After spending a long week riding with my Zumo, I've finally gotten around to writing this review about my experience using it. Specifically, how to use the damn thing with my macbook and import / use custom routes. Enjoy!
New Toys. Feels Like Christmas!
Benny went all out and got me an Ohlins Shock for my 40th Birthday! What a good dog. And maybe something else...
Ok, he might've had some help from my awesome husband. There's nothing wrong with the stock suspension on my Street Triple R. Actually it's quite good allowing me to adjust compression and rebound, which I've done thanks to the folks at Markbilt Racebikes in NJ.
So although I didn't really *need* an Ohlins, I have a feeling I'm going to be VERY happy with it! And it just so happens Benny got a really really really good deal on this gently used shock from a Daytona, which is clean as a whistle. It looks as if it was barely used, or ridden on the street. The reason he was able to get such a good deal is because 2013+ models can't use my shock because they changed something on the subframe, so this one won't fit. Sorry!
My other little gift to myself was an upgrade to the old Zumo with the new 390LM. Well, okay a replacement because my 690LM fell off while I was riding home last month. :=(
Although this upgrade was a little more than the last one I decided it was worth the extra $100. The Garmin Zumo 390LM is a new improved version of the 690. The main difference is a faster processor. This one responds quicker to menu prompts (not iPhone speedy), and is a little smaller and less bulky. The screen is the same size, and is a tad brighter. I haven't ridden with it yet, but hope to in the Spring.
The last new toy I got was this Cortech Super 2.0 Low TankBag. I love how slim it is, it's the perfect size at 5L when closed, 10L when fully expanded. Perfect!
Unfortunately my riding season has ended much sooner than I wanted to, due to a small back injury I gave myself a few weeks ago :-(. I guess turning 40 means really feeling it!
Garmin Zumo 660LM on my Triumph Street Triple
After a couple hours of wrangling with various Ram Mounts, I finally mounted my new Garmin Zumo 660LM on my 2012 Triumph Street Triple R.
First, I bought the Zumo on sale from Amazon. 50% off, no tax and free shipping (with my Prime membership). Then I ordered the Ram Mounts Fork Stem Kit.
Everything else you need to mount and power the Zumo comes in the box. I decided to use the Power Cable that comes in the box and mount it on the Fork Stem Kit. Although I could use a USB cable instead, I went with the Power Cable. I didn't think that I could power the Zumo via USB but by the time I realized my mistake I already ran the Power Cable along my bike under the tank to the battery.
Unfortunately the cable doesn't come ready for you to install directly to your battery. My husband had to solder connectors to the positive and negative, so for now it's directly wired to my battery. I don't think this will be permanent, as I'd rather have it connected to my ignition wiring but I need to figure out the proper way to do that first. For now, I will have to be extra careful so as to not leave the Zumo on the bike if it's not running.
I like how it turned out and the Fork Stem Mount is a much better alternative to mounting it to the handlebar. Now I'm ready to navigate!
I know what you're thinking, why not just use your iPhone to do the navigating? I've tried. Believe me, I've tried. The one hurdle with using your iPhone as a navigator is how Difficult it is to create a route, input it into an app on the phone and THEN have it give you Turn by Turn directions! It seems to easy, but this last part is the MOST difficult aspect of the process.
I found an incredible tool not long ago called Furkot.com, to help me plan out my itinerary including gas stops and meals based on mileage range and travel times. It's awesome. I also figured out how to export that map into my iPhone using an app called Osmand and it even shows me my route. I did find some complicated methods of exporting files, downloading apps (PCs ONLY, I'm a mac girl) and converting things to use on my iPhone but I'm never going to buy a PC just to do that. So for me, spending $379 on a Garmin is well worth it. Inputting maps is easy with the Basecamp Software (although I prefer to keep navigating in Furkot).
My husband and I will be heading north up to Hancock, NY to spend next weekend riding. Can't wait to input some routes and ride the twisties!
First Ride 2015 on My Triumph and Navigating with Garmin
Ahhh that was a great ride. This was my first official ride with the Philly Moto Girls (only women can be members, but significant others are always invited to join rides). And my first long ride on the Street Triple !!
I mapped out this ridiculously insane route, but sadly, my written maps have failed me yet again. I seem to get lost on every adventure because these are all new roads for me!
I've been trying to figure out a way to navigate on my iPhone and have found a few apps that do this. Unfortunately I have found them to be clunky, with the interfaces being rather difficult as to allowing me to import my google maps. But even if they did let me do that, I would have to pull over, take my phone out and pull off my gloves. And if you know me, I don't sacrifice protection for convenience. I'm not going to give up my incredibly protective riding gloves for something that has touchscreen-ability. I love my gloves!
So I bit the bullet and on a friend's suggestion (Thanks Anthony and Kate!!) I purchased a used Garmin Nuvi 765T, the car edition. It was $80 on eBay, and I have the option to return the sucker if it lets me down. I NEED the ability to import routes, and although I could maybe do it on Navigon, that doesn't eliminate my need to remove my gloves to use the iPhone even if it's mounted on my bike.
The other benefit to this particular model is it was less than $100 and it does essentially everything the Zumo does but for less! I'll need to figure out mounting options but I just didn't want to invest $500 in something that I don't *really* need. For $80, I couldn't pass this up.
I will do a couple tests next week and post a mini review. I can't wait to use it on my trip on the 13th! I'll be heading to W. VA (weather permitting) to visit my friend Tamela Rich so we can ride together through the mountains. Yippee!
I just have to say that I LOVE this bike. It's everything I'd imagined and I just can't wait to go riding again with her. She's smooth, powerful and just perfect. We even rode some dirt together!
One thing that I really love about this bike is the handling. Every corner, stop and start is smoooooooth. The throttle doesn't twitch nearly as hard as the SV and is far more smoother when accelerating and decelerating. I can't say enough good things!
I'll be doing a more comprehensive review after my long trip next week.
