Garmin Zumo XT Motorcycle and Car Installation

[@OswaldoLafee]

Thank you so much, Garmin should have paid you for this incredibly well done job.

[@mjl3231]

Excellent tutorial on motorcycle installation. Byrne rocks on everything he publishes. Thank you !

[@JosephByrne]

Thanks. Great to hear.

[@zatoichi101]

You are AWESOME!! This is exactly the instructional video I was hoping to find! Thank you for posting this!! It was a huge help!!!

[@JosephByrne]

Thanks for the feedback. Make sure you get a good look at the cable and that transformer block before you pick up any tools. Best wishes.

[@RamblinManMoto]

Very good video. Loved the idea of using a marker on those parts.

[@MrBuyerman]

Simple and easy to follow instructions. Thanks.

[@JosephByrne]

Thanks for the feedback Keith. Best wishes.

[@LeMortso]

I’m hooking up mine now, first installation was on my Silverwing with a cigarette lighter connection, but I now want to hard wire it to the battery of my TW200.. you’re saying that once the unit is removed from the cradle there is ZERO battery draw? I would expect the converter box to drain a bit just keeping itself alive…. thanks for a great vid!

[@JosephByrne]

Pretty much zero. I've not had any issues over the past few years. Purists from my motorcycle club wire it to a switched live or add an extra relay, but I've always hard wired.

[@olua.]

Great instructional video. With the permanent connection, any worries about battery drain with the unit disconnected? Also wondering if you or anyone has considered/tried using an existing SAE connector.

[@JosephByrne]

I've not had any battery issues over the past 10 years. You rarely leave the unit on the bike when the engine isn't running.

[@robertonaar4548]

Your instructions are very clear and helpful. Thank you very much Mr. Byrne!

[@JosephByrne]

Anytime Roberto. Thanks for the feedback.

[@waynebrunner1826]

It appears to me you installed the rubber spacers, backwards (according to your schematic). My zumo 660 (now 12 years old) install was a breeze in comparison. Just stick it on the ball mount, plug into my Audew power supply and I'm done. Thanks!

[@JosephByrne]

Nope. Look more closely. The spacers are the right way round.

[@dcjr1053]

Thanks for the video. I've been trying to find out if I could charge the unit with the 12v charger on my bike instead of wiring it up directly to the battery. Good to know that option is there.

[@JosephByrne]

Yes there are a few options to consider. I've always hard wired but some of the older people in my motorcycle club don't approve of hard wiring.

[@markb4772]

Maybe if it’s difficult running the wiring due to the transformer block it might be easier to run the plug that screws to the base through the panels, and attach it last (assuming it’s smaller than the transformer)

[@JosephByrne]

That was the point I was trying to make at the start of the video.

[@ThrillaPark]

So it will draw power from battery even tho the key is off, yes?

[@JosephByrne]

If it's hard wired there will be a minor draw from the battery. I've hardwired every Zumo I've had for the past 12 years and never had a battery issue. You can fit an additional relay, tap into an auxiliary circuit if your bike has one or connect the positive terminal to a switched live like the rear light if you don't want to hard wire.

[@quatron---]

Arent you affraid the transformer will drain your battery over time since its directly attached to it? I also think it would be wise to put a fuse between the device and the battery.

[@JosephByrne]

When the device isn't connected there isn't a complete circuit so the transformer is effectively dead and won't significantly drain the battery. The documentation said a fuse wasn't necessary but you can fit one if you wanted to or some users have connected to an auxiliary circuit on the wiring loom that is already fused.

[@quatron---]

@@JosephByrne A transformer by nature is never completely dead. The draw should indeed be very very minimal. I have mine connected to a auxiliarly circuit that turns off when the bike isnt running. As a tip, the manual may say a fuse isnt neccesairy. But accidentally melting or otherwise damaging the wire can still cause a short out. I would advice to put at least a fuse on there ;).

[@JosephByrne]

@@quatron--- On the official Garmin video they refer to the transformer block as a fuse also so it may be both. Only way to tell for sure would be to break it open as I've not seen the interior documented anywhere.

[@quatron---]

@@JosephByrne If thats true its a pretty expencive fuse.... Since its not really replacable unless you replace the entire wire which is quiet a hassle.

[@jimc793]

Just received my XT. Why can’t I just plug my XT into my bike’s power system via the USB plug?

[@JosephByrne]

You can using a standard USB cable and the connection on the back under the rubber flap.

[@nevillecartwright7292]

Thank you - nice video! NB - love the Rolex!!! Greetings from South Africa

[@JosephByrne]

Anytime Neville. Thanks for the feedback.

[@mrjawmaster5854]

Very nice video and real helpful. Thanks for putting this out there.

[@lakbayofficialyt]

It will not affect to the motorcycle battery?

[@JosephByrne]

I've not had an issue in 3 years of use.

[@kilo255]

Did you ever get around to making a video on how to make a powered cradle? If so, where can I find it? Thanks

[@JosephByrne]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/a5rLap6EaL-Dq8k

[@kristaps2010]

I asked garmin: I attached zumo xt to the battery of my motorcycle as instructed. When I turn motorcycle ignition off zumo xt satnav on the mount will not switch off, it still takes electricity from the battery. It could drain battery if left for longer. My old garmin zumo 550 in same circumstances turns off itself before offering to stay on using it’s internal battery. Is there an option to make the new XT use same good function (to turn itself off with ignition off) as zumo 550 from 2006? I think that would be a handy function to have. Once I opened zumo550 motorbike cradle and was surprised there’s a lot of microschemes and chips inside. Good luck with zumo xt.

[@JosephByrne]

To have the XT switch off and on with the ignition you need to connect the negative terminal of the wire to the negative on the batter and the positive to a switched live, for example tap into the rear light circuit. Or you can fit an additional relay. Then it'll switch off and on with the ignition. If you hard wire it to the battery it will stay on unless you switch it off at the power switch on the back. I never leave the unit on the bike when I'm not riding so battery drain is not a problem for me.

[@speedfinder1]

Thanks for posting. It was very helpful.

[@JosephByrne]

Anytime. Thanks for the feedback.

[@RealSuperRando]

So you connected all the way from the battery to the front of the bike with no inline fuse? Do you think that’s safe?

[@JosephByrne]

It depends who you speak to. The manual suggests hard wiring without a fuse. Some people I know installed fuse and others think anything short of a relay is just plain lazy. Ultimately you make your own decision. The cost of fitting a fuse is negligible in terms of cost and time so if you fancy doing that go right ahead.

[@Filippo-Parisi]

So, if I understood right I can give power to my Zumo XT just connecting it to USB? Asking because I have two USB ports (1A) just 15 cm down to the place where I'll install the Zumo. For add I have also two 12V Hella in the right side of the bike, just at a side of the engine.

[@JosephByrne]

Yes you can power it just using a USB cable but the USB connection isn't waterproof, you have to lift the rubber flap to connect it. The wired cradle electrical connection is waterproof. If you have an auxiliary circuit the easiest way is to tap into that. That is better than hard wiring to the battery because it is a switched live. I hardwired because I don't have an auxiliary circuit and I didn't want to splice into one of the other circuits. Plus I've had Zumos for 13 years and never had an issue with hard wiring to the battery.

[@Filippo-Parisi]

@@JosephByrne thank you very much. I am sure behind my tft there chance of several connections yi have xt under ignition key.

[@stuart5476]

HI. with regard to fitting I have a bmw GSA. 1200. with canbus electrics. I am told that if I connect direct to battery the mount will stay "live" even when the nav is removed This will take a small drain from the Battery and if left for a few weeks it will flatten it. Is this the case do you know Love your vids they are great

[@JosephByrne]

It will take a small drain but is not enough to flatten the battery even after a few weeks. It is pretty easy to connect it to a switched live if you don't want it to be permanently live. You can either fit an additional relay or splice the positive into a switched live like the rear running light. You can also find the fuse for the rear running light and shove the wire in next to the fuse (a bit crude but it works). Some people (from my motoecycle club) wouldn't dream of hard wiring to the battery but I've done it with every Zumo I've owned and never had any problems.

[@mikesloper7112]

Just a little late to the party but none the less very appreciative, its been 27 years since having to say goodbye to my CBR1000 & Z1300 so while I can I'm about to give three a good shot & using sat-nav's forever I'd probably get lost at the end of the road without one. Thank you for your time, effort & sharing your experiences installing the XT. Only one question if I may, I've always used tomtoms when a unit isnt in the car as standard. Q : Two years on, is the XT as good as you hoped it would be? many thanks, wishing you health & happiness, lets hope my children don't see this post. p.s. love the colour scheme of your 600R

[@JosephByrne]

Two years on I'm still getting on with it really well. I've used it in the UK, Ireland and the USA.

[@DonLafontaine62]

I'm going to question you on something. I know the instructions tell us to put the spacers in that way, but I think it's wrong. They fit perfectly in the base plate holes and provide a little spacing, but also allow the base plate to support the connector from being pushed through. If you look further in the instructions where the assembly is put together, you do not see that large gap between the baseplate and the GPS holder. Another thing is that the base plate holes are WAY too large for the screws supplied, those spacers must act as bushings to make the screws fit snug.

[@JosephByrne]

I just followed the instructions and it fit together nicely. The last 3 Zumos I've had fit together the same way and I've had no issues in 12 years.

[@oivindg]

I think the main purpose of the spacers is to ensure that the rubber bushings are not compressed too much. Thus the instructions are correct.

[@Ronald7077]

Buy black washers easier option or fine paintbrush and satin gate paint works well. Better than a felt pen.

[@JosephByrne]

It was cheap and effective. A year later they still look good.

[@mariogauthier1957]

Merci beaucoup très belle vidéo détaillé

[@JosephByrne]

Thanks for the feedback. Best wishes.

[@SUDIPTA1976]

How to install it in Royal Enfield Bullet 350 cc? Does it work in India?

[@JosephByrne]

There is a metal clamp to install it to the handlebars which will work on an Enfield. If the Enfield uses a standard 12V battery you can simply wire it up to that. If it doesn't then this device has a really long battery life so you could just use it stand alone and use a USB power bank as a backup. There is a map available for India. If you purchase it in India it should come with the India map pre installed.

[@SUDIPTA1976]

@@JosephByrne Thanks a lot man.

[@stephentower9640]

Awesome video, thankyou

[@JosephByrne]

Anytime Stephen. Thanks.

[@stephentower9640]

Made it so much easier as the Garmin instructions are frankly rubbish

[@altairjoseteixeira2417]

Muito bem explicado.

[@JosephByrne]

Thank you.

[@r13gbs]

Nice one Joe,,Got mine ordered,But i see Garmin have been doing some cost cutting regarding the mounts,I'd much prefer the old 595 style of mounting as to the cheap rubber cover.Roll on the XT review.

[@JosephByrne]

Yes I don't like the design of the new mounts, car and motorcycle. They are functional but visually they don't look great. Someone on the internet has already 3D printed a better weather cap which covers the whole cradle. I'm not sure why Garmin didn't do that. Arguably the new weather cap design is harder to lose because it remains attached but I've managed not to lose mine on the 590LM for 5 years so that's not a big selling point for me.

[@r13gbs]

@@JosephByrne Like i said costcutting,let us know if the new weather cap comes into production.

[@altairjoseteixeira2417]

Parabéns. Brasil. Santa Catarina. Blumenau.

[@atlas8rides]

Great video. Nice job 👍

[@JosephByrne]

Anytime. Thanks for the feedback.

[@teecee90]

You have a motorbike AND a Volvo..?!!??

[@JosephByrne]

Yes they sort of balance each other out in terms of safety. The Volvo wants to keep you alive and the bike doesn't care either way, it's up to you.

[@chrispope1125]

I wish I could give this video more thumbs down.

[@JosephByrne]

Why?

[@peterc2248]

@@JosephByrne It's KZbin. He's a knob :-) Great video and well done with all the opinions in the comments, are you a saint? :-)

[@JosephByrne]

@@peterc2248 Thanks Peter. I'm not a Saint. Maybe a Guru. Haha.