Mount for Garmin 550 or 660

[JeremyT]

Sorry to be thick...

I'm about to buy a 550 or 660 and want to know about fixing them.

Are the standard Garmin mounts ok for the GS1200?

I've seen the ads for the Touratech mount. Is it really necessary?

Lastly, where do you wire the things to power them?

Thanks for your help

 

[RAM-man]

Both Zumo models have a garmin cradle and RAM (3 part) mount kit in the box.

The cast bracket which attaches 'to the bike' is RAM-B-309-7 so can fit clutch clamp assy (on some bikes, PAN, Goldwing etc) or has u-bolt for tubular handlebars.

So depends where you intend to fit ?

On oval rail (screen support) so near clocks, I would suggest using RAM-B-231Z (1" u-bolt with black shim seated in u-bolt), a wrap of rubber strip around rail would be useful. If you have 'engineers' fingers, the remove screen when fitting

 

[Goose]

I had my Zumo 660 mounted above the clocks at first, but this can be downright dangerous if you need to lean too far forward to select or cancel anything on the screen.
Moved the mount onto the handlebar on the left side - not as much vibration here as the windscreen mount and very easily accessible and most important - does not obscure your dials.

my 2c worth

 

[(RIP) Arkwright]

Sorry to be thick...

I'm about to buy a 550 or 660 and want to know about fixing them.

Are the standard Garmin mounts ok for the GS1200?

I've seen the ads for the Touratech mount. Is it really necessary?

Lastly, where do you wire the things to power them?

Thanks for your help

The Zumo 550 comes with both mounts for the bike and a suction cup mount for a car. It also has the relevant power cables for both. I have mounted mine on the LHS of the screen support on the 1200 and wired it direct to the battery, but you can get a cable from the dealers to plug it into the loom at the front of the tank through the canbus system. I prefer mine not to go off with the ignition, power usage is pretty small anyway!

I use mine all the time both on the bikes and in trucks all over Europe, brilliant piece of kit, excellent repair service from Garmin if ever required, sent mine off on Monday afternoon, the man was banging on the door at 7.30 on Wednesday morning with it back! You can also get lifetime map updates for a one off payment of £99, done mine 8 times so far!

cheers,

 

[bisbee]

Welcome JT

The search function on here is a good tool so before you ask a question which may have been asked may times before have a little search
Also it would be a good idea to say what bike you fitting said gizmo on

 

[JeremyT]

I did search but couldn't find the exact answer so many thanks for the replies. I've got an '06 GS1200.

re the response about the power lead and plugging it into the wiring loom by the tank, do you mean BMW dealers or Garmin dealers?

 

[AshR1]

He means a BMW dealer or even Nippy Normans sell them. Here's a link.

The Touratech bracket doesn't completely replace the standard Garmin bracket but rather upgrades it with anti-vibration and anti-theft. You still have to mount the original Garmin holder and cable into the bracket.

Got mine mounted like this.

 

[JeremyT]

Many thanks!

 

[andyclift]

Note that the standard brackets supplied by Garmin have a couple of issues.

The 550 mount needs a stupidly small security screw tightened every time the satnav is fitted on the bike. it needs a special tiny Garmin supplied screwdriver and good eyesight plus the screw head wears quickly.

cheap solution is to replace it with a knurled head screw (about a fiver on the net). This makes it easy to nick while paying for fuel etc. but its a lot easier to use. Second solution is dump the screw and use a Touratech mount. Easy to use and lockable, secure but bloody expensive. have sen some diy solutions to the stupid screw involving velcro and bits of springy metal but they look pretty naff.

The 660 mount is VERY easy to use. Snag is that anyone that knows it could have your 660 away in about half a second. Again Touratech offers an expensive but secure solution.

My wife uses a 550 and I, a 660. Having tried the options we bit the bullet last year and bought Touratech mounts. We can now pay for fuel or turn our backs on the bikes without worrying about the satnavs. Its not just the value but he problem with losing them the other side of Europe.

 

[JeremyT]

Many thanks for the help. Just bought a 660 and the cable from NippyNormans. Just need to get the wiring sorted now

 

[big stu]

Hope i have done this right ?

Sure i read a post regarding an 08 GSA that the canbus cable from Nippy Normans goes to the left hand side of the headstock behind the oil cooler. Just i found the connector hanging down (presumed, yeah i know not clever) that the previous owner had disconnected a gps before selling. Had a go, iddle thumbs and all that clipped in, but cannot remove even when squeezing the connector (on bike loom ) so hope it is the correct one?
Tied the 3 yellow wires to screen frame for the moment, while i ask to make sure.
I want to fix the 660 to the upper screen crossbar so it is just below my line of sight above the clocks as seen other members have done. Not overly happy with the plastic mount that comes with the gps, Touratech "v2" looks like a better option for the cradle, but how did everyone fit to the horizontal bar , do you order the ram adapter 068-0018 to use with the supplied kit + v2 or use the gps adapter 044-0770 then fit the v2 to that?
Understand these questions have been asked , kinda need to make sure i`m on the right track regarding power to the unit and fixing so the bugger is on right , pain i know just kinda want to make sure.
Cheers in advance for any help
Stu

 

[andyclift]

Fitting on the upper bar is easy. BMW provide a purpose made bracket that screws to the Garmin mount. Cost around £30.00. If you want to spend more there are a few options of ali and plastic brackets on eBay.

I have had no problem with the Garmin mount over two years all over Europe but now have a Touratech mount purely to make the 600 a little bit more nick proof when getting fuel, etc. Note that the Touratech mount is not designed to fit the top screen bar as the clamps are made for smaller diameter tubing. It possible to get it to hold but to do the job properly you also need an additional Touratech part which fits the screen mount and provides the correct did tube for the satnav mount. The plus with this solution is it moves the satnav closer to the rider so its easier to reach the touch screen.

 

[big stu]

That is helpful, thanks Andy, pop into local BMW dealer tomorrow on a ride down to shields , as with the mount too, if you have had no bother with the gamin mount great , the Mrs is normally with me, hate to be the poor sod who trys to get passed her as i pay for fuel .
Thanks for that.