Compass? - Harley Forum

eeyore · #1 04-25-2009, 07:33 PM

Sorry if this is a dumb question, or one that's been asked before...

I love to ride my Sporty around on rural two lane (or less) roads but I have NO sense of direction, which can make for a much longer ride than originally intended. Is there such a thing as a compass for handlebar mounting, or wherever? I don't recall seeing one in the J&P bible. Is it even possible with all that iron around?

shovelmike · #2 04-25-2009, 08:00 PM

Harley had an electronic compass for baggers in their accessory catalog a few years ago, it didn't stay long. I've read that they were very inaccurate.
I don't know of anyone who has used any other type. Perhaps there is someone on this forum who has tried.

Spade5 · #3 04-25-2009, 10:05 PM

J&P lists two. 730-725 $82.99 and 580-007 $64.99 (Formotion). I don't know anything about either one.

I have the same problem as you. I'm fine in the daytime in my pickup but once I climb on the bike I get turned around very easily.

I have given in to this and just make the most of it. Another suggestion is a portable GPS. I have a Tom Tom 130 which I believe you can get for about $130 at Best Buy. I carry it with me just in case but have never taken it out. There are fancier ones and you can even get a bike mount but to me it would be too distracting trying to look at it while riding and I can forget about hearing it even with headphones.

JCourneyaP · #4 04-26-2009, 05:16 AM

Should be able to rig up something for most Hand Held Compasses. I mount a Hand Held Garmon GPS unit on my bars. I use the mount that is for a bicycle. I do make sure I fix the lanyard from the GPS to the bars incase the mount breaks. 2 years and no problems.

They have those compasses for cars that clip to a visor. I am sure you can clip it on a tank bra or cable.

All else fails...........Drop some bread crumbs :>)

HarleyCruiser · #5 04-26-2009, 08:36 AM

Yea, I used to keep one on the windshield of my bike, got it at Wal-Mart for about six bucks. It is about an inch and a half and has a suction cup. Put some silicone on the cup so it doesn’t come off.
They also make one with a clock and thermometer.
It was pretty accurate, better than noting. I would say within ten degrees, and saved me many times.
The bigger ones are more accurate but are too big and cost as much as a cheap GPS.
I got tired of stopping and asking locals which way was north.
I am amassed how many people do not know which way is "UP" in their front yard.
They ask you where you want to go, can not understand you are just out riding and want to go south/east.
I put it on the shelve when I got my GPS which there is no comparison.
They make a real cheap GPS without the map that has a compass, for about fifty bucks. But once you have a GPS there is no going back.

unclepsycho · #6 04-26-2009, 10:23 PM

I got a watch with a built in Altimeter...but it also has a compass... you may hafta stop to look at it, or mount it to the bars etc. I got mine for $65 which is more than the GPS unit mentioned above,

XG-55 by La Crosse Technology - Tomorrow's Weather Today

evoKENevo · #7 04-27-2009, 09:30 AM

Does anyone here have experience with the Formotion compass Spade5 mentioned ? I'd thought about getting a GPS but just felt it would take the "adventure" out of getting lost

and,the Formotion handle bar mounted compass appears to be just what I'm looking for.

JCourneyaP · #8 04-27-2009, 09:23 PM

Ken you can still get lost. Just don't turn it on....Save it for that special occasion when you are in the rain freezing your Ars off and need the nearest hotel with bar.

chipster · #9 04-27-2009, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JCourneyaP

Ken you can still get lost. Just don't turn it on....Save it for that special occasion when you are in the rain freezing your Ars off and need the nearest hotel with bar.

First off, I believe that many people have told Ken to get lost.
Secondly, he can't get lost because a lot of people have told him where to go.

evoKENevo · #10 04-28-2009, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JCourneyaP

Ken you can still get lost. Just don't turn it on....Save it for that special occasion when you are in the rain freezing your Ars off and need the nearest hotel with bar.

Hmmmm...I might have to rethink this

Quote:

Originally Posted by chipster

First off, I believe that many people have told Ken to get lost.
Secondly, he can't get lost because a lot of people have told him where to go.

Yeah,geez...come to think of it,I do get a lot of that...but those people really have'nt been much help...because everytime I ask them how to get there all they ever tell me is to "just keep on keep'n on"...