Need help powering my Garmin GPS

[Firehorse]

Hey everyone, I'm planning to mount a Garmin GPS on the left handlebar soon, what's the best way to get power to it? I'll be tapping into the fused side of the fuse box, but I'm not sure how to run the wires cleanly

 

[solitary87]

You can try routing the wire along the handlebar with zip ties, then down the frame under the tank or fairing. double-wrap it for extra protection if you can. Are you using a relay to power it with the ignition? That can help avoid battery drain when parked.

 

[theunchosen]

You can tap into switched power right under the left glove box, no need to mess with the fuse box. If you've got a handlebar mount already, just run the wire under the plastic cover and just be sure to leave enough slack so it doesn't get pinched when the bars turn.

 

[Phadia091]

If bikes are meant for open-road freedom, why do we still have to hack together power setups for basic gear, shouldn't manufacturers offer built-in, rider-friendly accessory ports as standard by now?

 

[Firehorse]

You can try routing the wire along the handlebar with zip ties, then down the frame under the tank or fairing. double-wrap it for extra protection if you can. Are you using a relay to power it with the ignition? That can help avoid battery drain when parked.

That's a good tip, thanks! I haven't wired in a relay yet, but I'll consider it now, I like the zip-tie and double-wrap idea too, it is clean and safe is the goal

 

[Firehorse]

You can tap into switched power right under the left glove box, no need to mess with the fuse box. If you've got a handlebar mount already, just run the wire under the plastic cover and just be sure to leave enough slack so it doesn't get pinched when the bars turn.

I didn't realize there was a switched source under the glove box. That might actually be cleaner than the fuse box route. I'll check it out and plan the slack carefully

 

[Firehorse]

If bikes are meant for open-road freedom, why do we still have to hack together power setups for basic gear, shouldn't manufacturers offer built-in, rider-friendly accessory ports as standard by now?

Right? It's 2025 and we're still zip-tying wires like it's a DIY project. A simple, built-in accessory port would save so much time and hassle, it feels like an easy win they keep ignoring

 

[A$APR0CKY]

Hey everyone, I'm planning to mount a Garmin GPS on the left handlebar soon, what's the best way to get power to it? I'll be tapping into the fused side of the fuse box, but I'm not sure how to run the wires cleanly

I ran mine through the headlight bucket and down the frame with heat shrink for protection. I also tapped into a switched fuse using a relay. It works like a charm, mind you. If I could do it, you could definitely do it too

 

[theunchosen]

I didn't realize there was a switched source under the glove box. That might actually be cleaner than the fuse box route. I'll check it out and plan the slack carefully

Yeah, its worth checking. Better cable management especially if you already have a handlebar mount