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Looking for pics of GPS mounting options for ouR bike
Posted: Tue May 31, 2011 9:26 pm
by eddiepat62
Hi all - I just picked up a Zumo 550 and am looking for pictures of final installations. I have put a number of things on the bike that I regretted and removed once installed. I'l like to do THIS one only once.
I'll be running the power to my canbus helper.
Re: Looking for pics of GPS mounting options for ouR bike
Posted: Tue May 31, 2011 9:51 pm
by Chop96
Not sure if this will help or not given the size and shape differences between a 550 and 665, but here you go. I used these RAM mount pieces:
1) RAM Mount Motorcycle Handlebar Clamp RAM-B-367U (can see this ball to the right of the Zumo in the picture - replaces one of the handlebar clamp bolts)
2) RAM Mount Medium Arm B-Socket RAM-B-201U
3) RAM Mount Rectangular AMPS Plate B-Ball RAM-B-347U
I've seen some mounts for 550s that mount directly over the four handlebar bolt clamps, but I preferred having the unit closer to my left hand. RAM has just about anything you can think of to construct a mount for just about anywhere you could want to put it - most of HOW you do it, comes down to WHERE you want it, then just figuring out how to make the HOW happen. The setup I'm using is solid, nothing is moving, and I can't see any vibration at all. For me, running the wiring to the fuse block under the seat was the easy part (under the tank on the left side).

Re: Looking for pics of GPS mounting options for ouR bike
Posted: Tue May 31, 2011 11:43 pm
by eddiepat62
Nice set up. Do you normally use a tank bag?
Re: Looking for pics of GPS mounting options for ouR bike
Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2011 12:03 am
by Chop96
Thanks, Eddie.
To answer your question, I use a Bags Connection Engage tank bag (
link here). With the bars at full lock, there's about 3/4 inch of clearance from the Zumo to the tankbag. It's not a huge tank bag by any means, but I went over to Twisted Throttle (5 mins away) and tried a bunch on the tank to see how they each fit - the Engage worked the best for what I needed/wanted including clearance for the Zumo.
Some drawbacks about the location:
- it's a bit low, but not overly so. Since I'm using bluetooth audio I don't have to look down all that often.
- glare. The angle it sits is pretty much dictated by the RAM mounts and where I want the unit to be. Hard to explain why, but because I have it over to the left, I can't adjust the angle back. The glare problem is fixed shading it with my hand briefly. I've been using it for over 4,000 miles like this and glare hasn't been much of an issue. YMMV.
Re: Looking for pics of GPS mounting options for ouR bike
Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2011 3:52 am
by jkhomes
Don has two options here. Option II is further down if you scroll a ways.
http://www.eilenberger.net/R1200R_Roads ... Rindex.htm
Re: Looking for pics of GPS mounting options for ouR bike
Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2011 4:50 am
by rockbottom
I tried a number of things and eventually went with sort of a "head's up display" mounting attached to the bracket of a Ztecknik screen. I use the speed display on the GPS rather than the speedometer on the bike, and this configuration makes it easier to see. Plus I've found that the closer it is to vertical, the less the problem of glare.

Re: Looking for pics of GPS mounting options for ouR bike
Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2011 8:39 am
by websterize
Here's the OEM mount with the Navigator IV (a glorified zumo 660):
Click the link below my name for more install photos.
Re: Looking for pics of GPS mounting options for ouR bike
Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2011 8:59 am
by jkhomes
I put my radar detector in about the same place that Rockbottom put his gps. I mounted it to windshield mount because mounting to the handlebar put it up too high for my taste. I would have put it on the left, but there was not enough room because of the way the instrument cluster is designed. I used a RAM mount I got from Expressmounts (cheaper than order directly from RAM and better customer service.)
Re: Looking for pics of GPS mounting options for ouR bike
Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2011 10:19 am
by ContraMoto
Here's a simple mount. The RAM bracket bolted to the fairing. Simple and cheap...except for the fairing!
I spent so much on the fairing that I could only buy the $99 Costco special GPS...but, it works and gets me where I wanna go. No bluetooth or even wired sound. I made a shade hood for it out of a black plastic report cover.

Re: Looking for pics of GPS mounting options for ouR bike
Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2011 12:00 pm
by eddiepat62
Thanks, everyone. I'm leaning toward the ram mount handlebar clamps, but also saw an offset mount for the mirror. I'd like it to the left and as unobtrusive as possible. I REALLY don't want to mess up the clean lines of this wonderful machine.
Re: Looking for pics of GPS mounting options for ouR bike
Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2011 2:37 pm
by seangd
I'm interested in finding out how it works; I just ordered my 660 and have been wondering how I'm going to mount the thing. I want to be able to remove it and not have the mounting hardware be in the way. If you can, please post pics after you decide what to do.
Re: Looking for pics of GPS mounting options for ouR bike
Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2011 3:01 pm
by JohnM
Not the clearest pic. Taken while DonE & I were waiting last month for the Jubal A. Early ferry to transport us from Virginia across the Potomac River to Maryland.
The mount has a shelf where the XM antenna sits. (Attaches to the handlebar via a RAM mount & ball clamp. Admittedly, not the most sano solution, but it makes the Zumo easily accessible.
Re: Looking for pics of GPS mounting options for ouR bike
Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2011 7:19 pm
by Bob Ain't Stoppin'
I just got a 660 a couple weeks ago. In the package they have a handlebar mount which I put to the left of center. The arm puts the gps pretty much in the middle, so I look over it to see the dash panel. It hides the key from the rider position. Works quite well there. Sorry, no pick yet, but if you need it I will go out and take one.
Re: Looking for pics of GPS mounting options for ouR bike
Posted: Thu Jun 02, 2011 7:13 am
by rockbottom
Here's a follow up on what I've done. (I apologize for being too lazy to clean yesterday's bugs off the screen. I live in dairy country).
I used the standard RAM clamp to the Ztechnik bracket. I have a short, medium, and long RAM stem. My original photo was using the short one; these are with the medium which I'm trying out to see how I like it.
I also have another RAM clamp on the other side of the bracket that I use for a Spot messenger or cam corder.
This is not a pretty or elegant mounting method but I find it very effective.
Re: Looking for pics of GPS mounting options for ouR bike
Posted: Thu Jun 02, 2011 10:22 am
by eddiepat62
Thanks for the pics! "... but I find it very effective." - And it's up and out of the way. I have the sport screen, but will play with the mounts to see what kind of clearance I can get.
Re: Looking for pics of GPS mounting options for ouR bike
Posted: Thu Jun 02, 2011 8:31 pm
by deilenberger
In case it was missed - this is "Option-II" (what I'm still using..)
Works for me.
Re: Looking for pics of GPS mounting options for ouR bike
Posted: Thu Jun 02, 2011 10:12 pm
by r12gecko