Road Trip...
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
A further thought regarding your gps, as it seems Mrs Scumbagger will be riding along (did you think things through when choosing your 'name'?!), is to put it where she can read it. I didn't plan that with ours, it was a matter of me putting it where it didn't obscure the clocks, but in traffic I get info over our intercom. We navigate together!
Thread Starter
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 2,296
Likes: 39
From: Land of the cold....
A further thought regarding your gps, as it seems Mrs Scumbagger will be riding along (did you think things through when choosing your 'name'?!), is to put it where she can read it. I didn't plan that with ours, it was a matter of me putting it where it didn't obscure the clocks, but in traffic I get info over our intercom. We navigate together!
Thanks everyone for the info!! I plan to upgrade to better gps and I also have Iphone but 80% of this trip will be Mtn roads and out reach cell towers so the iphone will not be much help.. (putting the sony in that holds Iphone\ipod inside it) maps and gps is going be the ticket....I have dialed the route in thru google maps and did find alot great stuff with that tool and alot great info from people here and cpl other sites..........I will be giving the gps another try........
Last edited by scumBAGGER; Jan 17, 2013 at 08:04 PM.
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 30
Likes: 4
From: Colorado
Some of the best rides of my life have been because I "missed" a turn. If you have somewhere you have to be at a certain time, use the map or GPS. If you're open for real adventure, see where that road leads!
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,302
Likes: 274
From: Milton, Delaware
Nuvi 760 here, mounted on bars with Ram Mount system. Also used the same setup on a rental EG last year. I use a GPS as much for finding gas, food, etc. as I do for directions. Plus, I frequently use the speed readout as it's much easier to see than bending my head down all the time to see the console speedo.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,302
Likes: 274
From: Milton, Delaware
I added a 'power point' from Kuryakin to my bars. I plug the GPS/camera into it, no battery worries. 
I 'discovered' another trick to help with directions. I plan the route on a paper map and then, using a black dry erase marker, I mark the turns on the mirrors. Yes, you can still use the mirrors.
Example:
R (or N/S/E/W) on Rt 435 6 miles
L on Smith St. 1 mile
Then just rub each one off as you make the turn, or wipe at the end of the day.
I 'discovered' another trick to help with directions. I plan the route on a paper map and then, using a black dry erase marker, I mark the turns on the mirrors. Yes, you can still use the mirrors.
Example:
R (or N/S/E/W) on Rt 435 6 miles
L on Smith St. 1 mile
Then just rub each one off as you make the turn, or wipe at the end of the day.
Last edited by Deucedog; Jan 17, 2013 at 09:42 PM.
Road Master
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 785
Likes: 63
From: TX
I have very few issues with sun glare on my GPS. It is on a RAM mount with a 6" or so riser off the handlebar. I tilt the GPS downward ever so slightly instead of staring me right in the face-that seems to help shield it from the reflection.
On a cross-country trip, I would use a map application that is capable of saving routes in a format compatible with your GPS- for Garmin, that is a .gpx file. You can plan your route on your computer, tracing the roads and waypoints you want to ride on the maps in the software, naming and saving the file, then upload that saved route to your GPS.
If, along the way, you change your mind and want to visit someplace "off-route", no problem.. do it.. The GPS will recalculate to get you back on your planned route at any time you choose... The time schedule is your own.. the GPS doesn't care how long you take to get from point A to point Z, but it always shows you an ETA if you drive without stopping... a good reference tool..
Not all models will allow you to upload and save your own routes, my NUVI 855 does that. I never need to worry about gas stops, either. When I get low I just do a POI search on gas stations, and it will tell me how far away they are, and the route to find them...
That said, I still keep paper maps in the tour pack...
On a cross-country trip, I would use a map application that is capable of saving routes in a format compatible with your GPS- for Garmin, that is a .gpx file. You can plan your route on your computer, tracing the roads and waypoints you want to ride on the maps in the software, naming and saving the file, then upload that saved route to your GPS.
If, along the way, you change your mind and want to visit someplace "off-route", no problem.. do it.. The GPS will recalculate to get you back on your planned route at any time you choose... The time schedule is your own.. the GPS doesn't care how long you take to get from point A to point Z, but it always shows you an ETA if you drive without stopping... a good reference tool..
Not all models will allow you to upload and save your own routes, my NUVI 855 does that. I never need to worry about gas stops, either. When I get low I just do a POI search on gas stations, and it will tell me how far away they are, and the route to find them...
That said, I still keep paper maps in the tour pack...
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 211
Likes: 0
From: NJ
The thing I like about running the GPS is if you look at it occasionally and see that road that appears off your current route and looks like a snake. You can find some good new roads that way that you would normally not notice.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,302
Likes: 274
From: Milton, Delaware
Good tips Vaham. On my nuvi, the ETA will continue to change if you stop, or get in slow traffic, take a detour, etc.
My wife hasn't quite figured that out yet. She keeps telling me that I'm going too slow. lol
I've used Mapquest several times to plan my route and then, with the Nuvi connected to the computer, I send the map to the GPS. Works pretty well.
(FYI: Anyone who has OnStar in their cage can do the same thing)
Just today I downloaded the free map tool from Garmin (Base Camp) that does the same thing. I haven't played with it yet so can't compare it to Mapquest.
My wife hasn't quite figured that out yet. She keeps telling me that I'm going too slow. lol
I've used Mapquest several times to plan my route and then, with the Nuvi connected to the computer, I send the map to the GPS. Works pretty well.
(FYI: Anyone who has OnStar in their cage can do the same thing)
Just today I downloaded the free map tool from Garmin (Base Camp) that does the same thing. I haven't played with it yet so can't compare it to Mapquest.
Former Sponsor
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 416
Likes: 3
For those who commented about mounting the GPS, we just updated our free guide on "How to Mount GPS on a motorcycle": http://www.leadermotorcycle.com/gpsguide.html
We cover different mount locations (including bars, reservoirs, windshields etc) with an emphasis on high-quality, good looking mounts (no plastic stuff), most of 'em US made.
We cover different mount locations (including bars, reservoirs, windshields etc) with an emphasis on high-quality, good looking mounts (no plastic stuff), most of 'em US made.