GS Riders - Tank Bag or Handlebar Bag

Lee said:

Some phones will overheat and shut off when used in a window like that.

Click to expand...

Well, that's another plus for a tank bag over the handlebar bag.

Thanks

88bmwjeff said:

Well, that's another plus for a tank bag over the handlebar bag.

Thanks

Click to expand...

If you want to use your phone for navigation there's several options to mount a phone with a Ram mount.
There's at least two options for mounting a phone to the OEM GPS cradle. The ones that mount to the GPS cradle will charge your phone.

Lee said:

If you want to use your phone for navigation there's several options to mount a phone with a Ram mount.
There's at least two options for mounting a phone to the OEM GPS cradle. The ones that mount to the GPS cradle will charge your phone.

Click to expand...

Please elaborate. I guess my searching skills are not the best.

88bmwjeff said:

Please elaborate. I guess my searching skills are not the best.

Click to expand...

There's the BMW connectedride cradle that works with the wonder wheel, has induction and usb charging and a bunch of other features available from BMW https://www.bmw-motorrad-bohling.com/bmw-motorrad-connectedride-cradle.html
There are also cheap Chinese version that will only hold and charge your phone. Some are better than others. A quick search on amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Motorcycle-Navigation-Adventure-CRF1000L-Accessories/dp/B088PSJVDW

patm said:

There's the BMW connectedride cradle that works with the wonder wheel, has induction and usb charging and a bunch of other features available from BMW https://www.bmw-motorrad-bohling.com/bmw-motorrad-connectedride-cradle.html
There are also cheap Chinese version that will only hold and charge your phone. Some are better than others. A quick search on amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Motorcycle-Navigation-Adventure-CRF1000L-Accessories/dp/B088PSJVDW

Click to expand...

Thanks. The BMW cradle doesn't seem to be showing up on the part sites here in the US. https://www.shopbmwmotorcycles.com/. I did find it on one site for ±$260, which seems pricey to me, but it does have some connectivity--although how much is not disclosed. The cheap Chinese version is about $30, so it seems like a reasonable gamble. I'm not looking for much connectivity. I don't have earbuds/speakers or a mic to answer phone calls, etc. Something that holds my phone so I can use the GPS/map function when needed is sufficient.

88bmwjeff said:

Thanks. The BMW cradle doesn't seem to be showing up on the part sites here in the US. https://www.shopbmwmotorcycles.com/. I did find it on one site for ±$260, which seems pricey to me, but it does have some connectivity--although how much is not disclosed. The cheap Chinese version is about $30, so it seems like a reasonable gamble. I'm not looking for much connectivity. I don't have earbuds/speakers or a mic to answer phone calls, etc. Something that holds my phone so I can use the GPS/map function when needed is sufficient.

Click to expand...

Not sure if that BMW option is available in the US. There's company that had a similar product before BMW that let you integrate with the bike and use the wonderwheel to see motorcycle info on your phone. I don't remember the name of the product but it may be more than what you want and willing to pay.
You probably want a basic cell phone holder and Ram mount.

Anyone have some good suggestions for a phone holder and Ram mount for his bike?
Having tubular handle bars makes the Ram mount options easier.

Lee said:

There's company that had a similar product before BMW that let you integrate with the bike and use the wonderwheel to see motorcycle info on your phone. I don't remember the name of the product but it may be more than what you want and willing to pay.

Click to expand...

Wunderlinq, from Black Box Embedded.
https://blackboxembedded.com/products/wunderlinq-commuter-edition

I believe it was reviewed in ON a while back.

Best,
D3Vern

GTRider said:

Wunderlinq, from Black Box Embedded.
https://blackboxembedded.com/products/wunderlinq-commuter-edition

I believe it was reviewed in ON a while back.

Best,
D3Vern

Click to expand...

Thanks, that's the company I was thinking about.

Lee, GTRider and everyone, thanks. I have lots of information to digest and figure out what's best for me.

I've used the Wunderlich large media handlebar bag for a 3k mile recent trip in Sept, Texas to New York State with lots of circling around in the Smokies. It was by no means full of stuff and heavy, just a handful of loose items. I found it awkward and not secure re mounting with the 2 Velcro strips on each side as they did not seem to be long enough, or in the right place, or at the right angle, to keep the bar bag up between the bars and not rotated back and dragging on the tank. To secure and lift the bag, I added a 6" rubber removable "Zip Tie" on each side looped through the available ring on each side and around the control cables / hydraulics to pull the bag up and forward.. Tightened up, that solved the orientation and security issues, but then it took a few more minutes to get it mounted / dismounted on both ends of a riding day. The clear window did still allow touch screen utility for the most part.

That said, we're planning a 5 week round trip to Alaska this summer, and I'm getting a medium size tank bag instead.

YMMV, good luck with your decision.

Thanks dadamsinky for your thoughts on the handlebar bag. I've decided that a tank bag would be best. After much consideration, I think the Touratech Expandable Tank Bag for GS's looks like the best option for what I'm looking for. Unfortunately, it's out of stock and on back order . Oh well. Eventually, I should get it. Thanks again for everyone's input.