GPS System
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5th Gear
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Pawleys Island, SC
GPS System
I'm currently riding a 07 Street Glide. I want to know if anyone here knows of any alternative to the $600 Harley GPS for the bike. I am looking for something cheap like you can get for your car that will work on the bike. Thanks.
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio, Texas
Gps
I use a Garmin Nuvi with a RAM handlebar mount. The Garmin is around $100. I also use it in my wife's car. The RAM mount will be $25-$40. Nothing fancy but it will locate gas, restaurants, hotels, etc.
I have a Garmin Nuvi 550, not fancy but it's waterproof which is real important, can be found for less than $275.
https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?...=27442&ra=true
https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?...=27442&ra=true
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 335
Likes: 14
From: Baltimore
I use the Garmin 755 out of my car. I bought this model with the bike in mind as I can plot routes in MapQuest and download them to the GPS. Makes it must easier on a trip when the GPS takes me over the exact roads I want to travel on. This model will also take an SD card that I load up with my tunes. The unit mutes the tunes as it is giving voice directions that come through my radio. Only 3-4 Garmin models will let you plot a route. I use a RAM handlebar mount. If I get caught in the rain the GPS goes in the saddlebag as I put on my rain gear.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 525
Likes: 2
From: Ottawa, Canada, summer, Daytona Beach Florida, winter
Ram Mount from the internet, Garmin Mount for my Garmin 665 from J&P cycle, allows the use of the cigarette power cord from the car mount, works great.
Thread Starter
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5th Gear
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Pawleys Island, SC
Thanks so much guys for all the input. Next question is if I dont have a cig lighter outlet how do I install one? And where is the best location on the bike to install it?
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Road Master
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 931
Likes: 11
From: Orlando, FL
I use the Garmin 755 out of my car. I bought this model with the bike in mind as I can plot routes in MapQuest and download them to the GPS. Makes it must easier on a trip when the GPS takes me over the exact roads I want to travel on. This model will also take an SD card that I load up with my tunes. The unit mutes the tunes as it is giving voice directions that come through my radio. Only 3-4 Garmin models will let you plot a route. I use a RAM handlebar mount. If I get caught in the rain the GPS goes in the saddlebag as I put on my rain gear.
Back to the Nuvi... much cheaper than the Zumo. The Zumo is the way to go if you can afford it, but I don't use my GPS enough to justify the cost.
I use HD RidePlanner, dump my routes in, and I'm good to go. When it rains, I throw a ziplock bag over it and keep going. And I do the same thing with the SD card - load it up with mp3s.
If you're riding an '07 FLHX, you should have a cigarette lighter / power plug. It's way down on the left side of your inner fairing. I couldn't find mine either when I bought my bike. Be sure you're power plug isn't the one with the traffic receiver. It's too long and will hit your tank.
Good luck with whatever you decide to do.
Last edited by FloridaFLHX; Jan 8, 2012 at 09:42 PM.
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Tourer
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 359
Likes: 2
From: USA
I know the one harley offers is a lot of money and it was hard for me to pay that much for a GPS unit. Before I purchase my first harley I bought the Garmin Zumo 660 and installed it on my other touring bike. Basically it is the same as the harley road tech unit. I did not buy the one with the XM radio built in cause I have an XM radio I use in my cars, bike, office, shop and am too cheap to pay for another subscription. When I got the harley I purchased the Harley fairing mount and installed it there...hard wired. No wires running to the cig lighter, a lot cleaner installation. It is not cluttering up the handle bars, you can wiring into your sound system. I choose not to do that...I keep the sound turned down all the time anyway. I hate to listen to it telling me it is recalculation when I stray from my intended route.
I am very glad I did spent the money and think it was the best money I ever spent. It is water proof...the screen is glove friendly so the touch screen works. It is bright enough to see in just about every lighting condition. It has blue tooth to sync to your phone.
At the end of the day riding, I tell it to find lodging, select which hotel I want and call the hotel hands free without removing my helmet. See if they got a room and how much it is. If I am satisfied with that, then press go and it will lead me to the hotel. I can do this in the rain, phone is under my rain suit in my pocket.
It has software to map out your routes to catch those neat back roads. It came with a windshield mount so I use it in my cars/trucks. I also purchase the lifetime maps so I get 4 maps updates a year.
It also has a button for all the Harley dealerships so finding one is a snap.
I have other Garmin GPS units, but really like this one.
GPS city has it for 649 and 699 with lifetime maps. Lifetime maps cost you $80-90 so buy the GPS with lifetime maps if you are buying one.
I know money is tight with everyone...I believe you will be more pleased in the end with the Zumo 660. See attached photos of my installation.
I am very glad I did spent the money and think it was the best money I ever spent. It is water proof...the screen is glove friendly so the touch screen works. It is bright enough to see in just about every lighting condition. It has blue tooth to sync to your phone.
At the end of the day riding, I tell it to find lodging, select which hotel I want and call the hotel hands free without removing my helmet. See if they got a room and how much it is. If I am satisfied with that, then press go and it will lead me to the hotel. I can do this in the rain, phone is under my rain suit in my pocket.
It has software to map out your routes to catch those neat back roads. It came with a windshield mount so I use it in my cars/trucks. I also purchase the lifetime maps so I get 4 maps updates a year.
It also has a button for all the Harley dealerships so finding one is a snap.
I have other Garmin GPS units, but really like this one.
GPS city has it for 649 and 699 with lifetime maps. Lifetime maps cost you $80-90 so buy the GPS with lifetime maps if you are buying one.
I know money is tight with everyone...I believe you will be more pleased in the end with the Zumo 660. See attached photos of my installation.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,294
Likes: 1
From: South FL
I have the Zumo 550 for almost 10 years, and it is the best for motorcycle, and it comes with two (2) mounts, one for motorcycle and one for car, so you can just take the GPS out and snap in the other vehicle.
I believe the Zumo is designed for outdoor (waterproof) use, and vibration. As the others have mentioned, buy a lifetime maps update is worth it.