GPS Navigator on a bike

[maz1000]

I have seen that any Navigation system specially designed for motorbikes, are around 800 usd. However, a simple Garmin navigator for a car is around 200 usd.
My question is, has any of you ever seen a normal car GPS navigator on a bike, just placed on top of the gast tank with the sucker? I wonder if it would hold to the wind.

MA

[Coroja]

I have not found anyplace that the suction cup (i.e. "sucker") for my Garmin Nuvi 660 would attach reliably on my 2003 Sprint ST. Every part (windscreen, tank, etc.) seems to be too curved and, in my case, too heavily waxed. I'm going to have to break down and buy a Ram mount for mine!

Note the Nuvi cannot be operated very effectively with gloves on, so it is pretty much enter things before you start.

[R3T Convert]

There is lots of info out there-- especially on this site--about GPS units mounted to our Rockets.

For example, a properly wired Garmin GPS unit (almost any model) and a RAM mount is about all you need.

Piece of proverbial cake...

[TRIIICK]

I bought the Zumo 550,it's motorcycle friendly, water proof and removable. I bought mine at Radio Shck now called the Shack for $650.00. I started a Radio Shack credit card and got 10% off. I also opted for the two year warranty.I wasn't too keen on the stand it came with and bought a chrome one instead.Here is the link to the GPS stands,i ended up with 30997MC.

http://www.slam1prod.net/Stemstands2.html

[crazyman]

I have the Garmin Zumo 450. It came with a motorcycle mount, direct connect to the battery and has worked very well in all kinds of weather.

[Spaceman]

I have a TomTom One. RAM sells a great mount. Best set up I've seen.

IMO TomTom is much better than the Nuvi.

[jasonworthing]

I have a zumo 550 that I have mounted on my zx14. great unit you likely already know what features it offers and like other motorcycle oriented nav units it gets powered by the bike.

I also have a $200 garmin nuvi unit; the nuvi 250 that I use with a garmin handle-bar mount on my speed triple from time to time. Should work on Rocket handle-bars easily enough. I have mine set up on my Rizoma Conical fat-bars (1-1/8"), they are held on by zip-ties so it's really easy as pie for it to fit a bar or bigger diameter....easy.

Obviously not weather proof but otherwise perfect for my occasional needs. I think of this unit as one that I do not need to have on every time the bike is in motion but for those times I want to explore new places and want to be assured of having a source to get me pointed back home in the right direction. (or the assurance of finding a nearby gas-station when I've ridden to the middle of nowhere and have pushed my luck with the fuel light on)

It's internal battery holds a full reliable charge for months.....really. If you dont turn it on it'll stay fully charged and ready to go for ages. In use it's internal charge is good for 5-7 hours of constant use...more or less a full days worth of riding.

Basically I keep it in my backpack and only take it out and use it when the need arises. If I'm going on a hardcore long trip or otherwise decide I need continuous navigation/xm radio, etc..I'd not use the speed triple anyhow which for me is not the right bike for long distance or super-slab duties.

Carry the charger with you if you are going on a trip, plug it in at night and after a short while it'll be fully charged and ready for another days worth of duties clipped to the bar mount.

Nice enough visibility during the day and you can turn the light on at night when the sun goes down. Great, reliable very handy unit. No negatives! Does what it says on the tin!

Again, it does have accesories for 2-wheel utilization. It's not weather proof (Unless you wrap it in saran wrap..dont laugh..I did that and it worked beautifully.

[PBRPAUL]

Ram now offers a weatherproof case for your Garmin Nuvi (all models) for about $75. They also offer a hardwire devise. No need to go to the expense of the Zumo.
Paul

[bobebob]

Here's the link for that product:
http://www.gpscity.com/ram-mount-wat...ake-mount.html

I haven't used it, but it seems to have gotten mixed reviews. Some don't like that it is much bigger than the Nuvi (it slides around in case unless you make a foam cutout). Also some report difficulty viewing in direct sunlight through the box.

One of my personal requirements for installing anything on my bike is that it is waterproof. I don't want to have to worry about anything or have to pull over abbruptly if it starts raining.

When I was choosing my GPS about a year and a half ago, the Zumo's were about $1000. I opted for the previous generation of water proof GPS units from Garmin. I got a Garmin Quest2 for about $300. They are still in Amazon Marketplace for $350. They don't have all the bells and whistles of the Zumo, but they still work well for half the price and are waterproof to the same specification as the Zumo.

I have mine installed in a RAM mount and it is tied into the bike's electric.

It has worked well for me for 32,000+ miles. Only real complaint is that on-the-fly route creation is painfully slow. But I enter all large routes in advance from my computer anyway so that is rarely a problem.

When my quest finally gives up the ghost, I'll probably upgrade to a Zumo since they have come down in price.

[ff73148]

See if you can find a Garmin Zumo 450. That model is discontinued but works. It is not Bluethooth compatible but you can probably find one at a good price.
Frank Ferrante