Budget Motorcycle GPS

I bought a value-priced adventure motorcycle for a reason...I didn't have $25K to spend on the latest BMW GS1200 Adventure!

So when it came time to purchase a dedicated GPS unit for my bike, I wasn't about to spend $500-$1000 on one of the specialized Garmin Zumo GPS units designed specifically for motorcycles!

So here's how I made my own dedicated Budget Motorcycle GPS for $50 by modifying a Garmin Nuvi 1490!!!

Here are some links to the items I purchased:

Hope this helps someone else looking for a budget-oriented motorcycle navigation device.

[luckyjordan]

You’re a man after my own heart. I had a car gps when I bought my bike. Gooped it up with silicone, clamped it on my bars. Used it for years, never regretted it!

[verbalwidget]

I've been using a Garmin Nuvi 52 car GPS for years, rode Montana to AZ and across the USA twice with it velcroed to my phone mount. Easy to use on the fly. When I hit dirt, I use my Gaia app on the phone. Lifetime updates from Garmin too. it's been in rain, sun and humidity when it dies, I will get another for $20 on CL.

[baltsosser]

I found me an auction tonight for that model and wanted to say thank you very much. for the 595 LM motorcycle specific they want $1, 000 or so depending on where you buy it. Not paying more for a GPS than I did my first bike.

[Accurize]

If you have a dedicated GPS, why are you still keeping your phone attached to the bike? One of the best safety features of a dedicated GPS is that you can keep your phone stowed on your body in case of a crash...especially important if your crash would leave you immobilized and/or would have caused the phone to break loose of the bike.

[franknewcomb]

Nice video, interesting man, well spoken, easy to understand, you have the gift of gab man

[spydie]

Did you buy a used one? Or were they $50 in 2016? They are $220 today (2023) except they have been discontinued.

[rickdff]

Hea, thanks for the info. I actually had an older model garmin sitting around that I no longer use and this gave me the idea to try it out. Picked up the RAM mount and it's been working great! Total investment so far is $20 (for the RAM mount), ha! The map is a little outdated but it works fine for they type of riding I do. Thanks again!

[foxtrotwhiskey]

what about power suply? how do you power the GPS?

[jasonfamoori]

how to you connect it to headphones to hear the gps voice?

[CP]

Yepz, I check BDR routes and off road areas and for many years used a nice large "car" gps (BUT with the motorcycle icon!) for road trips that I easily bought/waterproofed/mounted for under $20 ( I have one of the old 3" Garmins going on 8yrs ($6 on ebay, even cheaper on shopgoodwill) still attached to my 14 Vees bars since the bike came home new w me since I always have a back up. The Zumos and such are amazing and I wish I could afford them but i am retired the - nuvis meet my needs. I use my cell with Rever/Guia, etc for set routes (with or w/o cell service thee apps work) in my waterproof/shockproof case. Im not a bike/gear snob. If you can afford the best cool, if not cool. As long as you get the thrill of riding. I have for over 50 yrs so rode long before gps with gas station maps or none at all!! Great vid my friend!. Be safe in all your travels!

[Wildirishmanbiker]

I ride a a 500x too, . Great bike. Off to buy a GPS nav!

[YUGNAGIHCIM]

LOL... Ya look like you're still in North 🤪😛😝

[urick]

What are you doing now days? This is from Dec 2016... 3 years later.. Im thinking about this now too, that I should just find a car GPS unit.

[gcprost]

I use the “Scenic” app on my phone and once you have downloaded the maps it will operate without cell coverage. The maps are very good, at least in the area I’m in. There is of course, one problem, while riding on a very rough gravel road I destroyed my phone’s camera (iPhone 12), luckily the camera was fixed under warranty. Any phone that has internal image stabilization is vulnerable to this kind of damage, even if the phone is turned off. Riders beware.

[PileOnPileOffPileUpOnThe]

Will this fit on a Harley Freewheeler?

[irishrover]

Great set-up, looks and works great. :)

[Daddubb]

Hey, this looks like a good cheap option. Can you confirm whether you can connect the unit, a phone and a headset in some way please. Essentially looking to throw the phone into a pocket, answer calls etc from the Garmin and speak/listen via the headset...

Thanks for any advice

[gtberg]

Looks great, but I'm just seeing that your winshield mounds on different holes than the stock Honda Winshield, (which mounts on the same holes as the cross bracket you fashioned). I made the bracket, and it has too much rotation because of the Honda mounts which are all very soft rubber, and there is too much play there to hold the GPS without it vibrating too much. I'm going to have to explore the rubber washers and nylock bolts to hold it. The stock rubber bolts are too soft.

[odinairsoftuk]

I am definitely going to do this. Does it connect to Bluetooth headphones so I can hear directions? Don't want to spend the money. On a tomtom. I can still get this nuvi refurbished on ebay

[TortugaR]

Will this work well for off-road? And if so, does it also record your path?