglasses. I have to take my eyes off the road and adjust my viewing angle to determine how fast I'm going, this practice forced on me by the design of the electronic speedometer is very distracting and dangerous.
The factory speedometer is not readable is direct sun light.
Can not read speedometer in bright sun. Sometimes dangerous to not know how fast I am traveling.
Under most circumstances, it is hard to read the speedometer. It requires several seconds of focus to read it that could lead to accidents.
The speedometer on this bike is unreadable during the day. The smoked lens makes it nearly impossible to see your speed at a glance and inevitably will result in a speeding ticket and or crash. Please please force a fix on this!
Under all circumstances it is impossible to read the speed odometer.
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