I did a search on this topic and didn't come up with anything. I'd like feedback on those running a GPS on their scoot. I recently took a road trip and borrowed a buddies Garmin Nuvi 350. I used it in a magnetic tank bag since I had no mount and had to keep pulling it out as I went along. I have noticed units mounted on the handlebar and I assume hard wired.

I did some research online and noticed that TOM TOM has a motorcycle specific model that is supposedly waterproof. The screen looked small (3.5 I think) compared to the 4.5's Ive seen. Is anyone running the TOM TOM motorcycle GPS? I also noticed that RAM has some really nice mounts available.

Some questions I have are:

1. Can you interface the unit with the Harmon Kardon Radio so you can hear the GPS audio while the radio is in use?

2. Is there a blue tooth unit available without the use of a helmet?

3. Where is the best place to hardwire the unit?

4. Any other information or opinions greatly appreciated.

 

I have a Garmin Zumo 550 and it comes with both a bike mount as well as a car-mount. There have been multiple threads on this GPS, you can do a search and probably find 50 hits. This is easy to connect to the input side of the HK radio, and then you'll hear the directions through the radio as you drive. It also has an MP3 function, so if you play your MP3's through the radio it'll interupt the song to give you the directions, then pick up the song where it left off. Very nice on the ride to Milwaukee two weeks back.

 

I have the Garmin 450 attached to the included solid mount on the left side of the handlebars. I ran the power cable through one of the grommets into the fairing and attached it to the free power and ground connectors behind the headlight. It works perfectly and is another lovely distraction while riding. As a side comment, the Garmin maps are more accurate than the ones used by TomTom, though they'll probably still serve you fine. If you run a cable from the audio output of the GPS (Garmin in my case) to the Aux input of the stereo you can hear the voice prompts.

 

PS,
The whole install only took about 30 minutes. I previously bought the two small blade connectors to insert into the existing unused connectors. Otherwise, I'd have had to make another trip to the auto parts store.

 

Go with a Zumo, waterproof I know firsthand mine made it through several downpoors, hail and even snow this last spring, glove friendly meaning your touch screen will work even with gloves on and you can get it with satelite radio if you don't have that on your stock radio. I used the 550 with the sound, and I found I didn't need it. I just glance down every so often to see how far before I turn. I've even turned off the voice in my car because it was annoying morte than helpful

 

Go with the the Zumo 550

 

Go on Ebay and get yourself a Garmin 2610 for cheap. I just picked up another one on there a couple weeks ago for $63.00 I now have one for the truck and the other on the bike. The 2610 is totally water proof, and as mentioned above the maps are better. HTH

 

I bought a refurbished Garmin Quest from Tiger Direct for a little over $200. I mounted it on a Ram mount on my handlebars, use the cigarette lighter as the power source and run a cable to the aux input on my radio. It certainly isn't as elegant as a Nuvi but was quite a bit cheaper. I find that I don't use it much around town but use it extensiovely on road trips. I really like the ability to build routes on my PC (it gives me more control on the type of roads I ride) and download them to the Garmin.

 

i bought the quest 2, ebay for around 300.00....used it this past weekend for about a 700 mile ride, i like it, mounts good to the handlebars and the battery lasted 10 hours and was only at 1/2 charge when i recharged that night. never got lost and easy to program waypoints.

 

Zumo 450 or 550.Expensive but worth every penny.I didn't hard wire mine in because I wanted to remove it when I was away from my bike.I used a cigarette lighter plug so it can be removed fast.Here's a link to how mine is installed:
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/showt...o+%28Photos%29