Adding GPS to an R1150R

[Tipstall]

OK, I'm missing something. I know to use a RAM mount to attach the GPS to the bike. How do I wire the power supply? Do I just run a wire to the charge plug, with an adapter?

Ken

[fganger]

Ken,

I have my GPS wired into my electrical system. I started off using the BMW electrical outlets (I have two on my bike) and plugged my Garmin in when I was using it. I put the BMW male fitting in place of the standard 12-volt adapter, which came with my unit. That worked well for the Garmin unit I was using at the time. My E-map has a voltage reducer built into the factory electrical connection, it also can be operated with batteries. If I was just going out for the day, I used batteries. On a trip, I used the power outlet.

Santa brought me a 2610, which uses straight 12-volt current. Now I was able to hard wire my unit to the bike. I went right to the positive post on the battery. Garmin makes a special connection for electrical hookups for motorcycles and boats, which are water resistant. I've used my 2610 for about 40,000 bike miles without a problem.

You may have told us all about what you were planning and I'm just late as usual. I may have some different advice depending upon the unit you are mounting and if it has battery backup or not.

Frank

PS - I'm attaching a photo of my GPS.:041:

http://R1150R.smugmug.com/gallery/827966/3/37266464

Bad Frank, bad, bad, Frank.:)

PSS - If you need some additional person-to-person help, I live just north of Chicago.

[R4R&R]

I have a Quest and used the RAM mount for the physical mounting. As for power, I setup a switched power fuseblock right behind the left side panel, right next to the main fuseblock. I ran a relay that is energized from the taillight (that way I didn't have to cut into any of the nicely wrapped OEM wiring) and it goes to the relay. Then a positive cable from the starter post to supply the load on the relay and finally to the fuseblock. This way I have up to six additional circuits that can easily be added and I don't have to worry about leaving them turned on and drain the bike battery.

[fganger]

John,

That does sound like the way to go, especially if one intends to add more electrical stuff to the bike. When my wife and I lived in Alaska, we were always running out of spots to hook-up our electrical stuff.

An electric vest, GPS, boot warmers, bike-to-bike radios and the list goes on. When I ran out of spots, I just prioritized. Heat first and talk later.

Frank

[Deans BMW]

I have a question.......................

Why in the world........would you want to know..................where you are.....................where you are going or..........where you have been?????

Isn't the object, just to be going......................?

[Tipstall]

In my quest for back roads and non highways I've been a little lost a couple of times. Just trying to back up my position, maybe it's a control thing.

Ken

[BobFV1]

Hmmm -

I never had a GPS on my R1150R when I had one - the RT is set up much better all around for mounting and wiring a GPS, but I'm sure it can be done on the R as well. Depends on how much you are going to be using it. If you want to have the GPS for day or weekend trips, just use the accesory socket on your bike. If you want to use it for serious touring, then I would take power right off the battery. I have my 2610 wired in parallel with the power for my Autocom. It is mounted to the bike with a RAM ball mount, which works great.

Lots of possibilities. I'm sure you will come up with a creative solution - good luck!

[socalrob]

I've seriously thought about adding GPS to my RR. Last Xmas I looked at the BMW GPS (a very nice Garmin) unit with the left hand buttons on the cradle. Pretty pricey, but hey, its only $$. Wife was happy to spring for it so she wouldn't have to shop.

Reason I decided no for that unit at least, was that the cradle mounts permanantly, and its huge. I would only be using GPS on some trips, maybe 6-10 times per year, so I really didn't want to look at this huge thing all the rest of the time.

It will be nice when the manufacturers incorporate GPS into the instruments. Seems to me on either the LT or RT an integrated GPS would be a good thing, better than a funky CD player when pretty much everyone uses an IPOD.

[socalrob]

Deano,

Don't be such a Ludite! I think you can take this offgrid stuff too far:)

I do get your point though. It is great to just ride. Trouble is some of us still work.

[Deans BMW]

AHHHH the life of the retarded...............er..........ah............. ...uhm......................retired,....:028:

http://r1150r.smugmug.com/photos/14465418-M.jpg

[geechie]

Great pic of you and the woodpile. Glad to see you use a maul and a sledge.

Hydraulic splitters are for girls.

In the sunny South, I feed this baby three cords during a cold winter. Keeps our little house quite toasty. Doubt if I'll hit two this year.

http://r1150r.smugmug.com/photos/55727758-M.jpg

Of course, it's open only for the picture. When I burn it open, usually there's a screen in place. Mostly though, I burn it closed; much more efficient that way.

George

[Road Dog]

I have a question.......................

Why in the world........would you want to know..................where you are.....................where you are going or..........where you have been?????

Isn't the object, just to be going......................?

I used to say I'd been to so many destinations that I didn't need a map to get anywhere. Then a couple of years ago I bought a GPS to use on the great divide ride. The GPS allows you to look for interesting roads on the fly. Roads you didn't know were there or that traverse some interesting terrain. About once a month we plan a ride somewhere mainly following unpaved roads. Maps that you can carry with you won't have that detail.

One weekend we followed an abandoned railroad line. The old railroad wasn't on any printed maps but the old railroad route was on the gps map. It is also fun to try to keep your average speed up or ETA decreasing - and not by just going faster - although that helps.

[Deans BMW]

Dog, good point. I am trying to figure out how to aquire a dual sport, KLR650 like you have or my dream, a R1200GS. Up here where I live, there are hundreds and prolly thousands of miles of unpaved old gold mining and mountain fire roads that need to be explored. Another dream is to ride the Conential Divide border to border. Perhaps Darth and I will be able to do that one year.

Or better yet all three ,or more, of us.

[DarthRider]

"...Another dream is to ride the Conential Divide border to border. Perhaps Darth and I will be able to do that one year..."

Yes, Hoonster, yes!! I'm probably 2-3 months out from getting the KLR. New ones are going out the door around here for $5,100 and change. This has got the be the biggest bargain in motorcycling!

Dave

[jc wms]

I have a question.......................

Why in the world........would you want to know..................where you are.....................where you are going or..........where you have been?????

Isn't the object, just to be going......................?
To feed the dog?:039:

[BobFV1]

I like the GPS as much for what I call "trip management" functions as for actual directions - things like altirude, accurate speed, current distance to destination = all that stuff. Nice to be able to pick out an occasonal route I didn't see on the map. And with the GS, it won't get me in to trouble like it did once in New Mexico on the RT when BobFWife and I ended up down a dirt road with very little opportunity to go forward or turn around..... the darn GPS just didn't tell me it was a dirt road.....