Trial run with Sena/TomTom/Norge

[MGPilot]

I've been working up to today for a couple of months now.

I've wanted to do a better job of exploring some of the back roads around western Washington.

- Wanted a bike that would be a better for longer highway rides to get to these areas. A few weeks ago, got a white 2015 Norge from Moto International. My V7-II is an excellent bike, I simply wanted something different for this task.

- Wanted to be able to plot/explore new routes on the computer, download them to a gps, then ride them. Yep, I know you can just ride, get lost, find your way home. But I'd like to return to areas that I liked, piece together new rides, etc. Got a TomTom 400.

- Wanted to be able to get audible directions from the gps so I didn't have to watch the screen, and have additional capabilities--maybe.  Got a Sena Bluetooth communicator.

Got the Mercedes electrical plug, soldered it to the TomTom connection & got the TomTom mounted on the Norge with a Ram mount. Got my Android phone & TomTom to communicate with the Sena & the priorities managed. Spent one ride just adjusting the levels and confirming which device was going to control what with which commands (buttons & voice).

Along the way, got in rides to just get used to the Norge...which was easy. Oddly, I find it an easier bike to ride than the V7...but then again, it's more like the bikes I used to own. It rides as well or better through the tight switchbacks around the edge the island where I live than the V7. (Yet the V7 transmits more of the road, more vibration, more of everything--sort of input overload....or riding a puppy compared to the more powerful, purposeful Norge.  Fun and engaging in its own right.)

I'm at the point where I'm comfortable with the bike. The nav/comm system seems to be configured and I think I know it well enough that I can simply use it without it being a distraction.

So....if I can get through this morning without any scheduling conflicts, I expect to get out for the first ride in the countryside today to see how well the system works to let me navigate a route I don't know, giving me audible directions through ear buds, letting me focus on riding and not a GPS screen.

Pretty jazzed.  It's been a while in the making. Will be interesting to see how it comes together and if there are significant refinements needed.

James

[ken farr]

O.K., so you posted this at 0906:15, it is now 0911:15, how about the ride report???


Too soon?.....

kjf

looking forward to your report

[MGPilot]

For the most part, it all worked well. I was able to manage phone/music/GPS directions without it interfering with the ride itself. If you just want silence, easy to just turn the communicator off--or volumes down. I'm not a big music fan while I ride (or drive). I prefer the relative quiet and to listen to the engine. But it's nice to have the option.

Best part, I rode some areas that I just don't think I ever would have found by just riding along looking for interesting roads. So, the basic strategy of identify those roads and stringing them together into a ride for the day, works.

Minor issue, will search for some ear buds that are more comfortable in the helmet. I've removed the padding between them and the helmet shell, but after about an hour they start making themselves known.

The only real work concerns the GPS--some of which probably can't be solved:

- It would be nice if the TomTom would give you a more advanced notice of an upcoming turn. On the freeway, it's a half mile. This is plenty if you're already close the right lane. But if you're on the opposite side of the freeway (like in an HOV lane) and have to cross significant traffic, it's minimal. I'll check to see if I can extend the warning--but probably can't. Will probably just have to expect the minimal warning and work around it.

- I found that the route planning software doesn't distinguish road surfaces. Found myself on a back road that changed from blacktop to gravel. After only 3 weeks with the bike, not ready for gravel.  I had checked the route with Google Earth. Clearly that section didn't have a center line--but neither did a number of the other rural roads. Will work on some way to tell the difference during the planning stage.

- The software also does not recognize that some roads are private and through traffic is technically not permitted. Once I determine which these are, will see if I can mark them as something to avoid on the maps.

- I need to spend time to figure out how to give the GPS a "detour" command. Of course, once I turned away from the gravel, the GPS kept routing me back there.  Even some miles later, I couldn't tell if it was continuing the route to a new portion of the ride or trying to route me back to the missed via point. Will set up some sample runs to find out what it does and how to better manage it.

- I added one of the friction levers to the throttle grip to act as a rudimentary cruise control. It became clear (quickly) that it's basically useless in my area due to the constant elevation changes. No doubt a flatter area would let it work better--allowing for its inherent limitations.

Over all I like the system, just need to spend a bit more quality time with the TomTom and see if I can glean more information about the road surface if I'm getting into deeply rural roads.

[kingoffleece]

Interesting that your doing the same thing I am now.  After over 45 years on a bike, no music or anything else, I'm installing a Garmin on my Norge.  Gonna try some music also as I often travel 100's of interstate miles to get to great riding areas.  I know, I know, backroads to and from, but often times I'm crushed for time and the interstate helps out.

Every helmet speaker I ever heard stinks ( I spent over 30 years as a professional bass player and crap sound just won't cut it) so it's earbuds.  I think I've purchased 6 or 7 pair on recommendations from others and, like you, they get a bit uncomfortable.  After some research I found a company  called BigEars and I'm going to meet with them, have some exposure to the product, and if I like them, become a dealer.  I should add that my excellent musicians plugs that worked so well on stage fail as motorcycle plugs.

I also don't think I will use a Sena or the other offerings.  I spent a lot of time at the Cleveland show in Jan and was not impressed with the control, or lack thereof, offered by those units.  It looks like the MixIt2 is the way to go as it allows level mixing, audio boost, and volume control.  I have no need for bike to bike communication.

So, we shall see how it all develops.  Please keep the updates coming.  I'll do the same.

IF the BigEar thing works it will be a pleasant surprise.  BTW-I'm also a V7/Norge owner.  The Norge replaces a fantastic Tiger 1050 and the V7 replaces both a Street 3 and a Bonneville.

[PJPR01]

Good to see the progress here...

I'll share my experience...am running the TomTom rider and frequenty use the Winding Routes option to find fun ways around familiar areas...it does a great job...have found it gives me good heads up on when to change, will have to see if there is a setting in there with regards to how far in advance, but I don't recall setting that consciously.

Sound - running a Scala Rider Q1 and also wear ear plugs, so I'm getting decent sound, but by no means anything like having Jaybirds directly in the ear quality of sound, and the Scala has a variable speed setting so volume increases as speed increases and then flattens out around 45-50 mph.  If I ride w/o ear plugs, the volume is almost too loud so I drop it back a couple of notches...so it's got plenty of power...not a deep bass, but not bad.

After updating the software on the Scala, once I turn on the device, it almost instantly Bluetooth pairs with the Iphone to provide streaming music and has very nice long battery life...so music goes all day w/o having to charge it.

One other commentary...it doesn't happen often, but occasionally I'll get a phone call and the caller can't tell I'm on the bike, no wind noise, crystal clear sound on their end and mine...so that's a nice plus for those rare occasions.

I usually don't have the TomTom connected to give me voice directions, I just watch it from time to time, but that's my normal preference for using GPS, as I keep the volume off even in the cars as well and just glance at the map.

Fun to have the extra goodies...and doesn't take away from the ride quality, it's fun to see where it leads you and then use the suggestion or change on the fly.

Are the BigEar devices Bluetooth capable as well?

[kingoffleece]

If memory serves they do make a Bluetooth.  But, I have been using a small blue tooth gizmo that I plug the ear buds (Shure 215) into that is a receiver.  Hence, the buds will work with any Bluetooth transmitter. The advantage is the battery life is outstanding.

[Huzo]

Yeah PJP, I've used a Tom Tom rider here in Australia and Europe, I have it in a Touratech isolated mount and cannot find fault. There may be better out there but as I said it has been a great setup for my needs. Only thing worth a comment is the performance in strong sunlight, mine is mounted right above the centre nut on the top yoke and can sometimes seem a bit faint, it's nothing that you can't get around though. There are a couple of pics in "Huzo's Mods" posted a couple of weeks back, but it's nothing out of the ordinary as a setup, I find it's great for finding camping parks that you can arrive at toward the end of the day. I hope that's been of some interest.

[Huzo]

FWIW, my setup was posted Feb 22

[Zoom Zoom]

I will not pretend to know the Tom Tom, as I have always used Garmin myself. But to relate something about the Garmin, prior to the audible warning of a turn or exit, I do have a display that indicates how far until my next turn. I can hit a button and I get a screen pop with audible directions, such as "exit right to XXX in 1.3 miles". Being able to do that allows me time to prepare for the necessary lane in advance.

Perhaps the Tom Tom does something similar.

John Henry

[Jerryd]

If memory serves they do make a Bluetooth.  But, I have been using a small blue tooth gizmo that I plug the ear buds (Shure 215) into that is a receiver.  Hence, the buds will work with any Bluetooth transmitter. The advantage is the battery life is outstanding.

What brand "gizmo" is that?

[charlie b]

IIRC, there is a setup in the Tom Tom that will have it give turn commands earlier.  I know the Copilot software has an option for it.  Don't have the Tom Tom anymore so can't look.

Sound on the road is a personal thing.

The best is custom fit earplugs with a quality sound system built in.  Keep your phone or Bluetooth in a jacket pocket and you don't have to worry about being tethered to the bike.

If you can stand it, then some regular earbuds will work.  My brother likes his Etymotics.  No earbud is comfortable in my ears for more than about 10min.

I am not a music snob so I get by with helmet speakers and a Bluetooth unit.  I have used Sena, Cardo, and now UClear.  None are quality for music but they work for me.  FWIW, no helmet speaker will be great for music.  Just too much ambient noise to overcome.

[canuguzzi]

What brand "gizmo" is that?

There are a bunch of them. Easy way is to visit Amazon and search for Bluetooth Transmitter. That way you can see various brands and models.

You plug your rear huds into the box and it links via Bluetooth to your phone or tablet. It makes your earbuds Bluetooth. Some models can also be used to control play tracks and things like that.

I've used the MPOW brand with good success. It recharges quickly and runs for longer than the Norge will run on a full tank of fuel, maybe two.

The MPOW links up right away after pairing once. When you stop for fuel or eats, just charge it up via standard micro USB. Then you have all day BT sound.

There are many brands, most probably made by one company and just rebranded.

[MGPilot]

I have the music streamed from the Android phone. That way, simple voice commands let you start, pause and play specific playlists, etc.  Ported over my playlists from iTunes so I didn't need a music player.  Also, the phone makes sure that the music is muted for calls.

My wife called me the other day, couldn't tell I was on the bike. The Sena boom mike is much better than the stick-on adhesive mics. The boom is small enough it still works well inside the full face helmet. Sort of odd to be riding along at freeway speeds and have someone think you're at home...   Hm.....

I'm not a music aficionado, but I found that there was enough wind noise in the full face helmet, to turn up helmet speakers to overcome the wind noise just seemed like a good way to lose hearing over time. If I were going to wear ear plugs anyway, may as well find some comfortable ear buds.  Too bad some of my in-ear aviation headsets won't work with this. Foam tipped; designed for all day comfort. Will keep searching. Just want to find a reasonably economical solution that will provide hearing protection. Wired is fine as they plug directly into the Sena.

BTW, the Sena can seem to manage the volume for 7-8 feeds (including bike-to-bike). Just adjust the volume while the feed is active and it remembers that level. No brainer.

Still, somewhat ironic, I'm messing about with this and still choose to turn it off and listen to the engine most of the time. Yet....being able to call 911 in an emergency situation directly from my helmet is not a bad feature.

[kingoffleece]

Made by a company called "Outdoor Tech".