2014 Super Ténéré GPS Mount/Bracket

[hoak]

I have a 2014 Super Ténéré, and a cheap Chinese GPS... I'm looking for a more robust clamp/mount that will mount on the (~0.5"?) mounting bar above the instruments. This thing looks ideal, but cost more then my GPS and software... RAM mounts like this one are a little more affordable but most look like they're intended to clamp handlebars not s small mounting bar bar. The ball mount on that my GPS locks into looks like it has 4 mouthing screw centers that would match most GPS products on about ~ 1.5" x1.18" centers , but I'm guessing... This is what my GPS looks like:

The clamp is ok, but even stuffed with all the rubber shims and cranked down it feels...floppy...but maybe that's ok? I'd just like something a little sturdier and inexpensive...

 

[Checkswrecks]

Try this:
http://www.techmounts.com


CNC machined. You could hang the bike from it.

 

[trimannn]

I just ordered this. I've heard some people say it bounces around to much but others say it works good. Figured I'd give it a shot. I think it will mount to the mounting bar. I'll post up once I take a ride with it. It should be in this week.

http://www.gpscheap.com/pc-9700-301-ram-mounts-ram-b-149zau-ram-rail-mount-with-a-size-arms.aspx

 

[hoak]

Thanks fellers! Checkswrecks, everything on there is priced at more then my GPS and software combined, and while that's all very nicely made stuff, I couldn't find anything made for a 1/2" bar/tube... trimannn, that's exactly the thing I almost bought off AliExpress here -- but I see the same prospective problem I have with the stock clamp; they're made for a larger diameter bar, and while the rubber shims may damp some vibration, they and the additional mechanical ball mounts may add as much as they manage to damp...

I think something nearly ideal would be a universal base plate like this thing made for the 1/2" bar:

Unfortunately as it's CNC machined and anodized aluminum and it's about $100, not unreasonable for how it's made, just more then I want to spend... Something like it made of plastic would be just fine, and a lot cheaper... Maybe getting something 3D printed or CNC machined out of plastic...

Look forward to hearing how that ball thinger works out trimannn!

 

[craigd]

This one works fine.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002AQV51A?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00

 

[JRE]

From what I've read, those that have mounted the GPS on the accessory bar have had big issues with vibrations making the ability to read the GPS difficult. So much so that they've added extra supports to steady the whole windshield assembly. If you watch the bar when you ride (especially if you have a larger screen) that thing is bouncing all over the place. I used a ram mount bolt that replaces the bolt in the handlebar clamp along with a double jointed ram mount so I have a lot of room to adjust so it doesn't block the dash display and doesn't hit my tank bag.

 

[Checkswrecks]

Thanks fellers! Checkswrecks, everything on there is priced at more then my GPS and software combined, and while that's all very nicely made stuff, I couldn't find anything made for a 1/2" bar/tube... trimannn, that's exactly the thing I almost bought off AliExpress here -- but I see the same prospective problem I have with the stock clamp; they're made for a larger diameter bar, and while the rubber shims may damp some vibration, they and the additional mechanical ball mounts may add as much as they manage to damp...

I think something nearly ideal would be a universal base plate like this thing made for the 1/2" bar:

Unfortunately as it's CNC machined and anodized aluminum and it's about $100, not unreasonable for how it's made, just more then I want to spend... Something like it made of plastic would be just fine, and a lot cheaper... Maybe getting something 3D printed or CNC machined out of plastic...

Look forward to hearing how that ball thinger works out trimannn!

This is the mount that I have on the cross bar. It sometimes moves a little, but not bad. I sure like it a LOT more than having the GPS on the handlebar!

 

[WJBertrand]

This one works fine.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002AQV51A?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00

This mount works fine on the 0.5" accessory bar on my '15 ES using the insert as shown in the photo at that link. I'm using it for my radar detector as it needs to be out front with a clear view of the road. My zumo is mounted to the center of the handle bar using the same mount without the insert. t all works fine and does not obstruct my view of the instrument panel. There's room for both the GPS and the RD on that bar side by side, but I wasn't comfortable with all that weight on there and the attendant wiggling with both.

 

[hoak]

This thread is a poster child of what I truly love about this forum: ask a question and you get several Super Ténéré owners offering honest, detailed answers that cover things from many angles.

Checkswrecks, your mount hands down is what I'd want if I wasn't cost constrained (and my GPS wasn't a cheap POS), it looks like a real RTW solution.

WJBertrand, that, or a cheaper Chinese version may well be what I end up using; something similar was mentioned in this thread by Nig5 where I obliquely asked aboutGPS mounting, and it looked like it worked well. I'm also interested in your radar detector lash-up! What brand do you use? How well does it work or seem to work for you? How do you like it?

From what JRE posted, and what my experiments have revealed to date; what I attributed to my sloppy clamp mount might just be a weight issue and a limitation of the cross bar mount: visible vibration is going to be a a function of the energy input, frequency and the mass of the item being shaken -- my GPS might just be in the sweet spot of shitty... Oh well...

I'll doink around some more, and if I come up with a happy solution will post more here -- in the mean time: you guys are GREAT, I'm lucky to know all of you even if it's just this well!

::022::

 

[Checkswrecks]

There is no limit to what you can do if you are cost conscious and even minimally handy.
The GPS mount on my 2012 was a piece of flat plastic that I bent and cut to suit. I mounted the first cheap Nuvi GPS with a simple piece of velcro.

But if you want to get really KLR-ista cheap, just use 2 P-clamps to attach to the bar and and a piece of flat plastic for the GPS to attach to with velcro.

 

[hoak]

I was thinking of using a gob of duct tape, to make it really ugly...

 

[trimannn]

I just ordered this. I've heard some people say it bounces around to much but others say it works good. Figured I'd give it a shot. I think it will mount to the mounting bar. I'll post up once I take a ride with it. It should be in this week.

http://www.gpscheap.com/pc-9700-301-ram-mounts-ram-b-149zau-ram-rail-mount-with-a-size-arms.aspx

I mounted this up to the accessory bar and went for a ride with the GPS attached. It bounces around a little but it's not to bad. I might change my mind after a long trip or two but right now me likely.

 

[WJBertrand]

WJBertrand, I'm also interested in your radar detector lash-up! What brand do you use? How well does it work or seem to work for you? How do you like it?

I used the Ram mount as described with the magnetic power plate to hold the RD (http://www.rammount.com/part/RAP-300-1U). It seems to work pretty well but I also put a 4" diameter o-ring around it just in case. I've using an Escort Red Line radar detector. I like the Escorts and Passports because they have an earphone jack built-in which allows quick connection to an on-bike com system like the Starcom1 Advance that I have. The Red Line seems to be a bit more sensitive than my buddy's Valentine V-1 when we ride together. It's definitely saved me a few performance awards over the years.