The CB1100 Community Forum

Searched but did not find. What handlebar mounted GPS are you using? What is the easiest way to power it? Pics please

I use either a dedicated GPS app (Sygic) on my phone or Google Maps which, when you can get a mobile signal is as good as anything. I mount it on the bars with a Topeak case and mount and supply power through a bar-mounted USB outlet wired into a spare socket in the headlight bucket. For audio, I connect to the phone via Bluetooth with a Griffith iClip whch is connected to Bose noise cancelling ear buds.

So far, so good. I've never got badly lost.

DBM, That spare socket Cormanus mentioned is the accessory connector in the headlight bucket. It is a capped, red, 2 wire connector with a ground and hot when ignition is on.

The other accessory connector is back by the battery, left side under the tool box and is in a boot.

I have a dual USB port mounted and wired exactly as Cormanus has done. I use a Ram mount to hold my iPhone, but it would also work to hold a gps device. I also carry a Spot Gen3 gps locating device which I simply Velcro to the bar on the opposite side from the phone mount. Both devices can be powered from the USB ports.

I have a Tom Tom Rider 400 mounted on the handlebars, hard wired into the accessory connector in the headlight bucket, as described. Power is disconnected when ignition is off. This is a photo from my 2013; same set up on my 2017 now.

Thankx fellas for the tips. My dealer installed a battery tender whip free of charge that exits on the left side of the seat/tank seam. I will use this whip to keep my new battery fully charged during the week while l am at work and unable to ride. I also bought a USB adapter that plugs into the tender whip to charge my mobile devices. I plan to use my Samsung Galaxy S5 T Mobile with Google Maps with a cell phone handlebar holder as my GPS. Comments, suggestions, advice?

I find google maps the most useful mapping system (for me) and believe a smartphone mounted to the handlebars a great way to go. Ram mounts is just one of several vendors offering acceptable solutions. Waterproof is good in regards to phone covers, maybe an Otter box or similar bike mounted and slip phone in when riding?
Unfortunately cell service is quite spotty in my region so I use a $100 Garmin mounted to the handlebars on a ram mount and positioned in sight but out of the way. And have a zip lock baggie folded up in the cradle for protection from rain.
When off on longer rides I also pack a Delorme atlas for which ever state for route study and planning.

You can buy a Ram Ball mount that replaces one of the handlebar clamp screws. It sticks up and whatever mount you want clamps on the ball. I use their X mount (I think its called) with my Garmin GPS. I can probably post a pic if you are interested. It can save handlebar space if you don’t have room to clamp more stuff on them.

Most of us have the battery tender whip exiting on the right side. There is a hole in the plastic just forward of the shock top mount. Just mentioning it.

I also added tender whip up by the fork clamps for power to a USB or a battery monitor, but wired it to the accessory connector in the headlight bucket. Shorter cable run and is switched power.

(07-28-2018, 07:13 AM)DBM_imp Wrote: [ -> ]Thankx fellas for the tips. My dealer installed a battery tender whip free of charge that exits on the left side of the seat/tank seam. I will use this whip to keep my new battery fully charged during the week while l am at work and unable to ride. I also bought a USB adapter that plugs into the tender whip to charge my mobile devices. I plan to use my Samsung Galaxy S5 T Mobile with Google Maps with a cell phone handlebar holder as my GPS. Comments, suggestions, advice?

This is exactly what I did. I ran a USB connector from the whip on my battery tender, under the tank and up to my handlebars. I use my phone for GPS and mount it in a Ram-like mount. Works great.


2013 Honda CB1100

(07-27-2018, 07:19 PM)DBM_imp Wrote: [ -> ]Searched but did not find. What handlebar mounted GPS are you using? What is the easiest way to power it? Pics please

I use my cell phone mounted on a Quadlock handlebar mount. It's super secure. The easiest way I have found to power it is to connect it to a spare battery I put in my tank bag. I get about 15 hours of continual use before I have to recharge.