Dear colleagues, I recently bought an Africa Twin CRF1100 2025 and my first thought was be able to use Google Maps to see the route.
I have an Iphone and secondary android mobiles.
First thing I realized it was that it's not a good approach the usage of the smartphone using a usb cable connected to the bike and put the phone on my pocket, and I didn't like the idea of having it on the handlebar, because it's exposed, you need a quadlock with a custom case for the phone to avoid issues with the camera lens etc.
I though, ok let's go by wifi using a dongle, I bought this, it's the smallest and compatible with Android an IOS: Carlinkit Mini Se Pro Dongle inalámbrico CarPlay - Carlinkit Factory España (only pro version allows ios+android).
As soon as I received I saw that if I connect it directy, even it's a small device it will impact to the handlebar at max turn.
Moved to plan B, put an usb cable extender about 30cm and put in somewhere in the front, but it can be stolen, if something goes wrong could end into the front wheel and cause an accident... I didn't like it.
Final solution:
With a 2m usb data cable https://es.aliexpress.com/item/3260...tml?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.22.35a7194daPEQgx&gatewayAdapt=glo2esp, I passed the cable from the behind of the bike, through the plastics until under the passenger seat.
You have to open not even remove a couple of plastics, side one (under the tank) with allen key and a plastic clamp, for sure both seats, and finally in the front part just lift a bit the plastic and you will be able to guide the cable internally. I started passing first from the front where the chasis/fork it's placed to the back, and then I passed the usb male from the "bottom" to the top, the rubber that have the Africa it already have kind of hole at right side to allow the cable exit, then I connected the dongle and protected to the water or dust.
Now, as soon as I start the bike (10s) the apple car starts, automatically it connects with my phone, it's not visible, it can't be stolen, it's in a secure place, if I want to disconnect for some reason it's as easy as remove the passenger seat and disconnect (bike software update for example).
Additionally, I bought a Cardo Freecom 4x, connected to the bike as a phone, and the Iphone to the dongle. Doing that I can do calls, receive gps instructions, use SIRI just clicking the button on the handlebar to control music, calls whatever... I can play music from Spotify etc etc
I'm very pleased with the solution as it goes through all my thoughts and requirements, and I wanted to share with you guys in case that it inspires someone.
Next chapter, I would like to add a usb port charger doing an hybrid using the Honda original connector and cable + usb 3.0 charger from aliexpress probably to be able to charge whatever it needs, still not sure where to place it.
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An extra picture with Givi Topbox + Honda plate instead of Givi because it looks better and clean than using extra brackets + SWMotech handwards with Alu supports because I don't trust on the OEM made with plastic.
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I have an Iphone and secondary android mobiles.
First thing I realized it was that it's not a good approach the usage of the smartphone using a usb cable connected to the bike and put the phone on my pocket, and I didn't like the idea of having it on the handlebar, because it's exposed, you need a quadlock with a custom case for the phone to avoid issues with the camera lens etc.
I though, ok let's go by wifi using a dongle, I bought this, it's the smallest and compatible with Android an IOS: Carlinkit Mini Se Pro Dongle inalámbrico CarPlay - Carlinkit Factory España (only pro version allows ios+android).
As soon as I received I saw that if I connect it directy, even it's a small device it will impact to the handlebar at max turn.
Moved to plan B, put an usb cable extender about 30cm and put in somewhere in the front, but it can be stolen, if something goes wrong could end into the front wheel and cause an accident... I didn't like it.
Final solution:
With a 2m usb data cable https://es.aliexpress.com/item/3260...tml?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.22.35a7194daPEQgx&gatewayAdapt=glo2esp, I passed the cable from the behind of the bike, through the plastics until under the passenger seat.
You have to open not even remove a couple of plastics, side one (under the tank) with allen key and a plastic clamp, for sure both seats, and finally in the front part just lift a bit the plastic and you will be able to guide the cable internally. I started passing first from the front where the chasis/fork it's placed to the back, and then I passed the usb male from the "bottom" to the top, the rubber that have the Africa it already have kind of hole at right side to allow the cable exit, then I connected the dongle and protected to the water or dust.
Now, as soon as I start the bike (10s) the apple car starts, automatically it connects with my phone, it's not visible, it can't be stolen, it's in a secure place, if I want to disconnect for some reason it's as easy as remove the passenger seat and disconnect (bike software update for example).
Additionally, I bought a Cardo Freecom 4x, connected to the bike as a phone, and the Iphone to the dongle. Doing that I can do calls, receive gps instructions, use SIRI just clicking the button on the handlebar to control music, calls whatever... I can play music from Spotify etc etc
I'm very pleased with the solution as it goes through all my thoughts and requirements, and I wanted to share with you guys in case that it inspires someone.
Next chapter, I would like to add a usb port charger doing an hybrid using the Honda original connector and cable + usb 3.0 charger from aliexpress probably to be able to charge whatever it needs, still not sure where to place it.
An extra picture with Givi Topbox + Honda plate instead of Givi because it looks better and clean than using extra brackets + SWMotech handwards with Alu supports because I don't trust on the OEM made with plastic.
