I'm sitting here looking at the handlebars and I'm not sure there's room for my Garmin...a place where it won't block the instruments. Lemme know if anybody fits one.
kenshapiro2002
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Sooo, I took the plunge and bought a GPS. A Garmin Nuvi 52 LM. A $75 factory refurb.
I don't even have a cell phone so this is a big step, but in my "advancing" yrs I find I can get lost going to the bathroom...
Questions:
Why would you spend (lots) more on a MC specific unit? Seems real easy to spend $500 plus.
Why all the Rube Goldberg mounts? It fits (and is visible) in the clear topped pocket in the top of my official BMW tank bag very nicely. Have to shade it to read it but that's minor.
I ran the usual "battery tender" type SAE battery connection and got an SAE to usb adapter so I can run a usb cable into the tank bag. Why use more?
Having used it for a little while now I don't see it replacing an actual maps/atlas but it's nice to have to tell me where I am now to find a map reference when going "thataway".
Just wondering.
I don't even have a cell phone so this is a big step, but in my "advancing" yrs I find I can get lost going to the bathroom...
Questions:
Why would you spend (lots) more on a MC specific unit? Seems real easy to spend $500 plus.
Why all the Rube Goldberg mounts? It fits (and is visible) in the clear topped pocket in the top of my official BMW tank bag very nicely. Have to shade it to read it but that's minor.
I ran the usual "battery tender" type SAE battery connection and got an SAE to usb adapter so I can run a usb cable into the tank bag. Why use more?
Having used it for a little while now I don't see it replacing an actual maps/atlas but it's nice to have to tell me where I am now to find a map reference when going "thataway".
Just wondering.
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1,006 Posts
There's a few reasons people buy MC specific GPS's, first off they are waterproof and vibration proof. I tried running a Nuvi some years ago but it didn't last on the bike before it died.
I did have it in a mount connected to the bars though and not in a tank bag.
Having it in a tank bag clear pocket should help with the vibrations, or keeping it dry, but you also run the risk of it overheating in there with no ventilation. Having it mounted on the bars makes it easier to see and use while in the saddle, if it's facing straight up then you get the sky reflection.
The other thing is MC GPS units have larger buttons for better use with gloves on, different routing options (like "curvy roads) and the much fancier/more expensive ones have bluetooth integration for music and phones. ( something you obviously don't need)
Being able to pump the turn by turn directions into you helmet via bluetooth is great though, no need to take you eyes off the road, just listen when a turn is coming up.
You can also use/manage GPX tracks on the MC specific ones, or use a computer to plan routes and then transfer them, something you might not want, but could be good for winter time planning of trips to pass the time.
Here's a thread/forum you might find useful when it comes to using a Nuvi on a bike.
Nuvi Threadfeast - If it's Nuvi for Autos - it goes here - ADVrider
Layin' down tracks - ADVrider
Either way, it's cool that you took the plunge, a GPS is good tool for riding, finding new routes and exploring. I've ended up on so many cool roads I just would have not found other wise by using a GPS to find my way in a general direction, they are an integral part of my "Getting Lost".
Thx, the "exploring" is easy, the problem has always been figuring out where I've ended up... for that a GPS is clearly invaluable.
In the last 5 years or so i actually started to look at the paper maps as a "Backup" and GPS enabled device as a Primary. And why not? GPS maps get more updates than papers, they do show your precise location at the given time, allow you for multiple routing (better ones), allow for route planning ahead of time, custom map modifications, POIs, etc
Sure, any self respecting person should know how to read and use the map, but i think road atlas of the yesteryear will become more and more of a curiosity item then real deal. That's just my 2c. I love my Google maps with offline usable CoPilot off Samsung S5 phone.
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143 Posts
Disagree 25PSi, Road Maps will never disappear.
All you Sat Nav'ers will come to your senses when you run out of roads.
Sat Nav never found me Bealach na Bà, one of the highest roads in the UK.
Sat Nav never found me the beautiful roads around Snowdonia Wales.
Sat Nav never gives you that stop to talk to you mates have a smoke and talk over your next route.....
Long live Road Maps!!
All you Sat Nav'ers will come to your senses when you run out of roads.
Sat Nav never found me Bealach na Bà, one of the highest roads in the UK.
Sat Nav never found me the beautiful roads around Snowdonia Wales.
Sat Nav never gives you that stop to talk to you mates have a smoke and talk over your next route.....
Long live Road Maps!!
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15,278 Posts
I can't argue with you on that point, sat nav is visually out of place on the 9T. However there is a positive side - I nowadays have found I've discovered so many interesting wee roads and places that I'd never have found otherwise.
Why you ask?
Well it's because I just point my bike down a few new country roads and just follow my nose and see where the bike takes me.... Never any fear of getting totally lost. When I've satsfied my wunderlust for that particular day, I just press the home button the sat nav and it gets me back to base without complaint.
Also my sense of direction can be really sh1t at times, and my map reading skills are moderate to say the least.....
That is what I like.
There's another benefit I've found. If I want to be reminded why I'm single I ride with the GPS sound turned on.
For those of you who are not as anally retentive as I am about GPS's, one of the reason to have a more recent GPS, is if you plan on using a good computer based planning software (like Base Camp), the older GPS's don't sync the maps as well. I'm not too excited about whats available at present on the computer based planning side, its a bit sketchy at time bending around routes etc. Still, its a lot easier than doing it on the GPS itself! I don't do the serious stuff that some of you do, but I still like to plan some routes in unfamiliar areas for my morning weekend rides.
How long are your "morning weekend rides"? I don't plan 'em, I just go. Kinda why I got the GPS, I can do that now with no anxiety attack while trying to find my trail of bread crumbs to get home...
Usually 3-6 hours, exploring small towns, small roads, looking for little cafe's, etc. Places I would in every day life rarely, or never go to. Lots of little spots around central IN that have become near Ghost towns.
Area of South Bend I stayed in was like that.
@25PSi I really like this option. BUT, I'm worried about not to being able to tighten that little knob. I have not handlebar risers yet, but I plan to get the wunderlich ones. Anyway I think it can be a problem. But really like this option for my 9T. :crying:![Image]()
![Image]()
Ohhh but there is a problem, right? Cant tighten it as this little knob cant rotate freely, as you can see. What to do, what to do??
![Image]()
I have ROX risers 2" but i believe it would work just as well without them.
Here is the link to the RAM Stem Mount
Just a heads up in case you're debating either an external mount or tank bag for holding your phone when using it for gps in warm conditions.
I was riding in San Diego on Saturday using the BMW Tank Bag, and had my wife's iPhone 5s in the top clear pouch using google maps. I didn't think it was that hot out, maybe mid 70s and after a ride on the free way for about 30 mins, the iPhone said it was too hot to operate and basically shut itself off. Probably only an issue when it's warm, but I also struggled in the daylight and with the sunlight sheen off the plastic cover on the bag, wasn't always easy to see the maps on the iPhone. I haven't tried the external mount yet, but think it's the way to go for me in California.
Kam.
I was riding in San Diego on Saturday using the BMW Tank Bag, and had my wife's iPhone 5s in the top clear pouch using google maps. I didn't think it was that hot out, maybe mid 70s and after a ride on the free way for about 30 mins, the iPhone said it was too hot to operate and basically shut itself off. Probably only an issue when it's warm, but I also struggled in the daylight and with the sunlight sheen off the plastic cover on the bag, wasn't always easy to see the maps on the iPhone. I haven't tried the external mount yet, but think it's the way to go for me in California.
Kam.
It may be more a matter of how much heat your iPhone generates and needs to dissipate.
So far, my (much simpler) Nuvi 52 is doing just fine in my tank bags' top pouch. Comes out just barely warm.
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198 Posts
Did anyone tryout the Givi Smart Bar?
Givi S900A Smart Bar- Motorcycle GPS and Smartphone Mount Kit- New Ideas: Tech tube.
Expensive for a piece of pipe, but seems to provide plenty of room to mount gadgets.
![Image]()
Givi S900A Smart Bar- Motorcycle GPS and Smartphone Mount Kit- New Ideas: Tech tube.
Expensive for a piece of pipe, but seems to provide plenty of room to mount gadgets.
Joined
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15,278 Posts
Where's the cup holder???????Did anyone tryout the Givi Smart Bar?
Givi S900A Smart Bar- Motorcycle GPS and Smartphone Mount Kit- New Ideas: Tech tube.
Expensive for a piece of pipe, but seems to provide plenty of room to mount gadgets.
![Image]()
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