[Eclaire]

Read great things about this GPS unit and since its on sale gonna grab one. (Garmin zūmo® XT | Motorcycle GPS Navigator)

What are y'alls setups for GPS? There isn't a lot of real estate on our handle bars and I'd like some ideas. Stock windscreen. I also have a wireless charging RAM mount for my phone. Just got the factory12v power outlet installed as well. Suggestions on mounts or rearrangement for efficiency/aesthetics are greatly appreciated.

 

[twowheeladdict]

Amazon.com

 

[JT in GA]

Amazon.com

View attachment 192788

That is the mount I have. I use my phone for GPS, and haven't had issues. A good bit of dirt/gravel roads, but nothing severe. A heavier GPS may be harder on the mount?

I think @GeoGator had a failure on his cross country trip ?

 

[Eclaire]

Amazon.com

Oh, that looks pretty sleek. No complicated installation?

That is the mount I have. I use my phone for GPS, and haven't had issues. A good bit of dirt/gravel roads, but nothing severe. A heavier GPS may be harder on the mount?

I think @GeoGator had a failure on his cross country trip ?

I was thinking just grab the Garmin specific one to make sure fittment to the unit was guaranteed. Not sure about clearance on the power since I have barkbusters. (Handlebar Mount Kit | Garmin)

 

[fasteddiecopeman]

Here's where my ZUMO 395 GPS is on my Gen 3 ('15 V650LT)

IMG_1815 by Ed Copeman, on Flickr

and on my Gen 1 ('08 V650).

IMG_1482 by Ed Copeman, on Flickr

 

[twowheeladdict]

Oh, that looks pretty sleek. No complicated installation?


I was thinking just grab the Garmin specific one to make sure fittment to the unit was guaranteed. Not sure about clearance on the power since I have barkbusters. (Handlebar Mount Kit | Garmin)

The XT comes with one mount.

 

[NeverSatisfied]

Read great things about this GPS unit and since its on sale gonna grab one. (Garmin zūmo® XT | Motorcycle GPS Navigator)

What are y'alls setups for GPS? There isn't a lot of real estate on our handle bars and I'd like some ideas. Stock windscreen. I also have a wireless charging RAM mount for my phone. Just got the factory12v power outlet installed as well. Suggestions on mounts or rearrangement for efficiency/aesthetics are greatly appreciated.


View attachment 192785

While some of the other mounts that feature the elevated crossbar work for a lot of people, once you add the Ram mount, that really puts your device pretty far up there at the end of basically an extended lever. A buddy of mine had one that he used for his phone, on his Versys-X 300, but it jiggled like crazy on any road surface that wasn't smooth pavement. I've also seen photos of those same mounts that have failed from metal fatigue, due to vibration. I'm sure your Garmin weighs more than the average cellphone, so that would create a lot more leverage on those stamped metal side rails of that type bracket.

You may be interested in this mount from AdventureTech. I personally don't consider it too expensive, it keeps the mass down low, and does not have any flex at all:

Over the Dash GPS Mounts

Note: For 2014+ DL1000s, the spring loaded stock windshield mount can benefit from additional stiffer springs . Not everyone needs them, but if you you think you do see the link. Just put...

www.adventuretech.biz

I've used that mount on both my V-Strom 650, and Versys-X 300. It provides good positioning to still provide a view of your gauges/speedo, while still being low enough that the windscreen offers protection from the occasional light shower. Seeing as how your paying big bucks for a nice GPS, don't skimp and buy some stamped metal junk from AliExpress (or wherever) just because it's cheap. Good luck with whatever your choice, and hopefully your new Garmin guides you through many great adventures!

 

[JT in GA]

While some of the other mounts that feature the elevated crossbar work for a lot of people, once you add the Ram mount, that really puts your device pretty far up there at the end of basically an extended lever. A buddy of mine had one that he used for his phone, on his Versys-X 300, but it jiggled like crazy on any road surface that wasn't smooth pavement. I've also seen photos of those same mounts that have failed from metal fatigue, due to vibration. I'm sure your Garmin weighs more than the average cellphone, so that would create a lot more leverage on those stamped metal side rails of that type bracket.

You may be interested in this mount from AdventureTech. I personally don't consider it too expensive, it keeps the mass down low, and does not have any flex at all:

Over the Dash GPS Mounts

Note: For 2014+ DL1000s, the spring loaded stock windshield mount can benefit from additional stiffer springs . Not everyone needs them, but if you you think you do see the link. Just put...

www.adventuretech.biz

I've used that mount on both my V-Strom 650, and Versys-X 300. It provides good positioning to still provide a view of your gauges/speedo, while still being low enough that the windscreen offers protection from the occasional light shower. Seeing as how your paying big bucks for a nice GPS, don't skimp and buy some stamped metal junk from AliExpress (or wherever) just because it's cheap. Good luck with whatever your choice, and hopefully your new Garmin guides you through many great adventures!

View attachment 192801
View attachment 192803

That looks well placed and useful. The link was for the vstrom... but if I looked right, the one specific to the Versys 300 was just $45 (plus shipping maybe?)

Nice!

 

[NeverSatisfied]

That looks well placed and useful. The link was for the vstrom... but if I looked right, they one specific to the Versys 300 was just $45 (plus shipping maybe?)

Nice!

Oops, yes you're right about that earlier link! Here's their page for the Versys-X 300 accessories:

Kawasaki Versys X300

Just: $29.95 Similar (but smaller, less robust) side stand feet sold elsewhere for $55 to $60. Super easy 3 minute installation. Just tighten screws until lock washers compress.

www.adventuretech.biz

 

[twowheeladdict]

While some of the other mounts that feature the elevated crossbar work for a lot of people, once you add the Ram mount, that really puts your device pretty far up there at the end of basically an extended lever. A buddy of mine had one that he used for his phone, on his Versys-X 300, but it jiggled like crazy on any road surface that wasn't smooth pavement. I've also seen photos of those same mounts that have failed from metal fatigue, due to vibration. I'm sure your Garmin weighs more than the average cellphone, so that would create a lot more leverage on those stamped metal side rails of that type bracket.

You may be interested in this mount from AdventureTech. I personally don't consider it too expensive, it keeps the mass down low, and does not have any flex at all:

Over the Dash GPS Mounts

Note: For 2014+ DL1000s, the spring loaded stock windshield mount can benefit from additional stiffer springs . Not everyone needs them, but if you you think you do see the link. Just put...

www.adventuretech.biz

I've used that mount on both my V-Strom 650, and Versys-X 300. It provides good positioning to still provide a view of your gauges/speedo, while still being low enough that the windscreen offers protection from the occasional light shower. Seeing as how your paying big bucks for a nice GPS, don't skimp and buy some stamped metal junk from AliExpress (or wherever) just because it's cheap. Good luck with whatever your choice, and hopefully your new Garmin guides you through many great adventures!

View attachment 192801
View attachment 192803

That is nice. On my KLX300SM I opted for a handlebar clamp mount adventure bar and shield.

Puts the GPS right where I want it. Also, there are many different length ram mounts and orientation of the ball.

 

[NeverSatisfied]

That is nice. On my KLX300SM I opted for a handlebar clamp mount adventure bar and shield.

View attachment 192804

Puts the GPS right where I want it. Also, there are many different length ram mounts and orientation of the ball.

Neat bike! I bet that thing is all kinds of fun.

 

[twowheeladdict]

Neat bike! I bet that thing is all kinds of fun.

Thanks. The best part is that I can easily take it with me so I always have a bike to ride when I get off work.

 

[Eclaire]

You may be interested in this mount from AdventureTech. I personally don't consider it too expensive, it keeps the mass down low, and does not have any flex at all:

Over the Dash GPS Mounts

Note: For 2014+ DL1000s, the spring loaded stock windshield mount can benefit from additional stiffer springs . Not everyone needs them, but if you you think you do see the link. Just put...

www.adventuretech.biz

Oh, that ball mount is gorgeous. I think I will consider that one if the other doesn't work out for me. Going to keep the phone RAM mount on the handlebar for now then since you've seen those things flex and fail with too many things on it.

Oops, yes you're right about that earlier link! Here's their page for the Versys-X 300 accessories:

Kawasaki Versys X300

Just: $29.95 Similar (but smaller, less robust) side stand feet sold elsewhere for $55 to $60. Super easy 3 minute installation. Just tighten screws until lock washers compress.

www.adventuretech.biz

Ohhhh their saddlebag guards looks like they'll keep my soft bags from flexing, definitely need those with these sedici bags....

View attachment 192805

I had to get a full on trailer, only you tall, strong people can work those trailer hitch racks. I'd drop the bike on my face trying to push it up there. /jealousy

 

[JT in GA]

Thanks. The best part is that I can easily take it with me so I always have a bike to ride when I get off work.

View attachment 192805

I just noticed your "mounting plates" for the lights on your hitch rack. Very nice. Very nice indeed

 

[twowheeladdict]

I just noticed your "mounting plates" for the lights on your hitch rack. Very nice. Very nice indeed

They just happened to line up with the reflectors that came on the rack. I love to repurpose when I can.

 

[twowheeladdict]

Ohhhh their saddlebag guards looks like they'll keep my soft bags from flexing, definitely need those with these sedici bags....


I had to get a full on trailer, only you tall, strong people can work those trailer hitch racks. I'd drop the bike on my face trying to push it up there. /jealousy

I walk it up there under power. 300 lbs is my definite limit though.

 

[Eclaire]

I walk it up there under power. 300 lbs is my definite limit though.

Murphy's Law would whiskey throttle that so hard that the ISS better watch out......

 

[nj-bill]

I switched from Garmin to hardened smart phone about five years ago. I use a Kyocera Duraforce without a SIM and Locus. This setup is so cheap that I purchased a backup Duraforce on eBay for $40.

 

[twowheeladdict]

Murphy's Law would whiskey throttle that so hard that the ISS better watch out......

Some of us have been riding a long time and several hundred thousand miles. Sure, stiluff can happen but it is pretty hard to “whiskey” throttle these small bikes.

 

[Eclaire]

I switched from Garmin to hardened smart phone about five years ago. I use a Kyocera Duraforce without a SIM and Locus. This setup is so cheap that I purchased a backup Duraforce on eBay for $40.

I love the DuraForce phones. I have that older one for streaming and am using the Pro2 currently. I'm clumsy. Will check out the Locus setup as a backup/failsafe. Thanks!

Some of us have been riding a long time and several hundred thousand miles. Sure, stiluff can happen but it is pretty hard to “whiskey” throttle these small bikes.

I meant if I tried to do it. I'm clumsy. If weird stuff is gonna happen, it's gonna happen to me 😅 I wouldn't even be able to hold the handle bars pushing mine onto a hitch, they'd be over two feet above my head. Not trying to get crushed to death.