GPS Mounting

[Big Rig]

I have a 99 i/S...has anyone used the suction cup that comes with your gps? Would prefer to hear the horror stories before living them.

I was thinking of mounting mine on the tach lens.

Also, has anyone added a power access port (cigarette lighter) to the inside of the fairing?

[sugerbear]

waiting to hear comments on this one
i've been wondering the same thing.

i have a batt tender with the pigtail hooked to the batt, bought a cig lighter that plugs into the pigtail
and put it under the right side cover.  works but kinda gets in the way.

[Michvalk]

Yeah, I use the suction cup mount for mine all the time. Stick to the windshield and plug into the cig lighter mounted in the right pod. Stays on just fine if you wet the suction cup before you mount it.

[sandy]

I'm glad to hear some success with a suction cup mount. I'd prefer a more secure mount. I use a Ram Mount sytem on both bikes. They make a mount that bolts to the right or left side on the bars. My Wing has this mount. My Valk uses the U bolt mount in the middle of the bars. Replace the bar clamp with clamps from a VTX 1300 or 1100 Shadow bars.

[Baloo]

I have a 99 IS and a Garmin Zumo 550. I did install a cigarette lighter in the lh side of the fairing, below the speaker. It can be done very easily. It was not to provide power for the Zumo, tough, as it comes with a craddle that's powering it. I would not trust a succion cup to hold my GPS, especially not on a bike since the first failure will cost you a new GPS. Check Ram mounts, they have all sorts of mounts designed for many brands of GPS's and that will clamp to your handlebars. Lot more reliable than a succion cup, IMHO

[CISE]

I have a TomTom 3XL GPS on my 99 I/S.

I did use the suction cup mount, but it did fall off one day on I-285 in Atlanta, lost the mount & the GPS. At that point I had only had it on for about 500 miles

I now have it mounted to my handlebars with a homemade mount - looks ugly, but had no extra money at the time - that was 30,000 miles ago - it still is holding.

I would recommend using a Ram mount, or other solid non-suction cup mount (unless you put glue on the suction cup instead of wetting before installing )

[valkMJ]

I would seriously advise against using the suction cup.  You're going to lose your GPS that way.   

I use a Ram Mount for my TomTom.  The u-bolt attaches to the handlebar, and you can position it however the heck you want.  It even came with a rubber strip to prevent any damage to the bars.  I'm sure it depends on your GPS model, but it looked like they have hardware for a whole lot of models.

I can't remember offhand which one I have, but this one looks close enough:
http://www.ram-mount.com/CatalogResults/PartDetails/tabid/63/partid/082065077045066045049052057090085/Default.aspx

[Cattman]

I used the ram mount for my Zumo have it right next to the radio controls makes it easier to see and use.

[NITRO]

I used the ram mount for my Zumo have it right next to the radio controls makes it easier to see and use.

Same here.

[PAVALKER]

Ram Mount... have the Ram Mount ball on the center of the Riser Cap for my IS.  I have it under the riser cap on my VTX.  I have had the suction mount come loose in the car/trunk once or twice, so if you go that route.... put a tether on your GPS.

[B]

I don't even use the suction. Up int the car... Hate 'em...bought a RAM mount that mounts to the brake Lever bracket and has a waterproof box- $69. on Amazon.

[Colin]

If you are using a car GPS it won't be waterproof. This mount overcomes that without bolting anything on. It may well be available your side of the pond and costs the same as a Ram mount in Europe.

[Mike]

http://radioworld.ca/product_info.php?cPath=406&products_id=4920

Here is a mount if you want some bling.

[F6Dave]

The best by far.  Even Garmin and TomTom include Ram Mounts with their motorcycle GPS units.  When I ordered mine, http://www.expressmounts.com/ beat Ram Mount's own prices, and I had it in a couple of days with their standard shipping.

[NCGhostrider]

I wouldn't trust the suction cup mount, it might work for a while, but they have a tendency to give it up at the wrong time.  My inexpensive Tom Tom is mounted to the handlebars and works pretty well.   I didn't spend a lot on the GPS for the bike.. figured if it got lost, rained out, or permanently borrowed... I wouldn't have too much invested.   Been handy several times!!  I also have my old Sirius receiver on the bike too.   You can see a glimpse here... http://www.fenter.com

Craig

[scoot]

I made my own mount for my GPS. I certainly wouldn't trust the suction mount on flat glass windsheild, let alone on a curved plastic windsheild. I have lost my GPS in the past. Since then I also tether it to the mirror mount. So far so good. I use a megellan 2200t it is water proof and has about a 6 to 8 hour battery life. Great thing is you can pick them up refurbished on the Megellan web site for under $100.00.

[Valkflyer]

 I went with universal $25 bicycle mount from REI. They have other for specific models like the  Garmen. I modified mine slightly to my taste but it works like charm.  Hear is the site link. http://www.rei.com/product/800501