NON motorcycle GPS on a motorcycle
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Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 211
Likes: 0
From: indiana
cool. im sure the ones that are 'made' for motorcycles do have more vibration protection to them, but the prices are waaaaay to high for me. just like anything though, you make it a specialty model and the price goes up.
thanks and i look forward to hearing more.
thanks and i look forward to hearing more.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,955
Likes: 7
From: The Great Northwest
Nope. I bought the handlebar mount (pictured) from e-bay store called motorcyclegpsmounts and it came with a small self adhesive clip that allows me to place a ziptie on the back of the GPS and around the handlebar for added safety. After doing that for almost 2 years, I realized that the thing has never come close to coming off so I just stopped putting on the safety zip.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 474
Likes: 5
From: Virginia
Garmin 760 here as well and no problem and works well. Contact the Mount Guys and they can help with the Ram Mount. I also got the GPS Glare Control thing from them also.
http://www.mountguys.com/category_s/78.htm
http://www.mountguys.com/category_s/78.htm
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 189
Likes: 4
From: Kansas
I use a Garmin Nuvi 200. Same comments as above. Otherwise, no problems at all.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 400
Likes: 0
From: Monroe, GA
GPS Stuff
Non-motorcycle gps will work.
However, most gps units have hard drives in them and with prolonged usage on a bike they will grenade.
The made for motorcycle gps units are solid-state (no moving parts) and provide protection from the elements. (Ziploc baggies)
Although the non-motorcycle units will work, statistically they will at some point lose their functionality, sooner than the ones made for bikes.
Even though you might not feel vibration in the bars, or wherever, it's there and will eventually cause damage to the unit. Might take a while, though.
I have a Zumo550 and have been very pleased with it. Lots of bells & whistles.
I reckon you get what you pay for.
The difference in cost is definitely something to consider (specialty items vs generic).
You can probably buy 2-3 non-motorcycle units for the price of a Zumo.
Lots of stuff to consider.
Good luck with your choice.
However, most gps units have hard drives in them and with prolonged usage on a bike they will grenade.
The made for motorcycle gps units are solid-state (no moving parts) and provide protection from the elements. (Ziploc baggies)
Although the non-motorcycle units will work, statistically they will at some point lose their functionality, sooner than the ones made for bikes.
Even though you might not feel vibration in the bars, or wherever, it's there and will eventually cause damage to the unit. Might take a while, though.
I have a Zumo550 and have been very pleased with it. Lots of bells & whistles.
I reckon you get what you pay for.
The difference in cost is definitely something to consider (specialty items vs generic).
You can probably buy 2-3 non-motorcycle units for the price of a Zumo.
Lots of stuff to consider.
Good luck with your choice.
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 42
Likes: 7
From: Ft. Worth, TX
I also have a Garmin 760, but I use the medium size, waterproof Aqua Box from RAM Mounts that mounts to a ball mount on the handlebars. The Aqua box has a flexible, waterproof membrane that covers the front of the unit and seals tightly everywhere else when closed. I can easily interact with the GPS even with my gloves on. But, I try not to do that much since I like to keep my eyes on the road. Once set up, the Aqua Box is easy to use and I can easily remove my GPS when I want to use it in the car. The Garmin 760 has an audio out jack that I plug a cable into and route it to my Aux input on the radio. I have no trouble hearing it in my Arai FF helmet even with ear plugs in.
I also bought HD dual seat Bomm interface from Jim, a forum member, which allows me to use the bluetooth capability of the GPS to talk on our cell phone. Not something I make a practice of, but it is nice to have it just in case. I have only used it once, but the folks I talked to could not believe that I was calling from my Harley at 75 mph on the interstate.
I have the whole thing set up so that I can take it off in about one minute, which I do for most of my local riding. After 3500 miles of mostly highway travel, the GPS is none the worse for wear and there have been more than a few times during those trips that I was glad to have it.
Only thing I might have done differently is to get the locking ball-to-ball adapter from RAM. But, I am more than happy with my what I have.
Total investment - ~ $375 including the interface for the phone and the GPS.
I also bought HD dual seat Bomm interface from Jim, a forum member, which allows me to use the bluetooth capability of the GPS to talk on our cell phone. Not something I make a practice of, but it is nice to have it just in case. I have only used it once, but the folks I talked to could not believe that I was calling from my Harley at 75 mph on the interstate.
I have the whole thing set up so that I can take it off in about one minute, which I do for most of my local riding. After 3500 miles of mostly highway travel, the GPS is none the worse for wear and there have been more than a few times during those trips that I was glad to have it.
Only thing I might have done differently is to get the locking ball-to-ball adapter from RAM. But, I am more than happy with my what I have.
Total investment - ~ $375 including the interface for the phone and the GPS.
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 605
Likes: 16
From: AZ
I have a Nuvi 200 on my '09 FLHX. Prior to that same unit on my '07 FLHX. I have driven thru every condition imaginable except snow and it works fine. Prior to purchasing I called Garmin to discuss. Garmin told me that the Nuvi and Zumo models are manufactured in same plant and have same spec's. They told me Nuvi will withstand same vibration as Zumo. Only difference is that the Nuvi is not water proof (other than I think the 550) and does not have same back light as Zumo.
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Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 714
Likes: 0
From: Orlando
Magellan 2200T
Waterproof
8 hour battery, sometimes more
Lasts most of the day
buy.com had a refrubed one for $69
works great, recalculates fast
riding buddy has a Quest2 that takes 5 min to recalculate
Waterproof
8 hour battery, sometimes more
Lasts most of the day
buy.com had a refrubed one for $69
works great, recalculates fast
riding buddy has a Quest2 that takes 5 min to recalculate
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 216
Likes: 4
From: Rincon, GA
Garmin Nuvi 500 here. It is waterproof, designed to be a portable, highway, water, or hiking. I have a 1 inch wide 3 inch long piece of aluminum mounted to the back of my drink holder with velcro on it. I put a piece of Velcro on the back of the GPS. I was afaird it would vibrate loose but after the first 5000 miles I quit worring about it. It has never come loose and no problems.