Mounting a GPS on the BMW S1000XR

Adding a Locking GPS Mount to the BMW S1000XR

The fully-loaded and getting accessorizedBMW S1000XR (review) has really grown on me.

As someone else noted, “riding it brings a big grin”…and I’ll add “no matter the road being travelled”.

No wonder my F 800 GS Adventure is being neglected.

But as good as everything is on the XR, the original GPS Preparation mount does not have a lock!

This is not what I expected to see as a deliverable on a fully optioned machine…

Thankfully, there is a simple BMW part swap that rectifies the situation, albeit with some dollars being exchanged and a few minutes of work needed for installation.

To replace the basic non-locking snap-in mount that comes with the XR and mounts the BMW Navigator V GPS with no security, my XR now sports a locking cradle mount — the one that comes with the 2013+ R 1200 GSW models.

This locking mount is a true plug-n-play solution for the S1000XR and it’s also stronger and sturdier than the GPS mount that came with the XR. The only other thing it needed was the lock kit coded for the ignition key on my bike.

This replacement BMW locking GPS mount also fits perfectly on the Touratech GPS Mount Adapter described below.

It positions the BMW Navigator V GPS up to 80 millimeters closer to the rider and it can be rotated, allowing height and level adjustment so that the rider’s views of both the GPS and the road are unimpeded.

Background

In getting a new motorcycle and preparing it for a mix of many uses — commuting, variable-distance touring or adventure travel involving a mix of road surfaces — it is often prudent to draw up a list of accessories, usually in some semblance of order.

But even with a list, changes are inevitable, often due to product availability.

In reality though, most of the products identified in my first impressions of the BMW S1000XR review have been installed or their installation is imminent.

Some of the “deemed essential” items like the CoxRacingGroup Radiator and Oil Cooler Guards and the BMW Engine Guards now adorn the S100XR, with all being finalized for submission to the Editor.

The Cobrra Nemo 2 Chain Oiler (review) is on and doing its job.

Likewise the venerable Denali DM1 LED lights (review) in their DRL role, an ADVmonster M30/M44 LED combination and a small LED light bar mounted high up on the forks with some prototype fork clamps.

Everything — including two USB outlets — is powered and managed by the new Arboreal Systems Neutrino Black Box V2, currently being evaluated for an update to the original Arboreal Systems Neutrino review.

And I installed a new version of the Ohmics Intelligent MotoBrake (review), identified as the Rev-C, under the now fitted rear luggage carrier that was omitted at the factory for a defect, but finally received and installed.

That allowed me to install the SHAD SH48 top case (review).

This newest version of the Ohmics deceleration-sensing brake light now supports the use of auxiliary LEDs for deceleration, tail or brake light output, with lots of new user defined options available via firmware configuration…stay tuned for an update to the original review.

So there is a “master plan” to all of this, but change, as noted above, is inevitable and while waiting on some things, others can be tried or installed.

Those are typically the items which have already proven themselves in use on other motorcycles or those that might prove to be a good fit for the S1000XR.

And this brings us to the BMW GPS Preparation Kit and Touratech GPS Mount Adapter; one is a BMW part from the GS series and the other a tried-and-true item that has been used on many motorcycles.

No Locking Mount on the S1000XR?

For some reason, BMW Motorrad saw fit to use the simplest “Preparation for Navigation System” harness for use on the S1000XR, one of its newest and highest-tech machines. Go figure — it can’t even be locked.

After owning the 2014 BMW R 1200 GSW that had most of the available bell-‘n’-whistles installed, including a very compact and very functional locking GPS mount for the Navigator V, the GPS mount on the XR just wasn’t acceptable to me.

The solution was simple (fortunately) — exchange the non-locking mount for a locking mount.

A Locking Substitute

So after determining that a BMW Motorrad GPS Preparation kit (PN 77 52 8 536 045) for the 2013+ R 1200 GSW was in stock somewhere (it was), I placed the order.

A two-day wait saw the kit delivered to the dealer and then into my eager hands, along with a single lock kit set (PN 51 26 7 698 204).

The kit includes the LIN bus interface harness connecting the Multi-Function Controller (MFC) on the left handlebar and the navigation/media systems on models so equipped.

As this part number was for the R 1200 GSW, it comes with the 12 mm tubular bar bracket (clamp) that is actually surplus to requirements for the S1000XR, as the XR already has its own bar bracket.

Installing the Locking Mount

Removing the S1000XR windscreen provides easy access to everything required to install the new GPS mounts.

Loosening the four T25 M5 x 20 mm screws and then lifting them away one at a time works, allowing the back-mounted sleeve washers to be removed (before they fall out and roll out of sight).

Removing the new locking mount and harness from its bracket did require keying and installing the lock kit first.

This was required so that the locked cover could be removed, in turn providing access to the mounting screws of the AMPS four hole-pattern backing plate.

From here on, swapping the non-locking mount for the locking piece takes five to ten minutes.

The only difference is that the non-locking mount uses a two-screw backing plate while the lock mount uses the four screw approach identified above.

This leaves the harness with its two modular connectors on the end: one for the navigation connection and the other for the media connection (if applicable), to be connected.

With the left side trim panel removed (more on S1000XR plastic removal in an upcoming report), accessing the harness connection point on the left front side of the frame is easy.

The 75 cm (29.5 inch) long harness runs along the same path as the original component.

First the right side of the bracket, down to the steering column, across the top and then down the left side of the frame.

The connectors sit in a small recess along with other connections and wiring. It is a simple matter to make the navigation plug connection and tuck the unused connector out of the way.

A couple of small zip ties restored the bundles to their former secure positions (photos are good to jog the memory).

Two more small zip ties along the downward path keep the harness tucked in along with the other OE and accessory wiring, with two more ties used to secure the upper section of the harness to the navigation bar bracket, so it is all back to its “as delivered” state.

With the BMW Navigator V locked securely into the new cradle (90 turns using the ignition key), turning on the ignition, letting the Navi come out of standby and then activating the MFC brought up new screens on the Navi, just as expected.

Swapping the non-locking mount for the locking device mount is very simple and rewarding. Although not inexpensive, additional device security and peace of mind is more than sufficient return for the investment.

Adding the Touratech GPS Mounting Adapter

Touratech makes a huge number of GPS mounting adapters, GPS adapters, SPOT satellite GPS (review) and phone adapters for many different motorcycle makes and models.

For the S1000XR, the unit I used is the “12 mm to 12 mm GPS Bracket Adapter” (PN 046-0270, $71.40 USD), which provides 80 mm of offset for repositioning most navigation devices.

A similar product designed for and in use on my F 800 GS Adventure, the Touratech “GPS Mount Adapter for the F800GS Adventure” (SKU 048-5415 $68.60 USD) would work equally well on the XR bar bracket or other similar host mounts.

The Touratech 12 mm to 12 mm adapter is made in Germany from anodized aluminum and laser-cut stainless steel. It attaches via the round clamps to a 12 mm (1/2″) GPS mounting bar.

This part was originally designed for the European version of the Yamaha XT660Z Ténéré, but it’s in their “Universal Mount Adapters” section, so it should work with any 12 mm device mounting bar.

The 80 mm of offset towards the rider is adjustable for angle by rotating it in the circular clamp. This part will work with any Touratech locking GPS mount also.

I have used both of these adapters on five or six other motorcycles over the years and they are among the most useful small accessories available for mounting a GPS, particularly for adventure-touring or dual-sport motorcycles.

Installing the Touratech GPS Mounting Adapter

The two base clamps on the Touratech adapter mount around the 12 mm bar bracket on the S1000XR, followed by adding the 82 mm long side holders (arms) to each of the brackets, also with two screws.

With the arms in place, the 70 mm wide, 12 mm diameter cross tube is mounted between the arms with two M8 dome-head end screws (the basic Touratech installation sheet is a good guide).

Once the hardware is tightened enough to support a load, the navigation device mount can be added — in this instance, the BMW locking mount.

At this point, the windscreen can be reinstalled and final positioning adjustments to locate the GPS in the best viewing position is made from the saddle. Then all the fasteners can be tightened completely, but don’t force the small hardware components.

Conclusion

The BMW locking mount GPS Preparation kit isn’t cheap, coming in at $416.00 CAD (plus tax) for the kit and lock, with an even loftier U.S. price.

Admittedly, the whole kit is expensive.

But it is better looking, far stronger and provides far more security for the BMW Navigator V.

There are (and will be) other locking GPS mounting solutions for the S1000XR and similar motorcycles.

But considering the amount of time, the costs and the adaptability when using the harness from the R 1200 GSW, this seemed to be a no-brainer solution and it is.

The Touratech GPS Mounting Adapter is also a good investment; for the S1000XR, either the 12 mm to 12 mm adapter works or the adapter originally designed for the F 800 GS (as noted above) will work.

Both are a work of art regarding design, with form, fit and function all validated over years of use on my motorcycles.

Whether used for heads-up or handlebar-mounted orientation, the adapter serves to simply and securely position a navigation device closer to the user for better visuals and easier access, creating what should be a safer riding environment.

Stay tuned for the next installment in the S1000XR chronicles…coming soon.

Also: BMW S1000XR Blog

Owner Comments and Feedback