Anyone run a GPS on their DYNA and also use it in their other vechicles? If so what do you have and how does it perform? I know the touring guys run them but i want to know if DYNA owners do and how they mount them.

 

I have a Garmin Nuvi I have been wanting to run on my bike. I think they make handlebar mounts for them but I have not bought one yet. Sometimes I ride with it in my pocket but I have to pull over to look at it. I may buy one of the mounts soon and possibly wire up a 12V adapter for power. I bought the adapter awhile back but never installed it.

 

I have a Garmin Nuvi 255W that I have been wanting to use on the bike. I think they make handlebar mounts that can be used. You would also need a power source unless you already have one. I bought one of the 12V cigarette lighter style power plugs that I could wire in but never did it. The only problem I can really see is the standard automotive GPS units are not waterproof so you would need to be able to remove it quickly and put it up if it started raining. Guess I'm gonna have to break down and get the mount. I would like to be able to use it on long rides.

 

Oops...didn't think the first one posted!

 

I have a Garmin Zumo 550 I bought to use on the Electra Glide. On that bike I use the mount that attaches to the clutch side lever mount. It stays there all the time which doesn't bother me on that bike, but would look stupid on my Street Bob.

So I look around and found a mount designed for bicycles on overstock.com I think. It has a rubberized strap that goes around the handlebar and then locks kind of like a zip tie, but reusable. The ball end was too small to fit the Zumo mount (would work perfect with a Nuvi I think) so I dipped it many times into the kind of liquid rubber you can buy to coat pliers handles and the like. Once dried it's solid.

As for power (tho you can just run on battery depending on trip length), I took the connector for my battery tender that has the alligator clips on it (extra since I used the bolt on one on the bike) and cut the connector end off. I spliced that into the power line for the Garmin (had to buy a second one since the original is hardwired into the Electra Glide). Then I re-routed my battery tender cable so it ends near the horn on the left side. I just plug the spliced up GPS power cable into the battery tender connector and I've got power for the ride. Just remember to shut it down when you stop or you'll drain the battery, but I never leave the GPS on the bike when I get off anyway - too easy to steal.

Easy, cheap, and totally clean when I take the unit off.

 

I use the Tom Tom One and the disc that came with it I stuck to my speedo face and MY GPS sticks where my speedo is. Battery is good for 5 hrs steady use or more if in power saver mode which shuts off display and comes on when a change in direction will happen. The only downside is you cant see Check engine light and speedo when GPS is not on. It has fallen off once while pulling off, but have had it on for many miles trouble free. I would like to have a nicer way to mount it.

 

I have to find a mount that will fit the large diam handle bars on my fatboy - any suggestions?

 

I use the ZUMO 550 in my car and on my bike for three years now.

I mounted the ZUMO mounting bracket to a chrome Kuryakun mounting bracket (p/n 1421):






and put it on my handlebar, which looks like this:






I ran the wires (+ has a fuse) along the neck under the tank. To get them into the tank tunnel I used a piece of thin plastic coated metal wire and inserted it into the tank tunnel from the battery side. I bent an eye into it and pulled the GPS wiring towards the battery and connected the wire ends directly to the battery studs.

Some friends use their car GPS in a tank bag to protect it against moisture. It's more or less a cheap solution, however IMO there are some negative points to this solution:
- running out of (battery)power if not hooked up to the motorcycle power system
- view is not so clear and out of line of sight
- operating the GPS is difficult

 

I fabed up this mount for my Nuvi 650 and ran the power connection under the seat. It's been working great for two years. Now I'm waiting on delivery of a Zumo 660 that I found new on ebay for $150 off MSRP. The Nuvi works great, but it doesn't have bluetooth or route planning.

 

Jeff,

Did you drill the handlebars and run the threaded end through the hole?