GPS units have been a great addition to the motorcycle world. Yeah, some people hate them, but the people who love them, really love them. So much so that they obviously don’t want to have them “go missing” when they leave their bike just for a minute or two. Knowing this ,multiple companies jumped on the bandwagon and made a way to “lock” the GPS to the bike for security.
Garmin, probably the world’s largest maker of GPS units, also designed a way to secure your GPS to your motorcycle. Their idea was simple; all it involved was a small security Torx, the one with the extra stud in the middle so a normal Torx wouldn’t fit. Theft foiled!
The way to secure it was with a little tool, the one you lost the cap from, and then when the tool was on your keychain it would puncture a little hole in your pant pockets when you weren’t riding and all your change would end up in your pant liners!!!
Zumo security key, and pocket liner destroyer. Photo: GPScity
They designed it like this for simplicity and lightness. There wasn’t and still isn’t a need for a big cage around the device. There’s no need for rubber dampeners to cut vibration; that has all been designed into the unit.
When new ZumoXT arrived and most riders who had previously owned a Zumo expected a similar security arrangement, but they got nothing from Garmin. Then the complaints started about the mount being weak and not secure; stories of units popping out of the mount are not uncommon. Even though I have over 50,000 miles with a ZumoXT, I have never had the issue personally because I always double-check the tightness before I ride away—but this didn’t stop me from looking for a way to secure it. After all, small, easy-to-steal GPS units costing $500 or more could be a thief’s dream come true.
MotoPumps founder Rob, saw this and jumped on the task. There were a few mounts available on the market already, but one had supply chain issues to the US, and the other, well it’s just that big cage thing all over again!
He followed Garmin’s lead and went the simple route, spending more time on sleek functional design rather than mass and weight to scare a potential thief away. If someone wants to steal anything from you and they are determined it will happen; this is just a way to keep honest people honest.
A small precision CNC’d backing plate cut from plate aluminum and then anodized for longevity, machined with the AMPS pattern and a few others so it fits all current GPS mounts regardless of brand.
On the top is a proprietary screw fastener and tool and that’s it.
Image: rtwPaul
Image: rtwPaul
The mounting process is simple, undo the current four screws, attached the MotoPumps backing plate and screw, line it all up, and bolt it together.
Image: rtwPaul
Image: rtwPaul
I found on my backing plate wasn’t a good fit even after filing away some powdercoat, so I contacted Rob at MotoPumps. Apparently, I am the first to try this round RAM mount out of hundreds and hundreds sold already. It turns out it interferes with the mounting and locking pin. Like most of you I have a stash of this stuff laying around, so I grabbed a square one instead.
Obviously, if you are going to use a RAM ball set up, tighten it up extra tight with a pair of channel locks to make it impossible to undo with just your fingers.
Photo: rtwPaul
Photo: rtwPaul
Now take out the locking rod, mount your ZumoXT as normal and then insert and tighten the screw with the supplied tool.
Photo: rtwPaul
Image: rtwPaul
Photo: rtwPaul
To remove just do the opposite. Use that proprietary tool to loosen the locking rod. Once loose, then use the other end of the tool (shown below) to push it a little further out so you can grab it and remove it.
Photo: rtwPaul
The proprietary tool on a bunch of keys is hardly noticeable but it might be the difference between your Garmin Zumo XT being there or not when you return to your bike after a few minutes
Photo: rtwPaul
The price is $69.99, but of course MotoPumps looks after inmates so go read the thread and find the magic button with the discount attached HERE. And maybe jump to the MotoPumps website, because Rob makes a lot more than MotoPumps; he has designed a few other very special machined parts for your ride too.
Before you balk at the price and jump into the comments consider the alternatives—they start at 3X the price and consider the amount of time that goes into R&D and then specific one-off machining. If you have ever worked in machining or owned a CNC machine you will already know how expensive it is just to turn those fancy machines on and run them for a few hours!
Or, consider the cost of replacing your GPS.
Please support inmate-owned businesses, and the ingenuity and passion they put into bringing you the products you want, made where you think they should be made!
For more about MotoPumps, read some of their threads or the previous front page article on the new MotoPump
Website – motopumps.com
Instagram – motopumps
