My GPS and XM radio install

Lost Rider · Post by **Lost Rider** » Mon Aug 21, 2006 8:36 pm

In preparation for a 5000+ mile camping trip I'm planning for September, I've wired up my Roadster with a Garmin Quest GPS, and a Delphi MyFi XM radio.
The XM radio mount is stuck to the tach with the included bracket. It's not the prettiest, but it's in a good place for me and I can still see the tach needle. The XM radio has a built in antenna, but I mounted the included external "car" antenna to the right side brake hydraulic reservoir for better reception, and when it's raining I can put it in my jacket. I still need to wire up a "y", and run a line under the tank so I can share the radio with my passenger.

For the GPS I used the included car mount that is a suction cup mount. Included is a plastic disk with sticky tape on one side for mounting on the dash. I just trimmed the disk a little so it would fit under the handlebars, stuck it to my bike, and then stuck the suction cup to it. As for the power, yes it has a speaker on the "cigarette" lighter plug. I just ran the cable under the tank and am plugging it into a BMW "accessory plug adaptor" that I have plugged into the bike. I actually have a fused "Y" connector under my tank to plug in the GPS and my XM radio unit. It all tucks nicely next to my battery
So far so good. It's worked well so far, but I haven't been in any hard rain, yet. I don't really see a problem though since my battery doesn't really seem to get wet.

I've been going back and forth about removing my exhaust can for the trip, I can live with the sound, I just keep thinking about the weight I'm saving with it off. It weighs as much as all my camping gear put together, since I'll be riding 2 up, I think I can use the weight savings. Any thoughts?

Joe

R4R&R · Post by **R4R&R** » Mon Aug 21, 2006 9:29 pm

Looks good - similar setup to mine but I went with Sirius. I'm not sure how long I would trust the suction cup mount for the GPS. I used a ram mount and it's VERY secure. Actually I used a ram mount for my radio too.

Lost Rider · Post by **Lost Rider** » Mon Aug 21, 2006 9:48 pm

Very nice. The same but different.

I went with XM because I have sirius in my car so I figured I'd try something different.
Do you use a tankbag? Does it block the gps?
Those RAM mounts look nice, may have to change to them someday.
Did you have to buy the Garmin motorcycle kit and the RAM mount?

houndog · Post by **houndog** » Tue Aug 22, 2006 7:10 am

Do not I repeat do not trust the suction cup. I had my Sirius mounted on my bikes windshield with one and it fell off and got loged in between my forks and the tank causing a 30mph wipeout pulling into a gas station. Please use a ram mount. Don't end up like me.
Tommy

Post by **rdsmith3** » Tue Aug 22, 2006 7:12 am

Do either of you guys need reading glasses? I have trouble with close-up vision, and I was wondering if I would be able to see a GPS screen. I am seriously tempted by the new Garmin Zumo. It would allow me to combine GPS, mp3 and XM radio into one unit.

Post by **sjbmw** » Tue Aug 22, 2006 7:24 am

Cool.

So how are you powering the MyFi?

Post by **Deano** » Tue Aug 22, 2006 7:36 am

Count another vote for the RAM mount. I just got a refurbished Quest and the RAM mount/cradle/motorcycle kit works very well. Nice and secure, adjustable to accommodate tank bags of varying sizes, and the motorcycle kit frees you from internal battery reliance.

The suction cup mount has failed me several times in my car; it randomly releases, spilling my Quest onto the dash and points below.

Post by **sjbmw** » Tue Aug 22, 2006 8:08 am

rdsmith3 wrote:Do either of you guys need reading glasses? I have trouble with close-up vision, and I was wondering if I would be able to see a GPS screen. I am seriously tempted by the new Garmin Zumo. It would allow me to combine GPS, mp3 and XM radio into one unit.

Thanks rd. I am in accessory rehab just fine and you have to point out the Zumo. That unit IS my next purchase. What a unit. Incredible.

I have to see the XM antenna though, the Connect and Play XM/Nav/Weather antennas are 3 or 4 inches round. Where to install it on a naked bike?

sorry for the hijack.

Post by **rdsmith3** » Tue Aug 22, 2006 8:48 am

sjbmw wrote:
rdsmith3 wrote:Do either of you guys need reading glasses? I have trouble with close-up vision, and I was wondering if I would be able to see a GPS screen. I am seriously tempted by the new Garmin Zumo. It would allow me to combine GPS, mp3 and XM radio into one unit.
Thanks rd. I am in accessory rehab just fine and you have to point out the Zumo. That unit IS my next purchase. What a unit. Incredible.

I have to see the XM antenna though, the Connect and Play XM/Nav/Weather antennas are 3 or 4 inches round. Where to install it on a naked bike?

sorry for the hijack.

The Zumo looks great. The only problem I have with it is that you do need that optional antenna for XM and traffic info, which costs over $200 on eBay ($270 retail). It is the GXM 30 antenna. I was thinking that I could mount it on the rear luggage rack or between the instrument cluster and my touring windscreen.

Boris Badenov · Post by **Boris Badenov** » Tue Aug 22, 2006 12:13 pm

rdsmith3 wrote:
sjbmw wrote:
rdsmith3 wrote:Do either of you guys need reading glasses? I have trouble with close-up vision, and I was wondering if I would be able to see a GPS screen. I am seriously tempted by the new Garmin Zumo. It would allow me to combine GPS, mp3 and XM radio into one unit.
Thanks rd. I am in accessory rehab just fine and you have to point out the Zumo. That unit IS my next purchase. What a unit. Incredible.

I have to see the XM antenna though, the Connect and Play XM/Nav/Weather antennas are 3 or 4 inches round. Where to install it on a naked bike?

sorry for the hijack.
The Zumo looks great. The only problem I have with it is that you do need that optional antenna for XM and traffic info, which costs over $200 on eBay ($270 retail). It is the GXM 30 antenna. I was thinking that I could mount it on the rear luggage rack or between the instrument cluster and my touring windscreen.

I have Garmin 2820 with gxm30 receiver mounted on top of the tail bag. This setup takes care of pretty much everything, plays XM radio, MP3s (about 600 Mb), traffic and weather updates, Bluetooth integration with my phone and obviously navigation and POI. It is mounted on the bike with combination of Garmin mounting bracket and RAM mount - works great.

Unfortunately Garmin announced Zumo about a week after I bought my 2820, otherwise I mightÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ve waitedÃ¢â‚¬Â¦

R4R&R · Post by **R4R&R** » Tue Aug 22, 2006 12:18 pm

ChiTown wrote:I went with XM because I have sirius in my car so I figured I'd try something different.

I feel the same way and have been thinking of trying XM. There was an article in our newspaper a few weeks ago detailing the differences and after reading it, I think I'll stay with Sirius. My main reason to wanting to try XM was reception - my sirius radio seems to lose signal in certain situations.

ChiTown wrote:Do you use a tankbag? Does it block the gps?

I have a tankbag but usually use it on the rear seat. Only when I'm taking my son on an overnight trip would I put the tankbag up on the tank. The RAM mounts make it really easy to adjust/move the devices anywhere.

ChiTown wrote:Did you have to buy the Garmin motorcycle kit and the RAM mount?

I bought the Garmin motorcycle mount, which includes a wire to hookup power from the bike. Combined with the RAM mount, it's a very secure setup.

I bought the mounts from Cyclegadgets but had to make a custom mount for the satellite radio which attached to the RAM mount. Again, easily moveable when needed.

Lost Rider · Post by **Lost Rider** » Tue Aug 22, 2006 1:50 pm

Thanks guys, good advice here as always. Thanks Tommy

I would hate to lose my GPS while away from home.

Has anyone had any experience with this.
I like the bag, so I might try it out.

https://www.twistedthrottle.com/trade/p ... /2131/246/

Lost Rider · Post by **Lost Rider** » Tue Aug 22, 2006 2:03 pm

sjbmw wrote:Cool.

So how are you powering the MyFi?

The same as the GPS, with the included car adaptor running into a y plug under the tank, then into the BMW accessory outlet.

rdsmith3 wrote:Do either of you guys need reading glasses? I have trouble with close-up vision, and I was wondering if I would be able to see a GPS screen. I am seriously tempted by the new Garmin Zumo. It would allow me to combine GPS, mp3 and XM radio into one unit.

No glasses here.

Post by **rdsmith3** » Wed Aug 23, 2006 4:25 am

Unfortunately Garmin announced Zumo about a week after I bought my 2820, otherwise I mightÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ve waitedÃ¢â‚¬Â¦

The 2820 seems to be a better value. It includes the GXM 30 antenna and has a bigger screen than the Zumo.

Boris Badenov · Post by **Boris Badenov** » Wed Aug 23, 2006 10:55 am

rdsmith3 wrote:
Unfortunately Garmin announced Zumo about a week after I bought my 2820, otherwise I mightÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ve waitedÃ¢â‚¬Â¦
The 2820 seems to be a better value. It includes the GXM 30 antenna and has a bigger screen than the Zumo.

Correction Ã¢â‚¬â€œ 2820 does not include GXM 30 antenna. 2730 does.

Also, 2820 do not have a full screen mode (bummer) so actual size the map displayed would be about the same.