GPS mount

C

Colin J Monteith

New member
I know this topic has been beat up good not so long ago but I thought I would check in and see if anyone has come up with a solution not previously mentioned for C600. I have mounted the reservoir RAM offset mount but don't like it. While riding over the last few days off the beaten track with fair bit of rough shape roads from winter the vibration had the two bolts working loose. I did tighten them good but felt that I was only a hair from stripping the threads. My dealership head mechanic had warned me he had heard about this happening before and suggested I find another way to mount the unit.
 
Doraemon

Doraemon

New member
Stock mount on middle of handlebars isn't that expensive. Looks better, I mount Samsung note/GPS there
 
C

Colin J Monteith

New member
Doraemon said:
Stock mount on middle of handlebars isn't that expensive. Looks better, I mount Samsung note/GPS there
Click to expand...

I really like the GPS to be a bit to the side so I still get a view of the gauges. And the stock mount here in Canada is about $145 after tax And unless I am mistaken blocks guage etc.
 
JaimeC

JaimeC

New member
Don't know about the C600 Sport, but it doesn't block anything on the C650GT with the BMW Navigator IV (Zumo 660) mounted in it.
 
Doraemon

Doraemon

New member
Colin J Monteith said:
I really like the GPS to be a bit to the side so I still get a view of the gauges. And the stock mount here in Canada is about $145 after tax And unless I am mistaken blocks guage etc.
Click to expand...
if you gander at the gallery i am sure you can find my gallery and photos of a proper mount that doesnt ruin your screws in the brake reservoir.20150510_121144[1].jpg
 
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Doraemon

Doraemon

New member
The BMW stock mount actually uses rubber gromets. It is actually bolted to the handlebars. Then the GPS mount to frame uses foam gromets as well.
 
C

Colin J Monteith

New member
Doraemon said:
The BMW stock mount actually uses rubber gromets. It is actually bolted to the handlebars. Then the GPS mount to frame uses foam gromets as well.
Click to expand...

Through BMW Canada I asked the question about the Zumo 390 I have and other non BMW GPS units and how to mount. After a couple weeks they said most they know about did not use the BMW mount. I then asked how people were doing it and they said the ones they have seen were mounted to either the center panel or the left or right handlebar cover with a variety of configurations but bolted underneath with a large washer. In the dealership we tried the BMW cradle and the Zumo 390 - the only way it would work was in portrait mode and not the normal landscape position. They also said they have had attempted warranty claims for the brake reservoir mounts and problems encountered that were rejected!
 
exavid

exavid

Member
I purchased a spare cover for the center of the handlebars on my GT. I used the spare to mount a bracket and GPS mount for my old Roadmate 2200 GPS. It's old but a good bike GPS because it's rain and spray proof. If I decide to go with a different GPS all I have to do is fabricate another aluminum bracket to bolt on the cover. One other thing I'll be doing eventually is to install a weatherproof 12V socket on the forward end of the handlebar cover toward where the screw is located, that will make a neater installation instead of using the 12V socket in the left glove box as well as leaving that available for phone charging.

I much prefer installing a GPS on the centerline of the bike. My installation on the GT doesn't block the view of the instrument panel at all. A centerline installation helps prevent one from veering in your lane. Since a bike tends to go where the rider's eyes are aimed a side mount can tend to lead one to steer toward that side of the road. A centerline mount keeps your eyes straight ahead which will tend to keep the bike going that direction. I know we shouldn't be looking at the GPS for more than a few seconds each time but centering the GPS can help one keep on course if you look at the thing for too many seconds at a time.
 
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davidh

davidh

Member
The brake reservoir mount comes loose? I have one of them on each side, one for GPS (either my Garmin or Ram "X" mount for my phone) and one for the RAM cup carrier. Both are rock-solid and I've never had issues. I'm actually using the Motorcycle Larry reservoir cover with the RAM ball and RAM mounts but it works perfectly.
 
grey.hound

grey.hound

New member
I decided to take off the handlebar cover, one bolt and a few plastic snaps. Underneath, just some basic handlebars. If someone were handy and had a precision touch, something like a RAM mount U-bolt could probably work with making the right size hole and location in the handlebar cover. This is just an example RAM Rail Base with Zinc Coated U-Bolt & 1" Ball for Rails from 0.5" to 1.25" in Diameter



Also, you can see the power supply:


I have another idea, but maybe not quite so sturdy. I have these RAM bases from my other scooter. I would need to get a longer screw and some rubber washers I would guess. And of course this would be placed on top of the handlebar cover, but again this was just checking


The problem though with my idea is weight of the GPS, especially while moving and bouncing around. Again, the BMW system is clearly perfect but I'm not looking to spend the $ if I can avoid it.
 
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grey.hound

grey.hound

New member
Went to OSH, picked up a few screws and a rubber washer:







As you can see, I have it resting on the actual handlebar cover. Trying to spread the load. I will replace the felt pads if this seems to work.
 
C

Colin J Monteith

New member
davidh said:
The brake reservoir mount comes loose? I have one of them on each side, one for GPS (either my Garmin or Ram "X" mount for my phone) and one for the RAM cup carrier. Both are rock-solid and I've never had issues. I'm actually using the Motorcycle Larry reservoir cover with the RAM ball and RAM mounts but it works perfectly.
Click to expand...

The RAM brand reservoir mount if you use it as instructed is not well designed and two BMW dealer mechanics I know have told me that they have had problems with water getting into the fluid when used.
 
C

Colin J Monteith

New member
grey.hound said:
Went to OSH, picked up a few screws and a rubber washer:







As you can see, I have it resting on the actual handlebar cover. Trying to spread the load. I will replace the felt pads if this seems to work.
Click to expand...

I have had better luck with stability using a large steel washer on top and under the cover. That really minimizes the vibration. While I am happy with the setup I put on I am still going to change it for next year. I have asked a family member who works with metals to make me a one piece bracket that I will secure to the bike handlebar cover and back of the gps eliminating the RAM hardware used. Nothing wrong with RAM hardware but in this situation it's likely better without.
 
grey.hound

grey.hound

New member
grey.hound said:
I decided to take off the handlebar cover, one bolt and a few plastic snaps. Underneath, just some basic handlebars. If someone were handy and had a precision touch, something like a RAM mount U-bolt could probably work with making the right size hole and location in the handlebar cover. This is just an example RAM Rail Base with Zinc Coated U-Bolt & 1" Ball for Rails from 0.5" to 1.25" in Diameter



Also, you can see the power supply:


I have another idea, but maybe not quite so sturdy. I have these RAM bases from my other scooter. I would need to get a longer screw and some rubber washers I would guess. And of course this would be placed on top of the handlebar cover, but again this was just checking


The problem though with my idea is weight of the GPS, especially while moving and bouncing around. Again, the BMW system is clearly perfect but I'm not looking to spend the $ if I can avoid it.
Click to expand...

Ok, I don't usually claim a victory until the final bell; but I'm calling this one a winner. I've put about 200 miles of varying speed and roads on this in the last few days and not a single issue. No vibration, no loosening of the screw (I didnt' lock tite it either. will soon though). The main idea here is that the GPS is resting before I tighten the RAM arm.

Here are the parts I needed: https://goo.gl/photos/MuAXu13EGkHw3tR26. As I said, I already had the RAM piece and the #5M X30 was about $1.50 and the rubber washer $1; I used two metal washers that I already had.
 
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