GPS motorbike mount (work safe)

[skelstar]

I have a new Garmin eTrex Legend GPS unit (photo) that I want to mount on my bike. I refuse (but may relent) to spend mega dollars on commercial mounting units and wish to come up with my own. Besides the 'handlebar' mount that you can buy (around $50) can either go:
a) in the middle of the bars making it difficult to use the keys to start the bike...
or b) on the side and be facing the wrong way.

I have the resources to make my own bracket but attaching the GPS to the bracket will be 'tricky'. So I was thinking of a couple of strips of velcro on the back of the unit and the opposite flavour on a flat bracket. I would lash the unit to the bars incase of sponateous detachment.

Another optioin is to buy a Garmin bracket that is a suction cup and normally mounts to a windscreen, but I would mount on the tank. Nice solution if it doesnt come off :).

Do others have any thoughts/experience?

Thanks!!!

[Ixion]

..
Another optioin is to buy a Garmin bracket that is a suction cup and normally mounts to a windscreen, but I would mount on the tank. Nice solution if it doesnt come off :).

Do others have any thoughts/experience?

Thanks!!!


I've used an Ipaq with GPRS unit , attached to the tank with one of those suction suckers. Tried it on both the BMW and the Yamaha. Worked fine on both , no worries about it coming off (at up to 120kph anyway)

[vifferman]

Do others have any thoughts/experience?
Talk to that other skelstar - the one who's just bought a new tank bag - and see if you can rig something up with the tank bag he's got. Maybe the two of you could come to some kind of a swapsies arrangement.

[vifferman]

Another optioin is to buy a Garmin bracket that is a suction cup and normally mounts to a windscreen, but I would mount on the tank. Nice solution if it doesnt come off :).
if that's anything like the NavMan item, mounting on the windscreen is secure but very wobbly (tried it at Christmas). Your idea of on the tank is much better from a wiggliness pint of view.

[skelstar]

Talk to that other skelstar - the one who's just bought a new tank bag - and see if you can rig something up with the tank bag he's got. Maybe the two of you could come to some kind of a swapsies arrangement.
Yeah Ive talked to him and he's being a complete nazi about it.

Besides I tried the tankbag idea this morning but it sits much further back than I would like. Also I/skelstar dont use the tankbag all the time.

[bugjuice]

why wouldn't this thread be work safe? I can change that you know.. I have the power..

[skelstar]

why wouldn't this thread be work safe? I can change that you know.. I have the power..
So long as you change it with REALLY good pictures or something. :devil2:

[bugjuice]

So long as you change it with REALLY good pictures or something. :devil2:
how about this (http://www.big-boys.com/articles/bananacontest.html) then. Something to organise for the KB summer camps.. :woohoo: :Punk: :banana: :yeah:

plus, I've now gone and turned a perfectly good thread, into a perv thing..
Everything I touch turns to perv... :no:
you asked for it tho

[skelstar]

Everything I touch turns to perv... :no:
Teach me o wise one!
Ill call on your services if any of my other threads turn bad in the future. You'd be useful in a poker game I reckon :).

[NordieBoy]

Handlebar mount.
Just offset it to one side a bit to get at the keys.
I've never had a problem with mine.

[Jonty]

Glue it to the outside of your visor :devil2:

[skelstar]

Ok, I have sold my soul and gone to DSE and bought the handlebar mount and tried it out. Its not bad, the angle is a bit screwy but not as bad as I feared. Got some NiMH batts for my new toy too. Now to just try and avoid staring at it whilst on the road. Already found my speedo is out by about 8%.
Thanks for feedback guys.

[NordieBoy]

If the GPS cuts out due to the vibration then bend out the battery connectors a bit and smear vaseline all over the batteries inc the ends, it'll stop them vibrating around.

[speights_bud]

Or you could try folding a bit of paper in behind the batteries, for a somewhat 'less messy' approach to stopping any vibrations.

[NordieBoy]

Or you could try folding a bit of paper in behind the batteries, for a somewhat 'less messy' approach to stopping any vibrations.
Not good enough.
Also the vaseline stops the battery from arcing to the connectors as it vibrates as they get a bit of buildup there and stop working untill you clean the ends of the batteries.

Using vaseline has meant that I can use my Legend on my Nordie (560cc single) on the road or in the trails without any problems whereas without vaseline it would cut out at about 5200rpm even with padding in behind the batteries.
Also works well on the mountain bike with big hits.

A good test is turning the gps on then smacking it on one of the ends with your hand.

[oldrider]

Genuine question. What on earth do you need or do with a bike mounted GPS?
I am all in favour of new technology but what does it do for you on a bike? Cheers John. :spudwhat:

[Sniper]

I think it might have something to do with exactly how fast you are going john. Im not too sure either.

[skelstar]

Genuine question. What on earth do you need or do with a bike mounted GPS?
I am all in favour of new technology but what does it do for you on a bike? Cheers John. :spudwhat:
I love gadgets...short answer, also plan to do some touring, got lost out the back of Masterton/Martinborough last weekend where the GPS would have been handy, has a nifty trip meter function, and an accurate speedo is insightful (?). Other than that it IS a bit useless. It did only cost $255 so its not real expensive.
When I go tramping it will be ultra useful. I hope the GPS satelites havent fallen out of the sky by that time though :).

[parsley]

I put my Navman in the clear pouch on the top of my tankbag. Works pretty well most of the time, and I can even use the touchscreen!

[parsley]

Genuine question. What on earth do you need or do with a bike mounted GPS?
I am all in favour of new technology but what does it do for you on a bike? Cheers John. :spudwhat:
Exactly the same thing it does in a cage - tells me where to go. Mine also has a database of fixed speed cameras and gives me plenty of warning when I'm approaching one.

[Ixion]

Genuine question. What on earth do you need or do with a bike mounted GPS?
I am all in favour of new technology but what does it do for you on a bike? Cheers John. :spudwhat:

I used it to check my speedos . With Mr Plod being so unfriendly today , it is as well to know that 110kph really is 110kph. In my case, Li'l Ratty was fast at 50kph (i was really only doing 46kph) but slow at 100kph (I was really doing 104kph). The BMW was pretty much dead accurate. But my Alfatoy was very slow. At an indicated 110kph I was really doing nearly 125kph ! I'm glad I found THAT out before Mr Plod did! Could have been expensive. The Pajero was fast - 100kph indicated was really only 90kph.

Also handy when touring, easier to use than the traditional compass.