I use my phone for Satnav, and transmit into a helmet speaker. I converted to a Superbar, and use a round bar mount for the phone. Jose
Currently, like yourself, I’m using my phone for satnav. I’ve got it on a stem mount but I’m looking at doing some longer trips into areas without a guaranteed phone signal so was looking at a dedicated unit and was wondering how I could attach it to the bike Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Before this thread turns into a discussion of which brand of SatNav to buy, you really need to factor in cost. Just be aware that motorbikes tend to shake things - a lot - which may not be good for the camera circuits inside your smart phone (probably something to do with most now having image stabilisation systems which don't like violent shaking if the phone is firmly clamped to a motorbike mount. Also using a smart phone will probably use some of your data allowance and especially in marginal signal areas can hammer battery life as the phone desperately attempts to find a cell phone tower. Navigation on my iphone 7 did not work at all in Death Valley meanwhile my ancient TomTom Rider 2 worked fine. If you really want to use your smart phone, then fitting a simple magnetic tank bag is probably the cheapest option. If you tuck the phone into the clear plastic outer pocket it should shield the phone from a lot of the vibration, be reasonably weather proof and can be removed quickly and taken with you whenever you leave the motorbike unattended. You can even hook up a suitable battery to phone charger inside the tank bag maintain the battery charge. To securely mount most motorbike specific GPS systems like Garmin TomTom and even LIDL GPS units, probably the best option is to purchase a suitable RAM mount. There are various RAM mount options (on eBay) including versions which conventional clamps which fit securely around the handle bars. For many motorbikes like VFRs you can even prise out that plastic cap from the centre of the steering stem and install a ram ball mount which neatly expands and locks inside the centre tube. This will allow you to attach and position a suitable GPS mount/charging dock so it remains visible without blocking sight of instruments. Most of the better mounts also allow you to hardwire in a power feed from a circuit on the motobike which goes live whenever the engine is running and the GPS unit is installed in the mount. Many of the better (more expensive) motorbike units from Garmin and TomTom also come with a selection of RAM mount components in the kit, so before shelling out for any extra mounting kit - find out what if anything comes with the GPS you plan to buy. The big plus of dedicated motorbike units is they are designed to withstand the typical shaking on motorbikes, and still work during an occasional deluge, and also communicate with typical helmet bluetooth coms systems. Obviously this means they are more expensive than very similar looking versions offered for use in cars. Inevitably this makes them a tempting theft target if left unattended, so either get into the habit of removing the GPS from the mount every time you fill up or leave the bike unattended, or just invest in one of the lockable RAM mount solutions. As for what type of GPS to buy it really is a matter of personal preference. Personally I have tried top of the range motorbike units from Garmin and TomTom and found the TomTom guidance works best for me. In cities like Leicester and Nottingham I found Garmin was far less certain where I was and this sometimes resulted in turn instructions only being provided just as I was passing the off-ramp which I needed quickly followed by loads of "turn around where possible".. grr. On exactly the same route a week later using a TomTom Rider 550 it seemed to work flawlessly but it was more expensive and it lacks some of the peripheral extras offered by Garmin - like the ability for the GPS to start and stop a paired GoPro camera whilst on the move. Obviously if that is important to you, choose a Garmin but be prepared to become very competent at doing U turns. Don't forget that from time to time Aldi and LIDL have motorbike GPS specials which always seem great value but they always seem to sell out before I get through the store doors. SkiMad
Just what I needed to know, didn’t know they would attach to a ram mount so was struggling to see how I could get one on the bike as obviously it doesn’t have a “normal “ set of bars to clamp to and wasn’t sure they’d come with a stem mount (which is my preferred method) Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I'm using a steel bracket (not available any more) that is attached to the clutch perch, you could fab up something similar fairly easily.... it widens up behind the GPS cradle which you may be able to see in this pic.... The GPS cradle here is for a Garmin 396, which mounts sideways... others mount vertically.
For the sixth gen, and most likely your fifth gen, ram mounts are available. I have mine fitted to the left handlebar. That position made it easy to operate the GPS on the move with your left hand. Easy reach. I put it there because I had an expandable tank bag which made seeing the GPS impossible with the tank bag expanded. One issue with where I have it placed though is that the GPS will rub on the underside of the wind screen as it sticks up rather high. But then, I have helirisers installed too. I don't remember what was happening before I installed those.
As you can see the mounting kit which came with my old TomTom Rider 2 was pretty comprehensive and also included mains, car and bike chargers, helmet bluetooth coms. It worked brilliantly on tours in Western Europe and after buying an extra map worked perfectly on a baking hot trip along the West Coast of the States from LA to San Franciso to Baja in Mexico and on via Death Valley to Kingman for a blast along Route 66 back to LA. My Rider 2 was only pensioned off after TomTom decided they did not want to offer map updates - so beware of anyone making "lifetime Maps" promises. If you are lucky - expect any kit you buy could be deemed obsolete within as little as 5 years. The Rider 550 which I chose as the replacement also came with masses of mounting kit but they binned the clamp on coms unit as riders are increasingly buying helmets with integrated coms. I arranged to try out the top Garmin satnav before opting to stay with TomTom. The only extra I needed for a very neat install on my 6th Gen was to buy direct from ram-mount.co.uk their RAM-B-342U stem mount kit and also an extra long clamp which gave me the option to raise the GPS enough so it was fully visible when I also had my largest tank bag fitted to the bike.
Another vote for the RAM Mount. Mine is in the centre of the triples, with an extension if using a bag.
Before going to my newest mount, I used a RAM. Worked great. As an extra bit of info. I use Google maps, and can download maps of my planned trip areas. There are other apps. that can also do that. My phone has real GPS built in, so downloading maps allows me to keep nav. even if I lose phone signal. Jose
