You just need a USB to micro-USB cable cable to connect. I had one left over from a camera or some other gadget. If you don't have or want to buy the 9V plug in adapter to power it up (I got one for about $10 on ebay), just plug the harness in to the bike and turn the key on. Then connect the USB cable. The bike's power will wake the PC up for it to accept the map. But, you'll have to have your laptop right there to do so. The adapter lets you load it while on a table or desk. There's nothing to lose by downloading the map presently installed with it. Not that you'd use it, but it might be interesting to see it.