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Motorcycle GPS

instructables.com — Instructions on putting a GPS navigation system on a motorcycle. You know, cause geeks like to ride Harleys.

Who dugg this? Made popular Oct 10, 2006

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  • blurplevtx, on 10/12/2007, -2/+10Everybody knows that geeks ride Ducatis!
  • Yashar, on 10/12/2007, -3/+10I have a honda, people just ride Harleys because of the name.
  • bugeatr, on 10/12/2007, -0/+6>There are many motorcycles that scream "look at me" Many are street bikes and people with bright yellow matching leathers.

    I was on a ride a few weeks ago and arrived at a popular meeting place. The Harley riders were discussing leather luggage and the various bits of chrome they had put on their bikes. They were all wearing leather vests, bowl helmets and a few had scantilly clad women with them.

    On the other hand the sports bike riders were discussing the most fun roads to ride, the dangers of commuting in traffic and the performance of various models of motorbike. They had considerable amounts of protective gear. It was also a much more diverse group of bikes and people.

    Two very different groups. One seemed mostly focused on image, the other on the joy of riding. That isn't to say the Harley riders don't like riding and the sports bike guys aren't into image.
  • jiltedcitizen, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4There are many motorcycles that scream "look at me" Many are street bikes and people with bright yellow matching leathers. Harelly owns Buell, but nothing else. All design is by Buell and much of the tech from Buell goes into Harley's. Like the new EFI for Harely's
  • markormesher, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4Excuse me? That was called installing?

    No. Duct Tape is a fixer, not an instalation. Gimmi a nice little lcd that manages to make it blend in with the bikes design.
  • bugeatr, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3Why is a Harley rider a poser if they have a GPS? You don't need a GPS to navigate the cafe strip.
  • threepio, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3I feel very pedestrian with my Suzuki cruiser.
  • DoubtfulSalmon, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4> people just ride harleys because of the name

    Isn't that why people ride Ducatis? It's not like Ducati make technologically advanced or reliable machines either.

    I ride a Yamaha YZF1000, so of course I'd say that!

    (It never ceases to amuse me though, the way Ducati owners, and motorcyclists in general, just seem to accept without question that if it is raining or even just humid, that you must leave your Ducati in the shed and take the bus. Ducati electricals, just can't handle moisture!)
  • bugeatr, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3What are Buell's then?
  • jiltedcitizen, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3Buells rock. Talk about geeky. How many other bikes have the fuel in the frame and the oil in the rear swing arm? I love mine. And I only want a GPS to track my rides. Probably a tom tom. There is no such thing as getting lost on motorcycle ride.
  • mjohnson2112, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2So if I duct-tape a cell phone to the handle, can I say it has an onboard comms system?

    Weak...
  • MyNameIsX, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2SV 650
  • inactive, on 10/12/2007, -1/+31. Buy a Tomtom motorcycle GPS
    2. Plug it in

    This is not hard.
  • cwncool, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2BMW cycles FTW
  • robbiedo, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2I love the new Monsters and Multistradas. They are just too expensive. The Triumph Speed Triple is the awesome hooligan bike for a reasonable price.

    For GPS, I use the bluetooth version of the receiver that comes with microsoft streets, and just velcro strap a Dell Axim x50 to the handlebars . Works fine, but I wish pocket streets would also rotate the map with changes in direction.

    I also keep about 8GB of Futurama episodes on my Axim for geeky please when I dont want to look at maps. BTW, I have this wired into an inverter for power on my Suzuki Hayabusa or V-Strom.

  • TwoSlick, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2You could just get a Zumo from Garmin.
    http://www.garmin.com/products/zumo

    They're made for motorcycles.
  • robbiedo, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2I have owned dozens of motorcycles. Never owned a Harley...too expensive. I get the experience, though. They definitely have a different fun factor. My current bikes are a Triumph Daytona 955, Hayabusa, and a V-strom. I recently sold my ZX10r. I hate hearing the hate Harley thing, its just different.

    Personally, for a cruiser, I like the Star bikes...nice. Good value.
  • saggygrandma, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3That setup isn't so special IMO
  • lilzaphod, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1wrong location.... damn digg.
  • trev0006, on 04/10/2008, -0/+1I use my portable GPS on my motorcycle all the time. http://www.dpccars.com/motorcycle/motorcycle-video ...
  • ShadowVox, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Amazing how this has turned into a "Harleys vs. Other Bikes" or even a "Harley's Suck" thread. The link is about a friggin GPS system.

    And seriously, if you feel the need to defend your ride, you probably shouldn't be riding. Ride what you want, let others do the same, and ignore the cretins who feel the need to bag on what everyone else is riding.
  • lilzaphod, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1i agree. I use a simillar setup on my Suzuki C50T

    Ram mount holds Treo. Treo talks over bluetooth to my btt338 SirfStar III GPS unit hanging around my neck.

    Software is TomTom Navigator 5.

    Total cost was around $300 for mount, cell phone charger, wiring harness to battery, gps, and software.

    Works ok. Sucks in the rain, and if the sun hits the screen obliquily.

    I'm waiting for the new Garmin Zumo to come out. Some seriously nice features.
  • inactive, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Ride both a Harley Sportster and a Honda VTX 1300C and I'd just spend the money on a TomTom Motorcycle GPS.

    But... real motorcyclists don't need a GPS..... ;)
  • inactive, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2Digg for one more excuse to keep my eyes off the road while riding a motorcycle.
  • sylvaberkley, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2Mmmm. Or Beemers. :drool:

    Harleys? Hah!
    Second on the ducttape.
  • jiltedcitizen, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1I have the 2005 cityx and love it. It's probably not as fast as other street bikes, but it looks better and sounds better.
  • DoubtfulSalmon, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2> Real geeks ride BMW

    *Old* geeks ride motorcycles. Even when I hit 40 (a few years yet!), I'll still be way too young for a BMW bike!
  • DerekDowns, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1This news is about 12 years old for me. I installed a Garmin Model 45 on my Honda CX 500 waaaay back in 1994 and put a nice little moving map color job on my BMW R1100 RT. I thought I was a bit geeky, but then discovered that my Dad did the same thing back home years ago too. My Dad is the most non-emailing (read: "Stamp-licker") non-computer using uber un-techie guy I know, outside of a few toothless unemployed lumberjacks around here that I know, so it was a big suprise for me to hear he did the same.
  • sab0tage, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1@ Jiltedcitizen
    It's not the case in England at least. Harley riders never remove their hand from the bars, or even give a simple nod.

    I think it's something to do with Harley riders not riding to commute. I get more acknowledgement from riders on other sports bikes, even guys on big tourers.
  • CarbideTipped, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Been riding motorcycles for 35+ years. It's funny how kids dont have a clue.
    Have anyone seen NHRA motorcycle drag racing latley? Hmm, Harleys kicking the ***** out of sport bikes. Harleys all the way.
  • jiltedcitizen, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Oh and check out this guys home built motorcycle gps. http://carotidbattery.com/archive/2006/06/10/MeetMotocompy.aspx
  • Dhalgren, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1For those that are curious, the bike he mounts the GPS on is a Honda 919. Looks like either a 2002 or 2003. Very nice bikes, 919cc V4 engine with 110HP on the rear wheel.

    And it's a naked bike, which I myself prefer.
  • jiltedcitizen, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Real motorcyclists don't care what bike it is. There is one for every occasion.
  • bugeatr, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Ah but when you stumble upon the perfect road, the GPS will let you find it again.
    My navigation system is the sun and the direction I want to go (N, S, E or W). Problem is when I stumble on a cool road in the back of beyond, its almost impossible to find it again.

    Maybe I should duct tape a street directory to my handle bars and call that an on-bike global positioning system.
  • brufleth, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Harleys are what you buy if you want a two wheeled car.
  • pimpsallad, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1919 isn't v4, its an inline 4.

    the interceptor (vfr800 I believe) is a v4 though

    and the new Honda 800cc motogp bike :D
  • jetsfandb, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1My avatar speeks for itself!
  • fsapo, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1i m poor so i ride a honda 150cc, i think i ll look for some gadgets like a gps and install on it, even if it will cost more than the bike itself...
  • SirPoonga, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Anyone into motorcycles have known about ram mounts for many years. I did the same thing he did. I ran a power line, fused, from my battery to the handlebars for my GPS. I have an old Garmin III+ GPS (2000) and have used a ram mount from day one.

    That Honda 919 is nice. I prefer cruisers and tourers though.
  • downneck, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1and, apparently, fail English...
  • arxyash, on 05/05/2008, -0/+0its really use full if we go to other city http://handheld-gps-units.info
  • winterider68, on 12/21/2008, -0/+0height can be a handicap. Check out a Buell. They can be set up for a 7 footer.
  • pimpsallad, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1I ride a DRZ400SM. Not a Harley.

    But I don't have a PDA..
  • winterider68, on 12/21/2008, -0/+0Full Geek and proud. Hell man I work with DARPA, can I be a bigger geek? We have a special parking lot for motorcycles, mostly Harleys, full dress with GPS, a few crotch rockets, one with GPS, and a pair of sporties, mine included there. I don't need GPS, but I do video my rides occasionally.
  • dougvfr750, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1I guess GPSs are cool if you don't know where you are going (have one in each car)... but when I ride I don't care where I am going, I'm just looking for the thrill of arcing perfectly through that next twisty corner with the titanium knee puck throwing enough sparks to start a campfire in the rain, both tires squirming for grip as they slide precariously toward the edge of the road, and a grin so big it takes an hour to remove it at the rest stop.

    But that's just me..
  • garitd, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Maybe it's true that geeks ride ducati's.. but men ride cruiser's
  • jo42, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1Why would I want to put a GPS on a paint shaker made from farm machinery?
  • inactive, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1So what's the news? I've been using Garmin LegendC with a handlebar mount on my motorcycle for ages.
  • Hush, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0My busa makes your bmw wet.
  • bmonet, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0@CarbideTipped

    Yeah, I dont get it either. I guess I'm not wise enough to know that being fast is only determined in 1/4 mile. I mean seriously, who turns right and left these days?



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