Attaching a GPS to the Buddy

redblacktree · Post by **redblacktree** » Tue May 05, 2009 2:29 am

We have recently purchased a new Buddy 125, and we want to attach a GPS. We have no accessories, like windshields, cases, racks, etc.

My thought, is to attach it with velcro under the speedometer, with the screen perpendicular to the ground to minimize glare.

Has anyone attached a GPS to their Buddy? Should I worry about adhesives with the Buddy's plastic finish? I think I will be able to remove it with Goo Gone if needed, but I am interested in all opions or information about this. Any other suggestions for mounting a GPS?

Oh, I should mention that removability is required so that the GPS can be locked up while the Buddy is parked.

Thanks for any help!

-rbt

black sunshine · Post by **black sunshine** » Tue May 05, 2009 2:33 am

redblacktree wrote:We have recently purchased a new Buddy 125, and we want to attach a GPS. We have no accessories, like windshields, cases, racks, etc.

My thought, is to attach it with velcro under the speedometer, with the screen perpendicular to the ground to minimize glare.

Has anyone attached a GPS to their Buddy? Should I worry about adhesives with the Buddy's plastic finish? I think I will be able to remove it with Goo Gone if needed, but I am interested in all opions or information about this. Any other suggestions for mounting a GPS?

Oh, I should mention that removability is required so that the GPS can be locked up while the Buddy is parked.

Thanks for any help!

-rbt

last weekend, i rode out to Stone Mountain Park with my gf, and i attached my recently-purchased Garmin nuvi 200 GPS unit to the glass over my speedometer using the suction cup attachment - risky, i know! only paid $35 for the GPS anyhow. but anyhow. it stayed on like a CHAMP. i wouldn't recommend it, though - i think if you do a search on the forums you can find links that people have posted to gripping mechanisms that are made for scooters / motorcycles . . .

Lagerhead · Post by **Lagerhead** » Tue May 05, 2009 2:39 am

search "RAM" mounts. I get mine at GPScity.com.

redblacktree · Post by **redblacktree** » Tue May 05, 2009 2:52 am

Where did you attach the RAM mount on your Buddy?

I don't see any obvious points of attachment.

bluebuddygirl · Post by **bluebuddygirl** » Tue May 05, 2009 3:00 am

There is a ram mount attachment that goes onto the base of the mirror, where the mirror attaches to the bike. If you search " ram mirror mount" on ebay you will get a whole bunch of assembly units for different GPS units. This seems to me to be the best scooter solution since we can't do a handlebar mount.

The bottom part fits on on the mirror base and has a ball joint. The middle section attaches at either end to a ball joint, and then, well you can see the rest.

kschulz · Post by **kschulz** » Wed May 06, 2009 1:34 am

Here's a pic of my GPS mounted to the left mirror stem using a RAM mount. The stem was too small in diameter for the U clamp, but a rubber stopper from a hamster water bottle fixed that - keeps from scratching the mirror stem and helps dampen vibrations. This RAM mount is rock solid...

Garmin nuvi 550

I just did over 260 miles on some fairly brutal back roads of Indiana this past weekend - worked perfectly.

Post by **ericalm** » Fri May 08, 2009 8:12 pm

black sunshine wrote:
redblacktree wrote:We have recently purchased a new Buddy 125, and we want to attach a GPS. We have no accessories, like windshields, cases, racks, etc.

My thought, is to attach it with velcro under the speedometer, with the screen perpendicular to the ground to minimize glare.

Has anyone attached a GPS to their Buddy? Should I worry about adhesives with the Buddy's plastic finish? I think I will be able to remove it with Goo Gone if needed, but I am interested in all opions or information about this. Any other suggestions for mounting a GPS?

Oh, I should mention that removability is required so that the GPS can be locked up while the Buddy is parked.

Thanks for any help!

-rbt
last weekend, i rode out to Stone Mountain Park with my gf, and i attached my recently-purchased Garmin nuvi 200 GPS unit to the glass over my speedometer using the suction cup attachment - risky, i know! only paid $35 for the GPS anyhow. but anyhow. it stayed on like a CHAMP. i wouldn't recommend it, though - i think if you do a search on the forums you can find links that people have posted to gripping mechanisms that are made for scooters / motorcycles . . .

Where'd you score that for only $35?

peabody99 · Post by **peabody99** » Sat May 09, 2009 12:55 am

bumping and thanks for posting:
pics
hardwear used to attach gps (and where you got it)
does your gps allow you download a custom route (ie scenic) you made from your computer?

KCScooterDude · Post by **KCScooterDude** » Sat May 09, 2009 2:20 am

kschulz wrote:Here's a pic of my GPS mounted to the left mirror stem using a RAM mount. The stem was too small in diameter for the U clamp, but a rubber stopper from a hamster water bottle fixed that - keeps from scratching the mirror stem and helps dampen vibrations. This RAM mount is rock solid...

Garmin nuvi 550

I just did over 260 miles on some fairly brutal back roads of Indiana this past weekend - worked perfectly.

Ah, somebody check the hamsters please.

I like your set up. I might try that. I use my Garmin eTrex attached with velcro to the headset. I would much rather use my TomTom in your configuration. I downloaded Dennis Hopper to give me directions and this seems to fit the character of the scooter better.

That's the news from Kansas City - home to Garmin! Yes, I'm a traitor!

black sunshine · Post by **black sunshine** » Sat May 09, 2009 6:36 pm

ericalm wrote:Where'd you score that for only $35?

i have a friend that likes to buy tech, but quickly upgrades to the "latest, greatest" stuff. thus, i often benefit from his "i don't even use it anymore" moods . . .

that RAM mount looks EXCELLENT! and that's the same Nuvi i have! sweet!

bluebuddygirl · Post by **bluebuddygirl** » Sat May 09, 2009 6:46 pm

Ok, I actually finally have the base that I suggested. So here goes. We only have the one GPS so I only got the base since we can't both use it at the same time anyway. I used my Amazon rewards and purchased it from www.mountguys.com but through Amazon. Prices were all about the same, those that charged less, charged more for shipping. I should have bought it at the motorcycle show when I was there, but didn't trust that it would fit.

bluebuddygirl · Post by **bluebuddygirl** » Sat May 09, 2009 7:06 pm

last pic - first attempt at using photobucket. Took me way longer to upload and post everything than to mount the GPS. That took all of 5 minutes.

peabody99 · Post by **peabody99** » Sat May 09, 2009 11:03 pm

can this mount somehow attach to the mirror stem?
http://www.gpscity.com/item-ram-mount-g ... -7ga32.htm
i can't mind the base you all have
or is this it?
http://www.gpscity.com/item-ram-mount-g ... 74ga32.htm

bluebuddygirl · Post by **bluebuddygirl** » Sat May 09, 2009 11:51 pm

Sorry! The part number is RAM-B-252U

Here it is at GPS city:http://www.gpscity.com/search/q=ram-b-252u

Then you can piece together the parts that fit your particular GPS

peabody99 · Post by **peabody99** » Sun May 10, 2009 12:05 am

cool thanks! I am looking at the Garmin Nuvi 550, so if I get the thingy that holds that, I am thiking this (but maybe not?), http://www.gpscity.com/item-ram-mount-g ... -7ga32.htm

will it attach to the ball thing you just attached? http://www.gpscity.com/search/q=ram-b-252u

I hate being so tech stupid!

Anyone else have a nuvi550. Sorry everyone for being such a moron.

edit-hey what about this a scooter mount
http://www.gpscity.com/item-garmin-nuvi ... cooter.htm

bluebuddygirl · Post by **bluebuddygirl** » Sun May 10, 2009 12:09 am

Yes, but you may want to search for the individual parts because you won't need the part that clamps to the handlebars. The mirror mount piece eliminates that. I'm in the middle of sending an e-mail to my ceramics class, but give me 15 minutes and I will see if I can find the individual part numbers for you, and if that would be cheaper anyway.

peabody99 · Post by **peabody99** » Sun May 10, 2009 12:16 am

I dont want to make you have to look up a bunch of parts

(I have already been a huge PITA)

edit: ok this could be the ticket? universal scooter mount.
http://www.gpscity.com/item-garmin-nuvi ... cooter.htm

edit 2: OK I ordered this. thanks all.

bluebuddygirl · Post by **bluebuddygirl** » Sun May 10, 2009 12:20 am

Mfg P/N: RAM-B-201U-A - $9.23 - 1" socket arm - short
Model No: RAM-B-252U $11.28 - mirror mount with ball
RAM-HOL-GA32U - $8.80 -nuvi 500 cradle - this is the part the GPS fits into

Total on GPS parts at GPS city for Nuvi with mirror mount $29.31 + shipping

You should be able to do searches for the parts by the part numbers. The way I found them is on their site, rather than seeking by gps mounts I just hit the header named "Ram Mounts" and then it gives you the individual parts.

bluebuddygirl · Post by **bluebuddygirl** » Sun May 10, 2009 12:23 am

peabody99 wrote:ok this could be the ticket? universal scooter mount.
I dont want to make you have to look up a bunch of parts
http://www.gpscity.com/item-garmin-nuvi ... cooter.htm

Oops, already done. That one might work, but I have no idea what it attaches to?! I know that the base that I used fit perfectly on the buddy mirror. It was ridiculously simple

.

peabody99 · Post by **peabody99** » Sun May 10, 2009 12:30 am

I think the scooter mount wraps around the handlebar section of the head set. If it does not work, I will be coming back to the thread for the parts you listed. Your way looks more sturdy, but I hate to mess with my mirrors unless I have to since it took me months to get them on just right after putting the windscreen on.

bluebuddygirl · Post by **bluebuddygirl** » Sun May 10, 2009 12:35 am

peabody99 wrote:I think the scooter mount wraps around the handlebar section of the head set. If it does not work, I will be coming back to the thread for the parts you listed. Your way looks more sturdy, but I hate to mess with my mirrors unless I have to since it took me months to get them on just right after putting the windscreen on.

I can understand that. The good part was that I detached the mirror where it attached to the bike, not where it threads onto the hardware, which I had to adjust once and was a pain.

donkin · Post by **donkin** » Fri May 22, 2009 2:47 am

bluebuddygirl,

Just checking in to see how your mount is holding up.

Thanks,

Don

Taz · Post by **Taz** » Fri May 22, 2009 2:53 am

If you have a windscreen, just suction cup it to the windscreen. That works great on all my scooter. Just make sure it is clean each time before you stick it on. Also less advertising that there is something valuable in/on your scooter.

sunshinen · Post by **sunshinen** » Fri May 22, 2009 4:45 am

I just put it on hold, throw it in my jacket pocket, and listen to the directions.

donkin · Post by **donkin** » Wed Jun 03, 2009 12:52 am

bluebuddygirl,

Thanks for your help! Here's how the mount looks on Paulette's Buddy.

- Don

bluebuddygirl · Post by **bluebuddygirl** » Wed Jun 03, 2009 1:26 am

donkin wrote:bluebuddygirl,

Thanks for your help! Here's how the mount looks on Paulette's Buddy.

- Don

Cool!! I love the Ram mounts. They are a little pricey, but they are so easy to use and really hold stuff well. I am currently without GPS. My husband is on a ride with his dad, up to Nova Scotia and back around. They are currently in Bangor Maine. He also took our tent, my backpacking sleeping bag, and other various pieces of my gear. I would've gone, but the scooter would never keep up with their much bigger bikes, and I am teaching a three week summer course.

yeauxkneauxit · Post by **yeauxkneauxit** » Thu Feb 24, 2011 7:08 pm

sorry, i found a lot of info via search. should have looked there first. thanks for the feedback.

moderator you can delete this post if you want since its already been posted prior

iMoses · Post by **iMoses** » Thu Feb 24, 2011 7:48 pm

I have mine mounted inside a small, clear (airport friendly) make-up bag. It attaches to the either of my scoots (Buddy 125 / HD-200) with velcro straps.
When I use it in my cage I just take it out of the bag.

I don't like to use mounts, they advertise that I have a GPS, and might invite a break in to my vehicle.

cdwise · Post by **cdwise** » Thu Feb 24, 2011 11:14 pm

Givi makes a gps bag that attaches a variety of ways using velcro straps but I keep both the rammount and smaller ball on my scoots so I can attach different things including my phone.

Smaller mount came with this GPS case http://www.amazon.com/Arkon-GPS032-Smar ... 796&sr=8-1 attached to mirror or windscreen post. Nice thing about this rig is you can use a phone or non-M/C gps since its pretty waterproof.

Stormswift · Post by **Stormswift** » Thu Feb 24, 2011 11:51 pm

I have Tom Tom One XL-S (the wide screen). Just had to buy Arkon car mount because some dirt bag stole the factory (broken down) mount I had in my car. Since I carry my GPS in my purse they did not get it. SO now I need to come up with a mount for my buddy that would work with my GPS model . I 've looked at different ones but I still cannot figure out what would fit my GPS and Buddy. With spring coming it would be nice to have GPS attached.

BootScootin'FireFighter · Fri Feb 25, 2011 1:04 am

I don't own a GPS, I usually just review whatever routes I'm taking in my mind, or email the route to me via google maps, and every now and then check my googlemaps on my phone. For the trip to NO, I'm borrowing my friends GPS and will have to find a temporary way to mount, probably using large zipties around the headset or even some sort of velcro to strap it to my thigh. Still not exactly sure how yet.

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