GSA & zumo & autocom & optimate & seat

[Oldrat]

I'm currently in the market for a nearly new DOHC GSA, ( hint hint cash waiting) but before I plunge some, Q's

1. I hear that a 550 Zumo needs an isolating switch or the mount to be disconnected. ITRT it'll flatten the battery, when parked up otherwise? BMW and Garmin collaborated together right

2. Autocom I have an Autocom unit and Kenwood radio, where does it go. I will be fitting an aerial when I can find a place to mount it. Ant thoughts would be appreciated.

3.Optimate: My previous bikes have been permanently on optimates. Does this cause the GSA any probs and should I plumb it straight into the battery -Ok with a fuse

4) the std GSA seat is OK but I might prefer something just a little lower I know that you can get lowered seats, and I wiuld favoour a gel one, If I opted for the anniversary model does BMW do a lower anniversary seat ( GSA or GS versions)

5) how much of a pain is the canbus sytem for accessories, do they have to be plumbed in by the dealer, on my Pan I just worked up a junction from the switched live or the battery.
Heated jacket x2, Autocom, Kenwood radio, Zumo

 

[wilbjr21]

Your point 1. There is a special connection on a GS/GSA especially for a GPS and this is controlled by the ignition so you heard wrong. BMW actually sell a rebadged and modified Zumo.

Your point 2. You may install the Autocom on the back of the airbox and the radio in the tool tray under the seat. Your remote aerial can be connected on the rear of the number plate with a metal plate.

Your point 3. The new Can Bus friendly Optimate is not out yet. The present one has a de-sulphation mode that may be an issue with a high voltage being generated. The should be connected to the battery and the battery disconnected from the bike. This is what BMW will tell you. Plenty people who have not disconnected the battery will tell you this is unnecessary. The choice is yours.

Your point 4. The low BMW seat is black - no gel.

Your point 5. It's the ZFE unit that controls the electronic bits. The total load from the socket is 5A - not enough. Touratech do a handy little unit called TPS 15; this is fine if you don't need more than 15A in total. More than this you will need a separate relay and fuse distribution unit - the Touratech part is basically this with a small relay that can switch 15A. Wire the relay off the sidelight circuit for a problem free installation.

 

[advancedbiker]

Hope this helps...

I'm currently in the market for a nearly new DOHC GSA, ( hint hint cash waiting) but before I plunge some, Q's

1. I hear that a 550 Zumo needs an isolating switch or the mount to be disconnected. ITRT it'll flatten the battery, when parked up otherwise? BMW and Garmin collaborated together right

2. Autocom I have an Autocom unit and Kenwood radio, where does it go. I will be fitting an aerial when I can find a place to mount it. Ant thoughts would be appreciated.

3.Optimate: My previous bikes have been permanently on optimates. Does this cause the GSA any probs and should I plumb it straight into the battery -Ok with a fuse

4) the std GSA seat is OK but I might prefer something just a little lower I know that you can get lowered seats, and I wiuld favoour a gel one, If I opted for the anniversary model does BMW do a lower anniversary seat ( GSA or GS versions)

5) how much of a pain is the canbus sytem for accessories, do they have to be plumbed in by the dealer, on my Pan I just worked up a junction from the switched live or the battery.
Heated jacket x2, Autocom, Kenwood radio, Zumo

Reply
1. The Zumo 550 fits in its own cradle and connect via the canbus socket. So it only comes on when the ignition is on.
2.My Autocom unit is under the seat, in the tool tray and the external aerial fixed on the rack. Radio in tank bag, or tail pack. Limited room in my opinion.
3.I have my Optimate connect via a Hella socket direct to the battery, no problems.
4. Can not help
5. I thought the Canbus would be a pain but it is not. Connect the Zumo up via the canbus socket and you can wire the Autocom via the auxillary power socket.

Good Luck

I do have some pics, but there are plenty on this forum. That is how I got all my stuff to fit

 

[Womble]

If you connect the Zumo directly to the battery, the mount will flatten the battery over a week or so, that bit is correct. As others have said, just connect it to a circuit that is switched with the ignition and you'll be fine.

 

[Oldrat]

Thanks for the answers guys. Very helpful.
FWIW I popped into my local stealer and apparently a zumo cradle will flatten the battery if wired direct to the battery, as it will take a draw. Strange it had no effect on my Pan, but it was always optimated up.

wilbjr21 Thanks but I much prefer the 550 to the 6xx series. Much more robust and I like to be able to share route changes whilst on the road so to speak, this is ideal with the 550 but a pain in the 4rse with a 6xx or "navigator". On the 550 I dont have to take the battery out when swopping SD cards.

Thanks for the advice about the Toura T parts
I dont need a GL plate with my aerial so may just mount on the rack somewhere

Ad Biker Thanks for the tips. Have you thought about a box of sorts for the radio. I've seen all sorts on here from fuel containers to tool cyclinders on the inside of the pannier frame. Any thoughts on something more permanent than a tank bag? My m8 has a TT bag slung under his rack
Womble - Spot on M8y

BTW I understand that if you connect an optimate via the canbus, the bike thinks its been left switched on in error and turns it off after 10 mins or so.

And Finally

I tried out a couple of seats today just to see if the height might be a prob. and GSA low seats only come in Black so no good on the 30 yrs, but a std GS seat also fits perfectly to any GSA and is an inch lower.

Cheers again

 

[Oldrat]

Another Q
I forgot to ask
How much difference does the suspension settings make to the seat height

Ta