[flynsouth]

My favorite rides are when I just pick a general direction on the backroads and go exploring. Lately though, on overcast days when I can't find the sun, I wish I had a compass on the bike so I can figure out what directions I'm choosing from at an interection, especially after 3 hours or so and I need to head east and I take a guess. The road curls around for 25mi and I find I started north and ended west just in time to see the sun set and a vague idea I'm still in NC. I've seen one in JP Cycles that mounts to the bars, does anyone use one?

 

[Spok]

I don't have a compass (yet) as I have chrome to buy instead but I have a Formotion clock on my bike, attached to the windscreen, it also has a clamp for the handlebars, but if I remember correctly, they make a compass too..

look at this link, is this what you want?

http://www.formotionproducts.com/compasses.htm

 

[flynsouth]

Thanks Spok, that looks like what I've seen. I was hoping to find something a little less obvious but much smaller and it may be as useless as a toy.

 

[CSA2lt]

Try a GPS. A lot more fun than a compass. Handle bar mounts are available also. I'm in NE Raleigh.

 

[flynsouth]

Thought of that and I have a small unit that fits on my wrist but outside with polarized lenses on it can sometimes be a chore reading it and of course then I'm going to want the DVD player with the maps so I can really see where I am...I'll keep looking and may end up there.

I'm up by Falls Lake, drop me a note if you want to ride sometime or head on down to Scootworks to pick up some stuff.

 

[ispeed77]

you could try an auto parts store or even wal-mart and see if they have a digital combo thermometer and compass. sounds familiar to me, just can't place where i've seen them. should be slim enough to mount somewhere decent, hard part would be making it look good and be able to read it while riding. let us know what you do, that is something i would be interested in as well.

 

[centerpunch]

I have a Meridian Gold GPS that I use for hunting and checking my spedometer on my old bike. I discovered my 800B was off 10%. Speedo indicated 77 when GPS says I'm doing 70. Anyway, I just set my location (home) before leaving and then if you have any questions along the way about getting home you just fire it up and it points you in the right direction and tells you how far it is away. It's a great tool. I have the "mapsend" function for dowloading maps from a disc that shows all roads in an area but I have not used it yet.

Hope this helps.
DJ

 

[flynsouth]

Thanks I have a Garmin Foretracker I use much the same. I haven't seen anything else I really like so I may end up creating a mounting bracket for it that will allow me to mount it on the handlebars but stilll look like it belongs. It's wrist size and has some pretty neat features, just thought I might be able to find something I liked ready made. I'll post a pic if I end up doing this.

 

[2WheelFun]

I wish we had riding weather here so I could plug my GPS in and try it out.

 

[flynsouth]

Okay I found a simple solution that is unobtrusive, actually looks like it belongs, passed the 80MPH wind test, iseasily removed if I decide I don't like it after a while and best of all cheap.

I found a rear view mirror mount compass at Wally World for $4.99 that has a round floating compass, a grey case on the front that is very similar to the brushed surface in the triple tree and is rounded and black on the back. I know it's plastic and it's only stuck on with duoble sided tape but it sits perfectly in my view went I look at the speedo tach and is small enough that it doesn't jump out at you and look out of place. I'll probably still try a mount for my GPS but I can leave this on the bike and if someone gets sticky fingers it won't break my heart (although I'd still break their fingers if I caught them). Pictures attached.

 

[Spok]

always like a good ending...

 

[2WheelFun]

Thanks flynsouth....and a good find too!

 

[ispeed77]

that thing actually looks pretty decent, nice find

 

[Scotty Luv]

Not a bad look--and cheap too!
Win-Win!

Scott