GPS mounting

[EricSGU]

I"m planning a two week ride thorugh Utah, Idaho, Montana, Canada

I plan on purchasing a Garmin 396 for use in my airplane and also ST1300. This is an aviation version GPS that appears to be the exact same size as the Garmin 296, Garmin 276C, and Garmin 376C which I hope some of you use. The unit includes XM radio and also weather mapping which is very neat, although expensive.

I want to mount it between the handle bars. Any help you could provide on how to mount this particlar Garmin unit would be appreciated. I am throughly confused with what I have read so far at the GPS sites.

Also where do you mount the XM antenna? (The GPS antenna is integral)

Thanks in advance for any help

[Louie Louie]

I had some of the same issues and turned to the following sites. There are others but this will give you an idea of available products.

www.cyclegadgets.com www.cycoactive.com

If able to, try to get a "Touratech" mount. Although not required, it allows you to lock the GPS w/ a key!.

[STeve1300]

CycleGadgets will have a specific mounting bracket that the GPS snaps in to (about $10). You may attach a "Diamond" shaped RAM base to this. There are 3 length choices for the arm that connects that RAM base to the RAM mount you have in your riser plate. What, no RAM mount or riser plate? RAM (from Cyclegadgets) has other options. Call them. The GPS probably comes with a "bare wire " power cable...this is where I am in my own install....I will be cracking open the owners manual this weekend...

[Fred D]

GPS City (http://www.gpscity.com/) has an extensive selection of mounts.

[dduelin]

I recently mounted a Garmin 2730 and went through the same process. I purchased an aluminum steering head cover and 1/4" Ram ballfrom Motorcycle Larry. This fits exactly where the OEM plastic is and provides a 1/4" tapped hole between the bars for the ball. The MCL cover replaces the OEM one. From GPS.City I bought the cradle to fit the 2730 (the 296 has it's own cradle), a diamond 1"ball and a 3" double 1" arm. The Ram Mount part numbers are Ram-B-238 (diamond plate ball) and Ram-B-201 (arm). This a very easy install that takes all of 20 minutes.

I move my 2730 from the bike to a car so I purchased Garmin's motorcycle 12 volt cable and hard-wired it to the battery. I ordered it direct from the Garmin website. The cable brings 12 volts to the unit and provides an audio output jack for audio prompts and XM radio output. That took another 20 minutes or so. I had to lift the tank to route the cable but that is easy to do.

For the XM antenna I cut a 3" aluminum plate for the antenna to mount onto. On the underside of that I attached the hard scruffy part of velcro and covered the top of the brake fluid reservior with the soft part of velcro. The antenna is firmly mounted for use and yet removes to the car in a few seconds or for security into a locked saddlebag. On the dash of the car I put another piece of velcro to secure it in the car. The excess antenna cable is bundled up and tucked under the triple clamp on the bike.

The complete install is very clean and when removed all that shows is the 1" ball on the steering head and the black velcro on the reservoir. The GPS sits right between the bars pretty much level with the grips, much like the BMW's optional model which is built by Garmin.

[STeve1300]

I recently mounted a Garmin 2730 and went through the same process........

:bow1: Excellent reply!!!!

[EricSGU]

After much internet searching and with your help I found a great GPS mount for the ST1300. Good looking and tough and you can even lock your GPS away with certain models.

http://www.gadgetguy.net/index.html

Narrowed the GPS down the Garmin 2620 or 2720. Anyone have a preference or understand the differences?

[WarER4X]

After much internet searching and with your help I found a great GPS mount for the ST1300. Good looking and tough and you can even lock your GPS away with certain models.

http://www.gadgetguy.net/index.html

Narrowed the GPS down the Garmin 2620 or 2720. Anyone have a preference or understand the differences?

That's a pretty mount, but I think I remember reading somewhere else that it costs about $300! Besides that, the "locking" feature gives a false sense of security because the whole mount can be unbolted from the motorcycle without having to unlock anything.

-SR-

[Medicine Bear]

+1 for the 2610.

Fred :03biker:

[steven@glauderealty.com]

What mounting system would you reccomend for the Garmin 2620? I am looking to go with Heli Bar risers with the ram ball but I am not sure what bracket would work to hold the unit and wire harness???

[Burple_X]

What mounting system would you reccomend for the Garmin 2620? I am looking to go with Heli Bar risers with the ram ball but I am not sure what bracket would work to hold the unit and wire harness???
I have the Garmin 2610 and bought my mount from Cycoactive. I checked and they have mounts specifically for your 2620 still in stock http://www.cycoactive.com/gps/gps2620.htm I have ridden with the GPS mounted in a Tourtech mount for 3-4 years now and never had any issues with it. I did not buy the locking version. I remove mine and lock it in the saddle bag if/when I stop. They also have Ram parts and are very knowlegable about what you need for specific applications. Call them. Don't order online. They are great to deal with.

[teglasscock]

I have a 2610 using a Touratech mount; originally got this for a R1150GS, now on my ST1300. Easy to install & does the job. Highly recommend the sun shade, got this from Aerostitch http://www.aerostich.com/catalog/US/GPS-Sunshade-p-16277.html