I need a compass

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Feb 25, 2011 | 03:00 AM

#11

Expat1

Road Master

Joined: Jun 2010

Posts: 1,221

Likes: 4

From: Annemasse (border of Geneva-Switzerland) facing Mt-Blanc.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thatzmister2u

Ok so I have to ask. Are you gonna install a map holder and a clip board holder to chart your progress? Don't know how your gonna get from point A to B with JUST a compass without plotting bro...

Those who learned how to travel with a compass don't even think of having a GPS system. Under our latitudes, your analog watch is sufficient to orientate you during the day knowing that hour-mark "6" is North and "12" is South when the small needle (hours needle) points towards the sun. By leaning above our spherical chromed fuel cap and looking where the sunlight comes from we also have an indication of the direction when we know the time of day. The compass works underground, in a deep forest and even at street level of sky scrapers, but the modern GPS will lead to a postal address often without mentioning where we are

Feb 25, 2011 | 04:22 AM

#12

jjnoble

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Jul 2010

Posts: 2,727

Likes: 6

I tried several of them, even ones that are built to compensate for the magnetic interference in the bat wing, none of them worked. If you spend four or five hundred dollars you might get one to work, it is doubtful you will find one for less than two hundred dollars. If you do let everyone know, there are a lot of people who have tried and would still like to have one.

Feb 25, 2011 | 04:32 AM

#13

mikebaby

Road Master

Joined: Aug 2010

Posts: 1,152

Likes: 3

From: Central Ohio

Quote:

Originally Posted by Expat1

That's like telling him the sun rises in the east, and sets in the west, and remember the North Star at night. Not exactly what he's looking for.

mikebaby

Feb 25, 2011 | 05:56 AM

#14

FXSTS-88

Road Master

Joined: Nov 2009

Posts: 760

Likes: 6

From: Central Wisconsin

Compasses on motorcycles

Warning from Formation Products

"SORRY, WILL NOT WORK ON HONDA GOLDWINGS, Ultras, Road Glides etc OR ANY BIKE with Stereo Speakers. It's the MAGNETS in the SPEAKERS that interfere with the magnets in the Compass!!"

I'm thinking this would apply to all compasses on motorcycles.
I know I've tried several and have had the same result with all of them.
Now I just use the electronic one in my GPS.

Dead reckoning is fun...as long as you have an idea where you want to go and a means of correcting your directions.
I always carry a good map and compass in the Tour-pak...just in case!!!

Feb 25, 2011 | 06:08 AM

#15

Jinks

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Jul 2007

Posts: 2,241

Likes: 7

From: Daytona, Fla.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnScrip

I can tell you two things -- Read them both before you get excited...

1) A Ritchie compass will fit into the dash if you remove the "Air Temp" gauge.

2) Once it's in there, it will not work unless you remove your speakers.

A win/win situation!

Feb 25, 2011 | 06:16 AM

#16

grbrown

Club Member

Joined: Jun 2007

Posts: 45,429

Likes: 2,898

From: Bedford UK

I suspect the only way to use a compass reliably is to have one in your pocket or around your neck and walk away from the bike to refer to it. It is most unlikely you will be able to install one on the bike as if it is another gauge. A gps certainly works and I have the display on mine set to show the compass. If you don't like the idea of a conventional vehicle gps there are walker's units out there that will be simpler and cheaper, probably waterproof.

I admire your aspiration, but suspect you will have to compromise!

Feb 25, 2011 | 07:31 AM

#17

piasspj

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Sep 2007

Posts: 9,206

Likes: 372

From: Central Illinois, Between I-80 and I-74

I carry a hand held compass. It actually even works pretty good on the bike if I hold it close to me (away from the speakers). I've thought about mounting a stick on compass at the back of the fuel tank.
Yes, the sun is great when you can see it, except in the middle of the day when you don't want to wait around to see which way its moving.