| Magna Pics | FJR Pics | Links | Rides | Farkles |
I purchased a cradle for the Garmin from RAM Mounts. I attached this to my existing mount I had been using for my XM radio
although there are a variety of ways to use RAM's mounting products to attach the cradle to the bike. The issue with this setup is that installation/removal of the GPS requires continually removing the USB plug for power and the 3.5mm plug for the audio out. I was worried that this might eventually wear out the plugs, in addition to the vibration they get from being on a motorcycle. I didn't solve the 3.5mm plug problem, but I did solve the USB plug issue. I took the car mount and screwed it into the cradle from the back
it fits nicely in the slot RAM provides, why this is not a part of their mount is beyond me. I have one screw in the upper left corner (looking at it from the front) of the car mount, that holds it just fine. I was worried about hitting stuff in the car mount, but all I hit was the spring for the release on the bottom, no problem.
Here is the GPS on the mount from the rider's point of view
For weather protection I have been throwing a plastic sandwich over the whole mess, using the 3.5mm plug to secure it. This works fine in light rain, however in Illinois I ran into some serious weather with strong winds and some water came in under the baggy. The venting right in front of the handlebars on the Gen II FJR's does not help the situation at all. I can see some spots in the screen now, but it still works fine, as is evidenced by my being home. Still, I am on the lookout for a bag with a drawstring bottom. Or maybe I just shouldn't ride in tornado weather.
To power the unit I used the 12v car adaptor. I chopped off the part that goes into the cigarette lighter and wired it into my BlueSeas, the USB power to the Nuvi goes through the frame to the front of the bike and into the back of the car mount that I farkled above. I had to lengthen the USB wire, the negative is some sort of shield around the positive, but it soldered up just fine!
