FARKLES - a term
referring to gadgets a rider adds to his or her bike to
make it more functional; addressing some need.
GPS
I used a garmin GPS V for my 4 Corners trip. It was
useful in the main but limited by its 19 meg of
memory. That is general routing on major roads was
fine but street level detail for address to address
routing is limited. The screen is small but clear. I
continue to use this GPS as the main route data
recorder for my trips. I use it to monitor overall
riding time and moving average, keeping it on that
screen and another GPS on the map screen. In this
way I don't have to fiddle with either while on the
move. I needed longer trip routing ability and
acquired a Garmin Street Pilot 2610
This is a fast
processor, WAAS enabled, and does an excellent job.
I have the audio output directed into my Autocom
along with my radar detector and iPod.
Audio is very handy when in dense traffic in unfamiliar
places. The audio prompts alert you to upcoming route
changes and you can focus on moving into the correct
lane without having to read a map or wait till you see
a road sign. I changed to the BMW Navigator II, which
is a rebadged Garmin 2610 but adds the functionality of
the BMW cradle allowing easy zoom in and out.
My latest GPS is a Zumo 550
Autocom
I like to have audio alerts about radar, traffic, and
GPS directions. I also like to chat with truckers at
night. An ability to chat with a passenger is welcomed
too. I evaluated a lot of systems and the Autocom
seemed to be the best on the market at the time so I
have built my system around it. I currently use
a Easi-Plus. It works as advertized however
if you want CB be prepared to do a lot of fiddling
to get it working properly.
Interface with GPS, Radar Detector, Intercom, iPod,
Cell Phone all work well.
BMW Comm System for R1200RT
I decided to try this as it is new in the BMW inventory
and I have the need for CB on long IBA type rides. The
installation and pictures are available on another page
in on this site. I think the Autocom is a slightly less
expensive and therefore slightly better way to go -
however I would give the nod to this product if one
absolutely has to have CB; you just can’t do that
easily with the Autocom.
Radar Detector
I use an older Escort 8500. I chose this over the very
popular Valentine 1 because the audio interface with
my Autocom was simple and the detection ability of
the 2 units is almost identical. I don't speed as it
is tiring and wasteful of fuel, but I may travel a
few mph over the limit on occassion so my main
intent was to be alerted to revenue generating LEO
activity around small towns. So far it has worked as
intended, and often in areas I would not have
suspected.
PIAA 520 Lamps
My R1150GS Adventure was a superb bike but lacked
adequate night time lamps - probably as much to do with
my aging eyes, but I desired shoulder illumination to
see critters. To that end I added PIAA 520 lamps. They are bright and need to
be aimed properly so oncoming drivers are not
blinded! I angle mine outboard a tad so the
shoulders are illuminated. The yellow cast has two
benefits: 1. What is green stays green and what is
brown stay brown so deer et al are more easily
discerned 2. When on the freeway and approaching a
gaper in the fast lane, the slight flutter in the
lamps from the mounting system vibrating, causes the
gaper to dive for the slow lane - they don't know
what you are but assuming you are official or an
Alien about to munch them, they react. In Nevada, on
long straight roads they caused people to wait to
pass the guy ahead of them until I had passed - in
other words, they could see me.