I have an 89 FLHS that I want to add a GPS to. Any suggestions on type and where is the best place to get power from?

 

I've been doing a little reading plus just used a non-bike version, but the Garmin Zumo 550 looks like a good unit. I'm curious as to what feedback you get about the power source also since the batteries only last about 3-5 hours.

 

Well take the dash off... there's a witch's nightmare of wires and breakers under there - pick one you like.

 

I have the unit and I ran a wire to the wiring harness down by the battery on my 93 fatboy. I also got a bracket that mount the garmen XM radio antenna. I like it. Wash the bike with it on and never worry about getting it wet. Been thru a few rain showers with it and never bothered it. I can take it off and use it in my truck, GPS not the antenna. I wish it had a bigger screen but I like for what it does. Works great when you want to record the trip that you had been. Save it and then you can run the same route again.

 

There should be a large gauge red wire that comes off of the main circuit breaker under there, it is used to run the radio/cb on the ultra's.

 

Check out this thread.

https://www.hdforums.com/forum/softa...ed-my-gps.html

 

We have a cigar lighter that I use for power. I originally used an older Magellan RoadMate (1040?) but a year or two ago got a good price on a TomTom Go920. I like the TomTom much better but the Magellan had a brighter screen that was easier to see in the birght sun. TomTom now has subscription plans for maps for the Go920, it is about $11-$12 for a new map, made available about every 4 months . Magellan costs much more for a new map made available every year or so. Neither of the GPS units were designed to use on a motorcycle but http://www.ram-mount.com/ makes mounts for almost anything. You can spend a lot of money, or just buy a cheap one to use until you figure out what features you really need. They all will get you home if you are lost, it may not be the best way but it will get you there. Garmin and TomTom are the largest GPS makers, and Garmin has some good units for the motorcycle, but they cost more than the TomTom model for the motorcycle. I use thin plastic wrap to cover ours when it rains enough to make it wet, and the ram mount holds the plastic in place.

on edit: I think it was a Magellan 3010, not a 1040

 

Thanks for the different ideas. I have an older Garmin on a different bike that I want to replace but was unsure how to mount one to a Harley.

 

Hey thanks for thead. Thats a good mount. The Garmin mount that comes with the unit has a U bolt clamp. Yep, pull the Garmin off of it's mount when I am just running around but when I hit the road I put it on and it sure has helped me when I am looking for a gas station

 

You might want to check out the Garmin NUVI 500 or 550 its portable, weather proof and you can take it with you ANYWHERE....