FOAK - GPS for bikes

Please help oh great FOAK..... I'm wanting to get a GPS for the bike -
doesn't really matter whether it goes on my R1 or himself's Mille
really as we're both crap at directions & have intercom anyway.

I guess I'm looking for something decent that we can fit to either of
the bikes, but also to take out to the US with us in September (see
above comment about both being crap with directions!) and don't really
want to be constantly doing u-turns on a Harley (1) ! (not when I'm
really not used to it).

I'd rather not spend too much, not over 500ukp as I'd like to get a
Digicam as well (also any advice there would be useful). So whats the
most reliable & easy to use, has anyone got any experience or thoughts
that may help getting a GPS for the bike?

TIA

(1) We decided on a pair of Heritage Softail Classics in the end - and
thanks for all your help with that, ta muchly

 

I recently treated myself to a Garmin Quest; I'm quite happy with
reading maps and following directions, but I like gadgets.

It got me to Chimay and back (~1000 mile round trip), and I was happy
with the way it took me. Cut a few corners off autoroutes that I
wouldn't have bothered trying if I'd been map-reading, and led me along
some interesting roads.

It hasn't got a huge amount of memory, so you'll need to just load the
detailed maps that you think you're likely to need, and use the base map
for the roads in between.

As for fitting directly to the bikes, you're a bit screwed really. You
can buy a motorcycle-mounting kit, but you still need to buy or make
something to which that can be attached[0]. You might be able to get
away with the handlebar clamp, but that leaves the problem of power, but
the Quest allegedly has ~20hr battery life.


[0] On the ZX-9R, I made up a plate that cable-ties to the screen brace,
then the motorcycle mount clamps to that.

 

September 13th we fly out & we're flying to San Diego picking the
bikes up on the Friday & heading over to Vegas on the Monday - when
are you there?

Hehe, ta, I'm not much good at u-turns on the R1 either anyway.

Thanks, I'll have a look at the Garmin - Eddie has also suggested
Garmin as well, are they pretty reliable?

Ah ok. Ta v much.

 

Gadgets are good I'm ok if I have good directions, hence the real
need for something reliable tbh.

That sounds pretty good, much what we'd like to do without wasting too
much time getting lost (which we do on a regluar basis!)

Ok, thats good to know.

What batteries does it take? I'm guessing that it can be plugged
directly into the bike, probably go on the Mille in that case.

Definately go on the Mille as it has quite a bit of room behind the
screen & hopefully I can bribe by means of beer tokens someone to make
up a brace that should fit it.

Thanks

 

We'll be around sometime over that fortnight as we're using Vegas as a
base to hop to the Grand Canyon & around for a few days too. Give us
a shout nearer the time.

Garmin seem to have a reasonable reputation & I've been on one website
that seems to have some good deasl at the mo. So ta for your help.

 

I'm actually wanting a digital camcorder, something reasonably light
that I can carry around. I'm wanting the get the GPS as well so don't
really want to spend more than £600 on them both - less if possible.

I've found the Garmin Quest (old style) for under £300 if it's any
good. So leaves about £300 - £350 I guess. Less is always better
though.

Cheers

 

The battery's a built-in lithium one, IIRC; non-replaceable. The
motorcycle mount kit includes a power cable to link into the bike.

You could also look at getting a RAM mount kit for it, but I've got a
feeling you might need Garmin's motorcycle mount anyway for the cable.

 

What?! For that price, you should be getting a Quest V2, not an original
Quest.

I think I paid ~£180 for mine.

 

I was going to be mine second-hand, but decided that I wasted more than
60 quids' worth of my time by trying to get a bargain.

 

Like others, I've got a 2610 which has done me proud on car and bike.
Catch might be the power on a rental

Hers and hers Harleys. Nice ;-)

 

I just bought an O2 XDA mini S (PDA/phone, with TomTom installed) and a
Bluetooth GPS. I also have a Bluetooth earpiece to listen to the
instructions. The problem I had was waterproofing the XDA and mounting it
to the bike. Solution was a tank bag with map pocket.

I've also got Memory map, not only for walks in the Lakes, but it can also
record my speed/position/distance and produce interesting graphs.

The 02 XDA Orbit has a built in GPS, but at a price.

--
Drew.H, MIB#15

In the garage: MZ ETZ125, GS550MZ x 2
Departures: GSX1100FJ
Arrivals: CBR1100XXX

 

I guess thats why I wanted something with the option of running on
battery power as well as plugging it into the bike.
Cheers for your advice tho.

Say what you like, I'm gonna be out in California, in the sun, on
holiday, not thinking in the slightest about work or you mob stuck
back in good ole Blighty

Besides, it may be academic for the moment as I've just bought another
bike.......Gotta choose between the GPS and a Digital Camcorder

 

banged the rocks together and they said :

Get one made for the job, TomTom Rider 2.

Others need water/splash proofing, buying of 3rd party mounts (cause
they will invariably only come with a windscreen suction mount), wiring
of power leads (which is a good idea actually for the TT R2)

You'll get a cheapo digicam wodge of change out of £500 I'd say.
http://www.gpsw.co.uk/details/prod3463.html

Oh, by digicam do you mean camera or camcorder? Or both?

 

BRC banged the rocks together and they said :

Loads of camcorders on EBay (new, in UK), depends on what kind of
quality and features you want?

They range from ?30 to ?eeeek.

 

BRC banged the rocks together and they said :

Don't tell me, you wore the last one out going round in circles
lost.... ;->

 

Nah.
Get the Garmin Zumo, the mapping is _much_ better than TomTom's.
IMHO only of course ;o)

--
Greybeard

FLHTCUI UK-07 Mk II (Sold)
Trumpet Trophy 1200-03
Garmin Zumo 550, To get me home!

ukrm@foxtails[dot]co[dot]uk

 

So the TT Rider mount doesn't break as soon as look it now then? And
there are other weatherproof units on the market. Do TT guarantee
theirs?

 

I'll bow to your first hand experience (cause I have none), but in
general TT stuff is good, and a unit designed especially for bikes I
would imagine to have a sturdy mount, and to be waterproof.

Its pretty pointless if those two things aren't.