• Welcome to the BMW Scooter Forums. Member registration disables ads and allows you to post and share. Register Here.

GPS mounts

O

omniphil

Member
Joined
Aug 12, 2013
Messages
220
Location
New Hampshire
Visit site
I have a regular car TomTom GPS that would be nice to throw on the scooter for trips. We don't have easily accessible handlebars for handlebar mounts. So I was wondering about just using the suction cup mount built into the GPS unit itself. You think that would work well on the bike windshield? I would tie a little rope around it and something solid as a backup just in case.

How are you guys mounting your GPS's ?
 
I wouldn't do that. I'd go for a RAM mount that attaches to the cover of your left or right brake reservoir.

I have the BMW Navigator mount on mine with the BMW Navigator IV. Oddly enough (or maybe NOT), the $120 for the mount is just the metal and plastic mount that attaches to the center of the handlebar. It does NOT come with the necessary ELECTRONIC mount with power cable that actually allows you to mount the unit. Since I already had the Navigator IV on my K1200LT, all I wanted to do was swap the GPS itself from one bike to the other.

My mechanic came up with a no cost (to me) solution. He disassembled the RAM mount I was using on my TMAX, and attached that to the mount instead. He wired it up and it looks stock (minus the additional buttons the BMW mount has along the left side that aren't really necessary any way).
 
Hmmm, I like the brake reservoir idea. They usually just have a ball on the end, so presumably I'd need something that converts the ball to the TomTom built in mount.
 
Last edited:
I currently have a standard Garmin car model that I have attached with a RAM mount. The unit doesn't move, shake or vibrate. I am wondering Jaime, is the BMW Navigator worth the money compared to a standard car model. I don't mind spending for quality, but I cannot understand why that unit is nearly 800 bucks. Can you shed some light?? For Omniphil, you can order the RAM mount and tell them exactly which model you have. They will sell you a RAM Mount snap in holder with the ball on the back. Easy to install and solid as a rock...

JaimeC said:
I wouldn't do that. I'd go for a RAM mount that attaches to the cover of your left or right brake reservoir.

I have the BMW Navigator mount on mine with the BMW Navigator IV. Oddly enough (or maybe NOT), the $120 for the mount is just the metal and plastic mount that attaches to the center of the handlebar. It does NOT come with the necessary ELECTRONIC mount with power cable that actually allows you to mount the unit. Since I already had the Navigator IV on my K1200LT, all I wanted to do was swap the GPS itself from one bike to the other.

My mechanic came up with a no cost (to me) solution. He disassembled the RAM mount I was using on my TMAX, and attached that to the mount instead. He wired it up and it looks stock (minus the additional buttons the BMW mount has along the left side that aren't really necessary any way).
Click to expand...
 
The BMW unit is essentially a Garmin Zumo 660 with additional circuitry to work in the BMW cradle, and all of the BMW motorcycle dealerships pre-programmed if something should happen on the road.

The biggest thing with the Garmin Zumo is that it was specifically designed for motorcycle applications (meaning, they expect it to be exposed to the elements; rain, hot sun, fog, etc). They also expect their units to be subjected to more "road shocks" and vibration during their service life. Car units aren't built to those same requirements (though they are likely designed to handle the heat as the interior of a car can become oppressively hot in the summer).

The Zumo series is also "Glove Friendly" meaning you can operate it wearing standard motorcycle gloves; again, not something taken into consideration when designing an automotive unit.

If you don't care about where the closest BMW dealerships are on a long trip, then get the generic Zumo 660 (or any other motorcycle-specific GPS unit).
 
Your answer is about what I expected. Thanks for taking the time to share your first hand knowledge. Now, I gotta convince the wife of the "need"..... :)
JaimeC said:
The BMW unit is essentially a Garmin Zumo 660 with additional circuitry to work in the BMW cradle, and all of the BMW motorcycle dealerships pre-programmed if something should happen on the road.

The biggest thing with the Garmin Zumo is that it was specifically designed for motorcycle applications (meaning, they expect it to be exposed to the elements; rain, hot sun, fog, etc). They also expect their units to be subjected to more "road shocks" and vibration during their service life. Car units aren't built to those same requirements (though they are likely designed to handle the heat as the interior of a car can become oppressively hot in the summer).

The Zumo series is also "Glove Friendly" meaning you can operate it wearing standard motorcycle gloves; again, not something taken into consideration when designing an automotive unit.

If you don't care about where the closest BMW dealerships are on a long trip, then get the generic Zumo 660 (or any other motorcycle-specific GPS unit).
Click to expand...
 
I've been happy with my left brake reservoir ball mount. Check out the Corbin site for the seat for the GT seat and you can see it although not a close up.
 
I have a garmin Zumo 550? Or 650? I move it between my bikes. I have motorcycle cradles on the other tow, so added a cradle for the BMW. I used a Ram mount on the right brake reservoir. However, I'm not totally sure and am exploring for other solutions.

The new information (at least, I haven't seen this addressed in other threads) that I have to share is this - BMW makes a plug that mates with the connector under the panel on the handle bars. Several of you have mentioned just cutting the connector off and tapping the wires. While at the dealership the other day, I asked whether they had an adaptor and sure enough they did. $30 odd later, I had a plug that mates with the installed connector and has ~8 inches of wire, allowing connection. Simple to install the GPS after that. In the totally FWIW category, the description on the plug I bought included language "use this to avoid voiding your warranty...". I would hate to see the fight I would have if someone voided my warranty over cutting this connector!

On my bike, green wire was positive. A couple of pictures. image.webpimage.webp
 
I bought the BMW gps mount. then the base gives you a great place to mount to. I also use the plug for the gps, converted to 12vdc car socket with dual usb plugs inside. I mount the phone which I use for GPS
 
I just installed the RAM mount for use with my Garmin Nuvi, (or cell phone) via the X-grip. I'll just let either device run on their battery. If needed, I'll put the component in the left "glove box" (GT) with its cigarette lighter power cord and let it recharge. Battery on either should be enough operating time for my trips. X-grip offers the versatility to switch between phone/GPS sized devices. The short arm and the ball on the reservoir, off-set to the right won't interfere with the mirror or the instrument panel. Works great. Here's the parts list:

1. RAM Brake reservoir mount, 1" ball, off-set mount. Part no. RAM-B-346U. $21.80 on Amazon.

2. RAM Short arm, powder coated Aluminum, double 1" ball sockets either end, 2.4" length, Part No. RAM-B-201UA. $12.40

3. RAM Universal X-Grip for cell phones, 1" ball. Part No. RAM -HOL-UN7BU. $21.57
 

Attachments

  • 20140518_071739.webp
    20140518_071739.webp
    10.1 KB · Views: 223
With this cup holders I took the little hook off the bottom front. You will get off the scooter and catch it one day and spill your coffee

I think the hook had a clip to hold your drink down on a very early version and then they realized it was a bad idea.

Holds a medium size Mc Ds or my heated mug I can plug into my outlet I installed when I first got this ride.


elamofo said:
I have all three of those and the self-leveling cup holder. Holds a large dunkin donuts iced coffee perfectly.

Here's the amazon link:

Amazon.com: Ram Mount Self-Leveling Cup Holder with 1-Inch Ball and Cozy, Black: Sports & Outdoors
Click to expand...
 

Attachments

  • Richmond Hill-20140526-01381.webp
    Richmond Hill-20140526-01381.webp
    330.9 KB · Views: 372
  • IMG-20140526-01380.webp
    IMG-20140526-01380.webp
    347.6 KB · Views: 223
Last edited:
First,
Big Kudoz TN_Sooner who mentioned the buying of a Bmw adapter cable, after a while I got hold of one and including a pic with the part number for future reference.

The same approach as some with a small difference finding out when trying my spare Burgman 650 2007 oil reservoir cover from MCL with 1" ball it worked just fine on my new Bmw.

So used one of these that I had left over since 2007.
OBS!
I take absolutely no responsibility for fit but worked out just fine for me, the one for 650! the 400 one is smaller.
SUZUKI RESERVOIR COVERS [9000 SUZUKI RESERVOIR COVER] - $19.95 : MotorCycleLarry.com, Wholesale Parts Factory Direct


-Tomas
 

Attachments

  • 01.webp
    01.webp
    84.8 KB · Views: 267
  • 05.webp
    05.webp
    39.8 KB · Views: 408
  • 09.webp
    09.webp
    65.1 KB · Views: 263
  • 10.webp
    10.webp
    67.6 KB · Views: 789
  • 11.webp
    11.webp
    62 KB · Views: 322
Last edited:
TN_Sooner said:
BMW makes a plug that mates with the connector under the panel on the handle bars. Several of you have mentioned just cutting the connector off and tapping the wires. While at the dealership the other day, I asked whether they had an adaptor and sure enough they did. $30 odd later, I had a plug that mates with the installed connector and has ~8 inches of wire, allowing connection.
Click to expand...

Do you have a part number for the connecter by any chance?
 
Think I might have mounted that GPS mount on the left side. Don't want to reach across with my left hand and sure don't want to take my hand of the throttle. Just sayin :-)


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
 
@elamofo,
You have the part number in one the pictures just above your post.

@ItsPhilD,
A valid point indeed.
But for me it feels more "natural" to have it on the right side and I am not using the phone features of the zumo and I do not "manage" it during drive so "feeling" wins out over practical :)


-Tomas
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top