RELATED MODS: Camera Mount

I found a Canadian distributor for RAM products online at www.gpscity.ca based in Calgary AB. Their prices were great and I didn't get killed on the shipping like RAM-Mount.com was going to do (they wanted almost $40.00USD for FED-EX only shipping!!). Gpscity.ca was only $11.00 CAD for Canada Post shipping.

I wanted a simple setup for my GARMIN Nuvi 260W GPS unit. As I am doing more tour type riding these days, I like the thought of having a GPS along for the ride. We found out first hand how they can come in very handy when trying to find a local bike/repair shop in a hurry! As a side note, having a GPS is great for it's telemetry readouts of speed, distance, trip odometer, etc and solves the Kmph to Mph conversion as you can easily switch the GPS's speedometer to read Mph from Kmph!!.

After some debate, I ended up going with a 'bar mount' system. At first I didn't want this setup as I didn't want something sticking up high off my handle bars. Then I noticed that I could mount it low on the bar, near the center bar mounts. I also purchased the RAM Ezy-Mount Quick Release system as I don't want to be leaving my GPS unit on the bike when I'm not on it.

GARMIN Nuvi 260W RAM Bar Mount System                        RAM Ezy-Mount Quick Release Adapter system

Here is exactly what I ordered:

x1 - RAM Mount Ezy-Mount Adapter
(Mfg. Part No. RAP-326   SKU: rap326)

x1 - RAM Mount Garmin nuvi 2xxW Zinc Coated U-Bolt Mount
( Mfg. Part No. RAM-B-149Z-GA25U   SKU: ramb149zga25)

View from riding position. You can still clearly see the gauge cluster (Tach, Speedo, turn signals)

Initial setup was super easy. Placement and location seem to be what I was looking for, although it still sits a bit 'high', but once I have a tank bag on the height should be perfect. There is quite a bit of lateral, height and forward/backward adjustment of the mount. I think it will work out for my needs, as I will be using the GPS + mount mostly for touring and not daily commuting/riding.

Powering the GPS Unit

An easy and cheap solution to getting 12VDC power to my GPS is to just use a Powerlet SAE/Cigar cable (PAC-024-18). I ordered mine from from California Sport Touring and got the one with the 18" cable length. I also have a battery tender SAE cable attached and coming off my battery terminals. It's long enough that it poles through the frame up by the forks. Kind of like this:

So the SAE connector is there always if I need to plug in my charger. Now if and when I want to power my GPS, or any other 12VDC device (charging cell phone, MP3, etc), all I do is plug the Powerlet SAE/Cigar Cable into it and presto, I have a 12VDC outlet!

A few of my pictures and a small write-up of my RAM Mount setup have been posted on gpscity.ca's Canadian Gallery on their web site here: http://www.gpscity.ca/gallery/2009/gps-ram-mount-for-sport-bike-touring.html

- Boneman