Tachometer (rev counter)

A tachometer shows how fast the crankshaft is turning, in revolutions per minute (rpm). On most dashboards the scale is in thousands, so a needle at 6 means 6,000 rpm. The red zone, or redline, marks the maximum safe engine speed.

Watching the rev counter helps you shift at the right moment, keep the engine in its useful power band and stay gentle during running-in. Older bikes use a cable-driven tach; modern bikes read the signal from the ignition or engine control unit and show it on an analogue or digital display.

If the needle jumps around or drops to zero while the engine runs smoothly, check the cable, sensor or wiring connector rather than the engine itself.