Yes Dakota Digital gauges are reliable. Dakota Digital has been in business since 1986 and have tens of thousands of units on the road. Over the years have continued to improve our products with the help of feedback from our customers. The warranty on items purchased from Dakota Digital will vary depending on the item purchased. Full gauge systems (Items with part numbers starting "STR, VFD, RET ,VHX and HDX") are typically covered by a lifetime warranty, for the life of the vehicle, against manufacturers defects. Individual gauges are typically covered for 24 months from the date of purchase.
No. All Dakota Digital motorcycle gauges are designed to survive in the weather. The circuit boards are all internally coated for weather resistance so even if water gets into the housing they will not be damaged. Dakota Digital does not recommend using automotive gauges in a motorcycle environment - only the gauges designed for this purpose.
Yes they can take it! Gauges were designed with custom cycles in mind so they are beefed up internally to take the abuse that a big stroker motor puts out. Dakota Digital motorcycle gauges use machined aluminum housings and all the mounting points for the circuit boards are built into the machine work. While company do not recommend mounting the instruments directly to the engine, the more traditional approach of handlebar or tank mounting will work great.
Several of customers install their gauges themselves, although depending upon your comfort level, skill and experience, it may be worth seeking out a qualified installer.
Dakota Digital gauges can be used on cable drive or electronic speedo applications. Just be sure to order the appropriate speed adaptor for your application when you place the order. Gauges can also be easily calibrated for any drive ratio, tire size, or gearing! All you need is a finger to push the button and a measured mile!
As long as you stick to the standard colors (blue or teal) daylight visibility is very good. For the best visibility recommend the teal display. The teal is recommended for convertible applications. In terms of the VHX or HDX Series of Analog/Digital combination systems, they offer excellent daytime and nighttime visibility in any backlight color.
Night time visibility on all Dakota Digital gauges will be excellent. Daytime visibility will depend on the application. Dakota Digital uses high contrast teal displays with non-glare lenses to provide the best daytime visibility possible. On bar mount systems and gauges mounted facing back toward the rider visibility is good at all times. Dash mount systems that face straight up into the sun will have lesser visibility when the sun is high and shining directly on the gauge. It can still be read but visibility under these conditions is slightly reduced.
The fuel gauge reads as a percentage. 99 would mean that the tank is 99% full, 25 would mean that you have a quarter tank (25%).
Dakota Digital speedometers can be calibrated for nearly any tire/gearing combination. Once the gauges are installed you will calibrate them for your combination using a simple push button calibration routine.
Dakota Digital speedometers can read up to 199 or 255MPH (KPH) depending upon the model. VHX and HDX series analog gauges will read up to 120/140/160MPH and up to 255MPH displayed in the digital information center.
Your odometer reading and settings will be saved in hard memory so disconnecting the battery will not affect anything. Make sure your battery is fully charged when re-starting in the spring.