'04 R1150RT Accessory Wire Question

[txmxrider]

Is there a switched hot wire somewhere in the dash area that I can use to power a GPS? My bike does not have the optional radio so I'm guessing there is a lead somewhere on the wire harness for the radio that might be available.

Thanks!

 

[pauls1150]

The (unused) radio harness should be taped up "inboard" of the glove box; per Doug Raymond's schematic, look for the violet wire with a black runner at pin 3, and pin 2 should be the brown ground.

 

[txmxrider]

That's perfect. Really close to where the GBS will mount too. Thanks for the info!

 

[happy wanderer]

Is there a switched hot wire somewhere in the dash area that I can use to power a GPS? My bike does not have the optional radio so I'm guessing there is a lead somewhere on the wire harness for the radio that might be available.

Thanks!

I wired mine direct to the battery so I can use it without having to run the bike or switch on the ignition. Also, if you download your tracks after a trip as I do, each time you power down and back up creates another track file and pasting them all back together again to see exactly where you've been or to make a saved route to use again becomes a very tedious chore. I never have the problem of forgetting to turn it off as I never leave my Garmin in the cradle because it wears the contact pin springs out a LOT more quickly. So I take it off every night and whenever I am home for that reason.

Just a personal choice of course. Your application may vary, all standard disclaimers apply. Batteries not included...

 

[pauls1150]

I'm not a GPS user, so Mike's idea sounds better if you save your routes.

 

[txmxrider]

I wired mine direct to the battery so I can use it without having to run the bike or switch on the ignition. Also, if you download your tracks after a trip as I do, each time you power down and back up creates another track file and pasting them all back together again to see exactly where you've been or to make a saved route to use again becomes a very tedious chore. I never have the problem of forgetting to turn it off as I never leave my Garmin in the cradle because it wears the contact pin springs out a LOT more quickly. So I take it off every night and whenever I am home for that reason.

Just a personal choice of course. Your application may vary, all standard disclaimers apply. Batteries not included...

That's an interesting point. Not sure I want to wire direct though. My previous bike had a bracket near the steering stem with a BMW-style Powerlet port. I'm thinking of doing something like that with the RT but so far I haven't found a bracket or mounting point that I like. If someone has photos of a "farkle bar" or something similar for mounting and powering gadgets on an R1150RT I'd sure be interested to see how you did yours.

TIA!

 

[happy wanderer]

Not sure if the 1150RT has unused mirror mount holes on the handlebar grip assembly but the 1100 did. I used some simple RAM mount bits and used that unused hole on the left side for my Garmin Zumo. This works quite well allowing me to keep the right hand on the throttle and front brake while using the left hand to access the GPS. It does not block the view to bike instruments.
I have since moved it to one of the handlebar mount screws using a Police Bike mount post that fits there. This allowed me to mount extra GS handlebar mirrors giving me a better rear view.

Photos here: http://s447.photobucket.com/user/Arsegon/library/MOA%20Uploads/R1100%20RT%20Ram%20Mount

 

[paul_f]

RCU Mounting Shelf On A R1100RT

I use a RCU Shelf on my R1100RT for my GPS and for mounting my garage door opener. I did make an additional long bracket to keep the unit more stable when riding. I use all the existing bolts and holes on the fairing. (Might have picked up slightly longer bolts for my homemade extension arm.)

 

[paul_f]

RCU Shelf with GPS

Easy to see the GPS information without taking one's eyes too far off the road.

It was not difficult to wire the GPS directly to the battery, allowing it to be left on when the bike is turned off for routing to the next stop.

 

[paul_f]

View from the front of the '98 R1100RT.

 

[happy wanderer]

Easy to see the GPS information without taking one's eyes too far off the road.

It was not difficult to wire the GPS directly to the battery, allowing it to be left on when the bike is turned off for routing to the next stop.

May I ask what brand and where purchased is you GPS shade? I've been looking into getting one of these but find mixed reviews on how well they work. Do you like yours?

 

[paul_f]

May I ask what brand and where purchased is you GPS shade? I've been looking into getting one of these but find mixed reviews on how well they work. Do you like yours?

Years ago I bought two from Areostich. Misplaced one (for a while) and when I called to order a replacement, at that time, I was told that they no longer sold them.

So, I got the materials locally, cut everything to shape, some vinyl material, Velcro , (including a firm part to go under the top portion) and gave it to a tailor to stitch together for me. Used contact glue to attach the Velcro to the GPS. So two store bought ones and one home made version.

Most of the time, yes I do like it but there are times depending upon your direction in relation to the sun's position, where even the sunshade does not protect it from the glare. In those situations, a hand blocking the sun is the only solution.

 

[dmottv]

I fastened a diamond base RAM mount to 1" wide x 1/8" thick aluminum strap from Home depot, mounted to the inside fairing screws either side of and just below the line of site over the windshield. It works well, though I always thought that RCU shelf looked very practical.

 

[txmxrider]

Easy to see the GPS information without taking one's eyes too far off the road.

It was not difficult to wire the GPS directly to the battery, allowing it to be left on when the bike is turned off for routing to the next stop.

Wow, 182k miles! That's an effective setup you have there. Actually I have a Ram mount attached to the clutch fluid reservoir on the left handlebar. What I was really looking for was a good place to mount a Powerlet power connector. I'd rather not drill into the bodywork so was thinking of attaching a bracket somewhere around the dash or handlebar.

 

[paul_f]

Wow, 182k miles! That's an effective setup you have there. Actually I have a Ram mount attached to the clutch fluid reservoir on the left handlebar. What I was really looking for was a good place to mount a Powerlet power connector. I'd rather not drill into the bodywork so was thinking of attaching a bracket somewhere around the dash or handlebar.

View attachment 57820

The inside wall of the glove box has a horizontal spot where I placed a BMW power outlet a number of years ago. Last winter, I removed that outlet and put in a North American style outlet, which allows me to install a USB outlet for charging my phones. I lifted the cap for you to better see the outlet. The top of the inside wall also has a gap between it and the bodywork. You should be able to slip your GPS plug between this gap. Worst case scenario, cut a small opening at the top of the wall to allow the plug into the glove box.

When buying the North American type power outlet, I failed to carefully check the length of the outlet which required some re-positioning of the plug. Find an outlet with the shortest length for the best results.

Two corrections regarding the mileage, those are kilometres, not miles and that photo is two years old. Today the odometer reads 211,000 (short by maybe 15) which is only about 131,000 miles. I have only ridden my R about 1,000 km this year as it is getting close to needing a clutch replacement and for now its' rides are kept reasonably close to home.

Hence the K has seen more tarmac this year.

 

[txmxrider]

Thanks for the clarification Paul. I'll poke around and see what I can come up with. Good luck with your RT!