Roadside kit and quick GPS Mount?

[Floridave]

Looking for a little advice on putting together whatever items I should have with me on a 700 mile trip home, doing a fly and ride. Bike is a 2007 1300AE, 13000 miles on it and about a 700 mile trip home. Never ridden an AE, or an FJR for that matter. Lifelong rider of big and small bikes though.

I have two question that I hope some of you can help with.

First is how can I quickly mount and use my Garmin 2610 GPS. I have a powerlet cord for it. But no way to mount it the GPS. I have the mount that I used on my Vstrom shelf, above the instruments. Ultimatly, I will want to put it on a shelf above the instruments the same way I had on the Vstrom, right in my line of sight and REALLY liked it. If a shelf is very simple to install, I could order it and have it shipped to my sellers house, and install when I get there. Is that doable, or is it a big project. I want to fly in, get the bike and hit the road fairly quickly, so I don't want to spend too much time on it. Would the shelf mounted garmin on a shelf conflict with the electric screen in any way?

My understanding is the bike has a powerlet outlet IN the glovebox? What's the deal with that? Can you plug in a GPS and close the door?

Second question concern items I need particular to the FJR to prevent a minor issue from becoming an ordeal when I'm alone on the road on a completely unfamiliar bike. A blown fuse, a code showing in the display that I don't know, etc.

Before I leave I would like to connect a battery tender pigtail that would use for GPS if I need it, phone charger or my air pump to fix a flat. How hard is it to access the battery and install that pigtail on the FJR?

I basically plan to have...

factory tool kit(actually I need to confirm there is one on this bike),

a tire plug kit and pump ( just need to be sure I have a way to power it)

replacement fuse for every fuse on the bike

a list of the SH__ codes that may be displayed

I think there is some type wrench that allows a manual forced gear change into neutral, in the event of some type battery or electic failure, so you can at least get the bike in neutral and roll it, if it's completely dead and in gear? Anyone know anything about that? ( for a 1300AE remember)

To get these things together, I would need to know what fuses I need and where they are on the bike.

Where I can get a list of those error codes ( I don't want to spend an hour trying to figure out why the bike won't start when a code is trying to tell me something like 'the bikes in gear and the kickstand is down' and I don't know the codes).

Can someone help me locate that information?

What else? Is there anything I need to know or have with me related to the FJR, FJR AE?

I'd like to have my blackberry accessable ( my tunes are on it ) All I know to do there is put it in a tankbag or the pocket of my jacket. Any recomendations there? Probably I'll just have in in my pocket for this one short trip.

Thanks for any help here guys.

 

[johndaub]

I like my GPS on the stem nut. I do not have a shelf though but many prefer a shelf. RAM balls and parts are available specifically for most any Garmin unit including a bracket for the XM antenna it you get it. There are various options for putting it on the stem nut including a Techmount (I do not use a Techmount but, instead RAM parts).

 

[uctofeej]

I don't have much time at the moment to answer specifics, but my Yamaha service manual does go with the bike. It has the codes, fuse locations and answers to all the other stock mechanical questions above.

The factory tool kit is complete and with the bike, too.

I've never had the cover off the battery side, so I don't know how easy it is to get to.

More later...

 

[Patriot]

my GPS ram ball mount is the one that bolts to the front of the clutch clamp with the clamp's two bolts

Hope this helps and Best of Luck (any help ya need, Dave, just ask - mholiver at patriotguard dot org)

Mike in Nawlins'

 

[Floridave]

my GPS ram ball mount is the one that bolts to the front of the clutch clamp with the clamp's two bolts

HUH? Clutch? What the heck is that? :lol:

Thanks uctofeej. I forgot about the service manual.

It seems like a LOT of the FJR riders mount GPS's on the stem/bars. Maybe the reach to the windshield is longer. I got so comfortable with having that display line of sight without having to actually look down or to the side. That's why I was wondering if there is some problem with a shelf up there. If the adjustable windscreen causes some issues or something.

 

[Patriot]

First is how can I quickly mount and use my Garmin 2610 GPS.

CRAP, someone stole ya stinkin' clutch lever

<head hung low>

Cheers,

Mike in Nawlins'

 

[uctofeej]

CRAP, someone stole ya stinkin' clutch lever
<head hung low>

Cheers,

Mike in Nawlins'

Nah, it fell off. That's where the gator's pointin'.

 

[uctofeej]

BTW, I've got a tire plug kit that you can have also.

As for a tire pump, I've always carried a manual foot pump. It's ten bucks from Wally World, no electricity needed. It comes with the world's cheapest pressure gauge built in, but it's guaranteed to work.

 

[Fred W]

For a quick temporary GPS mount, get the ram ball mount that has a U bolt to loop around the handlebar. You should have room on the left bar to mount that on there and then use Ram parts (arm, mount, etc.) to get it in position. Then when you get back you can either go with a stem nut ball mount or even a dash mount if you opt to go that route and re-use the other ram stuff in the process.

Even if you decide to go another route, reselling Ram stuff is easy. Lots of folks use them for all kinda stuff.

Roadside kit? In addition to my riding gear and raingear, all I travel with is the stock tool kit, a stripped down electric tire pump and pack of sticky strings. I also have one H4 headlamp bulb, but I don't carry fuses or any other repair stuff. There are plenty of auto parts places out along the road. You'll have no problem finding something if you need it. If you carry stuff it wll just be something else that ends up breaking anyway. Murphy says so...

 

[juniorfjr]

I've got the shelf from N/line and it works great. I felt the reach was a bit to far for the gps, so I put the valentine there. The gps is on a ball mount on the left mirror hole (don't think you have one) and I've had it on the stem mount, but put my am/fm there now. So, there are many choices, you will have to pick the one you like best. If you got the time N/line could probably get a shelf to you quickly, they are a breeze to install. They also shield the instruments. Good luck finding the clutch lever.

 

[wfooshee]

I don't think the bar clamp RAM mount fits the AE. The switch thingie for the Loser L button blocks its installation.

RAM makes a couple of reservoir covers that fit either side (or brake side on the AE) and has a RAM ball on it, one is offset to the side, one is centered on the cover.

 

[Checkswrecks]

Good grief, you think this is a '73 Norton or something? We may ***** but these bike are generally as reliable as brick ****-houses.

If I personally were to do a 700 mile fly/drive, I'd throw the GPS & Ipod in a tank bag with a clear map pocket and go. Throw in some peanut M&Ms or whatever. The one thing you didn't mention that I would suggest would be a $10 plastic throttle rocker. Start driving early in the morning and you'll be home for dinner. Take a small duffel with your raingear and whatever else.

In the glove box is a cigarette lighter plug, not a powerlet plug. It's on a 3(?) amp fuse so your GPS will be fine. If you really feel the need to get to the battery, it's the aft panel on the right, sort of under the right hand-grip and most of the fuses are just aft of it. The tool kit has the allen wrench and there will be a plastic pop-fastener sort of hidden down next to the lower triple clamp. If you're serious about concern for fuses, just put a 20-amp blade-type in your pocket.

Check the tire pressures, fill the tank, and head home. Figure to stop for gas at a bit over 200 miles to have some reserve.

Enjoy the ride and report back! Welcome to the club - almost.

 

[Floridave]

Good grief, you think this is a '73 Norton or something? We may ***** but these bike are generally as reliable as brick ****-houses.

I certainly didn't mean to indicate I thought something was unreliable on the bike. But when you are unfamiliar with a new machine, even very simple things can cause major grief. I'd say it's more likely that I would do something wrong to make the bike break because I'm not familiar with it than it be the bikes fault. Leave a key in the wrong position so the battery is dead, plug in something that blows a fuse, or whatever, also, this is the AE, with no clutch, so the starting procedure, etc. is going to be somewhat different than anything I'm used to, and there appear to be a lot of '***** protection' built in with what gear you're in, sidestand up or down, brake held or not, won't shift to first unless..., etc.

I know this bike has more electrics and computers than any other bike I've owned, so I just wanted to be sure I'm not sidelined with what should be a very simple issue. ( it's just because I don't know what powers what on this bike. I can imagine having a flat, plugging the tire, powering on my air pump, blowing a fuse, which for whatever reason shuts down the whole damn bike, and I'm have NO idea what to look at to correct it. Or it's flashing me some code, and I have no idea what's it means. Just something stupid like that I don't want to happen) (I'll actually just carry some C02 cartridges in the event I do have to fix a flat. )

All I actually asked for was a simple way to power my gps on a temporary mount and that I plan to carry the stock toolkit, a tire kit, fuses. Then asked if there were other things particular to the FJR I should have along? That doesn't seem unreasonable to ask to me.

I don't know, I've never owned one. Any bike I've owned had the battery very accessable under the seat, on this one, the current owner has never even accessed the battery so isn't sure how hard connecting that pigtail would be. All I liked about going direct to the battery for this short trip is I know I'm not going to overload something/screw something up in the stock wiring, and I have most all my chargers, etc, set to plug into that type plug.

For instance, if you'd not told me that was a cigarette lighter in the glovebox, not a powerlet, I wouldn't have the adapter that I'll have to have to power my GPS and pretty much everything else I have that's motorcycle related, THANK YOU FOR THAT! :clapping: Will the cord run out of the box with it closed or do I have to do something to make the work?

I agree with the tank bag, until I can be on the bike and really decide where I want what to be mounted, that is far simpler. I do have RAM mount stuff, and if the bike had regular bars, I could use one of my ubolt sets to mount it, but I don't think that would work.

For this simple ride home, GPS isn't really critical, but for my first ride I really like to be able to compare real speed to indicated, see how the odomoter's compare, capture my max top speed, (which I'm sure will be 70mph ) Just information, I like having it, I know these roads, well, actually I don't around the city of Baton Rouge and New Orleans. Sure is simpler to do a little exploring when I have it, and know I'm not going be lost for hours.

I do realize a 700 mile trip is an easy day, especially on this bike, I've ridden that far on my Speed Triple several times, but I probably won't really get on the road until 1:00pm - 2:00pm or so, and might take a little longer way up into Alabama and stop for a night. Regardless, being stuck on the road 500+ miles away from home for ANY reason is not what I want to have happen.

It's all good, I was just asking for some folks with experience of the bike to share anything I might not be aware of as it partains to the FJR.

So, suggestions for a tank bag that works well on the FJR? I don't need anything giant.

 

[twistedcricket]

you can generally close the lid to the "glove box" with a cord coming out. I do that all the time to power my mp3 player.

asking what tankbag is best is like asking about oil...

if you don't have one, check out NewEnough or your favorite online vendor. I like my Nelson-Riggs CL150.

Here are some cheap examples (from NewEnough closeouts)

Rapid Transit S4

Rapid Transit S5

Joe Rocket

It appears all would ship same-day if you ordered in the morning. Guessing you could overnight to the bike's current address and have it ready to put on the bike when you get there.

just my $.02

 

[BikerGeek99]

First off, congrats on your new-to-you scoot! :yahoo:

For a tank bag, I have a Rapid Transit Recon 19 magnetic. It does the job. But you have lots and lots of options.

For you question of tools and fuses and whatnot, have you checked out the FJR Assistance Directory? It's over in the FAQ section. You could use that in lieu of carrying extra stuff. Just a thought.

Ride safe.

 

[Floridave]

Thanks, actually I'd not even been to the FAQ section at all! Lots of good info there.

Thanks for the TankBag recomendations, I can search and find tons of info on what works well on the FJR tank. I kind of like the looks of the Twisted Throttle, Engage bag. For the ride home, I'd just strap the Garmin 2610 to the top of it.

First off, congrats on your new-to-you scoot! :yahoo:
For a tank bag, I have a Rapid Transit Recon 19 magnetic. It does the job. But you have lots and lots of options.

For you question of tools and fuses and whatnot, have you checked out the FJR Assistance Directory? It's over in the FAQ section. You could use that in lieu of carrying extra stuff. Just a thought.

Ride safe.

 

[FJRONAMISSION]

Good grief, you think this is a '73 Norton or something? We may ***** but these bike are generally as reliable as brick ****-houses.
If I personally were to do a 700 mile fly/drive, I'd throw the GPS & Ipod in a tank bag with a clear map pocket and go. Throw in some peanut M&Ms or whatever. The one thing you didn't mention that I would suggest would be a $10 plastic throttle rocker. Start driving early in the morning and you'll be home for dinner. Take a small duffel with your raingear and whatever else.

In the glove box is a cigarette lighter plug, not a powerlet plug. It's on a 3(?) amp fuse so your GPS will be fine. If you really feel the need to get to the battery, it's the aft panel on the right, sort of under the right hand-grip and most of the fuses are just aft of it. The tool kit has the allen wrench and there will be a plastic pop-fastener sort of hidden down next to the lower triple clamp. If you're serious about concern for fuses, just put a 20-amp blade-type in your pocket.

Check the tire pressures, fill the tank, and head home. Figure to stop for gas at a bit over 200 miles to have some reserve.

Enjoy the ride and report back! Welcome to the club - almost.

=========

What he said!!!...... I'd throw the GPS & Ipod in a tank bag with a clear map pocket and go.

and.......... relax...... enjoy your ride .......... :lol: :lol:

B

 

[fangjkf]

I'm actually doing almost the same thing on May 2nd. I'm flying up to Michigan to pick up an '06 FJR, and riding back to Northern VA - roughly 600 miles. Never ridden an FJR before either (What's this 'press and lean' stuff I keep hearing about??? You don't have to do all that on Cruizer

* I'm taking my Garmin Quest. I bought a mirror-mount RAM ball adapter, since I knew the U-mount I had for previous bike wouldn't fit. Taking that to put on bike when I pick it up. Not worrying about powerlet/lighter, taking AC charger since the Quest power lasts for 20 hrs enough to get back home.

* Thought about taking tire repair kit, but remembered that evil looking plug tool probably wouldn't make it through airport security. (I'm only taking carryon gear). I do have breakdown / gas / towing support through GE Motoring Plan (AARP, but not an aarp member) Neat thing about their plan is they support you regardless of what vehicle you are in: your car, your bike, or someone elses vehicle. I have not needed a break-down tow since I got rid of my 79 Honda CB750f several years ago; it was showing it's age and needed a bit-o-help occasionally.

* Taking large tank bag, rain gear, warm and cool gloves.

* Didn't think about the fuses, but thats good idea. Adding it to my list and make sure they stay on the bike in future.

* My Cell Phone, of course I have web & email access through that as well.

Not just for this trip, but looking, shopping for options for tail/seat bag.

 

[FJRONAMISSION]

First off, congrats on your new-to-you scoot! :yahoo:
For a tank bag, I have a Rapid Transit Recon 19 magnetic. It does the job. But you have lots and lots of options.

For you question of tools and fuses and whatnot, have you checked out the FJR Assistance Directory? It's over in the FAQ section. You could use that in lieu of carrying extra stuff. Just a thought.

Ride safe.

=========

I have had several bags.... this one is the one I'm using now.

B