Anyone have GPS mounted on a Blur?

BeachBuzz · Post by **BeachBuzz** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 12:16 pm

I'm looking for a way to mount my GPS on my Blur but there's not much room up front

I have a Brake Reservoir cover RAM Ball mount on the Burgman that works great. The Blur master cylinder is hidden under the headset cover and would require cutting the top open even if the MC cover would fit. There's a Buddy thread that has a RAM Ball mount that fits on the mirror post that might work but on the Blur there isnt a lot of room around the mirror bolt (I guess for $12 I could give it a try and if it doesnt work on the Blur I could use it on the Buddy). I could use the suction cup mount and attach a safety lanyard just in case but that doesn't seem very secure for riding distances at speed.

Any ideas from my Blur brethren

Lostmycage · Post by **Lostmycage** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 2:05 pm

If I were going to mount a GPS to the Blur, I'd probably fabricate a mount to go onto the windshield posts, or the holes that the windshield mounts to. I've never given it serious thought because I'll only break out the GPS every now and again. I bought a small tank bag made for cell phones that fits the GPS perfectly. I just strap that to my leg every time I need the GPS, but that of course isn't a hard mount.

One thing you could do is use the bolt closest to you and a piece of aluminum from the hardware store. Mark out how much clearance it needs from the headset and drill a hole to mount a ball or ram mount type of holder. Cut and round off both ends of the aluminum bar and coat with that plastic dip stuff for tool handles. Use nylon locknuts and washers (fender washers) to sandwich it all together. Apply some shelf liner material (you can get a small section of this at the dollar store) to the backside of anything that might come in contact with the headset with double sided tape; that should take care of any rubbing issues.

Aw hell, I might have to try that out now. Even if it'd look silly since I'd probably leave the GPS off 90% of the time, lol.

BeachBuzz · Post by **BeachBuzz** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 2:48 pm

Lostmycage wrote: I bought a small tank bag made for cell phones that fits the GPS perfectly. I just strap that to my leg every time I need the GPS, but that of course isn't a hard mount.

I bought one of those when you first posted the thread about them

it's sitting on a shelf in the garage and has never been on the scoot. Perfect setup for the Blur - thanks for the reminder

The Rapid Transit bag will make a great carry case for the GPS and all of the accessories. They're still a bargin at Newenough.com for $17!

davelhunter · Post by **davelhunter** » Tue Jun 09, 2009 5:27 pm

I use the suction cup mount on the gas tank cap. It works perfectly and the unit is out of the way. I can glance down at it when I need to, but this way it does not look funny hanging off the dash. I will upload a pic when I get home.

BeachBuzz · Post by **BeachBuzz** » Tue Jun 09, 2009 5:55 pm

another good option - but I wouldn't feel safe without some kind of leash on it. I thought about using the suction cup right on the dash cluster. I dont need the speedo, odo, tach while I'm riding (the GPS is more accurate anyway). Then I could use a lanyard attached to the WS mount - just in case the suction lost it's grip.

I'm definately going to revisit the tank bag option - I completely forgot I had one collecting dust in the garage. If the strap can wrap inside the seat, I can swing it out of the way at gas stops and hide bag&GPS it in the boot when I'm off the scoot.

I kinda like having it in view especially when I'm riding back roads that I'm not familier with - which is why I want the GPS along in the first place!

KCScooterDude · Post by **KCScooterDude** » Thu Jun 11, 2009 3:36 pm

My Cortech tank bag fits perfectly over the gas tank on the Blur (there's another thread about this) I put my GPS in the clear map pocket on top and, much to my surprise, it works great! I have a TomTom. I also have a Garmin eTrex that I mount on the headset with velcro. I wrap the lanyard around the mirror stem as a fail-safe, but good velcro ain't goin' nowhere! Thanks NASA!

Lostmycage · Post by **Lostmycage** » Tue Jun 16, 2009 12:25 am

OK, so this thread motivated me to modify the phone tank bag that I bought almost a year ago when I got the other one (Both rapid transit). Here's three ways of using it:

1 - Horizontal(ish) Dash Mount:

2 - Vertical Dash Mount:

3 - Knee Mount (pardon my pasty legs, I just got back from the Gym and wanted to snap a pic with daylight):

KCScooterDude · Post by **KCScooterDude** » Wed Jun 17, 2009 3:35 am

Lostmycage, nice. Do you get good signal in the bag? I was surprised how well it works. We've come a long way since those first XM antennas.

fs8gbe · Post by **fs8gbe** » Wed Jun 17, 2009 4:09 am

the only problem i have run into with keeping digital screens in those bags is that during the day it is impossible to see them. any tricks on overcoming this?

Lostmycage · Post by **Lostmycage** » Wed Jun 17, 2009 4:27 am

The signal seems just as strong as if I were holding it out naked. The "window" is a pencil pouch that I bought at Big Lots for 88 cents. I edged it with bias tape ( a buck, maybe?) and super-glued it down, then ran one edge of it through the sewing machine to make sure that it wouldn't fall off, just in case. I can still access all the touch screen controls through the window and visibility is just fine.

It's not the most beautiful thing I've ever made, but I'll be damned if it doesn't do exactly what I wanted it to do when I bought the

<a href="http://www.newenoughhp.com/closeouts/lu ... tml">"tank bag"</a>.

Too bad it took a year to get around to it. I feel like I've missed out.

Now that I've got the seat contour that I want (been experimenting with different foams and shapes for a seat cushion before cutting the vinyl) I'm actually ready for longer trips. I did about 70 miles the other night and it felt the same as if I'd done 2 miles. That's a HUGE improvement. The stock Blur saddles doesn't agree with me at all, which is just a damned shame. But that's also history now

Sad part is that I tried on the saddlebags again tonight and the exhaust doesn't let me mount them. All things considered, I think I might let the exhaust go if pressed between the two choices, lol.

fs8gbe wrote:the only problem i have run into with keeping digital screens in those bags is that during the day it is impossible to see them. any tricks on overcoming this?

Move your head (do overcome the glare) or if you have it mounted on your leg, just lift your leg up. The leg is my favorite setup- very "jet-pilotish".... it just sucks when you get off and start to walk around; the bag slides down your leg to the ground. The headset mount was just a matter of "I wonder if it'll go there...".

JOHN E · Post by **JOHN E** » Sat Jun 20, 2009 4:59 pm

I got a cheap gps from the local tiger direct. w/4.3 screen for $79. I made a bracket so I can move it from the blur to another bike. the gps is cradled in a aluminum bracket with foam weather strips holding it in place. the knob on the bottom of the gps holds it in to place. The 10mm stud and bracket under mirror are stainless steel.

Lostmycage · Post by **Lostmycage** » Sat Jun 20, 2009 8:22 pm

That's pretty cool! Is that a standard GPR cradle or something that's specific to that model?

JOHN E · Post by **JOHN E** » Sun Jun 21, 2009 3:30 am

The mount that it came with was kind of cheezy. Its good for the car but not much else. I have a mill and lathe in my garage. the mount is custom made out of scrap aluminum. The white on top is a low density plastic to not interfer with the internal antenna. After I was done I powder coated it black. I made it so it moves between the blur and my old bmw bike

Modern Buddy

Anyone have GPS mounted on a Blur?

Anyone have GPS mounted on a Blur?

GPS Mount