GPS Mount ST1300

[Coastalflex]

Looking for the best way to mount a GPS on my 2012 ST 1300. Buying a Garmin Zumo XT2 which I will also use on my Husqvarna FE501.

 

[Larry Fine]

I use a Garmin car GPS with a suction-cup mount at the bottom-center of the windshield.

 

[SMSW]

Looking for the best way to mount a GPS on my 2012 ST 1300. Buying a Garmin Zumo XT2 which I will also use on my Husqvarna FE501.

Define best, please. Easiest to make? Easiest to buy? Cheapest? Most bulletproof? Mounted in line of sight? Mounted well below line of sight? Easiest to adjust? Here are a few ways, take your pick.

Ram ball bolted to the clutch or brake master cylinder mount (these were once sold by RAM - not sure if they are available any more). Or a ram ball mounted on the reservoir cover. The covers were once sold with the ball...or drill and mount one yourself.

Someone once marketed an aluminum bar bent to match the curve of the top of the dash (just above the gages). There were three RAM balls mounted on this bar. That company is long gone, but more recently someone made a 3D printed version of this. Motorcyclelarry (another company that is long gone) made an aluminum cover to replace the center plastic cover between the handlebars. This machined aluminum cover had a powerlet and hole for a RAM ball. I made one with a benchtop milling machine and belt sander.

Edit: Thank you @Williamson and @klaproth, my description above of that aluminum bar w/ 3 RAM balls on it is the Migsel bar.

 

[SupraSabre]

Here's how I have mine mounted, although I have a new shade for it.

 

[dduelin]

I prefer using Ram Mount components that I can assemble for particular devices and motorcycles. Ram assemblies use a 1" rubber ball (size B) mounted to the motorcycle and one of the same size balls on the back of the device and then a socket arm of the desired length to connect the two. The socket arm articulates to desired height and/or angle. These have been used on ST1300s. There are more I am sure but I've used these. They are sturdy and will last for years and many thousands of miles of use.

Ram-B-367U replaces a OEM riser bolt and puts a ball on one of the risers.
Ram-B-309-1U uses the two bolts of a clutch or brake perch to place a ball there.
Ram-B-346U bolts on top of a clutch or brake reservoir and puts a ball on top of the reservoir.

Ram-B-345U is a universal base with holes that usually will line up with Garmin GPS cradles.
Ram-B-238U is a two hole diamond base that might line up with cradle bolt holes.

Arms for B balls are aluminum or composite in short, medium, and long lengths. I use short and medium ones. https://rammount.com/collections/so...RkVWw5NpfJ2VwwJrjUiy0Eet1NzdcMsrKmqZGdLAUFVce

 

[woodybelle]

I like my GPS high up so I don't have to take my eyes off the road to see it. I have a curved aluminum bar that accepts the ram ball set up mentioned in the last post. I forget who mede it but it is out of production now but you can research similar items, maybe Bike Quip has a similar item.

 

[Williamson]

I like my GPS high up so I don't have to take my eyes off the road to see it. I have a curved aluminum bar that accepts the ram ball set up mentioned in the last post. I forget who mede it but it is out of production now but you can research similar items, maybe Bike Quip has a similar item.

Sounds similar to the Migsel unit I have on the top of the dash on my ST1300. Can't seem to find a better pic at the moment, but this gives a good idea. Most of the time the Tom Tom is mounted on the left RAM ball.



The keen eye may see a pale green electrical socket will feeds through the dash to provide 12v to the Tom Tom.

 

[klaproth]

Another vote for the "Migsel" style mount. Mine is homemade, but a close copy of the Migsel. Puts the GPS/Phone right below my line of sight while riding, easy to access, but not in the way.
I used 1/4" thick aluminum bar stock, about 1.25" wide, and bent it to match the curvature of the dash. Drilled and tapped it for 1/4-20 mounting holes. I have made a few, my sister has one, and her riding buddy as well.

 

[SMSW]

What is that mini ram ball like mount attached to a bar under the top brake master cylinder bolt? It's shaped like a miniature teething thing for infants.

 

[snowmoer]

I mounted a RAM ball on the center plate between the handlebars. I do not like the GPS in front of the interments or up on the dash. It is just in the way. Between the handlebars, I can still see it and all it takes is a quick look down if I need to see it better. I had my XM radio mounted on the bar RAM mount. I did not like the GPS there either. It was just too big and in the way.

This set up worked for me.

Here is the mount.



Here it is with the GPS attached. This was my old GPS, my Zumo fit in the same spot.

 

[Coastalflex]

I use a Garmin car GPS with a suction-cup mount at the bottom-center of the windshield.

That's probably a good idea as the bars are so large it would be tough to get a traditional mount onto them.

 

[Coastalflex]

Define best, please. Easiest to make? Easiest to buy? Cheapest? Most bulletproof? Mounted in line of sight? Mounted well below line of sight? Easiest to adjust? Here are a few ways, take your pick.

Ram ball bolted to the clutch or brake master cylinder mount (these were once sold by RAM - not sure if they are available any more). Or a ram ball mounted on the reservoir cover. The covers were once sold with the ball...or drill and mount one yourself.

Someone once marketed an aluminum bar bent to match the curve of the top of the dash (just above the gages). There were three RAM balls mounted on this bar. That company is long gone, but more recently someone made a 3D printed version of this. Motorcyclelarry (another company that is long gone) made an aluminum cover to replace the center plastic cover between the handlebars. This machined aluminum cover had a powerlet and hole for a RAM ball. I made one with a benchtop milling machine and belt sander.

Edit: Thank you @Williamson and @klaproth, my description above of that aluminum bar w/ 3 RAM balls on it is the Migsel bar.

Thanks, those ideas are helpful, I was hopeful that others had come up with solutions and I stay away from cheapest and easiest. It is important to me to have a stable and durable mount that doesn't impede the line of sight for gauges & speedo.

 

[wizel]

Holm from germany

 

[ST Gui]

The RBIS GPS mount was a nice bit of kit easily replicated with the various instructions here somewhere.

It was a 1/4" aluminum bracket curved to fit the dash with the option for 1-3 RAM ball mounts. Inexpensive clean and easily installed. The company selling (a former member) closed its doors long ago.



This is the RBIS but without the 1-3 option. This pic is of a member's install (Redfish).


The Migsel mount is of the same concept but very different execution. It's a very nice bit of cast or machined kit. It also has an option of 1-3 RAM balls. In contrast it's pricey at €140.

Honda - ST1300 Pan European - GPS mount - ST1300 / Pan European - Migsel Bike Parts

This GPS mount for your Honda ST1300 puts your GPS where it belongs: just below your line of sight, just above the speedometer. When looking at your GPS, you d - Motorcycle Accessories

www.migsel.com

Bike-Quip has a mount similar to the Migsel for £105. It's not quite as nicely finished though.

Dashmount ST1300 | Bike-Quip

Fits ALL ST1300s. Stylish design - curved surfaces match the existing lines of your ST1300 Anodised Black - reduced glare and reflections CNC Engineered from a single, Aluminium billet Optimum positioning for your gadgets - directly within your line of sight Protected from the elements (by your...

www.st1300-accessories.co.uk

I initially wanted one but do to the limitations of the dash mounting tabs I stayed with the RBIS. I wondered about putting the weight of any mounted device in front of the mount instead of above it. Would the leveraged weight and vibration cause damage to the dash? Maybe someone with the Migsel can comment on the install and how it's held up over the miles.

The prices of the Migsel and Bike-Quip will likely be subject to tariffs with the de minimum exemption closed if it applies to Europe.

 

[MidLife]

Thanks, those ideas are helpful, I was hopeful that others had come up with solutions and I stay away from cheapest and easiest. It is important to me to have a stable and durable mount that doesn't impede the line of sight for gauges & speedo.

I actually like the GPS in front of the speedo, GPS indicated speed is more accurate than the ST's.

 

[Coastalflex]

Thanks everyone, I will post pictures once I decide. Appreciate the feedback!

 

[Williamson]

What is that mini ram ball like mount attached to a bar under the top brake master cylinder bolt?

Yes, used to mount a TPMS receiver / display.

 

[FastST]

On dash over the speedo

 

[STRider]

I just got around to taking some good photos of my RIBIS-based dash setup to share.

Bought used, my RIBIS came with 1/4"-20 mounting hardware. I replaced with M6 screws and nut clips. Can't abide imperial fasteners on my all metric steed! I added the optional outboard RAM balls as you can see.

Center is the Garmin XT mount with its power cord passing between the vents at the top edge of the inner cowl.

Left is a GoPro mount where my Hero5 Session fits perfectly, and on the right is a Garmin InReach locator.

Mounted to the handlebar cover via a RAM ball is a Quad-lock wireless charging mount with vibration damper. Before that, I used a RAM Quick Grip XL for my Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra which I loved, but the vibration it passed on killed the camera mechanism which I had to replace. Saw the Quad-Lock mount on @Willsmotorcycle at NEW-STOC that year and was sold. I like the security of the Quad-Lock, but I don't like the bulge on the back of the case for the mounting boss. I also find it finicky to line up the case to the mount sometimes. The good news is that it's either on or off, no middle ground.

For the GPS and Quad-Lock, I replaced the conventional RAM short arm with one with a security screw. At the moment I can't lock the XT to its mount, but that's a possible future thing. The RAM arm on the right allows rotating the clamps at each end, and was needed to position the InReach so it was oriented vertically and fit beneath the fully lowered windshield.

Quad-Lock uses their own proprietary ball mount similar to RAM, but their ball is too small to be securely clamped by the RAM hardware I already own. Quad-Lock sells a 1" ball adapter compatible with their system, but it's only available with a Quad-Lock interface for ~$30 USD. I found an alternative made by Tusita on Amazon for half the price. FYI

Plus you can see my garage door remote switch above the clutch reservoir, the MC Cruise control module and the Koso Apollo heated grips.

 

[Willsmotorcycle]

Looks very good, I’m going to look into the inreach clip you have there.