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Attaching a satnav so it doesn't look pants
Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2012 5:51 am
by normanw
As the title say......anyone got pics of how they attached a satnav hopefully so it looks like it grew there or at least looks neat?
thanks in advance

Re: Attaching a satnav so it doesn't look pants
Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2012 5:52 am
by normanw
I forgot to mention mine is a Tomtom Rider 2

Re: Attaching a satnav so it doesn't look pants
Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2012 7:49 am
by Catchina
I dont have a picture but many people use ram mounts. They can be attached to handle bar or screen bracket and easily adjusted to position the gps wherever you want it with a ball and socket adjustable design.
Re: Attaching a satnav so it doesn't look pants
Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2012 8:40 am
by 2wheels
I made up my owm mount which bridges the handlebar mount and keeps the satnav close to the steering head. I will try and post a few pics in a couple of days.
It is important to angle the screen back otherwise it reflects sky, sun etc and is unreadable. Also I use my Tomtom without bluetooth connection, just glance at screen from time to time. Works well for me but would not suit everyone!
BTW, the handle bar is a different diameter(and tapered)on 2011+ models.
Re: Attaching a satnav so it doesn't look pants
Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2012 10:04 am
by normanw
Catchina wrote:I dont have a picture but many people use ram mounts. They can be attached to handle bar or screen bracket and easily adjusted to position the gps wherever you want it with a ball and socket adjustable design.
Thats what I've been using on my last bike and I can see how I could adopt the same on my new bike... I guess I was wondering how people had done alternatives to that....cheers
Re: Attaching a satnav so it doesn't look pants
Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2012 10:06 am
by normanw
2wheels wrote:I made up my owm mount which bridges the handlebar mount and keeps the satnav close to the steering head. I will try and post a few pics in a couple of days.
It is important to angle the screen back otherwise it reflects sky, sun etc and is unreadable. Also I use my Tomtom without bluetooth connection, just glance at screen from time to time. Works well for me but would not suit everyone!
BTW, the handle bar is a different diameter(and tapered)on 2011+ models.
That sounds like the sort of idea I was thinking of....Ive seen some of the ball thingies that insert into the top of the steering head advertised but not sure how and if it would fit into there on my bike

Re: Attaching a satnav so it doesn't look pants
Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2012 10:35 am
by dbrick
I think deilenberger's bridge-the-windscreen-mount method is the cats pajamas: neat to the eye, not in the way of the ignition switch nor a tank bag, and closer to the rider's line of sight:
http://www.eilenberger.net/R1200R_Roads ... _Mount.htm
Re: Attaching a satnav so it doesn't look pants
Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2012 11:12 am
by M249Joe
Here is what I did. I use a 5" Garmin GPS. What the %^$^# is "pants? LOL
@$6.00

Re: Attaching a satnav so it doesn't look pants
Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2012 11:35 am
by normanw
M249Joe wrote:Here is what I did. I use a 5" Garmin GPS. What the %^$^# is "pants? LOL
@$6.00

That looks like the kind of solution I was thinking of....just need to find something similar for my tom-tom rider 2
Btw here is a link to a thorough explanation of using the word "pants" to describe something as not good
http://www.worldwidewords.org/topicalwords/tw-pan4.htm

Re: Attaching a satnav so it doesn't look pants
Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2012 12:51 pm
by 2wheels
Re: Attaching a satnav so it doesn't look pants
Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2012 2:43 pm
by normanw
very cool and defy the sort of thing I was veering towards
cheers

Re: Attaching a satnav so it doesn't look pants
Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2012 2:54 pm
by websterize
The OEM option. For related navigation pictures, click the link in my signature.

Re: Attaching a satnav so it doesn't look pants
Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2012 5:50 pm
by jkhomes
I agree Don Eilenberger's horizontal mount is very cool.
Here is an interesting application where a member had a Lexan piece fabricated to attach his radar detector to the windshield of his RT. It might could work with an aftermarket windscreen on a 1200R for your satnav. He attached it with velcro and said it bounces a bit but is secure. The GPS in these photos doesn't appear to be the most elegant mount. Evidently YouTube has videos on bending Lexan.
I cheaped out and went with a RAM Mount. I wish I had gone with a Techmount instead.

Re: Attaching a satnav so it doesn't look pants
Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2012 11:20 am
by SF_Hooligan
I use an iPhone/Navigon rig, but the mounting could work with any GPS.
I replaced the front left clamp with an
SW-Motech RAM ball (had to find a longer bolt, I think I ended up using something from a Touratech kit for the GS bikes. I also used a
plate with two Powerlets. I use a shorty RAM arm to position it - I like it a bit higher so I can glance at it easily.
I think the
Touratech mount is pretty cool as well. If I were to switch to a separate GPS, I would consider that one with their locking mount.
Re: Attaching a satnav so it doesn't look pants
Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2012 1:24 pm
by jkhomes
M249Joe wrote: What the %^$^# is "pants? LOL
"Seat of the Pants: Navigating without a map, making things up as you go along." I know it is in Wikipedia (for now), because I just put it there.
Re: Attaching a satnav so it doesn't look pants
Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2012 6:47 pm
by Lost Rider
My multi day travel setup with the Garmin Montana 600.
For day rides I use my iPhone 4s with Garmin StreetPilot App with the RAM mount.
http://www.ram-mount.com/Products/Apple ... ult.aspx#/
For you guys looking for more options for custom DIY mounts you might like these bolts I use on my GS.
part # from max bmw is 32717652161, they are classed as m8 x 30 screws , $10 each
Or you might like these RAM Motorcycle Handlebar Clamp Base with M8 Screws
http://www.ram-mount.com/CatalogResults ... fault.aspx

Re: Attaching a satnav so it doesn't look pants
Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2012 4:50 am
by Martyn
jkhomes wrote:M249Joe wrote: What the %^$^# is "pants? LOL
"Seat of the Pants: Navigating without a map, making things up as you go along." I know it is in Wikipedia (for now), because I just put it there.
Here in the UK, something that is "pants" is rubbish - much used by teenagers.
If it's good, it's "the dogs bollocks" - unless you are in the company of your maiden aunt, in which case probably best to leave out any reference to a dogs genitalia.
The vagaries of the English language either side of the pond.
Re: Attaching a satnav so it doesn't look pants
Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2012 5:21 am
by normanw
Thanks gents, lots of ingenuity on display and lots of ideas on the possibilities now.
I just got back from a really wet and cold ride out....I must be mad

Re: Attaching a satnav so it doesn't look pants
Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2012 6:49 am
by 2wheels
It must be love....!
Actually, the few occasions I have been caught in heavy rain I have been hugely impressed by how safe and stable the bike felt. Biggest problem is keeping clear vision. Not so bad on motorways where you can keep enough speed to blow visor clear, but smaller back roads it's a real problem.
Does anyone remember the Turbovisor? It had central pivot and the visor spun to throw off water! Very effective but a bit heavy and they never managed to make the bearing last - not nice having a rumbling bearing close to the face.
Re: Attaching a satnav so it doesn't look pants
Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2012 6:55 am
by normanw
2wheels wrote:It must be love....!
Actually, the few occasions I have been caught in heavy rain I have been hugely impressed by how safe and stable the bike felt. Biggest problem is keeping clear vision. Not so bad on motorways where you can keep enough speed to blow visor clear, but smaller back roads it's a real problem.
Does anyone remember the Turbovisor? It had central pivot and the visor spun to throw off water! Very effective but a bit heavy and they never managed to make the bearing last - not nice having a rumbling bearing close to the face.
My lid is a shoe xr1000 with the pin lock inner visor....not perfect but tons better than a single glazed visor. I've just ordered a shoe xr1100 coz it has a bigger pin lock secondary visor and a better field of vision.....pinlock is something that once you've had you'd not go back to a single skin visor imho.
I agree that the bike is very planted wet or dry....amazing grip from the metzelers and the low centre of gravity i guess....can't wait for some finer weather
I have done 250 miles already since 1st March and bike is booked in to the dealers for 500 miles service on Friday
