CR GPS mount

[JeepinBueller]

EDIT: sorry this post got a little longer than I thought it was going to be ... just give it a read-over and tell me what you think of the plan as I havn't messed with this stuff before, though I'm a pretty accomplish home mechanic.



Hey guys,

Just to fill you in on what I'm doing, I'm biting the bullet and ordering a bunch of small parts for my '09 CR. The main things I want to accomplish before the riding season are:

- HIDs (already ordered: DDM Tuning H7 55W 6000K slim ballast in low and high beam. Complete write-up to come)

- Add BMW Powerlet to left side flyscreen molding (buy Uly cigarette lighter harness that attaches to the factory accessory connector under fly screen, buy Powerlet parts, chop cigarette lighter off and solder Powerlet on)

- Dark Horse Moto sliders all around (I can't find their bar ends?)

- And the biggy, which will take advantage of the Powerlet above, is mounting my Garmin nuvi 205W GPS unit to the handlebars. I went to RAM Mount's website (RAM-mount.com) and they have a handy mount finder where you put in your device and what you're mounting it to. Here's what it spit out to me, and since I've never done this before I'd like your opinions:

P/N RAM-HOL-GA25U - $9.22 - to hold the GPS unit itself.

and

P/N RAM-B-149ZU - $29.59 - to actually mount the GPS unit to the CR's 7/8" clubmans.



Basically looking for reviews of this setup, or any other setup for that matter, and if you don't think this will work well suggest alternatives! I'm just tired of buying plastic crap that doesn't work ... hopefully RAM will impress me.


After I get the mounting situated I will enjoy getting "lost" and exploring new routes. Once mounted, it'll be powered by an adapter cable that runs to the BMW Powerlet mentioned above (they make a specific cable that goes from the Powerlet to the Garmin GPS units).



Just in case you're wondering, these are the components I'm going to use for the Powerlet install:

- Low profile Powerlet flush mount - $45.95

- Powerlet to mini-USB cable - $44.95

- Mini-USB to Garmin GPS cable - $12.95

- And I'll also get an SAE adapter so I can charge the battery with it as well (so SAE cable floppin' around to charge the battery when not in use): Powerlet to SAE connector cable - $15.95 for 6" lead.



It'll be a little more pricey compared to a regular SAE or cigarette lighter setup, but I think it'll be worth it in the long run.

Thanks!

 

[delta one]

Dark horse got out of bar ends. I pester them every now and again but they haven't goten back into it yet. Do you have the clubmans or the tall bars? The wall thicknes is different part way in on the clubmans and makes mounting anything to the ends very hard.

 

[delta one]

Update. I decided to call rhinomoto about some and he is willing to work some bar ends up for me that will fit the cr clubmans. I need to get demensions and we can get started. I'll keep you posted on how they turn out. I'm sure he will put them on his site once they work.

 

[Kidder]

Jeep,

Since you'll be using the Buell cigarette harness, you don't need that Powerlet kit unless you plan on running power directly to your battery. (which defeats the purpose of using the accessory harness on the bike)

This is what I ordered: Low Profile socket only

I will try and take pics tonight of my Garmin 2610 setup. I bought the same handlebar mount as you but have a different Garmin mount since my GPS is different. I went with the 3" arm, as well.

For those who want to see my Powerlet install, go to this thread.

 

[JeepinBueller]

Thanks for the clarification there, Kidder. I saw the pics of the RAM mount in your thread and looks like it'll work perfectly, even with the stock clubmans.

I realized, though, that you installed battery tenders leads seperately from the Powerlet accessory circuit. Was there a reason for that? I was planning to use the accessory circuit to also charge the battery (via the Powerlet/SAE adapter above) ... is this a bad idea? I can't really find a reason why it would be.

Nice clean install, hopefully mine will turn out as nice ... I'll post pics when I do it eventually. It doesn't look like my mounting will be as obtrusive since the 205W is a much smaller unit (maybe for the worse, but it'll work).

 

[Kidder]

Jeep,

Well, I hadn't originally intended to mount a GPS. But, I have found it to be such a great tool on my V-Strom that I decided to do it after I had installed the battery tender.

However, as an electrical ignoramus, will the battery charge with the accessory power off (key off)?

I actually use my powerlet on my V-Strom to charge the battery, as well. However, it's run straight to the battery. (The GPS will stay on all the time if I forget to turn it off.)

 

[JeepinBueller]

Damn Kidder ... another fine point. Now that I think about it, the accessory circuit is a switched power source so my plan is ruined, lol. If the relay isn't energized by the ignition no juice in or out!! I'll just have to do as you did ... currently my tender leads are too short and I have to keep it under the pillion.

Thanks for the brain storm ... saved me from being really dumb (and obviously so).

 

[Kidder]

Okay, I kinda figured that would be the case. But hey, at least you didn't try it and wonder what the hell was going on. Of course, you COULD buy that Powerlet kit you originally linked to and run it straight to the battery. Then, you could use the Powerlet to charge the battery. Of course, you'd have to remember to turn your GPS off.

Then, you'd have that accessory power for something else. Heated grips, radar detector, etc.

 

[JeepinBueller]

That is the other option which I've thought about ... it's unlikely that leave the GPS on because I'd be too afraid for someone to take it. When I leave the bike the GPS would come with me. Decisions decisions!!

Thanks for the help on the Powerlet stuff, though. Appreciate it, and I'll be sure to post up a little write up of what I do (most likely at the same time I do the HID install).

 

[Kidder]

I look forward to the write-ups on what you end up doing.