Removing GPS from 2014 RT Limited

[adzgrrrl]

First time poster here! :shocked: After riding Kawasaki/Yamaha/Honda/Harley's over the years, I now have a 2014 RT Limited and I am in LOVE! My husband says I should have been a Safety Engineer, because I am the Queen of What Ifs. : ) What if I drop it at the stop light? What if I am unable to pick it up? What if... what if... The Spyder takes all those worries away from me. I enjoy riding it more than any other motorcycle EVER! All the fun and none of the "what if" stress.

Anyway... on to my question. My Spyder has the factory gps. I am NOT a fan of Garmin. I am too attached to my google maps. I would like to remove the factory gps and replace with an X-mount for my iPhone 6plus. I intend on installing a usb outlet for power. What should I do about the existing power that goes to the navigation/gps?

Thanks in advance for your responses. I have gleaned a ton of useful info from this forum. Thanks to everyone for sharing. :bowdown:

 

[Bob Denman]

:welcome::clap::2thumbs:
I LIKE my 660...
But I don't see why you couldn't just unplug it, leave the old wiring in place, and run new lines for your proposed setup! :thumbup:


EDIT: it might make sense to use the existing power and ground lines, and just forgo the use of the speaker connections...

 

[Ramg66]

What if I drop it at the stop light? What if I am unable to pick it up? What if... what if... The Spyder takes all those worries away from me. I enjoy riding it more than any other motorcycle EVER! All the fun and none of the "what if" stress.

Well said, I will be stealing this analogy from you. I always get asked why a Spyder. :agree: :welcome:

 

[adzgrrrl]

Well said, I will be stealing this analogy from you. I always get asked why a Spyder. :agree: :welcome:

My husband said he could tell an immediate difference the first time I rode the Spyder - much more confident. I'm still careful - just not paranoid. hahaha.

ps: I did drop my Ninja many years ago at a stop that was on an angled incline with tons of traffic. (basically my worst case scenario!) But I was able to pick it up immediately. I was so freakin' mortified that I think I could have picked up an elephant at that point! pps: I think I am still scarred from that one! :roflblack:

 

[trikermutha]

leave the original power harness on the bike and run your new GPS. It wont hurt anything leaving the factory harness on the Spyder.

 

[SpyderSteveFL]

I would probably just leave the Garmin mount as is and mount the phone somewhere, lots of options. May also want to look at Tech Gripper instead of X-Grip, both good but I like the Tech Gripper better. Put in the USB port for powering phone.

1. You never know if you get the itch to sell or trade and would be easier with the GPS in tact.
2. Phones are not perfect. Not sure about Google maps, but what if you are in an out of service area and can't get maps (are they streamed or downloaded to phone)?
3. Carry the Garmin in the trunk or something and use it as a backup, it may come in handy one day even if not primary.
4. What if you want to plot trips, etc. Don't think Google maps can do that.

I have the 590 on mine and sometimes use it and sometimes use Waze on my phone. There are benefits to each.

 

[adzgrrrl]

Excellent points, SpyderSteveFL... it is always good to have a backup. And you're right - if I ever sell, the buyer will expect a GPS with the Limited.
Not to mention that I would have to take off a bunch of Tupperware to terminate the gps power correctly. I've decided just to keep it like it is and mount the phone on top of the dash. I think in the long run I will like that location better anyway. Thanks for your input.

 

[Easy Rider]

leave the original power harness on the bike and run your new GPS. It wont hurt anything leaving the factory harness on the Spyder.

This.
And how often will you REALLY use a GPS anyway ?
I too like the phone apps better but not ENOUGH better to forgo the convenience of the built-in ones ........especially if you will have speakers in your helmet.
Having ALL of the audio apps integrated into one system is REALLY nice.......in my opinion.