R1200R Connecting Garmin Zumo 550 to Bikes Power & Mounting

[grantorela]

Hi everyone! New to biking here. Just got the R1200R as my first bike. LOVE IT! Yeah, this bike is my new addiction!

Can anyone walk me through how to connect my Zumo 550 to the power on the bike. I'm looking at the bike right now and I have no idea what cords even go to the power. The last thing I want to do is disconnect the wrong cable. Do you think I should just have my dealer install it? Is this something a newbie should even attempt.

I appreciate any advice.

Thanks,

Grant

[deilenberger]

Grant - which Zumo 550 do you have? If you have the BMW one - it should come with a cable with a connector on the end that plugs right into the wiring harness. The mating connector is tucked up under the tank, right near the front right side mounting point for the tank (left side looking at it from the front.) It may or may not have a tie-wrap holding it to the frame, and it has a plastic cap over the end to protect it that you must remove.

If you have the Garmin version of the 550 - it probably came with a power cable you can connect to either a BMW accessory plug (and plug it into the power outlet on the bike) or to the battery directly.

[famousperson]

I connected mine directly to the battery. You can run the wire forward right up next to the tank, right or left side, without having to remove anything so it doesn't show. I'd attach a picture but, well, it doesn't show.

[grantorela]

Thanks for the reply.

I have the Garmin Zumo 550.

I took some photos under my seat. Do you know of any websites that would sell the right adapter for my bike? Or do I need to order the Universal Socket Adapter from BMW? They don't have a socket adapter specifically for the R1200R.

Here are the photos of the electrical options:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v260/ ... G_0674.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v260/ ... G_0672.jpg

Here is the battery:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v260/ ... G_0675.jpg

Here are the two hookup options that Garmin gave me with the Zumo 550:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v260/ ... G_0676.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v260/ ... G_0677.jpg

How did you mount the Garmin Zumo 550 to your bike? Any suggestions for the best possible location of the GPS?

Thanks!

Grant Haas

[famousperson]

Grant,

For Garmin hookup option "A" go to www.sierrabmw.com and search for "adapter." They offer three choices to go from the BMW socket to a standard cigarette lighter socket. You can then just plug in the Garmin cord with the cigarette lighter plug supplied. I used this adapter to charge my phone while riding (there is no power to the BMW socket when the bike is turned off).

Garmin hookup option "B" is what I used to wire my 550 directly to the battery. Note that the cord already comes with an inline fuse. It is a five minute job.

I attached the GPS itself to the left handlebar with a RAM mount u-bolt (pn# RAM-B-231CHU) (http://www.ram-mount.com) and the hardware supplied by Garmin. I mounted it as far left as I could get it so it doesn't get in the way of my seeing the instruments or my tank bag.

I hope this helps.

[spenserj87]

Here's a post that should give you all the details you need:

http://www.r1150r.org/board/viewtopic.p ... 65#p110065

[deilenberger]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v260/ ... G_0677.jpg

This one directly to your battery will work just fine.

How did you mount the Garmin Zumo 550 to your bike? Any suggestions for the best possible location of the GPS?
Thanks!
Grant Haas

I'd suggest it be mounted center and as high as possible (if it isn't blocking any instruments.) Less head/eye movement is a good thing with a GPS.