Car GPS on a motorcycle

[CollingsBob]

I have a spare Garmin 2455 GPS that I would like to use on my FJR... I know it isn't waterproof, but is the vibration an issue?

[Cav47]

Depends on the mounting type. Ram Mount with the rubber ends will prob be okay.

However, secure it better than I did. I hit a really rough patch of expansion joints one time and lost mine on the road. I am confident it did not survive the get off and subsequent flattening on the interstate.

They are okay, but keep an eye in the classifieds for a motorcycle specific. The are better in every way I have seen.

[LeeDavis]

In my experience you need to support the power cord into your car gps. Especially in the case of mini and micro usb sockets - many are prone to failure with the vibration. The same is true for using tablets and smart phones on the bike.

[BkerChuck]

The real trouble with vibration and the power cord is that once it becomes loose it becomes worthless in the car as well. I used a Nuvi automotive unit my first 2 years rallying and while it still works I battled constantly keeping a good power connection.

[CollingsBob]

My Lexus has a built in GPS and we have a spare GPS to use when we rent a car while travelling.

[raYzerman]

A friend of mine ruined one power cord socket because of vibration, got another, then it proceeded to ruin the GPS.

[ericboutin]

I have a 765 that I've been using for years. I just recently replaced the snap on connector on the back. I'm sure vibration contributed to it's demise. I've now moved it to the front of the tank with a ram mount made by someone on the boards I believe. It really puts vibration at a minimum in this position.

[CollingsBob]

I have a 765 that I've been using for years. I just recently replaced the snap on connector on the back. I'm sure vibration contributed to it's demise. I've now moved it to the front of the tank with a ram mount made by someone on the boards I believe. It really puts vibration at a minimum in this position.

Was the previous location at the clutch reservoir?

[fjrob]

I've only ever used a car GPS. I put a plastic bag over it if it was going to rain. Used the regular suction cup mount on my N-line dash with a stick on circle.

[Festus]

I've got about 18,000 miles on one. I've seen no issues with anything coming loose and not working. I use a ram mount.

[rbentnail]

I have a $170 nuvi 780 car gps I've been using for 100K + miles just on the bike, many more in my trucks. Only thing I've done to it is replace the battery although the cord had solder joints break down inside the Powerlet plug one time but after some 9 yrs who can complain? So I'd say no, vibration is not an issue but paying attention to how and where it's mounted (out of direct wind, rubber ball Ram mount, etc.) and how the cord is routed will certainly play a significant role.

ETA--My suggestion: if you choose to use an older model like I do, buy some extra stuff now. Things like power cords are getting harder and harder to find.

[D-Eagle]

For years I used a car gps in the top see-through map pocket of a tank bag. Finally upgraded to a motorcycle specific one when my maps became outdated and they wanted like $80 to upgrade the maps.

[rbentnail]

For years I used a car gps in the top see-through map pocket of a tank bag. Finally upgraded to a motorcycle specific one when my maps became outdated and they wanted like $80 to upgrade the maps.

My aforementioned nuvi did not come LM- that means "Lifetime Maps". But I found a deal on ebay of all places that allowed me to purchase Garmin LM for about half the price of the Garmin store. It's worked fine! What I hear nowadays is that Garmin significantly reduced their price for LM so ebay, Amazon and Garmin are all about the same price.

[rbentnail]

.....for a motorcycle specific. They are better in every way I have seen.

Depends what your needs are.

I am NOT a technogeeky type of guy. I do NOT use a comm system that the gps has to work with, which from everything I've read is a giant PITA anyway. I am a simple mp3 music type of guy and generally ride with earbuds and a small mp3 player in a pocket. Know what "motorcycle specific" gps generally DO NOT have? An external earbud jack. In crowded urban areas I simply turn on the gps audio and plug in my earbuds directly to my gps and get turn instructions. If I'm feeling froggy I'll listen to the music I've stored on my GPS's SD card- then it plays, stops, gives instructions, then resumes playing. If I'm feeling really, really froggy my mp3 is an FM receiver and my gps is an FM transmitter so I .....

Anyway, like I said, IMHO it depends what your requirements are Bob. I'm perfectly happy plopping my el-cheapo, more capable for me gps in a ziplock baggie when needed on rainy days. Or put the gps in a pocket, listen to music and get turn instructions via earbuds. It's all good.

I think, especially for a new guy, just learning the real routing uses & capabilities, cheap out in the beginning. Because we all know what the next question will be, "what routing software....?" That's a whole 'nother no-wrong-answer can o' worms.

[Viper_Dad]

About 2 years ago I mounted a Garmin car GPS in the clutch reservoir using RAM products, it plugs into the power socket in the glovebox. I mainly use it for the large speedometer page. It had been on a shelf in my garage for a couple years but the Garmin software updated it and it has worked well ever since. It was an LM model so I update the maps a couple times a year.

[escapefjrtist]

Until just recently, I used two Garmin Nuvi's on the FJR for close to 10 years. Used the MCL nut / ram ball with the Nuvi specific cradle and never had an issue with the power cord. I velcroed the cord to the ram arm to minimize any strain on the power connection. Like others, I kept a stash of sandwich bags for "waterproofing".

Worked well, no complaints.

--G

[ericboutin]

I have a 765 that I've been using for years. I just recently replaced the snap on connector on the back. I'm sure vibration contributed to it's demise. I've now moved it to the front of the tank with a ram mount made by someone on the boards I believe. It really puts vibration at a minimum in this position.

Was the previous location at the clutch reservoir?

Yes sir, it sure was. I think a lot of them die there.

[streetdoc]

Remember, you can buy three to four car GPS's for the cost of one for motorcycles. I'll keep on using the car GPS's.

[bugboy]

I'm starting my second year of using a Garmin Nuvi 40 that I picked up at a garage sale for $3.00. I'll keep my eyes peeled for a replacement for if/when this one dies.

[wheatonFJR]

I'm starting my second year of using a Garmin Nuvi 40 that I picked up at a garage sale for $3.00. I'll keep my eyes peeled for a replacement for if/when this one dies.

Carry a good set of backup maps if yer ever on a long trip in an unfamiliar part of the world.