Homemade GPS Mount For The BMW R1200RT

I could not bring myself to pay the obscene cost of a commercial GPS or NavSat mount for my BMW R1200RT. So, I set about designing a homemade version that uses off-the-shelf RAM mount products combined with a DIY mount made of aluminum angle. Now I have a GPS mounted about my dash using this system and it works very well. I'll show you the whole process in this video, along with the needed measurements. Only simple hand tools are needed.
UPDATE: This video will help you locate the factory power connector
• Find And Use The Optio...

[@KonaFocus]

Even 4 years later, obscenely expensive is still an understatement. Great video.

[@thwaz007]

I pretty much followed your instructions. Made a mount for my 2010 RT. Painted it flat black and used rubber washers between the mount and the fairing. Looks good, works great. Thanks for posting your video.

[@tinderboxarts]

Awesome! Glad it worked for you.

[@R1200RTGuy]

Always nice to see a project come out clean and "tight", good work.

[@iamwezlee1]

Loved the video! Followed the tutorial and built one exactly like if for my 2010 RT. Works perfectly. Thanks so much!

[@tinderboxarts]

That's awesome, glad to hear it!

[@phillipwebster4041]

Just to add a little suggestion, I followed your instructions/suggestions and in order to get the ends cut to clear the windshield mechanism I attached the screws to hold the bracket in place, then ran the screen down to almost make contact with the bracket. this allowed me to trace the contour and cut the ends to be just a long as possible yet not interfere with the windscreen as it travels up/down. I'll try to get a picture when I finish. Waiting on the paint to try and Amazon to deliver the 1" ball I ordered.

[@thepedalguy2932]

Thanks for the KILLER idea , on my 2008 it needed a support underneath but mine looks very much like yours , I put two ram balls on my one for phone one for GPS

[@tinderboxarts]

Glad it worked for you!

[@xyzyyz]

Really nice job. Only one issue and that is you should have painted it flat black.

[@tinderboxarts]

It probably looked more shiny in the video because it was fresh paint. I used a satin black which blended pretty well with the surroundings. Incidentally, there is a penalty for using a flat paint, which is that it is less durable over time. A higher sheen will take the abuse of scrubbing/cleaning and UV damage longer than a lower sheen.

[@tracythorn2918]

Thank you for sharing this idea. I just purchased 2011 RT. This looks like a good option for mounting my phone or gps.

[@tinderboxarts]

It's worked out well, I've had no issues with it and even in the rain the windshield keeps the GPS dry.

[@vulcanbikeify]

Did the same sort of mount. Screwed up my Sirus Sat Radio. GPS blocked the signal to the point where my radio barely worked. Antenna must be right under there.

[@simonmonteath9605]

Any chance we could get some rough dimensions for this (particularly the distance between the mounting screws)? I’ve bought an r1200rt remotely and would like to design and build a mount without the bike. Cheers!

[@tinderboxarts]

The mounting screws to the bike are nine inches center to center. However, I have to caution you that you'll really need to have the bike at hand in order to get the angles correct. You could get a headstart, I suppose, by roughing the length and cutting off the unused portion of angle, but you'll want to be able to do some trial fitting for the bending.

[@robdridan4240]

Well done.

[@777goldcoast]

Looks great!

[@vanbulance5695]

Great job Mate! You could make those and sell them - I would buy one!

[@zerogr88]

Easy and cheap

[@iamwezlee1]

Just bought a 2011 RT. Where did you get the power from under the dash? You mentioned factory outlet that already exists under dash. Where exactly is it located?

[@tinderboxarts]

There's a connector typically tied to or around the right side fork. It may be wrapped in tape if you didn't have a factory GPS.

[@largestache]

Nice work. I recently purchased a '09 1200RT. How has the mount held up? How is the vibration?

[@tinderboxarts]

No problems at all with the mount, and I've been on some pretty rough roads. Vibration has not been an issue for me either. It worked out really well.

[@777goldcoast]

Where'd you get the power/charging cord? Is it plug & play?

[@tinderboxarts]

I used the standard garmin "cigarette lighter" cord and created a receptacle for it by attaching a generic socket to the BMW factory GPS power pigtail.

[@TheWrate]

Nice work! Does the 57LM screen work if you're wearing gloves?

[@tinderboxarts]

It does, although it can sometimes be tricky. If you are going down a bouncy road and trying not to poke your finger through the whole dash, you tend to use too light a touch for the fear. By and large, though, you can do most things while riding and gloves on. I don't try to enter a new destination search or anything, but you can switch views or even select a "recently found" destination.

[@robertbenz]

Great job! Are you planning to sell those mounts? it will be great.

[@tinderboxarts]

I probably should!