BMW Motorrad Connected Cradle : the best phone mount for your R1250GS ?

Discover the installation and use of the new BMW Motorrad connected phone mount. It offers wireless charging and can ba controlled right from the handlebar of your R1250GS. It is a leap forward in terms of connectivity for BMW Motorrad motorcycles.

[@nigelsride]

Great video, I've just purchased a cradle and everything you showed has made this so much easier , thank you 👍

[@TheBioniXman]

Great video. I have used the cradle all over France for a year now. It makes life very easy. Was perfect for our Corsica tour and then the Ardeche tour.

[@jackryan1962]

Best tutorial video for the Connected Ride Cradle I’ve seen…….tres bien! Merci

[@legal.outreach]

This was an excellent tutorial. Straight forward and to the point. Thanks for uploading!

[@motoplaisirmotorcyclerenta9381]

Thanks a lot !

[@romanthebarman5919]

Nice one, I like mine a lot and also the fact I don't have anything attached to my handle bars. Thanks again.

[@Rayk76]

Fantastic piece of kit, great video 👍

[@FatNFurious]

Thanks for this video, it is clear and explains it well. Also, your English is fantastic, I wish my French was half as good as that! Merci beaucoup!

[@wannabemusician7849]

Very efficient video… no mince just everything you need to know 👍

[@user-fi7td7bi6z]

Perfect explained. Exactly that I was looking for! =)

[@user-qn8cj2uj4n]

Thani you very much for this very easy explanation. I ve ordered the craddle 😊

[@JLlilhampton]

Brilliant tutorial. Thank you very much

[@jcc6664]

Excellent tutorial. I wish it was a little less expensive but of course the quality is first class. I have an F850 GSA with all the same functions as the R1250GSA. Merci 😊

[@ronadler4442]

You can have mine for free after it destroyed my iPhone camera twice because it has no vibration dampening.

[@guernseybunker1203]

Excellent presentation - many thanks

[@SUBTENIENTE-AOE3]

Excellent video !!!!

[@stealthych]

thanks for the good explanation 🙂

[@andrewgordon9597]

Very helpful indeed!

[@Vjekoslav-vf3hr]

Thank you

[@richardtaylor9483]

thank you

[@markperks9193]

A few comments as I've been using mine for a few months. Firstly good points - 1. it allows you to easily mount your phone 2. Wireless charging 3. optional USB port to charge if you don't have wireless charging 4. Allows functionality of control from handlebar controller. Bad points- 1. The cradle barely charges the phone with the screen on, it basically does just enough to keep the phone powered but doesn't really top up if using it for NAV (which is the whole [point of having it). 2. It is designed for larger phones but the thickness matters, I've had to hunt for the thinnest phone cover I could find for it to fit (samsung s21) 3. The Cradle obscures the top of the TFT dash so you can't see the topline information like distance to empty, TPMS etc. I modified the whole bracket moving it forward towards the screen by elongating the top mounting holes. Took about an hour but shouldn't have been necessary (2023 GSA) Overall I would buy again though, its not perfect but better than most phone mounts out there and better than having a Nav 6 until all the issues with that are fixed.

[@jatichsicharta]

Maybe the charging will be better w-out the cover? Also be sure that you don't have too many apps running in the background. I have no problem with the position of the cradle on my GSA.

[@markperks9193]

@@jatichsicharta yeh the cover is so thin it doesn't make a difference, turning the screen brightness down does however.

[@gernotbrandl1755]

Thanks for the great video. Should I connect my Sena to the Cradle or the phone? I am hoping, connecting to the cradle, would enable me to pick up the phone via the controls on the handle.

[@paulchambers2296]

Lovin* this👍

[@MrGridders]

Great video, thanks. Does the ‘wonder wheel’ handlebar controller operate google maps, or do you have to use the BMW mapping downloaded in the App?

[@jatichsicharta]

Great to-the-point explication. Well done! My cradle doesn't slide down anymore to remove my phone. Should I use WD40 or screw the cradle open to find out what the problem is? I have no idea what kind of mini-screws are used.

[@franckmalers2299]

to let you all know, I just paired my soundcore space A40 with the bike. letting me wonderwheel media, calls and navigation, finally.

[@jakubskorik6159]

Thank you for videos about cradle. Could you share how to change language of navigation instruction?

[@griffonwings5177]

Merci !! Looks great , however i do rather get a garmin and save my phone from rain or dust … But does looks great .

[@constantineeliadis5582]

Great video... Do you have a part number and price?

[@Greggspies]

I found buying the Honda NT1100 worked for me I now have android auto and apple carplay

[@photobiker4309]

Looks like a great device ... but that price ... OUCH.

[@MicahPotts]

What is the price of this please? I assume you get directly from your BMW Dealership?

[@osvila1]

I’m not able to put the map on the horizontal mode…..😢 How did you do that ? Thank

[@ianniskondilis4245]

Hi! Do you need to have your phone connected all the time to 4G/5G while using the different features of the Connected Ride app? Moreover, do the maps need internet connectivity all the time to work or they use only your GPS location and have preloaded maps that you have to download and install? Thanks and great video!

[@Pyrrho_]

You only need cellular connectivity for traffic data. Otherwise, no; all maps are pre-loaded.

[@mobeyond]

isn't it a better idea making your TFT supporting carplay ?

[@adamthompson8432]

Preach, the TFT is a joke. It could do soooooo much more.

[@OzTwanger]

I think it costs BMW too much in royalties

[@phantombigballs8165]

The New RT has car paly and a it's glitchy pile of poo

[@gottgaame]

Then u would have to pay for a subscription so that’s a bad idea. In bmw cars u have to pay for it so what do u think will happen on a motorcycle?

[@Pyrrho_]

@@phantombigballs8165 No BMW motorcycle offers CarPlay or Android Auto, unfortunately.

[@jean-claudejacquet7824]

Hi, can you inform me about your smartphone model 😉

[@tourage098]

Do you have to use map that is on the BMW app? Can I use my own google map on my iPhone in this setup? ( have a lot of stuff marked for myself on google map) thanks you.

[@Avensur]

Does it work for a 2013 700 GS?

[@454bard]

Thanks for the video Will your phone work in the craddle if it is in a protective case, like the OtterBox?

[@Pyrrho_]

Depends on how thick the case. The cradle appears designed mostly for phones with either no case or thin ones.

[@user-mj4xu7bm1t]

My cradle shows a blinking red light. When I hit "connect new device" it finds my cradle, however timeout in red each time so far. Have tried reset of the app, (iOS 17.3 in an iPhone Xr) reinstall the app, delete the device it has found, it finds it again, clean the connections, remove and replace the cradle, all to no avail...anything I search for online including the user manual only says "red = general fault" which is not really helpful. Did I purchase a faulty device? Thanks in advance...

[@paulchambers2296]

Hi, thanks for the video, looks a great item. One question, how do you connect to helmet speakers, do you connect through TFT (I.e. connect Helmet to TFT) or Helmet to Phone? Thanks. Paul

[@Pyrrho_]

Depends on your comm system. On my Cardo Edge, if I pair to the TFT I can control phone and media through the wonder wheel, but lose media controls on the Cardo. Since my Cardo has both button and voice input, I just pair it to the phone instead so that all works.

[@dgomes265]

Would be interesting to see how you make an phone call.

[@bikenorway297]

That you do on the TFT display

[@bertrandmasse1034]

Est ce compatible avec le modèle 1200 gsa de 2015 (pas d'écran tft) ? Merci

[@daignaultlaurent7422]

bonjour faut-il obligatoirement le support bmw pour contrôler l'application avec la molette du guidon?

[@straycat1300]

I learned today from a BMW rep that the cradle is a direct replacement for the NAV IV

[@dwwphoto]

Could you please re-confirm you mean the NAV IV and not the NAV VI? Thank you.

[@straycat1300]

My apologies. It should read Nav VI. (6)

[@salahshami8793]

I have grand American bmw can I use this device ?

[@TheBioniXman]

@@salahshami8793 Do you have a GPS mount? What is a grand American BMW?

[@Pyrrho_]

BMW continued to sell Nav VIs alongside cradles. The new ConnectedRide Navigator replaces the Garmin unit.

[@Gmac025]

Thank you for a very interest video. Are there any controls for music and phone calls?

[@motoplaisirmotorcyclerenta9381]

Yes, using the controls of the bike.

[@newoluap]

Do you know if you get the same functionality on a pre 2018 non-tft model? The connected app does not work for my 2017 GSA because the bike does not have Bluetooth. But this looks like the cradle has a Bluetooth transmitter in it.

[@motoplaisirmotorcyclerenta9381]

Not sure yet, but as long as you have the multicontroller, that should work ?

[@jean-claudejacquet7824]

I use this cradle on my r1200gs lc of 2017 without TFT and it’s ok. I haven’t information about angles but it’s à good solution for me because I love the possibility to zoom my track with the gps BMW. In addition, when I create an itinerary with Kurviger I recover it with this GPS. Sorry for my english languages 😉✌️

[@Pyrrho_]

Your bike needs to have come with the nav prep package or this won't work.

[@dr.michaelbraida9186]

Iphone 14 pr max does not fit very well. Wireless charging is inconsistent due to poor contact (camera hump)

[@marklamb8219]

Can I ask the best place to buy it? In Australia. Great review. Thank you

[@TheBioniXman]

As a BMW item, only from a BMW dealer.

[@markg1291]

I live in Melbourne and I have found the unit for sale on bmbikes.com.au. Safe travels

[@alvarojoseborreror.6588]

It’s a shame it doesn’t give cameras and radars alerts like Waze

[@revanslacey]

Only a matter of time before you fumble and drop your naked phone putting it into and out of that thing. Not holding phones with cases seems like something of an oversight.

[@paulstix1]

Can you use Google maps? Thanks 🙏

[@zsoltderek8997]

During hot summer while it charges your phone, it is going to heat up, so the phone turns down the backlit of the screen so you'll end up with a nearly invisible screen, so it becomes useless. In cooler weather it is a great thing btw.

[@tiagoleal6156]

I was thinking the same. I live in Uae where p example we get 44/45 in middle September . Useless !! What will be the best solution here ??Garmin VI ??

[@zsoltderek8997]

I'd vote on Zümo XT / XT2

[@Pyrrho_]

Using the USB port on the cradle with a short cable you can charge your phone with far less heat produced, as well as faster.

[@Pyrrho_]

@@tiagoleal6156 I got fed up with Nav VI ghost touch issues, tried the Connected Ride cradle w/BMW app, then gave up on that and installed a Garmin Zümo XT2. Love it.

[@thetubelesschannel]

It occupies the best mounting location for a dedicated GPS....to charge the phone there is better solutions ;-)

[@walkeristul]

What's wrong with the phone's GPS?

[@jenniferfuentes168]

Do you have to take the phone case off or will it operate with a phone case as well. Thanks

[@Pyrrho_]

Depends on the case. If you have a thick Otterbox Defender-series, no. If you have something more slim, yes.

[@ericstephenson3607]

Only mention of I phone, would it be the same for android camera ?

[@byever1]

Sure. Why not?

[@TheBioniXman]

This device is to integrate the bike controls with a phone, what would that have to do with a camera?

[@stereoturk7986]

is the cradle only coneccted trough the bmw app? can i use my ipad mini with the bmw iphone app running on it and mount the ipad to a different place?

[@TheBioniXman]

Yes.

[@stereoturk7986]

@@TheBioniXman i sold my gs 🤣

[@Pyrrho_]

The cradle adds charging, wonder wheel control of the BMW Connected Ride app, as well as ability for the bike to relay things to the app like speed, temp, lean angle, etc. If that doesn't mean that much, you can mount an iOS or Android device anywhere you want.

[@austinmatthews347]

What happens when simeone calls you do navigation dissappear

[@JulioVillavicencio-ru2sn]

Assume you can still run Waze in the background for notifications.

[@Pyrrho_]

Yes. I used to do exactly that. If on iOS you may run into issues with the background app (Waze in this case) being put to sleep by iOS after a few minutes though.

[@krzysztofkurczewski]

Hi Can I use it to operate Google maps, just like phone holder with charging?

[@Pyrrho_]

Sure, but there's no bike/handlebar integration with 3rd party apps.

[@markblankenship5788]

I have one and the problem I have is not that I’ve upgraded my phone I the iPhone 14 pro with a impact case it doesn’t lay flat enough to charge. Any suggestions would be appreciated thanks.

[@Pyrrho_]

The cradle has a USB-C port. Use that with a 6" USB-C to Lightning cable.

[@AbdulkadirALTUNPUL]

@@Pyrrho_ If we are going to use a charging cable, why do we need to buy a cradle?

[@skowmi5681]

Will this cradle accept an iPhone 12 in Otter Box case?

[@motoplaisirmotorcyclerenta9381]

If the back of the case is too thick, it will not hold it.

[@grahamdenton5635]

can you get this for the 2019 BMW RT 1250 THANKS

[@TheBioniXman]

Yes

[@tanssinalkuun]

@@TheBioniXman Hi. I just bought R 1200RT and expected this cradle to work with that as well. However the space for Navigator V/VI does not allow this cradle to fit in these bikes. There should be an adaptor to extend the connector upwards but I haven't found any. The same for R1250 RT and some K-models.

[@phantombigballs8165]

How do you make it go landscape I have selected it in the app doesn't work auto does work. Very annoying

[@Pyrrho_]

Had this problem with mine, had to do with the phone not sure if it was in portrait or landscape. Changing the angle of the phone so that it was more perpendicular to the ground helped a lot.

[@cengizkurban]

I'm pressing the menu up and the phone app is not taking the control 😢😢 I deleted the app and installed again and connected with bike. But still that TFT sign is not coming on. Any thoughts???

[@Pyrrho_]

I experienced endless connectivity issues between my bike, the cradle, and the Connected Ride app. It'd work fine for a couple of weeks, then stop connecting to the point I had to forget the cradle from the bike or the bike from the phone and start over. Eventually got tired of it and bought a Zümo XT2.

[@Brunoxtr]

Really nice but paying 265 euros is crazy!

[@TheBioniXman]

Don't buy one then.

[@combatveteransride5796]

Is it vibration resistant?

[@edmundmartinez330]

I’m wondering the same? Don’t want damage my phone camera!!

[@szweraf]

It is not vibration resistant. I broke the camera on my iPhone.

[@stevenkoch8402]

@@szwerafwhat type of roads were you traveling when you damaged your phone? Any off road use, or just tarmac?

[@szweraf]

@@stevenkoch8402 only tarmac road. The vibration came from engine, not road.

[@fabienklimsza7402]

Warning. While the Cradle worked well for me, the bottom arm just broke last week. This is a very thin piece of plastic and it snapped at the base of the U shape, on both sides simultaneously. I purchased it less than a year ago, used it maybe a total of 12 times (not needed for daily commutes). With this piece broken the phone is not secured and the whole device is useless.

[@GBeWinginIt]

I have the same issue after 4 months of use and will vlog about my experience with the fail. Here's a link to my video prior to the plastic piece snapping off. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qHyWkoaunMSNpLc

[@motoplaisirmotorcyclerenta9381]

There is cheap repair kit available from the dealer (about 20€).

[@GBeWinginIt]

@@motoplaisirmotorcyclerenta9381 where can I locate this repair kit? My dealer hasn’t a clue. So this is what I’ve done. kzbin.info/www/bejne/f32yZWufapqAq5Y

[@gsxr88]

Can you control the music volume With wheel?

[@TheBioniXman]

That has nothing to do with the connected cradle.

[@revanslacey]

@@TheBioniXman If the whole point of the cradle is to allow you to control the phone with the handlebar wheel it does.

[@Pyrrho_]

No. Only way to control volume with wheel using OEM equipment is to get a BMW comm system, which sucks. There are a couple companies that are releasing products specifically designed for the wonder wheel that integrate with an app on your phone to add wonder wheel control to things like Google Maps (Carpe Iter, others).

[@henkondemand]

The biggest problem with this cradle is the fact that your phone is not waterproof, if the rain starts you need to pull over to take the phone off. It's only useful when the weather is good enough. I suppose it's a step in the right direction though. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto would be 100x better if it was offered as an extra screen module. Building it in the normal screen wouldn't be good because when the bike gets older and doesn't support the newer CarPlay or Android Auto version your stuck with it and if it would be a screen module that you can upgrade after a few years.

[@TheBioniXman]

Apple carplay and Android Auto are car applications and not bike ones.

[@volabamus]

@@TheBioniXman Except for Honda.

[@Adv_Haiko]

They make water proof phones now a days lol

[@adamthompson8432]

My Apple phone is waterproof.

[@Magicinstalls]

Better not use that on the XR it’ll destroy your iPhone camera

[@robertlee8042]

You can only navigate thru that program. You can’t run any other phone programs. You lose the use of your phone. It’s insane.

[@robikingl9419]

I used it only once, my 13 mini phone flew out of it at 140km/h, got smashed. It was an expensive tryout, now I am scared to use it again with my new phone, lost trust in it.

[@wrangler10]

super expensive for a cradle with 70 euros more you get the zumo xt !!

[@szeriman13]

is zumo connected to the bike? can i see tyre pressure, oil, battery etc info on the zumo? see? :)

[@wrangler10]

@@szeriman13 you can see them on the tft

[@szeriman13]

@@wrangler10 you are right, but you can use the ring. and you see everything in one page.

[@al_cockiness5989]

Very, very overpriced!! A piece of plastic with some wireless charger should not be over 50 Euro, especially when I have paid 25k for the bike.

[@TheBioniXman]

Did you also expect to get a new helmet with your bike? The purchase of this mount is optional. If you watch the video then you will see that it is more than a mount and a charger.

[@al_cockiness5989]

@@TheBioniXman Yes, it is more than a mount. It is also just a piece of plastic if you are not going to mount anything on it.

[@petermcgarva7207]

⁠@@al_cockiness5989😂 tyres are just rubber if you don’t put them on a motor vehicle too .😂

[@gottgaame]

It doesn’t look secure even when riding at high speed

[@rajann1268]

i rode it at 200 and its secure

[@Pyrrho_]

Lost a phone with it because I was in a hurry. It's way more fiddly than its price suggests.

[@theok.3266]

It's not the best... And it is so simple why it is not. The best phone cradle so far is the quadlock. And it is because it offers other than the best locking system, the best anti vibrating protection for your phone.... Fun fact... Did you know that using for a long time your 14 grand iphone 13pro max on your bikes cradle your phone's camera detaches and although you will get it fixed, will never be the same again????? So, before you buy it, think it over!

[@dhalfyard]

agree, that's why I use an older spare phone! Would never connect my iPhone 13! However, I do find it works really well and like it more than the Garmin I was using.

[@OllieUK22]

I believe there is a damper already fitted as part of the Nav preparation. I love the quad lock, but there are occasions I wish I could interface with the phone - the thumb wheel I hope will allow for this. That said - I'm seriously considering just replacing my sat nav mount with the quad lock + dampening device🙂

[@motoplaisirmotorcyclerenta9381]

I recommend to use an old phone for that purpose. Just charge your phone when necessary. The Quad lock needs a dedicated phone case that is more bulky than others, and using the multicontroller so your hands stay on the handle bar is a must for your safety. But the best is different for everyone, just make sure you know all the differences.

[@user-tx5dy1fz4g]

Better buy zumo XT ✊🏽

[@PepeDeezNutz]

Can you watch porn while riding?

[@LMO169]

What an utter stupid question to ask. Of course you can

[@0x0456]

Is it vibration resistant?

[@ronadler4442]

No! It will destroy your IPhone camera after one short ride. Apple aware of it and will know you used this cradle. BMW knows but keeps selling this shit.

[@Pyrrho_]

No.