Dans08 Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 I'm looking into the RKA Communication Tank Bag for use on my 02 R1150RT. It will be a 19 liter bag, Zumo, Midland CB and Starcom Digital. I'd like to hear from those that have this set-up or have used it. How do you like it? Did it hold up good and how did you protect it from theft when traveling on the road? What or the pro's and con's of have a having the communications (GPS, CB and Comm. Unit) in a tank bag ver. permanently installed on the bike? Link to comment
Mr_Ed Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 I've seen the setup at the RKA booth at one of the MOAs.. Seemed to be a good way to go. I didn't care for his approach of placing the PTT on the tankbag however as I think near/on the left grip makes more sense. Only other comment... CB? Most folks on this board use GMRS. Link to comment
flyingreg Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 Have you considered using a J&M CB unit? http://www.sierra-mc.com/products.asp?cat=243 This unit integrates intercom, music, radar, etc. into a unit designed for motorcycle use. I haven't compared prices, but I' wouldn't be surprised if you came out ahead. As for the FRS vs CB argument, the rest of the country still uses CB over the road, with FRS, GMRS, being almost exclusively toward the jobber crowd. You want to know what's happening up ahead there are truckers and others to talk to. And the J&M unit has NOAA weather radio. I wish I had gone this direction the first time around. BTW, HERE is a thread on this forum that shows an install. Link to comment
BeemerLover Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 I really like electrified tank bags with the GPS, etc attached to the back (windscreen) side of the bag. I am able to unplug the tank bag from the left side 12v outlet of my R12RT, undo the tankbag and walk inside a restaurant with everything. I don't need to undo and pack the gizmos separately and then after the meal, hook everything up separately. Makes my life easier! Link to comment
Dans08 Posted February 5, 2009 Author Share Posted February 5, 2009 Have you considered using a J&M CB unit? http://www.sierra-mc.com/products.asp?cat=243 This unit integrates intercom, music, radar, etc. into a unit designed for motorcycle use. I haven't compared prices, but I' wouldn't be surprised if you came out ahead. As for the FRS vs CB argument, the rest of the country still uses CB over the road, with FRS, GMRS, being almost exclusively toward the jobber crowd. You want to know what's happening up ahead there are truckers and others to talk to. And the J&M unit has NOAA weather radio. I wish I had gone this direction the first time around. BTW, HERE is a thread on this forum that shows an install. I have consided the J&M but it is an interface unit which means I still have to mount the GPS and Comm unit and find a place for all the wires. When these items are not being used I have plug in the I will neeed to tuck away someplace. My biggest hardship with hard mounted units, the CB, GPS and the comm unit is routing and securing the wire harnesses. I like the idea that everything is mounted to the bag and the wires are withing the bag. I'm not sure if I like the idea of 1 power lead going to the bag and powering the three, maybe four pieces, the CB, GPS, Starcom and maybe an MP# player. Do I even need to worry about this? Link to comment
Dans08 Posted February 5, 2009 Author Share Posted February 5, 2009 I really like electrified tank bags with the GPS, etc attached to the back (windscreen) side of the bag. I am able to unplug the tank bag from the left side 12v outlet of my R12RT, undo the tankbag and walk inside a restaurant with everything. I don't need to undo and pack the gizmos separately and then after the meal, hook everything up separately. Makes my life easier! Do you have much trouble gasing up with the bag attached? So 1 12v power supply running to the bag can power everthing attached to the bag? Thats cool. What size bag did you go with? I may go with the 19 Liter which the handle bars lightly touch when turned lock to lock. I don't think that will be an issue and the larger bag will be better for maps. Link to comment
Dans08 Posted February 5, 2009 Author Share Posted February 5, 2009 I've seen the setup at the RKA booth at one of the MOAs.. Seemed to be a good way to go. I didn't care for his approach of placing the PTT on the tankbag however as I think near/on the left grip makes more sense. Only other comment... CB? Most folks on this board use GMRS. I agree with the placement of the PTT but see that it is just an option. I will go with the PTT at the left grip. And, I'm going with the CB. What is GMRS and what is the difference between that and a CB? Link to comment
Mr_Ed Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 Very simply put CB and GMRS use two totally different sets of radio frequencies. One does not work with the other. It all comes down to who you want to talk or listen to. A lot of folks use CB including folks on something other than a bike. CB tends to have a lot more activity and can have more static. GMRS is simply another option. Overwhelmingly BMW riders (Sporttouring riders regardless of brand actually) appear to go with GMRS instead. You don't get to listen to truckers talk about where the LEOs are hiding but if that's your primary concern you're riding on the wrong roads and should consider a radar detector. Oh... If you go with GMRS you would be best off with a Kenwood of some sort. Link to comment
Dans08 Posted February 6, 2009 Author Share Posted February 6, 2009 Very simply put CB and GMRS use two totally different sets of radio frequencies. One does not work with the other. It all comes down to who you want to talk or listen to. A lot of folks use CB including folks on something other than a bike. CB tends to have a lot more activity and can have more static. GMRS is simply another option. Overwhelmingly BMW riders (Sporttouring riders regardless of brand actually) appear to go with GMRS instead. You don't get to listen to truckers talk about where the LEOs are hiding but if that's your primary concern you're riding on the wrong roads and should consider a radar detector. Oh... If you go with GMRS you would be best off with a Kenwood of some sort. I can do with out the CB chatter from truckers. I'll have to look into the GMRS radios. What I really want is a GPS (Zumo) and a StarCom to start with. A CB would be nice for bike to bike but I don't have to have that now. How hard is it to wire the StarCom and a Zumo on a R1150RT and secure all the wires? Are these somewhat easy to hard mount to the bike? Maybe I wont go with the tank bag set-up. Link to comment
BeemerLover Posted February 7, 2009 Share Posted February 7, 2009 Dan, to answer your question, I have a small tourmaster tankbag that releases (velcro) and flips forward when I gas. The GPS is attached with velcro to an aluminum plate that I attached to the tank bag with stainless screws. The cost of the plate was less than $10 for everything. No need to buy all the RAM stuff. I have never had anything that was velcroed on come loose. When flipped forward when I gas up the GPS does not get damaged. I electrified my tank bag using an SAE connector made for things like this. Go to this site and scroll down to RV Roof connector. http://www.solarseller.com/low_voltage_dc_pumps__lvm__teel__accessories__plugs_and_extensions.htm Put this on your tank bag and then make a wire that goes from there to the BMW powerlet outlet. Inside my tank bag I have a cigarette lighter outlet into which I put car chargers for different things. My GPS plugs in here as do my Gerbings heated gloves. Good luck! Gael Link to comment
Dans08 Posted February 8, 2009 Author Share Posted February 8, 2009 Dan, to answer your question, I have a small tourmaster tankbag that releases (velcro) and flips forward when I gas. The GPS is attached with velcro to an aluminum plate that I attached to the tank bag with stainless screws. The cost of the plate was less than $10 for everything. No need to buy all the RAM stuff. I have never had anything that was velcroed on come loose. When flipped forward when I gas up the GPS does not get damaged. I electrified my tank bag using an SAE connector made for things like this. Go to this site and scroll down to RV Roof connector. http://www.solarseller.com/low_voltage_dc_pumps__lvm__teel__accessories__plugs_and_extensions.htm Put this on your tank bag and then make a wire that goes from there to the BMW powerlet outlet. Inside my tank bag I have a cigarette lighter outlet into which I put car chargers for different things. My GPS plugs in here as do my Gerbings heated gloves. Good luck! Gael I like the Tour Master Cortech Mini Tank Bags. This my be an option for the tank bag. The RKA system I'm looking at is expensive and I know you can't get away cheep when trying to do something like this. So, I'm getting prices for hard mount a GPS and CB and possible installing a starcom unit under the seat. With that, a small tank bag might work out good. Link to comment
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