Garmin Zumo is the Shizzle

Wow, I don't have the XM radio unit add-on yet but I'll get that.

After much review and thinkin... I jumped to this for two reasons. I wanted a better GPS, the Quest one is fine, the Quest 2 blows, it's about 1/5th the speed of the Q1 when it comes to calculating routes and finding stuff. But for the rally I'm riding and for general trips I was growing tired of loading maps and worrying about not having the right maps for my destination(s).

Secondly, cell integration. I've had the Scala-Rider, actually beta tested a unit, and it's pretty good. I just couldn't like it with the Starcom or even with earbuds in for iPod use so I ditched it.

Because of my occupation, I need to be reachable at times, which basically sux because if I'm not it can put a damper on my ability to take off for a couple days and ride. So... I needed this feature. (FWIW I don't relish cell phone conversations while riding, but at least it's hands free, and if I need to concentrate on the call I'll pull over).

That being said, I talked it through with Jeff from BikeEffects, and he hooked me up with the cables I need and the Tech Mount stem mount. I originally used the mount that came with the Zumo and mounted it on my left control. This also wasn't bad, but the stem mount is better.

Tonight I did a number of test rides listening to mp3's, navigating, and making a few phone calls. I didn't hop on the highway but behind my current Cal Sci screen at about 65 things were just peachy.

Photos:







Oh and one last thing... Garmin gives you this handy screw driver to put on your key ring to deal with thier security screw. Problem is the damn thing has the hole on the wrong end. Not to worry, pick a 1/8 drill bit or the next size up and go at it. It's pretty easy stuff to drill. Now you don't have to flop around with your keys while you deal with that stupid (but necessary) screw.



Larger, photos available on my site.

Renegade said:

Oh and one last thing... Garmin gives you this handy screw driver to put on your key ring to deal with thier security screw. Problem is the damn thing has the hole on the wrong end. Not to worry, pick a 1/8 drill bit or the next size up and go at it. It's pretty easy stuff to drill. Now you don't have to flop around with your keys while you deal with that stupid (but necessary) screw.

Click to expand...

I was thinking the same thing when I tried to use it. Thanks for the drilling tip.

That drilling tip is a nice one. I love it when I miss the obvious.

I actually gave up on the security screw. There's a guy on the zumo forum who is machining replacement screws with a knob on the top. I'm finding that a lot handier.

Looks a lot like my 06 setup. I put the XM-30 antenna on the clutch reservior and that worked nicely.

Same setup as mine also.. Zumo's cool !!

BTW there is way to much weight on your keyring and I believe your headed for problems with the ignition switch. The O6's already had a few switch problem. Too much weight is no good for the pins and springs inside the switch. I suggest a quick disconnect for the ignition key and pocket the rest of the bunch while riding.

HIGHLANDER said:

BTW there is way to much weight on your keyring and I believe your headed for problems with the ignition switch. The O6's already had a few switch problem. Too much weight is no good for the pins and springs inside the switch. I suggest a quick disconnect for the ignition key and pocket the rest of the bunch while riding.

Click to expand...

Generally speaking, that is my 'other' set, the set I use to get gas and get in the bags w/o removing the ignition key... The other ring has only two keys on it, the Yamaha and the Givi key.

But you're point is well taken.

I just stuck the little screwdriver into a 6 inch piece of plastic tubing and hide it on the bike. The extra length of the new "handle" makes it alot easier to turn the screw..it's not connected to a ring so it is also easier to turn as the thing always got in the way, and it can't get lost if it spins out of its keeper. (I stuck the keeper in the other end of the tube.

KM

agree with Squeezer.

I got the 'thumbscrew top' screw to replace the funny 'security screw'. I figured if somebody wanted to steal it they would just pry it off its plastic mount. The thumbscrew prevents it from popping off in-flight. I just unscrew it and take it with me if left out of sight. Its stainless steel. well made.

These can be found on the Zumo forum (www.Zumoforums.com/zumo/). Search for "security screw". Being sold by a guy called "ECM" out of the Netherlands (I dunno, go find a globe). Sold [email protected], 2 @16 US dollars via paypal -------- here is the paypal address if want to be bold and skip the forum: [email protected]

** caveat emptor. YRMV.

6mmbr said:

agree with Squeezer.
I got the 'thumbscrew top' screw to replace the funny 'security screw'. I figured if somebody wanted to steal it they would just pry it off its plastic mount. The thumbscrew prevents it from popping off in-flight. I just unscrew it and take it with me if left out of sight. Its stainless steel. well made.

These can be found on the Zumo forum (www.Zumoforums.com/zumo/). Search for "security screw". Being sold by a guy called "ECM" out of the Netherlands (I dunno, go find a globe). Sold [email protected], 2 @16 US dollars via paypal -------- here is the paypal address if want to be bold and skip the forum: [email protected]

** caveat emptor. YRMV.

Click to expand...

Jeff at bike effects told me about them a week ago.

Yes, I too saw the light, ordered a couple earlier today. It's not like they can't just undo your stem stand or ram mount, so the security aspect is really only to secure it from falling out, which without, I have no doubt will happen at some point when you hit the right pot hole.

I have to say that I was loving my Zumo... up until the point on Sunday where it stopped powering up. It was showing low on battery, so I connected it to the car USB charger and after a while it just wouldn't turn back on. The unit is being shipped back to Garmin for repair/replacement.

VFR Rider said:

I have to say that I was loving my Zumo... up until the point on Sunday where it stopped powering up. It was showing low on battery, so I connected it to the car USB charger and after a while it just wouldn't turn back on. The unit is being shipped back to Garmin for repair/replacement.

Click to expand...

I had this happen to me once on my zumo. I followed the reset procedure and held the top left button and the power button at the same time and it started. It has not happened since.

I like how you mounted your zumo to the middle of your bars, but cannot tell from the pics the parts you used! Mine came with a motorcycle mount, but I know I need additional hardware to make this work. Did you get the pieces from Ram Mounts or somewhere else?

Thanks!

Me thinks it is this one:

Techmount at Bike Effects

Note forum discount information link below.

Nice setup, I like it and of course will have to try most of it. I see a call to Bike Effects in the near future - I'd really like a Starcomm Adv. to go along with this too! I'll have to start saving up!

Bike Effects said:

Me thinks it is this one:
Techmount at Bike Effects

Note forum discount information link below.

Click to expand...

Yes that be the one

You only need the short stem it's plenty long enough with or without tank bag.

IN fact I have a spare 3" shaft should someone want that.

-MD

I thought I'd throw in my pictures of stuff on this one. And before anyone notices, no I am not a traveler from 226 years in the future. I just used my 10 year olds camera who apparently needs some help setting it up...

Here are a couple shots of the mount(s)

This is a Techmount steering stem mount with 2 mounting plates. It is a 3.5" stem riser. From BikeEffects techmount clicky



cockpit view



I bundled the Zumo wires and the escort wires separate



have to leave slack here for turns, and so they don't get pinched in a full lock turn.



They go from that front shot under the tank Where they become bundled together, wrapped a zillion times in protective housings and wire looms for heat protection and then they come out here, with some other crap. the other pair of wires in the second loom is the power from the battery to the fuse block, and that hose is from my stebel compressor which is mounted under the passenger seat.



This last one will make some of the neat nicks here puke, but unfortunately when the starcom cables ar 6 friggin feet long, you wind up with a little extra. I hate it but I dont have the patience to split the cables at the isolators and shorten them...

I just ran mine down the stem and attached the fused link to the battery.

I've got the 450, had it for well over a year now. Didn't need or want the XM radio or traffic radio options-which still cost even more to add and more to subscribe, on top of an almost $200 difference between the 450 and 550 to simply allow the add ons-and it works great.

Though recently it insists on taking me on back roads and avoiding highways, it's been doing this since after the last firmware update. It's set to "faster time" but on a recent trip to Sacramento it shoved me thru 6 miles of back roads to get to a hotel instead of taking me up the freeway two more exits where the destination was less than a block off the freeway. I'd taken the same trip once when the device was new and it properly guided me along the freeway route instead of the tour of the industrial/wrong side of the tracks part of town.

I haven't used the security screw at all. I've had the Zumo on the bike during two parking lot drops, some adventure trips where the road became unpaved suddenly, and recently, real thick steel plates in a 45 mph zone with no warning signs in sight.

On another local riders' forum there's one tale of a Zumo ejection from the mount after a 50+mph lowside accident in the local canyons last year. Rider was ATGATT, some bruises and injured pride, bike was totalled, Zumo functioned fine after being reset, with the only damage being the lower hatch was broken off and lots of scratches to the case as it bounced a few yards down the road. The Zumo stayed with the bike during the initial impact according to the rider and didnt come free until the bike rolled at least once.

Pretty sure the security screw is only to slow down casual thieves. So I pop mine off and put it in that neat tire-tread zip pouch whenever I'm off the bike. over 8000 miles the Zumo's been riding with me (even longer than my current helmet!) and the only time it tried to come loose is because I didn't snap it in right-and since it was right as I was pulling out of my parking spot, I see the unit display the lost power message-I use it as my speedometer when not navigating-then it was obvious I had not seated it properly. Locked it in and that was that.

best motorcycle farkle EVAR. Survives rain, dirt, mileage-only problem i have is bright sunlight behind and above a rider washes the screen out.

Renegade said:

6mmbr said:

agree with Squeezer.
I got the 'thumbscrew top' screw to replace the funny 'security screw'. I figured if somebody wanted to steal it they would just pry it off its plastic mount. The thumbscrew prevents it from popping off in-flight. I just unscrew it and take it with me if left out of sight. Its stainless steel. well made.

These can be found on the Zumo forum (www.Zumoforums.com/zumo/). Search for "security screw". Being sold by a guy called "ECM" out of the Netherlands (I dunno, go find a globe). Sold [email protected], 2 @16 US dollars via paypal -------- here is the paypal address if want to be bold and skip the forum: [email protected]

** caveat emptor. YRMV.

Click to expand...

Jeff at bike effects told me about them a week ago.

Yes, I too saw the light, ordered a couple earlier today. It's not like they can't just undo your stem stand or ram mount, so the security aspect is really only to secure it from falling out, which without, I have no doubt will happen at some point when you hit the right pot hole.

Click to expand...

I've been looking at a Zumo to replace my 2720 but I hate these friggin' touch screens!

In the cage they're fine, but on a motorcycle that gets ridden regardless of weather it's a pain in the ass to clean the screen while the unit is in use.

I really want a 276C, but I would miss the street names feature. Turn right in 500' just doesn't cut it anymore.