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Suction Cup Mounts? Suction Cup Mounts?
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Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else This is an opportunity to ask any question, and post any notice you wish that doesn't fit into one of the other sections.
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  • 3 Post By markharf
  • 1 Post By backofbeyond

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  #1  
Old 26 Mar 2019
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Suction Cup Mounts?
Hello,

I have a 2017 KLR and I use a RAM mount for my phone which I use as my GPS. I don't like looking down to see the phone since it's mounted on the handlebars. I was thinking of using a suction cup mount and placing it on the inside of my OEM windscreen so I can see it easily while I ride. Has anyone tried this and how well does it work? I would use a wire as a safety in case it popped off, but just wondering if the concept has been tested by anyone here?

Many thanks,

Cliff
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Old 26 Mar 2019
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I think I may have solved my own issue and I'll tell you the new idea. I used epoxy on my phone case to mount a GoPro connector so I can use all the GoPro mounts with my phone to record video on my phone. I now think I may use the GoPro sticky mount on my OEM windscreen and mount my phone this way. Stay tuned and I'll take some photos and see how it works in case someone is interested in trying it as well.
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Old 26 Mar 2019
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I just had a GoPro sticky come off my windscreen on Sunday taking the GoPro with it. The mount had been on there for about a year. Fortunately the safety wire caught it so no harm done but they’re not fit and forget.
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Old 27 Mar 2019
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Suction cup mounts don't even work reliably inside a car, much less out in the weather. They're fine for a while, then give way without warning.

Epoxy is a fine substance, but different brands and formulations have different strengths and weaknesses. For example, some won't withstand vibration or sudden impact very well; many won't stick well to certain plastics.

And sticky tape, per #3, can't be relied upon either; it tends to work right up until the moment it doesn't.

Always have a backup in place. Personally, I like mechanical fasteners--clamps, bolts, clips, wires, etc.

Hope that's helpful.

Mark
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Old 27 Mar 2019
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I've used a suction cup mount on the windscreen of my GoldWing to carry a GoPro but I was so worried about it I used two safety wires just in case. Just as well really as it came off after a couple of hours over a bumpy section of road. I still use it like that but only for short periods and with loads of safety backup. I'd never consider it for a 'long term' (= more than a day or so) fixing. A different suction mount on my sat nav keeps falling off the windscreen of my car at random intervals. A temporary fix only for me.
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Old 30 Apr 2019
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Good quality ones usually lasts for a few years, depends on how much you're willing to spend on this thing. But great idea on the wire support. That will help for sure.
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Old 3 May 2019
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The OEM GoPro suction cup was surprisingly good (stayed on at high speeds), but yes, always tether them.

That said, I would not want to mount a phone to my windscreen... it's likely to vibrate a lot more than the handlebars at speed.
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Old 4 May 2019
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AnTyx View Post
The OEM GoPro suction cup was surprisingly good (stayed on at high speeds), but yes, always tether them.

That said, I would not want to mount a phone to my windscreen... it's likely to vibrate a lot more than the handlebars at speed.
There’s windscreens and windscreens .... The windscreen on my Goldwing is a really stable platform and I’ve got some very good footage from cameras suction mounted onto it. On the other hand the windscreen on my little 125 Suzuki is totally useless as a platform. The screen itself doesn’t move but cameras vibrate and shake to the point where the footage is useless. I couldn’t predict either of those outcomes, it had to be trial and error.
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Old 27 Jul 2019
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Quote:
Originally Posted by backofbeyond View Post
There’s windscreens and windscreens .... The windscreen on my Goldwing is a really stable platform and I’ve got some very good footage from cameras suction mounted onto it. On the other hand the windscreen on my little 125 Suzuki is totally useless as a platform. The screen itself doesn’t move but cameras vibrate and shake to the point where the footage is useless. I couldn’t predict either of those outcomes, it had to be trial and error.
Agree on the trial and error part. When it comes to footage, it's harder to get a more stable mount. It's easier to mount other stuff like cb radios, for instance (recently bought one for my dad and found a good one from RRD.org). There are sturdy options for this but of course it doesn't need to have a stabilizer effect. I have yet to try a camera mount that will capture smooth videos... and if I do, I'll make sure to come back to this thread.
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