April 15, 2012 2:18 PM PDT
My husband and I want to purchase a GPS for use on his bike. We've looked a few places for a GPS specifically for a bike and have not found one. Not sure how to power a regular GPS if we mount it on the bike, it's a 2007 Honda VTX C. I'm sure that people use GPS all the time on their bikes but we're just not sure what to get, how to power it, etc. Any ideas or suggestions?
April 15, 2012 2:28 PM PDT
yeah ya get a bike mount for it, then wire it up to the bike look at whom ever makes the GPS they usually have what ya need..........I won't use one anymore, sometimes it takes ya down goat paths so I do maps man. have a great one! "T"
April 15, 2012 2:47 PM PDT
Thanks T ~ I also use maps but his job sites change daily and so that's why he wants a GPS.
April 15, 2012 3:15 PM PDT
We don't got no GPS, We don't need no GPS, We don't have to show you no stinkin GPS...
Seriously, what T said is good advice.
April 15, 2012 6:24 PM PDT
Bike shops sell GPS units. And as already said, go to ebay and find a mount for your gps and use what came with it for power.
April 15, 2012 8:21 PM PDT
I ONCE HAD TO GO TO THIS JOB INTERVIEW IN THE FRIGGIN CITY..I GOT THE CAR GPS LICKED THE SUCTION CUP THINGY AND STUCK IT TP THE AIR BOX ON THE BUELL..WAS ALL GOOD TIL I PULLED UP AT THE LIGHTS AND THE BLOODY THING FELL OFF..I HAD TO GET OFF AND RESCUE IT FROM UNDER THE WHEEL OF A CAB...MAPS ROCK! CHEERS BOOF
April 15, 2012 8:31 PM PDT
Yeah I figure, a GPS on a bike would be dangerous...I'd spend too much time looking at the TV screen than the road...and come off bigtime. Besides isn't getting lost all part of the biker tradition, isn't that how we find all those great out of the way places that absolutely love it when lost bikers show up and open their wallets and spend money!...I figured its us lost bikers that are actually keeping the worlds economies in the green...given that dopey politicians go out of their way to try and screw everything up......in any case when GPS's can get satelite TV channels can someone let me know...I miss my austar when I'm away....stuck in my tent in the wilds of USA watchin SOA on the smallish screen...lmao..later dudes...
April 16, 2012 12:53 AM PDT
Brother inlaw said the same thing,put a regular gps on his bike could not see it in daylight.
April 16, 2012 1:52 AM PDT
Check out 'Glarestomper.com' ~ for a visor on a GPS ...
April 16, 2012 8:03 AM PDT
Most all the newer GPS's are fine for the glare, and as mentioned, there are anti-glare screens, there are Aqua boxes to make them weatherproof.
A Gps will NOT take you down a dirt road, if you set it right. It will take you down some fun back roads that you would never have taken before. If you do any traveling, they are great and don't take up the room of the maps, and you don't have to stop and read them. It will talk to you and tell you when to turn, and what lane to be in to make the next turn, and what side of the road is your destination and a lot more. Mine is integrated into the stereo so it interrupts the music to tell directions and goes right back to playing.
I use a NUVI and if it rains real hard I throw a clear baggie over it. You can still see it and use it. They are weather resistant, not weather proof. I have been to 49 states and 3 provinces of Canada and never once looked at a map.
April 17, 2012 3:05 AM PDT
Thanks to everyone who posted ~ wow, lots of great info! I'm so glad to know that there are so many options. I really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences using a GPS on a bike, we can now make an informed decision on what to get. You guys (and T) are the greatest :-)
April 18, 2012 12:49 PM PDT
Question for the Garmin users
Wondering if it has a function similar to the one on the Tom-Tom
On the Tom-Tom have the option of "Fastest Time" or "Shortest Distance"
The "Shortest Distance" option makes a trip an adventure - Has taken me thru barnyards, down unpaved logging roads, to wooden ferries & attempted to send me over a bridge washed out during the Carter Administration.
Love that option
April 18, 2012 3:00 PM PDT
I have a regular TomTom mounted on a Ram Mount. Has worked great for cross country trips for finding gas stations, hotels ect. as well as regular mapping functions. I keep a zip lock bag and a couple of rubber bands in my bags for when it rains. Got caught in a good old fashion southern thunderstorm in Arkansas and with the bag, my GPS stayed dry and worked perfectly !!!
April 21, 2012 8:23 AM PDT
i have a garmin, its not for a bike because they were close to $750 at the time. i have a shade for it. i have my setting for night time use and at its brightest. i can't hear mine i have to look. when it rains i put it in a baggie. i have it wired right to my battery and it doesnt drain it when i don't use it.
April 23, 2012 3:31 AM PDT
Savage, A lot of the newer GPS systems even have a choice for "Scenic Route" that keep you off the main highways. Plus if it gives you a route you can select things such as "re-route eliminating I-10" and stuff like that.
April 24, 2012 6:46 AM PDT
I love my Garmin GPS. It has found me some new roads right here in So Cal that I didn't know about!
April 24, 2012 11:08 AM PDT
I use the GPS on my iPhone and it too has shown me some pretty interesting roads.
April 25, 2012 12:32 PM PDT
When riding keep the Tom-Tom in the tank bad - CAUSE I CAN'T READ THE DAMN THING IN DAYLIGHT -
But while driving that "Shortest Distance" option has taken me place I didn't know existed even after driving past them 50 times
Found me a wooden ferry, directly off of a 4 lane interstate.
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