DDO-VFR

Double-Pole-Double-Throw On-On switch. Like this one: http://www.thesource.ca/estore/Product.aspx?language=en-CA&catalog=Online&category=Switches+Switches&product=2750636 It is an "on-on" switch with 6 terminals. I think I might repair my harness wiring then install one of these under the seat tied into the wiring near the GPS for switchable power modes. Thanks for the explanation. I prefer 2 single On-On switches. Makes sense, gives you 4 options instead of 2. Brian

While this looks feasible in some respects, I would caution that unless you know what the I/O interface properties are, you may be violating circuit constraints which would then risk a blown sensor or worse. I offer the following scenarios: 1. Each output of the GPS is an open drain that is asserted Low (or simply grounded) for a given gear selection. Then tying 3 output wires together into one input as you have shown is a wired OR gate and will logically work. 2. Each output of the GPS is an open drain that is asserted High (or simply opened) for a given gear selection. Then tying 3 output wires together into one input as you have shown is a wired AND gate and will NOT work as all 3 outputs must be asserted High simultaneously which will never happen. 3. Each output of the GPS is a CMOS type output that is asserted High (i.e. actively driven high) for a given gear selection. Then tying 3 output wires together into one input as you have shown is a definite circuit rules violation as the output that is attempted to be driven high will be actively countered by the other two outputs which are actively driven Low, thus causing a near direct short to the supply voltage and maybe a fried GPS. Perhaps you've already found that it does work as shown, in which case scenario #1 is most likely true. If it doesn't work, then beware of scenario #3 which could end up costing you some $$$ to fix. Good luck in your efforts, I wish I could do the same but the DCT control needs to know the actual gear selection otherwise it would be constantly trying to downshift below third and never finding it. Did you see that youtube video of the kid that throws down his brand new gixxer as he guns it out of the dealership? Rear wheel just spins out like the tire was made out of plastic! Then down she goes... I saw a video of the VFR1200 being driven by a journalist at a japanese track way back at the initial release and he spun out the rear wheel...saved it, but still... I have a feeling 'if you don't know what your doing' the torque at the rear wheel will bite you in 1st or 2nd gear in this new VFR1200, so Honda played it safe. That's all they needed, all kinds of stories about it being a 'dangerous' bike. I think that is why is has been restricted...poor man's traction control. Brian

I feel for you 295 pound Vifferisti regarding weak suspensions (166 lbs and still counting). But more than the suspension, it's sad that you can't feel the acceleration that some of the lighter riders are lucky enough to experience. If my bike 06 weighs 700lbs with me on it, assuming 100HP (7lb/HP), then a 295 lb rider would need a 118HP motor to get the same kick... BI OH I get it...that's why you're all screaming for a 150HP, 450lb 7th gen...doh!

Ain't life grand :fing02:

YES, this Nuvi 550 allows you to create and upload routes. The software to do this comes with the Nuvi. Well, it doesn't actually come 'in the box', rather you have to go to the Garmin.com site and dig around a bit. Once you find your way around, when you try to download map/software updates, you have to first register your device, and create a user account. It's not really that difficult if you're the slightest bit computer savvy. With the Garmin software MAPSOURCE it is quite simple to create routes and once you're done you upload it to your device. The FULL map database resides on your computer, so everything that your Garmin can see/detect, is available to you when you build your custom route. The custom route is developped by stringing 'waypoints' together to build the overall route. If I remember correctly the Nuvi 550 is capable of 10,000 waypoints. So if route planning is the defining feature in your purchase, make sure the model you buy can store lots. The Nuvi 550 is essentially the same as the Zumo 550, EXCEPT the Nuvi doesn't have Bluetooth. Somehow +600$ :angry: for Bluetooth didn't seem worth it... "take you to the middle of nowhere"...I've been there too many times already, :blush: that's why I bought the dang thing :laugh: BI

I lucked out. On a whim I walked into Best Buy to 'window shop' as well as browse their current crop of GPS's. Lo and behold they had the 550 on liquidation for 279CAN. I had sort of set my sights on a 550 and figured, what the heck, I had not seen lower than 349CAN (at Costco) up til then. Since then, when shopping for my mount and such, I found the Nuvi 550 listed for 329 at GPSCITY.CA. Once you factor in the 12$ shipping, it gets real close to Costco in price, but you only pay federal sales tax, so here in Quebec that saves you 7%. This morning I updated the software and map (free map updates for 61 days). It takes quite a while....zzzz... I booted up Mapsource and uploaded a test route and it worked great. I went for a ride and the computer lady is real patient, try as I might she always finds me a way back to the planned route, which is more that I can say for me on my various excursions using paper maps. :blink: So I'm all setup for my annual 'Great Ride'. I'll put the planned routes and discuss in another post. I hope this info was useful, and will speed up the search for some of you that are considering a GPS mod. ciao BI

I ordered at GPSCITY.CA, but they also have the same thing at GPSCITY.COM RAM-B-149Z-GA32U (28$CAN) mount kit and 010-11143-07 (21$CAN) power cable kit. As I said in original post, the cradle with the cable kit is a better design than the one included in the mount kit. You can order the parts in the mount kit (without the cradle) separately, you'll save around 5$ overall. BI

Well I finally sprung for a GSP (Garmin Nuvi 550, for 279 CAN$), and RAM mounting kits. The Nuvi 550 comes with the cigaretter lighter charger cable, but I didn't what to jury rig that on the bike, and besides, I wanted to keep it for car use. Of course it also come with a suction cup style mount which needless to say is not ideal for a bike. I found a RAM mount and power cables at GPSCITY.CA. I ordered the RAM-B-149Z-GA32U (28$CAN) mount kit and the 010-11143-07 (21$CAN) power cable kit. Odd thing is that the cable kit only comes E/W a mounting cradle. Turns out it was a blessing because the cradle with the cable kit is much better thought out. It has a dummy plug for the USB cable plug when the GPS unit in not in the cradle, it has a backing plate to keep the connector from coming loose when the GPS unit is installed, you can install the GPS into the cradle with the USB plug already in place, and the locking mechanism is a neat cammed lever, so you don't have to fight with bending plastic. The cradle that came with the mount kit did not have any of those features. The power cable is equipped with the charger, a fuse, and the USB plug (and a noise suppression inductor). It was exactly the right length to reach the mount. Here are a few photos to illustrated. Too bad it's raining now, well I guess that goes without saying 'cuz I'm sitting here writing this stuff...just as well, I have to figure out how to upload routes anyway. BI

Looking through the Eureka website, this looks to be the closest to the model that I have, which I bought 2 years ago, cuz the the cheap-ass Walmart (20$) version leaked like a sieve the first night it rained (was in Nova Scotia at the time). Word to the wise, DON'T buy cheap stuff because you end up with...well...cheap stuff :huh: I think I paid 160CAN$ for it...actually 180$ once I add in the Walmart crapper. Don't regret it. http://www.eurekatentscanada.com/products/...e=1∏=25 Apex 2XTC Plus, 2 person tent. On a scale of 1-10, I would rate it a 9...why not 10 you ask? ...nothing is a 10...but that's just me.... :cool: BI

Here are few photos of loaded bike and typical campsite setups. In 3 summers, my brother and I probably slept in a hotel/motel 3-4 times...one of them being at the annual Catskills ride. For awhile there (at Catskills) it was looking like I was gonna regret not packing the tent... The waterproof bag on the back seat holds the tent, sleeping bag, ground sheet, air mattress and mini pillow. Most the the room is taken by the -5C rated sleeping bag. Re. sleeping bag...no I'm not nuts, most nights on the Newfoundland trip it was between 3C - 8C. The tent will sleep two easily and has two vestibules to cover all the hard cases. Great when it's raining and you need to get something out of your bags. What you will find with most tents is that the poles (when folded of course) are around 18" long and as a result will only fit in your top case. If figured, since I usually ride solo, why not use the back seat. BI