What is the favorite phone/GPS mounting type/position for this bike? The previous owner had installed a RAM ball on a threaded rod through the stem, which was clever, but a little homemade for me. What is the best?
Phone/GPS mount
- Thread starter Andy D
- Start date
My GPS is mounted in the lower center of the windshield on a suction-cup mount, and my phone usually stays in a jacket pocket, just in case the bike and I get unexpectedly separated.
My 1300 came with an aluminum bar bent to the curve of the top of the dash. It had 3 RAM balls screwed to the bar and the whole assembly was affixed to the dash through the two holes that secure the instrument cluster plastic to the top piece. This resided just inside the windshield along the top edge. In practice this worked fine for two items - the balls were too close to use all 3. I had a gps up there and the phone in an X grip.
Motorcycle Larry - a machinist/ST'er made a cover with a ram ball mounted in the center but angled toward the rider. I made a similar center piece with a powerlet centered over the steering axis. A wire ran up inside the pipe to the powerlet. MCL is long since gone, but his stuff comes up used now and then.
Some aftermarket folks sell a clutch/master cylinder reservoir cover with a ram ball attached. It fits right or left.
Someone posted pictures of a bar that he made that spanned the two handlebar sections. IIRC, he did some fancy machining and this looked great, but was beyond the capabilities of folks who did not have a metal working shop (read machine shop) in their basement and the skill to use those tools. We do have a talented crop of members who have done some amazing things.
My VStrom has a ram ball on the top of a vertical bar, which is drilled to match the brake/clutch lever bolts. It fits atop the inside clamp piece with a couple of spacers and longer bolts.
None is better than any other - its all what you prefer. I liked the bar that came with my bike because the phone and gps were mounted up high so I did not have to look down while riding.
Motorcycle Larry - a machinist/ST'er made a cover with a ram ball mounted in the center but angled toward the rider. I made a similar center piece with a powerlet centered over the steering axis. A wire ran up inside the pipe to the powerlet. MCL is long since gone, but his stuff comes up used now and then.
Some aftermarket folks sell a clutch/master cylinder reservoir cover with a ram ball attached. It fits right or left.
Someone posted pictures of a bar that he made that spanned the two handlebar sections. IIRC, he did some fancy machining and this looked great, but was beyond the capabilities of folks who did not have a metal working shop (read machine shop) in their basement and the skill to use those tools. We do have a talented crop of members who have done some amazing things.
My VStrom has a ram ball on the top of a vertical bar, which is drilled to match the brake/clutch lever bolts. It fits atop the inside clamp piece with a couple of spacers and longer bolts.
None is better than any other - its all what you prefer. I liked the bar that came with my bike because the phone and gps were mounted up high so I did not have to look down while riding.
drrod
Site Supporter
I use one of these
www.rammount.com
and one of these
www.rammount.com
I mounted it halfway down the left handlebar and I can position the GPS in such a way that it easy to see yet does not interfere with the dash.
RAM® Handlebar U-Bolt Base for Rails 0.5" to 1" in Diameter - B Size
Ideal for motorcycle handlebars, the RAM-B-231ZU consists of a 1" B size rubber ball attached to a zinc-coated metal U-bolt base. Designed to sit at right angles to the mounting rail, the U-bolt base accommodates rails from .5" to 1" in diameter. Included are black cover caps to be placed over...
www.rammount.com
RAM® Double Socket Arm - B Size Medium
The RAM-B-201U consists of a medium double socket arm that accommodates 1" B size ball bases, device holders, and adapters. With an overall length 3.73", this is the standard RAM® double socket arm size. The easy to adjust knob allows for near-infinite adjustability for your connected device.
www.rammount.com
I mounted it halfway down the left handlebar and I can position the GPS in such a way that it easy to see yet does not interfere with the dash.
I put a ram mount between the handlebars. Easy to look at and still see the road. I tried it higher on the bars near the reservoir and did not like it. Same for on top of the dash. It was in the way. Here is the Street Pilot. When I upgraded to a Zumo, it was mounted in the same place.
jfheilman
Site Supporter
Ram ball mount center as shown. I have one mounted, on another bike, on the left hand handlebar. I like the center mount better.Its right there with the other gauges.
