BMW R1200RT/R1250RT Forum

Having been given a ‘TOMTOM XXL IQ ROUTES’ by a friend, I thought it might be possible to mount it on the bike.  Yes, I know it’s not waterproof, but I don’t ride in the rain much, and it saves me spending over £600 (!!!)  on the BMW system.  I also think it’s quite well protected from the rain by the screen anyway.

Having investigated the vast number of mounting options available, I opted for the BMW mount, which uses pre-existing screws above the speedo, to mount the bar.



Fitting my 'cheap' TOMTOM Sat Nav]http://s921.photobucket.com/user/sulliv ... m.jpg.html]
Fitting my 'cheap' TOMTOM Sat Nav


I then found a cradle to hold the TOMTOM, made by a company called RAM.  It provides a very secure mounting for the TOMTOM to ‘click’ into:

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Fitting my 'cheap' TOMTOM Sat Nav]http://s921.photobucket.com/user/sulliv ... n.png.html]
Fitting my 'cheap' TOMTOM Sat Nav

A good friend of mine, then made up the aluminium plate to secure the cradle to the BMW mount at the correct height.  He tapped the necessary holes, countersunk and shortened the screws, and delivered it back, painted and ready to fit – how great to have ‘friends that can’!

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Fitting my 'cheap' TOMTOM Sat Nav]http://s921.photobucket.com/user/sulliv ... n.jpg.html]
Fitting my 'cheap' TOMTOM Sat Nav

The mini USB exit point on the TOMTOM is from the bottom.  Wanting to keep the cabling as neat as possible, I found a 90 degree USB joint, to allow the cable to exit from the rear of the unit instead.

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Fitting my 'cheap' TOMTOM Sat Nav]http://s921.photobucket.com/user/sulliv ... 9.png.html]
Fitting my 'cheap' TOMTOM Sat Nav

As it’s designed for the car, it runs on just 5 volts.  Having taken advice from the forum, I eventually opted for one of these (12v to 5v) conversion leads, with a mini USB on one end, and bare wires on the other.  I have soldered these bare wires to the BMW plug, heat shrunk the connection, and plugged it in to the socket available under the dash.  This makes sure that the TOMTOM is only powered when the ignition is switched on.

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Fitting my 'cheap' TOMTOM Sat Nav]http://s921.photobucket.com/user/sulliv ... r.png.html]
Fitting my 'cheap' TOMTOM Sat Nav


I think the end result is great.  No, it’s not stamped by BMW, but I like it and it works well (for a fraction of the cost!).
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Fitting my 'cheap' TOMTOM Sat Nav



Fitting my 'cheap' TOMTOM Sat Nav]http://s921.photobucket.com/user/sulliv ... r.jpg.html]
Fitting my 'cheap' TOMTOM Sat Nav

If any of the admin team can tidy up my post, I'd appreciate it! I've really struggled to get the pictures to show 'nicely'!

Cracking job John, hopefully, you'll be able to find Tewkesbury now, if not, just follow my route.

just spend a few pounds on a waterproof cover for it. you will eventually get caught in a shower and it will be a shame to lose it.

I did the same with my old car Tom Tom on my V-Strom - used it to travel to Mons a couple of times and carried a couple of food bags and elastic bands "just in case" !!.  Then I upgraded to having Tom Tom on my iPhone - RAM sell a waterproof case for the phone that still lets you use the touch screen (sans gloves).  Perfectly good alternative.  The only reason I got the BMW one was that the LC has that blank space for it.  I still prefer Tom Tom - especially when it's running on the processing power supplied by the iPhone (!!) Makes the Garmin look like its 10 years older in comparison.

leonjennings wrote: just spend a few pounds on a waterproof cover for it. you will eventually get caught in a shower and it will be a shame to lose it.

I'll get one just in case.

Just in case anyone wants to do this, the wires numbered from the BMW plug are 1,2 & 3.


1 is ground, and 3 is +12v


2 is not required.

Finally got the chance to use my Sat Nav.  Very stable mount, no vibration of the nav unit and just at the right height.


Very happy with my cheap solution.

Nice job that  8)