Quesstion about GPS - Page 2 - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

Astryl · 10-08-2008, 12:14 AM

HI i was looking at GPS's too, I found a Zumo 550 for $489 online at this site:
...don't order form these guys... i found this review of thier store before i ordered anything:
http://www.resellerratings.com/store/WildDigital

JHoke · 10-08-2008, 08:03 AM

You will *love* it (at least I do). I have used the hell outta mine the past few weekends both to get to a specific destination, and to just meander all over and knowing that I can find my way back after getting completely lost in the ride

One thing to keep in mind, if you have 1.25" handlebars you will need to get a different handlebar bracket from RAMMounts

Arlindod · 11-03-2008, 10:17 PM

Hi
I use a Nokia cellphone with the GPS facility. A mini speaker in your ear and that's all. No need to see the actual monitor. Voice commmands will keep you in your route. Very useful. The phone can be in a pocket.
Ride Safe
Al

**Clint** · 11-03-2008, 10:50 PM

I use the monitor to choose roads. I can clearly see whether a road is arrow-straight or meanders through the hills. It saves wasting miles when I'm out wandering.

Rickster · 11-04-2008, 11:24 PM

A friend of mine bought one of the Magellan units, I don't remember the model but it was the motorcycle specific one, the listed features were prety much identical to my Zumo but the price was quite a bit less.
As is usually the case you get what you pay for, side by side with my Zumo his unit is quite a bit slower, looses it's signal quite easly, and even though it has an MP3 player you can't listen to it and navagate at the same time.

Cirquerider · 11-06-2008, 11:48 AM

I use a Garmin Nuvi GPS mounted on a RAM mount to the handlebars. The GPS has a built in FM transmitter that normally is used to transmit the GPS voice directions or attached XM music to a vehicle radio and speakers. It can also transmit to an inexpensive small FM wireless earpiece receiver like this:
FM Wireless Radio Bluetooth-like Earpiece incl Battery - eBay (item 180303547445 end time Nov-05-08 20:07:38 PST)

With after-market pipes, that is the only way you can hear the GPS directions. The Nuvi 650 also has bluetooth connectivity to my cell phone so calls are received and answered hands-free through the GPS unit and the voice is transmitted via FM signal to the earpiece. The GPS has descent noise canceling but to be understood, I usually have to stop. The only downside of the Nuvi is that it is not waterproof, but I don't live in a wet climate area and there is a waterproof plastic case available fairly inexpensively.

Rickster · 11-06-2008, 01:42 PM

That looks like a nice road you have on your display.

frostbitevinnie · 11-10-2008, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rickster

That looks like a nice road you have on your display.

Maybe for a V-strom but that gravel would give me the squirts on my 90.

Cirquerider · 11-10-2008, 12:58 PM

Well, to be fair, I had pulled over to take that picture. Looking to the left, the road is paved.

frostbitevinnie · 11-10-2008, 04:31 PM

Ahhh, much better!!

Rickster · 11-11-2008, 08:46 AM

Vinnie, my comment was about the road that was displayed on his GPS moniter, not the picture of the road surface.

Remember how Clint & I were talking about how you can watch the moniter to see what the turns look like ahead of you, the road that's displayed on his has some nice turns in it, and there don't seem to be any side roads crossing it where you might have someone pulling out in front of you.

Cirquerider · 11-11-2008, 12:44 PM

California Route 4 over the Sierra Nevada is just one of many great roads in this area. On this ride I traversed the Sierra on Route 88 over Carson Pass and took 89 South through Markleyville, then turned onto Route 4 to Ebbetts Pass. Route 4 is prohibited to large trucks and kingpins and is really too steep and winding for many RVs. Ascending from the East, the road has numerous sharp switchbacks such as the two you see on the GPS and many smooth S-turns and chicanes. The road is relatively narrow and has no centerline, so you must maintain your lane, and safety dictates that you anticipate the possibility that rocks, debris or a vehicle could be encountered, so very high speed running is not a good idea; however the turns are sharp enough in places to drag footboards at under 20 MPH. There are no intersecting roads, but the Pacific Crest trail does cross near the summit.

The road summits Ebbetts Pass at 8730 ft (2661m) and winds through the high Sierra to a second Pacific Summit at 8050 ft (2454 m). Descending to the West, the road passes through Big Bear Ski Area, Calavaras Big Trees, a Sequoia preserve, and Angels Camp where I usually pick up Hwy 49 for the ride home. Here are a few more pictures along the way:

frostbitevinnie · 11-11-2008, 08:13 PM

Awesome. I think I may have been on this road many years ago. Going from Sac. to Tahoe. Maybe not but I seem to recall such a route.

10-08-2008, 12:14 AM	#21 (permalink)
Astryl Newbie Join Date: Sep 2008 Bike: 2008 Suzuki C50 Location: Sparwood BC Posts: 13	HI i was looking at GPS's too, I found a Zumo 550 for $489 online at this site: ...don't order form these guys... i found this review of thier store before i ordered anything: http://www.resellerratings.com/store/WildDigital Last edited by Astryl; 11-06-2008 at 07:56 PM.

11-03-2008, 10:50 PM	#24 (permalink)
Clint Gainfully employed Join Date: Dec 2003 Bike: 2002 Bandit 1200 S Location: St. Cloud, MN, USA Posts: 20,118	I use the monitor to choose roads. I can clearly see whether a road is arrow-straight or meanders through the hills. It saves wasting miles when I'm out wandering. __________________ 'Busa shock, Racetech forks, Holeshot stage 1 & pipe, Hella headlights, CBRXX clipons, Givi bags, Zumo 550, Conti Road Attacks \| Symtec grip heat Arai Signet GTR \| Joe Rocket Meteor boots, Alter Ego pants, jacket \| Alpinestars SP-1 gloves \| Hanes boxer-briefs Gems for motorcyclists

11-04-2008, 11:24 PM	#25 (permalink)
Rickster Forensic Bug Splatter Analyst Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: St Paul Mn Posts: 4,210	A friend of mine bought one of the Magellan units, I don't remember the model but it was the motorcycle specific one, the listed features were prety much identical to my Zumo but the price was quite a bit less. As is usually the case you get what you pay for, side by side with my Zumo his unit is quite a bit slower, looses it's signal quite easly, and even though it has an MP3 player you can't listen to it and navagate at the same time. __________________ 2009 BMW, R 1200 GS 2008 DR 650 2006 HD Road King 2008 1250 Bandit ABS 2003 KTM 525 EX/C 2005 Santa Cruz Heckler

11-06-2008, 01:42 PM	#27 (permalink)
Rickster Forensic Bug Splatter Analyst Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: St Paul Mn Posts: 4,210	That looks like a nice road you have on your display. __________________ 2009 BMW, R 1200 GS 2008 DR 650 2006 HD Road King 2008 1250 Bandit ABS 2003 KTM 525 EX/C 2005 Santa Cruz Heckler

11-10-2008, 04:31 PM	#30 (permalink)
frostbitevinnie Forensic Bug Splatter Analyst Join Date: Jul 2007 Bike: '07 C90T, '76 MT250, smashed up '91 GSX1100g Location: St. Cloud, MN 3rd house NW of the Depot Posts: 4,154	Ahhh, much better!! __________________ Sam 3/7/09 Rest in peace my good friend.

10-08-2008, 08:03 AM	#22 (permalink)
JHoke Found second gear by accident Join Date: Aug 2008 Bike: 2007 Star Stratoliner Midnight Location: North East Pennsylvania Posts: 336	You will love it (at least I do). I have used the hell outta mine the past few weekends both to get to a specific destination, and to just meander all over and knowing that I can find my way back after getting completely lost in the ride One thing to keep in mind, if you have 1.25" handlebars you will need to get a different handlebar bracket from RAMMounts

11-03-2008, 10:17 PM	#23 (permalink)
Arlindod Newbie Join Date: Jul 2008 Bike: virago535, Vstar 650, Marauder 800 Posts: 17	Hi I use a Nokia cellphone with the GPS facility. A mini speaker in your ear and that's all. No need to see the actual monitor. Voice commmands will keep you in your route. Very useful. The phone can be in a pocket. Ride Safe Al

11-06-2008, 11:48 AM	#26 (permalink)
Cirquerider Clunked into first gear Join Date: Apr 2008 Bike: '06 Boulevard C90 Location: Folsom, CA Posts: 234	I use a Garmin Nuvi GPS mounted on a RAM mount to the handlebars. The GPS has a built in FM transmitter that normally is used to transmit the GPS voice directions or attached XM music to a vehicle radio and speakers. It can also transmit to an inexpensive small FM wireless earpiece receiver like this: FM Wireless Radio Bluetooth-like Earpiece incl Battery - eBay (item 180303547445 end time Nov-05-08 20:07:38 PST) With after-market pipes, that is the only way you can hear the GPS directions. The Nuvi 650 also has bluetooth connectivity to my cell phone so calls are received and answered hands-free through the GPS unit and the voice is transmitted via FM signal to the earpiece. The GPS has descent noise canceling but to be understood, I usually have to stop. The only downside of the Nuvi is that it is not waterproof, but I don't live in a wet climate area and there is a waterproof plastic case available fairly inexpensively.

11-10-2008, 12:58 PM	#29 (permalink)
Cirquerider Clunked into first gear Join Date: Apr 2008 Bike: '06 Boulevard C90 Location: Folsom, CA Posts: 234	Well, to be fair, I had pulled over to take that picture. Looking to the left, the road is paved.

11-11-2008, 08:46 AM	#31 (permalink)
Rickster Forensic Bug Splatter Analyst Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: St Paul Mn Posts: 4,210	Vinnie, my comment was about the road that was displayed on his GPS moniter, not the picture of the road surface. Remember how Clint & I were talking about how you can watch the moniter to see what the turns look like ahead of you, the road that's displayed on his has some nice turns in it, and there don't seem to be any side roads crossing it where you might have someone pulling out in front of you. __________________ 2009 BMW, R 1200 GS 2008 DR 650 2006 HD Road King 2008 1250 Bandit ABS 2003 KTM 525 EX/C 2005 Santa Cruz Heckler

11-11-2008, 12:44 PM	#32 (permalink)
Cirquerider Clunked into first gear Join Date: Apr 2008 Bike: '06 Boulevard C90 Location: Folsom, CA Posts: 234	California Route 4 over the Sierra Nevada is just one of many great roads in this area. On this ride I traversed the Sierra on Route 88 over Carson Pass and took 89 South through Markleyville, then turned onto Route 4 to Ebbetts Pass. Route 4 is prohibited to large trucks and kingpins and is really too steep and winding for many RVs. Ascending from the East, the road has numerous sharp switchbacks such as the two you see on the GPS and many smooth S-turns and chicanes. The road is relatively narrow and has no centerline, so you must maintain your lane, and safety dictates that you anticipate the possibility that rocks, debris or a vehicle could be encountered, so very high speed running is not a good idea; however the turns are sharp enough in places to drag footboards at under 20 MPH. There are no intersecting roads, but the Pacific Crest trail does cross near the summit. The road summits Ebbetts Pass at 8730 ft (2661m) and winds through the high Sierra to a second Pacific Summit at 8050 ft (2454 m). Descending to the West, the road passes through Big Bear Ski Area, Calavaras Big Trees, a Sequoia preserve, and Angels Camp where I usually pick up Hwy 49 for the ride home. Here are a few more pictures along the way:

11-11-2008, 08:13 PM	#33 (permalink)
frostbitevinnie Forensic Bug Splatter Analyst Join Date: Jul 2007 Bike: '07 C90T, '76 MT250, smashed up '91 GSX1100g Location: St. Cloud, MN 3rd house NW of the Depot Posts: 4,154	Awesome. I think I may have been on this road many years ago. Going from Sac. to Tahoe. Maybe not but I seem to recall such a route. __________________ Sam 3/7/09 Rest in peace my good friend.

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