Zumo 660 bike mount

[JasonC]

Thanks for your feedback Ram-man. I'm not sure what you mean about "lashed" together but I have tried to think of many different ways to mount it in the best way possible, this being the best 'so far'.

Where the B-252 is currently attached does indeed hold the tax disk but its main purpose is to mount the mirror, there is no possibility of me moving the B-252 to the mirror/tax disk end as there is not enough thread on the mirror stem itself.

I have tried to use the supplied B-309-7 bracket but it just does not fit anywhere, the holes do not match the bolts under the cowling at all. I have ordered the correct double u-bolt bracket with spacers so I will try this along with the single u-bolt bracket and try them attached to the mirror stem and see how that goes. I don't really want to spend too much more on Ram brackets as its getting quite expensive!

 

[original_concept]

How about using the car mount suction cup instead; stick it over the speedo. The GPS will tell you how fast you're going.

On the EuroTunnel the other week, I watched an Italian guy stick a 550 with the suction cup attachment onto his brand new HD RoadKing tank before embarking on the ride back to Italy, I guess the mount is good enough for a scoot. Turned out he was a GS owner too...

Disclaimer: if the Zumo falls off and smashes, tough. This is a unproven suggestion for your wise consideration.

 

[JasonC]

I did consider and try the car suction mount, it is in the perfect place and I would not have wires hanging everywhere. My only concerns were that I wouldn't trust the sucker to hold up enough plus even if the sucker would hold up to it I don't think the ball mount on the other end of the sucker mount is strong enough, the ball pops out of that quite easily, fine for a car though.

Maybe if there was a super heavy duty sucker RAM mount that fitted the 660 I would definitely give that a try properly though!

 

[Wapping]

 

[Joybringer]

You baddun!

 

[JasonC]

LOL, actually...

 

[JasonC]

Ok I received the RAM U-bolts, both the double and the single but unfortunately they are too big to bolt onto the mirror stem, even with the spacers. The only way I can see to get these fitted is if I chop the spacers up a bit so it allows me to create a smaller diameter hole, I'll look at doing this later.

After looking closer at the current mount I have setup, it seems that the B-252 flexes quite a lot which doesn't help at all, if the metal was a little thicker I think this would stop the majority of the vibration, oh well.

So... unless I can reduce the diameter of the u-bolt by chopping the spacers up to fit, my only option is to keep it how it is and see if the 660 can hold up, if it doesn't I will call Garmin and tell them it's not vibration resistant as advertised!

I also emailed Touratech asking if their holder would help with with the vibration (I sent them my video) and they reckoned it would help a lot, but they would say that wouldn't they!

Maybe I should just buy a proper bike.

 

[RAM-man]

f*ck me is this still dragging on. Ok, this is my last input on this and shall not post anymore on the subject, as I'm now loosing the will to live on this.

Using RAM-B-231Z and you may well add a rubber wrap (make from old inner tube, cut a strip 10mm wide and say 30 to 40mm and wrap around the shiny metal mirror stem arm... and rubber skins don't work). The RAM-B-231Z (1" ball size) has 1" u-bolt and insert black shim as pic.. plus with rubber wrap around the shiny mirror stem arm.

Or if you still have RAM-B-252 undo mirror stem arm, slide rubber sheath up , insert RAM-B-252 and tighten this will give you an anchored above your knees.

TouraTech also use RAM parts to complete their bike mounts, I suppose you told them in your email its on a Vespa PX125 scoot .. did you ask them how to attach it ?

 

[JasonC]

If this topic is annoying you RAM-man then don't feel you have to reply. The only reason it is dragging on is because no one, including myself, has an ideal solution, not yet anyway.

Regarding the RAM-B-231Z, it seems the one I received had a different spacer to the one shown in your pic, below is a pic of mine. You will see the spacer is much larger and needs chopping, I'm not going to send the whole thing back, its too much hastle, and I might get the same thing back. I was planning on using rubber for grip but the way it stands with the current spacer I would need a whole innertube to fill the extra space!

Regarding the B-252, my mirror stems are different to what you are explaining with the rubber sheath, my scooter is a PX-125 and is 20 years old and does not have the luxury of rubber sheaths on mirror stems!

I asked Touratech about the mounting options and I mentioned that I had RAM fittings on it already, they said it will work fine with what I had already by bolting the square plate onto the back of their mount. The problem is with this though is that I think the extra weight will only exaggerate the problem, especially with the B-252 being so flexible. If I can somehow reinforce the B-252 it might help.

 

[RAM-man]

my scooter is a PX-125 and is 20 years old and does not have the luxury of rubber sheaths on mirror stems!

Its not that difficult ... you have the same bits in the bag and the shim are all the same, be reassured.

So to help you understand and wise sages say a picture is worth a thousand words, then take a look at how Vespa owners do it and its from a Vespa owners forum..

you can read more from http://www.modernvespa.com/forum/topic6397

 

[JasonC]

The bits I have in my bag do not include the small shim as shown in your previous picture, and that shim would probably be better for me.

The scooter picture you have just posted above is a modern Vespa and they have entirely different mirror stems and mounts to a PX125, the PX125 has much thinner stems. In the picture below you can sort of see clearly (taken on camera phone) that the u-bolt I have with the included shim is way too big to fit on my stem. I have also posted pics of the mirror mount so you can see it is nothing like a modern Vespa design.

There are no topics on the modern Vespa forum showing a GPS mounted to a PX125 (not that I could fine anyway) and I am also a member of a couple of Vespa clubs and no one else has mounted one before so they cannot help much. I only came on this forum as it seemed fairly knowledgeable about GPS' in general and mounting them, normally I frequent on a Vespa forum.

 

[Paul G (BHT)]

Jason, I'm still trying to comprehend as to why you have registered here?

You don't appear to own a GS and I'm quite confident in saying not many GS owners will be giving a flying ferk as to how to attach a GPS to a scrot

As the opening page of this site says:-
We are a UK based motorcycling community, created by BMW GS enthusiasts for the benefit of likeminded individuals to enjoy BMW GS motorcycles.

Unfortunately Vespa's just do not fit into the above statement.

 

[JasonC]

The main reason I registered (as mentioned in my above post) is because when searching on Google, this was the first forum that came up which seemed knowledgeable about GPSs' and mounting options in general. Whether it be a GS or a Vespa, GPS' and the mounting options are pretty much the same no?

As it happens some people have been very helpful which has helped me make decisions on what to buy and what not to buy, thanks to those people. As I also mentioned in a previous post, GPSs' are not normally attached to Vespas (not old ones anyway) so finding a Vespa forum with lots of GPS mounting information is limited, even with the many Vespa forums/clubs I am already a member of.

If you prefer me not to ask for help any more then that's fine. Unfortunately what I didn't realise at the time of searching these forums is that I might be dismissed and insulted! by some people for not owning a GS. I'm just glad that within the Vespa community we do not dismiss people like this, not very friendly at all!

 

[Bumpkin]

As the opening page of this site says:-
We are a UK based motorcycling community, created by BMW GS enthusiasts for the benefit of likeminded individuals to enjoy BMW GS motorcycles.

Unfortunately Vespa's just do not fit into the above statement.

That's a bit tough... I don't have a GS, not even a BM, just one of those pesky VFR things. Maybe I shouldn't be posting here either?

 

[Funrider]

That's a bit tough... I don't have a GS, not even a BM, just one of those pesky VFR things. Maybe I shouldn't be posting here either?

Well I do have a BMW, but it does not have a beak on the front or GS on the side, so perhaps I'm on shaky ground too onyack

 

[Joybringer]

Well I do have a BMW, but it does not have a beak on the front or GS on the side, so perhaps I'm on shaky ground too onyack

Erm...I have a KTM.

Happy to help anyone I can, and share knowledge and experiences, though.

What's the big deal? Can't we simply help each other out, if we want to?

Isn't what this place is all about? I've learnt from experience

 

[Joybringer]

The main reason I registered (as mentioned in my above post) is because when searching on Google, this was the first forum that came up which seemed knowledgeable about GPSs' and mounting options in general. Whether it be a GS or a Vespa, GPS' and the mounting options are pretty much the same no?

As it happens some people have been very helpful which has helped me make decisions on what to buy and what not to buy, thanks to those people. As I also mentioned in a previous post, GPSs' are not normally attached to Vespas (not old ones anyway) so finding a Vespa forum with lots of GPS mounting information is limited, even with the many Vespa forums/clubs I am already a member of.

If you prefer me not to ask for help any more then that's fine. Unfortunately what I didn't realise at the time of searching these forums is that I might be dismissed and insulted! by some people for not owning a GS. I'm just glad that within the Vespa community we do not dismiss people like this, not very friendly at all!

Ask away. If people want to help, they will.

 

[JasonC]

Thanks for the comments and sticking up for me! I didn't mean to cause ructions on here I just needed a little help with my 660 and mounting it, which as I said before, you guys seem to have a lot of experience with, albeit not on Vespas! but that's fine because a lot of the mounting options I was unaware of until I came on here.

I am currently waiting for a bit of time to try mounting the 660 to my mirror stem to see what that is like, otherwise I may just see how it goes where I have it at the moment and see if there are any adverse affects. If it breaks then I will contact Garmin and question their vibration resistance!

It may seem a little unusual to want a GPS on a Vespa but believe me when your out on a ride and get carried away with enjoying the ride and scenery you can forget your way home!

 

[Bumpkin]

I am currently waiting for a bit of time to try mounting the 660 to my mirror stem to see what that is like

You might find that by moving it up/down the stem that you find a sweet spot where the vibration is reduced but this might make the mirror head vibrate more. With screw in mirrors the weight of the GPS could mean that it unscrews itself. Worth a try though.

 

[gasman]

Jason,
I have a scooter (Honda NES125, now SH300) AND a GS !
I fixed my old Garmin 2610 (much bigger and heavier than the zumo 660) to the base of a mirror stem using the ram mount and LOTS of duct tape and cable ties. It vibrated and bounced around like f*&$, but never had a problem. It's difficult to read when it's vibrating/bouncing so much, but seemed to work. I reckon they can take an awful lot of vibration.
Your mirror stems are narrower, but I'm guess you could largely fill the gap with rubber/wood etc.
Of course, it looks a bit rubbish, what with the duct tape, and as a vespa owner, you may be highly concerned about appearance...