GPS and bike mount?

[Omahastylin16]

hey all, im interested in picking up a GPS that I can use in both my truck and mounted on my bike. I'm looking for a GPS unit in the range of 150-200 dollars. Can you guys suggest any specific units and mounts?

[Omahastylin16]

no one? you guys suck

[silvr6]

They really don't make them for bikes, prob better off fabing up your own

Not to mention most people don't use GPS on their bikes, its called a map and fits under the rear seat or in your tank bag

[Tuffguy #2]

I picked up my Garmin 2610 from factory direct, for $200 shipped. Its waterproof and seems pretty tough. Its not the most up to date with graphics, but it has a great set of features...including the ability to map routes on your laptop and load them to the unit. Best feature you can imagine. It is the favorite of many many riders.
Got a "stem mount" for it from Ram Mounts and ordered it from cyclegadgets. $50 shipped.

I love the gps and would NEVER return to a paper map,,,,even for double the cost, its worth it!!!! It even came with 2 car mounts and a remote.

Pics on the dash and on the bike.

[Tuffguy #2]

Originally Posted by silvr6

They really don't make them for bikes, prob better off fabing up your own

Not to mention most people don't use GPS on their bikes, its called a map and fits under the rear seat or in your tank bag

Maps are great in the rain, moving @ 70mph, at night, when trying to find a hotel in a new location.

Once you venture out of rural PA you'll find that many places aren't familiar to you.


I just rode 2000 miles in WV (in 6 days) and had never previously been to the state. The unit more then paid for itself. I didn't ask for directions or look at a map once.

[kevin_stevens]

RAM mounts are the accepted standard for bikes. GPSCITY.COM is a good source, they package some bundles more understandably than the RAM site does.

It's a modular system, basically you need a mount point, a device clip or attachment, and a connector. They are all well made and relatively inexpensive.

The mount points available that I know of are:

- gas tank surround (typically too far back for a GPS, ok for video cam)
- clutch/brake mount (these replace the two bolts that hold the lever to the bars. Good GPS choice)
- Mirror stem (unscrew the mirror and fit this between the bar mount and the mirror base)
- Steering head (fits in/on your steering stem nut. varies widely in usefulness from bike to bike)
- Bar mount (U-bolt clamp to tubular bars for non-clipon bikes)
- Accessory mount (there are mounting rail or tankbag kits for specific bikes/gear)

The device clip can be generic, like a tripod mount, or specific as most of the GPS devices are. They are a custom plastic surround clip with a standard RAM ball attached.

The connector is something with two female RAM mounts to clamp onto the mount and the device. Standard is a 2" or 3" rod, but there's all kinds of options.

Usually these are sold as a kit, so you'd get a bar mount, a 3" rod, and a device mount specific to your GPS. That kit will run you around $30 total. Individual components to add beyond that are typically below $10.

For GPS, I'd start with a relatively cheap one until you know what you need and if you'll really use/carry it. I recently bought a Garmin Nuvi 200 for under $150, it has five hours of battery life so I didn't have to worry about wiring the bike, and it charges off a USB connector so I can charge it anywhere. Magellan and TomTom have similar products.

KeS

[bobbo84]

I've borrowed my dad's Garmin Zune 550 (I think that's it...) and had it mounted in a steering head pedestal. It worked great up until I decided to toss the bike down at 45mph in a turn.

The unit itself is kinda expensive ($700ish), but it is an awesome little gadget. It's made for bike use as well as car use, meaning it can withstand the elements pretty good.

But after the get-off, the GPS went flying off the mount and cracked the outer-most screen. $200 later as I sent it off to Garmin, they sent me a whole other unit to replace it with, along with its own warrenty. Very nice customer service.

[Buellbomb]

I'm using a zumo 550 with GXM30 radio antenna. I never ride without it, it's that useful.

[Joe Average]

got a garmin 2610 from getfeetwet.com a couple of years ago. it came with the car mounts and cigarette adapter. paid for a ram mount for the bike. it's not the newest but works really well in both the car and the bike.

[Justin726]

I just got a 2610 over the winter and went with a Ram mount for the bike. Memorial Day weekend I was up on the Rocky Mountains and was the first real test for me using any kind of GPS. After 5 days on the road with my new GPS I'll never go without one again. It was simply awesome. The 2610 worked great for me. Some of the newer models of GPS might have a few more functions or be a little fancier, but the 2610 is perfect for my needs.

[Omahastylin16]

well, i went out and got a garmin 200 wide version, its great so far, i was out riding tonight with the car mount stuck on my speedometer and using the gps speedometer instead. i also tied a string from the gps to the triple in case it ever came unstuck, but i was holding onto the mount and lifting the bike off of the side stand with itso it feels pretty strong. It also uses a mini USB to charge it so im using my cell phone charger when im at home with it

[Omahastylin16]

Originally Posted by silvr6

They really don't make them for bikes, prob better off fabing up your own

Not to mention most people don't use GPS on their bikes, its called a map and fits under the rear seat or in your tank bag

are you a quaker? why would i wanna have to stop over and over to find turns on a map?

thanks for all the advice guys, ill have to check out ram mounts

[kevin_stevens]

Here's what the 200 mount looks like on my ZX-14. -- KeS

[seebood]

I picked up a MAGELLAN Roadmate 2200T from newegg.com ($119 -