WTB Looking for a GPS to put on my 1992 K75.

[lefthander]

 Hello,
 I'm looking for a good quality motorcycle GPS that I can mount on my 1992 K75. I don't know alot about them, so any guidance would be appreciated. Waterproof and be able to see with my 64 year old eyes would be a plus. I want to drive from coast to coast to see my boys and grandkids with some side trips if time allows. If you have one you would sale or can direct me to what would be a good choice with mounting ability I would be grateful. If you are looking to do any trading with this I have a BMW  low seat for my bike that I don't use and lots of real good quality riding gear as well. I am 5'11' and 180 for reference. I also have a fried BMW motorad navigator3 with mounts and wires, cover and sunshade along with 2 of the cradles. Anyway I can also do cash. Thank you very much

[The Mighty Gryphon]

I have done over 40,000 miles with a Garmin NUVI 40LM with lifetime maps that I got for about $35 6 years ago on eBay.  It's not waterproof, but I carry a plastic Ziploc sandwich bag in the tank bag that I can slip over the GPS to keep it dry in the rain.


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The only time I had a problem was a few years ago when I didn't update the maps before a trip to the West Coast.  On the way back, it got a bit confusing in Albuquerque, New Mexico when I got into a downtown area where there was a lot of new construction on the interchange from I-40 to I-25.  Other than that, it has never steered me wrong(no pun intended).

I don't know how you want to use it, for me, the GPS allows me to take side trips or alternate routes as something catches my eye and still keep me on the way to the day's destination if it's important.  When I'm not out touring I set the destination for home and take off for the hills south of where I live.  Watching the GPS for arrival time, I know when I need to head home to be there on time for dinner.  The wife appreciates that function.

[K1300S]

i have a garmin nuvi on my k75s.  it is ok.  not waterproof.  kind of PITA to stop and get out the ziplock back if it is gonna rain, and the bag makes the touchscreen non-functional.  no connection to helmet for voice directions.  meh.  it is ok for around town and day trips.

i have a garmin zumo 396 on the k1300s.  it rocks. waterproof.  some MC specific functions.  easy to use.  lifetime maps and traffic.  bluetooth connect to helmet sena for voice directions, speed camera warnings, and sharp curves.  only downside is the smaller screen.

best option would be zumo 596.  all of the 396 stuff, plus much bigger screen and i think you can also get weather overlays from a phone connection.

if you are going cross country, don't cheap out.  get a good motorcycle specific one.  it makes a difference and it will REALLY add value to your trip.

[milq]

I have a Zumo 665 that I got as a promotional deal with a bike purchase...thank goodness because I would have been mad to pay the $900 price tag for it, based on it's performance. Can't see the screen when it's turned all the way up, graphics are horrible compared to the one I have in my truck.

That one stays mounted to my dual sport and on my other bike I've since started using a Kyocera DuraForce rugged phone I picked up used on eBay, loaded with OSMand. Screen size is the same as the Zumo 665 and graphics are way better. You don't have to have cellular service to use it as a gps, but you do have to be tech savvy enough to install a memory card and the app. OSMand maps are updated monthly and you get 7 state maps free, if you want unlimited you have to pay around $12 and they often have sales for $5.95. You can also get contour line maps and such for a similar fee if you're into hiking.

Plenty of mounts available to mount the phone to different bikes out there, I use a Perfect Squeeze from Hondo Garage as it's near bullet proof.
OSMand also has the app for iPhone but I chose to use the rugged Kyocera and keep my normal phone safely tucked away.

https://osmand.net/

[natalena]

Been using a NUVI 52LM without issues, and do the ziplock bag fix for rain. Garmin seems accurate on the mid east coast, and in the PNW. FWIW, Tom-Tom is hands-down the worst N.A. GPS system I've ever seen/used ... it'll direct you to dirt, fire roads and field's often as a "shortest distance", not bad if you're on a GS though.

[The Mighty Gryphon]

The touch screen on my 40LM works when it's in the baggie.  Not that I've done a lot of screen poking in the rain when I'm riding. 

As far as accuracy, the only time I've had a problem was on a trip where I didn't download new maps before I left.  I also carry a set of paper maps that I use for planning each day's ride.  Out west I've found that skinny black lines on the map that follow a squiggly blue line usually are nice canyon roads. 

[lefthander]

 Great help,
 Sounds like the garmin zumo 396 or 596 or 665 would be a solid choice. Would you be comfortable with a used unit if it doesn't seem abused? Also how old is too old as far as map updates go. Also on the 396 can you see it ok? I'm not that blind but my bmw motorad navigator lll was a bit too small. The screen on it is about 3 and a half by 2". Thank you in advance for all the help.

[K1300S]

665 was a 10 year old model that is long out of production.

 A year or two old model is ok, as long as it comes with lifetime free map updates.  Garmin updates their maps about every three months.  Easy to do with a computer.

I have a 396. If I had to do it again, I would get the bigger 596.

[alexg]

I am curious why not use a phone using off-line google maps or similar when riding though unreliable cell coverage. I had a GPS in a car several years ago, and now have a VW with Carplay which can display google maps. I would choose google 100 to 1 vs a GPS.

I am probably not up to speed with the latest GPS gadgets, but I am considering buying a cell phone holder for my K75 and attaching via a custom made bracket just above the toggle switches.

[K1300S]

Phones not usually water proof.
I don't like the phone outside of my pockets.  If I have an off, I want the phone on me, not on the bike which may be somewhere else.
Dedicated mc gps's have far better route planning capabilities.  Google maps sucks for that. 
Cell phone screens that I have used are not good in direct sunlight.

New mc specific gps's do some really cool things that a generic map app on a phone don't.

[Rcgreaves]

Thanks this topic is timely for me so here's my .02c and please don't overvalue it!!

Ive experimented using Google maps but my rub is that I want to retrace my route. I don't believe Goggle maps will track me.

So I subscribed to the Rever app on my iPhone 5 SE.  I created a custom mount and this past weekend did 500+ miles in Wisconsin's upper peninsula.  Tracking feature does what I wish.

Rain:

The SE is rated to survive an hour submerged.  Not sure if I want to test that, nor do I really see myself continuing for long in a deluge.  I think a smartphone option is workable even in the rain.  Adjustments with a fingertip would require the screen be wiped dry in even a drizzle.  That would frustrate.

Power:  GPS apps like Rever, Google Maps et al suck battery in a big way. looking at my first ride, this past Sunday, the app and my phone lasted all of 67 of 413 miles from full charge....I have been sitting on a USB power jack for over a year- its time to install it for continuous recharge.

Mounting headaches:  K75S is a challenging set up.  I opted against center mounting. (I mounted, ok TIG welded a RAM phone mount on my right mirror above the throttle.  I'm a righty, the hand moves at a minimum.

I'll stash the charger out of sight and thread one of these aftermarket fabric sheathed cables up the handlebar to my right mirror position mount for stealthy power....

I like the Apple 5 SE form factor, smaller works better for me in general, I can mount it to the control yolk of a 172 airplane (foreflight app), but on my K maybe a larger screen would be beneficial.

Miscellaneous ramblings,

Cheers

[The Mighty Gryphon]

K75S mount is pretty easy.


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[Rcgreaves]

Hi Gryph,

we've been this road you and I:

It's centered, super useful.  For my part I sat for several minutes "mocking up" your set up last year, I couldn't bring myself to cover controls, complicate key access, dash visibility. 

You say it was easy... ok, nothing about this bike for me has come easily! I value your inputs as always.

I have never used one of these Garmins, might be worth a try.  Cheers.

[mw074]

The Ram mount set-up that I use, with various different handlebar mounts for different bikes.

[Rcgreaves]

Mark,

I may be mistaken but None of those will just clamp to my S bars without considerable carving.  I do like that upper clamp bracket...my wheels are turning. 

Im attaching a pic of my creation documented in the classic motobrick area.  A work in progress, but hey it is painted now. 

[Rcgreaves]

Phones not usually water proof.
I don't like the phone outside of my pockets.  If I have an off, I want the phone on me, not on the bike which may be somewhere else.
Dedicated mc gps's have far better route planning capabilities.  Google maps sucks for that. 
Cell phone screens that I have used are not good in direct sunlight.

New mc specific gps's do some really cool things that a generic map app on a phone don't.

+2 displays wanting!!! in the pocket after an off - thanks.

[edgeoftheworld]

Before I bought my K75S, I did some research on mounting a GPS/Phone since there isn't any handlebar room.  I ended up getting a cheap mount on a goose neck from Amazon that bolted on to the front of the dashpad.  I have the same mount on my R65 and took it on a 1000 mile trip with no issues at all.  https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B075PJT7NC

I got a BMW Nav V for my R1200GS last year.  I kind of hate it.  Much less user friendly than a phone and google maps and its taken me some weird routes on occasion.  A friend of mine has been using an older Kyocera phone as a GPS.  Seems like quite a few people are using them because they are waterproof and really rugged...not to mention fairly cheap, under $100.  https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07MQWJRVQ

I primarily use my phone for navigation and only use the Nav 5 for loading GPX tracks.  I'll also add that I got into a motorcycle accident in October in a foreign country and my phone was in my pocket and it broke in the accident.  Now I take a second phone with me on motorcycle trips 

[mw074]

 Ram mount ball mounted on my fork tube caps on my K1200GT. Makes the corresponding arms infinitely adjustable.

[The Mighty Gryphon]

Yes, it does block a bit of the stuff around the switches and instruments.  It's not as bad as the photo though.  I mounted it so I could just see the idjit lights over the top of it.  It does extend over the switches a little, but it was easy to flip it up to work the switches.  I don't have that bike anymore, so I can't give you any dimensions.

For the price, I have never regretted the Nuvi vs. the Zumo.  300+ bucks buys a lot of gas. 

I typically travel in two modes.  I am either trying to cover as much ground in a day as possible, or just meandering about.  The Nuvi and a bunch of AAA maps keeps me from getting lost which is all I need.  If I'm looking for cool roads to travel, the interweb has lots of good suggestions.  I highlight on the maps the roads I want to travel and things to see, set waypoints to them on the Nuvi and go for it.  I put the place I want to be at the end of the day as the final waypoint when I'm done having fun. 

I usually travel in the off season, so accommodations aren't a problem.  I just get into town and look at what's available and choose something that looks good to me.  My Nuvi just helps keep me from making wrong turns and keeps track of when I am getting to my spot for the night.  YMMV

[Rcgreaves]

Before I bought my K75S, I did some research on mounting a GPS/Phone since there isn't any handlebar room.  I ended up getting a cheap mount on a goose neck from Amazon that bolted on to the front of the dashpad.  I have the same mount on my R65 and took it on a 1000 mile trip with no issues at all.  https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B075PJT7NC

I got a BMW Nav V for my R1200GS last year.  I kind of hate it.  Much less user friendly than a phone and google maps and its taken me some weird routes on occasion.  A friend of mine has been using an older Kyocera phone as a GPS.  Seems like quite a few people are using them because they are waterproof and really rugged...not to mention fairly cheap, under $100. 

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07MQWJRVQ

I primarily use my phone for navigation and only use the Nav 5 for loading GPX tracks.  I'll also add that I got into a motorcycle accident in October in a foreign country and my phone was in my pocket and it broke in the accident.  Now I take a second phone with me on motorcycle trips 

Edgeoftheworld, welcome!  A second phone is an option I never considered. Several retired to a drawer, thanks.  What I want to know is how you manage to suspend your bike upside down for service!  My pics inexplicably invert too.

[edgeoftheworld]

Edgeoftheworld, welcome!  A second phone is an option I never considered. Several retired to a drawer, thanks.  What I want to know is how you manage to suspend your bike upside down for service!  My pics inexplicably invert too.

Thanks!  Glad to find an active community for the K bikes!  Give the phone a shot.  I find Google maps to be the easiest mapping app to use.  Wish Garmin would make theirs as easy to use.  If you have an old phone, do a factory reset, uninstall most of the apps and install your favorite map app (google, waze).  Since it won't have a SIM for data, you will have to download maps for offline use but google makes that pretty easy and there should be plenty of space on the phone for them.  You can also turn on the wifi hotspot on your primary phone and connect the second phone to it for data.  Most recent phones are water resistant too. 

Seems like any vertical picture gets turned the wrong way...oh well :)

[Laitch]

Seems like any vertical picture gets turned the wrong way...oh well :)

Not any vertical picture. Just photos that haven't had exif adjustment to compensate for positioning. If they're downloaded to a computer first, positioned correctly then uploaded, they'll likely be ok. That's what I did with yours.

[edgeoftheworld]

Not any vertical picture. Just photos that haven't had exif adjustment to compensate for positioning. If they're downloaded to a computer first, positioned correctly then uploaded, they likely be ok. That's what I did with yours.

Cool...good to know.  I'll make sure I do that next time.  I just opened an image with GIMP and it prompted me on the rotation.  then I just exported it and overwrote the original. 

[Laitch]

 

[Martin]

On the K75s bars there is room for a GPS mount. The GPS pictured was replaced with a newer version when the maps proved impossible to update due to running on Windows CE 6. Now running a later Fodsports Motorcycle Navigation RAM 1G ROM 16G Android 6.0 IPX7 Waterproof GPS Tracker WIFI Bluetooth Car Navigator Free Maps. It's much improved on the earlier one but it's not a Garmin, but it doesn't have a Garmin price $150.00Au and a mate can update it. https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32894530193.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.37094729SDINvr&algo_pvid=62ed9c57-91cb-45fd-9f54-0cd5d3028679&algo_expid=62ed9c57-91cb-45fd-9f54-0cd5d3028679-1&btsid=0ab6fa7b15887109423995473e61cf&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_,searchweb201603_
Regards Martin.

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