BMW GPS Prep Kit

byee

Active member
Anyone install the BMW GPS Prep Kit on their C400GT/X?

I’m interested but my local
dealership was not able to confirm. I also called BMW Motorrad Canada and they deferred me to the local dealership.

I’m interested in buying the ConnectedRide cradle with required the BMW GPS prep kit


Thoughts?
 

Road Scholar

New member
Just curious but why not just put a RAM ball mount on the mirror stem and use your phone for Nav? I have the BMW Navigator on my BMW R1200RT but seldom use it unless I'm in the mountains and can't get a cell signal. But if you load your route on your phone (I have an iPhone) it works without cell coverage due to the chip. I find apple/google maps much easier to use and they pair to the C400 and Cardo. The RAM mount on the left mirror stem puts it in the right area to use with your left hand, however they sell an aftermarket gizmo that goes in the BMW connected ride cradle that will take an iPhone. Maybe an alternative as the BMW Navigator is stupid expensive and the cradle adds to the cost. I can post pics if interested ...
 

mgg

Member
I understand that BMW uses Garmin for their navigation and while I really like google maps and that is what I use in my car it does not give me the same capability as my Garmin XT. I have many routes, of motorcycle rides, that I ride. I can map them in Garmin Basecamp and download to my GPS. Google is fine for finding places but I don't know how you would put many waypoints into a google map like you can with the Garmin. So I have about 50 maps of rides in WI, FL, GA, PA, AK, MO, and TN. I do many of these same rides every year and the Garmin Zumo XT makes it so easy to do once you learn the system. Google always wants to take you the shortest or the fastest route. My maps are neither, they are the most twisty and landscaped routes that I force with waypoints. So I totally get it. I would not purchase the system from BMW just like I didn't purchase nave from Indian when I had one. I have had a Garmin Zumo for years and have the XT now mounted on my C400gt. I also have my phone mounted on my handlebars because if Im just looking for a hotel or store and don't care how I get there, I will use google on my phone.
 

wspollack

Active member
Phones may be okay in a pinch, but you have to be mindful of damaging them as a result of vibrations. Also, they are generally not rainproof, nor as bright.

If I did a lot of trip planning and so forth, I would get a Garmin XT. As it is, I mostly do goofing-off day trips, and don't really care where I am, where I've wandered to -- eventually, I will encounter a state route, and then can figure out approximately where I am.
 

mzflorida

Active member
I understand that BMW uses Garmin for their navigation and while I really like google maps and that is what I use in my car it does not give me the same capability as my Garmin XT. I have many routes, of motorcycle rides, that I ride. I can map them in Garmin Basecamp and download to my GPS. Google is fine for finding places but I don't know how you would put many waypoints into a google map like you can with the Garmin. So I have about 50 maps of rides in WI, FL, GA, PA, AK, MO, and TN. I do many of these same rides every year and the Garmin Zumo XT makes it so easy to do once you learn the system. Google always wants to take you the shortest or the fastest route. My maps are neither, they are the most twisty and landscaped routes that I force with waypoints. So I totally get it. I would not purchase the system from BMW just like I didn't purchase nave from Indian when I had one. I have had a Garmin Zumo for years and have the XT now mounted on my C400gt. I also have my phone mounted on my handlebars because if Im just looking for a hotel or store and don't care how I get there, I will use google on my phone.
Phones may be okay in a pinch, but you have to be mindful of damaging them as a result of vibrations. Also, they are generally not rainproof, nor as bright.

If I did a lot of trip planning and so forth, I would get a Garmin XT. As it is, I mostly do goofing-off day trips, and don't really care where I am, where I've wandered to -- eventually, I will encounter a state route, and then can figure out approximately where I am.
You can upload GPX files from Garmin to Google Maps (many different ways to do that, google has a support page for it). Another solution is to buy an older phone and run Google Maps on it; the damage to the image stabilizer may be inconsequential on an older phone. You don't need a data plan as you can share your data connection on your primary phone to your secondhand phone.
 

mzflorida

Active member
I bought an inexpensive Motorola G Play for $125 from Costco for use on my C400GT.

Definitely better than having my Apple iPhone on my cradle

You added the ConnectedRide Cradle to your bike; is that correct? I'd be really interested in hearing your thoughts on it. I know I am keeping this bike for a long time and this is something that would add value for me in the way I use my GT.
 

mgg

Member
You can upload GPX files from Garmin to Google Maps (many different ways to do that, google has a support page for it). Another solution is to buy an older phone and run Google Maps on it; the damage to the image stabilizer may be inconsequential on an older phone. You don't need a data plan as you can share your data connection on your primary phone to your secondhand phone.
I did not know this. But I got everything I need, and it works so well that I prabably will not switch. If starting from scratch I might just go this route. I get Basecamp maps because I have a Garmin GPS. My maps are updated 2 or 3 times a year and I can load the new maps to Basecamp with my Garmin connected. I make my own routes based on maps from motorcycle magazines and make changes when my brother or I find something in the area we want to explore. The difficult part of what I do is learning how to use Basecamp. (There are some good tutorials.) Once that is done it is just so easy to do what I do.
 

bixurro

New member
I bought the connected cradle , and already sold it .
I installed the gps preparation ... and never worked with the multicontroller :(
I send some emails to Bmw asking for thelp
I have one Bmw c400gt 2023
IMG_0235.jpeg

I just bought the Gps preparations cradle
IMG_0238.jpeg


, and the Connected Cradle as well .
IMG_0242.jpeg

I just make the connection process between the APP and the Connected cradle .
IMG_0243.PNG

And never show option to control the app with the Multi-Controller.


IMG_0244.jpeg



Attached you can see some pictures with the software version and my vehicle screen .


IMG_0241.jpegIMG_0239.jpeg

I just read in some forum , that
BMW would need to apply the Nav Prep coding to your TFT cluster to enable it.
Is this correct ?

If you need more information please let me know.

Thanks for your help





, this was their answer.


Jörg Baderschneider (BMW Motorrad Connected)

5 Oct 2023, 12:05 EEST

Dear Jesus,

Thank you for your e-mail. We appreciate your efforts to direct your request to us.

We would ask you to plug a BMW Motorrad Navigator 6 into the holder of the navigation preparation (e.g. test device from your BMW Motorrad dealer) and operate it there for a few minutes. This will update the LIN connection, which in many cases has led to the elimination of the mentioned problem.

Kind Regards,
Jörg Baderschneider
--
BMW Motorrad Connectivity
D - 80788 München


after that...


Thanks for your help, I am very disappointed
On my visit for the first service of the Scooter (October 5th) I showed them this email and asked if they could help me and do it, the response was positive, but it seems that they do not have any Navigator in the service department and they told me that I should Wait for the spare parts department manager. (Mike Miliam) will return from a trip.
Today I stop by again to try, and after an hour of waiting, they refuse to do it, they ask me for the invoice for the cradle ,where it was bought, to open a case with BMW.
I don't know if this is the right way to fix it, or the one that will piss me off and force me to return the cradle . But it's surely not the way to try to help me solve my problem.
I think I'll have to buy a Navigator 6, try it out myself, and then return it.
For me it's not the right way to do it, but it seems like this is the easiest way..


so finally .. I just bought a chinisse cradle to put and charge my phone ..
and im very happy
:)
Screenshot 2023-12-04 at 2.07.20 PM.png
 

mzflorida

Active member
I bought the connected cradle , and already sold it .
I installed the gps preparation ... and never worked with the multicontroller :(
I send some emails to Bmw asking for thelp
I have one Bmw c400gt 2023
View attachment 4251

I just bought the Gps preparations cradle
View attachment 4253


, and the Connected Cradle as well .
View attachment 4252

I just make the connection process between the APP and the Connected cradle .
View attachment 4249

And never show option to control the app with the Multi-Controller.


View attachment 4250



Attached you can see some pictures with the software version and my vehicle screen .


View attachment 4254View attachment 4255

I just read in some forum , that
BMW would need to apply the Nav Prep coding to your TFT cluster to enable it.
Is this correct ?

If you need more information please let me know.

Thanks for your help





, this was their answer.


Jörg Baderschneider (BMW Motorrad Connected)

5 Oct 2023, 12:05 EEST

Dear Jesus,

Thank you for your e-mail. We appreciate your efforts to direct your request to us.

We would ask you to plug a BMW Motorrad Navigator 6 into the holder of the navigation preparation (e.g. test device from your BMW Motorrad dealer) and operate it there for a few minutes. This will update the LIN connection, which in many cases has led to the elimination of the mentioned problem.

Kind Regards,
Jörg Baderschneider
--
BMW Motorrad Connectivity
D - 80788 München


after that...


Thanks for your help, I am very disappointed
On my visit for the first service of the Scooter (October 5th) I showed them this email and asked if they could help me and do it, the response was positive, but it seems that they do not have any Navigator in the service department and they told me that I should Wait for the spare parts department manager. (Mike Miliam) will return from a trip.
Today I stop by again to try, and after an hour of waiting, they refuse to do it, they ask me for the invoice for the cradle ,where it was bought, to open a case with BMW.
I don't know if this is the right way to fix it, or the one that will piss me off and force me to return the cradle . But it's surely not the way to try to help me solve my problem.
I think I'll have to buy a Navigator 6, try it out myself, and then return it.
For me it's not the right way to do it, but it seems like this is the easiest way..


so finally .. I just bought a chinisse cradle to put and charge my phone ..
and im very happy
:)
View attachment 4256
Thank you very much!
 

byee

Active member
You added the ConnectedRide Cradle to your bike; is that correct? I'd be really interested in hearing your thoughts on it. I know I am keeping this bike for a long time and this is something that would add value for me in the way I use my GT.

You added the ConnectedRide Cradle to your bike; is that correct? I'd be really interested in hearing your thoughts on it. I know I am keeping this bike for a long time and this is something that would add value for me in the way I use my GT.

Yes, I did have the BMW ConnectedRide cradle which I ordered from Germany. Like every else who has ordered the ConnectedRide cradle......the support from BMW Motorrad is less than stellar! I spent a month exchanging emails with both Jorg and Steffan. Email exchanges took days and often upward to a week for them to respond.

I started with Jorg then went to Steffan. Each time there was a support person change, discussions would reset to square 1. I found they definitely DO NOT know anything about the ConnectedRide cradle other than the fact what's on their story boards they use. IMO, I would've probably received better quality support calling up a Yamaha or Harley Davidson motorcycle support team.....at least they have a legit excuse not to know but not the BMW Motorrad Connected team.

As part of the troubleshooting, I've gone as far as sending them short videos showing them the problem. I can definitely say they still weren't able to understand the issue.

I tested using an iPhone and Motorola play with both having the same results. I issue I tried to overcome with the MENU button on the pod. This button is suppose to move the GPS screen on the bikes TFT up to the smart phone paired with the ConnectedCradle. Just did not happen. I also contacted my local BMW dealership to ask if software had to be updated which it did not. The term LIN was tossed about in many conversations but no one at BMW Connected was able to explain.

This fiasco went on for a month. I eventually returned the cradle back to BMW Motorrad Bohling in Germany at great expense.............cost me $100 is duties in taxes foe the import and another $75 to ship back from Canada.

I like my setup now using the Wunderlich cradle and Motorola smart phone. It would've been great to have the added functionality such as zooming in on the maps riding thru twisties. At this point, I am not willing to buy another one to test but willing to buy if someone is able to figure out how to get it to work.

Good luck!
 
Last edited:

mzflorida

Active member
Yes, I did have the BMW ConnectedRide cradle which I ordered from Germany. Like every else who has ordered the ConnectedRide cradle......the support from BMW Motorrad is less than stellar! I spent a month exchanging emails with both Jorg and Steffan. Email exchanges took days and often upward to a week for them to respond.

I started with Jorg then went to Steffan. Each time there was a support person change, discussions would reset to square 1. I found they definitely DO NOT know anything about the ConnectedRide cradle other than the fact what's on their story boards they use. IMO, I would've probably received better quality support calling up a Yamaha or Harley Davidson motorcycle support team.....at least they have a legit excuse not to know but not the BMW Motorrad Connected team.

As part of the troubleshooting, I've gone as far as sending them short videos showing them the problem. I can definitely say they still weren't able to understand the issue.

I tested using an iPhone and Motorola play with both having the same results. I issue I tried to overcome with the MENU button on the pod. This button is suppose to move the GPS screen on the bikes TFT up to the smart phone paired with the ConnectedCradle. Just did not happen. I also contacted my local BMW dealership to ask if software had to be updated which it did not. The term LIN was tossed about in many conversations but no one at BMW Connected was able to explain.

This fiasco went on for a month. I eventually returned the cradle back to BMW Motorrad Bohling in Germany at great expense.............cost me $100 is duties in taxes foe the import and another $75 to ship back from Canada.

I like my setup now using the Wunderlich cradle and Motorola smart phone. It would've been great to have the added functionality such as zooming in on the maps riding thru twisties. At this point, I am not willing to buy another one to test but willing to buy if someone is able to figure out how to get it to work.

Good luck!
Boy. I know it is a first world problem, but holy cow that is really crappy customer service. I'll keep my ear to the ground. Thanks for the reply!
 
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