Zumo XT2 Center Fairing Mount

[reddeth]

Ordered a new Zumo XT2, in preparation for a longer trip I'm planning to take next month, and was debating where to mount it. Settled on trying out replacing the "Goldwing" emblem in the center "dash" piece, so designed and 3d printed a replacement piece. The first test fits really well and I like the fit! But the unit definitely needs more "tilt". It's at 5 degrees now, I'm bumping it up to 15 and will reprint it later this week.

But curious what y'all think, is it too low? I don't like mounting the GPS on the handlebars or in front of the dash, it feels *too* distracting then. But I also feel like I have to crane my neck down a little bit to see this one. Maybe I'm over-thinking the 3d print and should just mount it on a RAM ball, that way it'll move it *up* a bit, which might help the angle more...

Where do y'all mount yours?

[blupupher]

I used a short ram ball mount in that location, was still a touch low, but not too bad (and I have a smaller Zumo 396) The larger screen might be OK there.
I had debated moving it up onto my windscreen, but got rid of the bike before I got around to it.

I have the 396 mounted on the left bar on my 1800.

[reddeth]

Yeah I might try the RAM ball mount. The GPS unit came with one, which is nice, so I can at least test it out. I think moving it "up" a few inches would help with the angle issue more.

I'm re-printing the bracket piece at 15 degrees overnight, will try it out tomorrow and see how it does.

Thanks for chiming in! Do you find the GPS mounted on your bars distracting at all? I put my phone on my left bar a few days ago and still not used to it being that much in my peripheral vision. Maybe I just need to get used to it lol

[reddeth]

I re-printed the mount piece with an increased angle and better quality heat-set inserts, I think it's much, much better! Also using a locking pin from MotoPumps, obviously the fairing piece it's attached to can still be fairly easily removed so it's not like it's "high" security, but it feels solid enough I can trust it while in gas stations or quick store trips.

Going to see how I like it here for a while, the increased angle makes all the difference, and I do like that it's out of the way.

PS: Please excuse my mess of a garage lol, been "in the middle" of a whole re-organization project for the entire house for the better part of since I moved in

[blupupher]

Looks nice.
I like it on the bar a little better, I am not having to look down to see it anymore, not that I really look at it all that much, I use it more for the audio prompts.
A bigger/brighter screen may make it more annoying on the bars than my smaller one. With the bigger/better display, you probably don't have to look down as long as I did on mine, so it may work well there.

[FM-USA]

I also say NICE... but the glare?
Will that be an issue while riding?

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[reddeth]

Thank you! I'm definitely happy with how it looks.

The screen is SUPER bright, which helps negate the glare a bit, but it's also been kinda overcast the past few days here so I'm curious to see how it performs in direct sunlight!

[lightfoot]

I have the same GPS and have it mounted on the ball mount. This location on the left handlebar works best as the GPS unit works both vertically and horizontally. I use the vertical orientation on long trips as it shows more of the route then when in the horizontal orientation. I would suggest testing the unit on your handle bar and use both the horizontal and vertical positions. I do like the idea of mounting the unit where you have it, but I like having the vertical orientation option available. Nice work with the 3D printer.

[FM-USA]

The position where you mounted it wouldn't work for me, I use a tank bag nearly 100% of the time.
It's rare I listen to the radio due to near constant danm adverts, so mounting over a speaker might work. Tho the reach would be a hindered reach, handlebar.

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[reddeth]

Thank y'all for the kind words! I know the positioning is definitely hit or miss for some. And admittedly I may move the GPS and put a tank bag there which would be really nice for carrying some small stuff.

But the GPS mount is growing on me. The GPS itself does a good job managing music playing duties, and the voice directions are good enough I don't have to look at the GPS that often. For that reason the fact it's very slightly out of sight is a bonus, I can glance down without losing sight of the road to clarify a turn, it's easy to interact with (when stopped, of course) when I do need to.

[Solo So Long]

You only need access to the key when the bike is parked. How about moving the GPS up with a hinge mount, with the key underneath?

[FM-USA]

Maybe on a flex-arm, similar to cell phones attached to desk ledge via spring clamp.

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