If you enjoy motorcycle adventures, getting a motorcycle GPS is one of the things you must do. It is possible to use your smartphone for navigation but that is for the amateurs, actually. There are several instances where smartphones will fail you as navigation equipment when you are biking. Let’s say you are the very adventurous type that bike in the mountains, the GPS systems offered by your cell phone will not give you all the features you will need to enjoy the experience. With a dedicated motorcycle GPS, however, you can track your bike effectively for location as well as such other things as average speed, maximum speed during a course, as well as overall distanced traveled.
With the best off road motorcycle GPS, for instance, you can get such relevant data as route, speed, and other statistics. With the help of such best GPS cycle computer, you can get enough data and information to improve your motorbiking experience. Some of the best bike GPS devices come with many excellent features and functionalities including the ability to recommend exciting new places to explore. They will be your best friend when you are biking in unfamiliar territory.
If you are considering getting a motorcycle gps, here is our selection of the 10 best motorcycle gps you must consider.
Top 10 Best Motorcycle GPS
1. TomTom Rider 550
This updated version of the Rider 550 motorcycle GPS navigation device has lots of interesting features that will appeal to any serious motorcycle enthusiast. It offers a more personalized form of riding experience as you can discover winding hilly new routes are more exhilarating. The device also offers excellent Wi-Fi connectivity that will let you update features faster for free.
In terms of construction, the Rider 550 is an excellent device. It will let you ride during very harsh weather conditions. The 5-inch display screen is another feature that will appeal to bikers too. It displays the path you are traveling in a clear manner, letting you enjoy your biking adventure. This device also offers excellent battery life so you can expect to navigate smoothly through the longest route without the fear of your battery getting drained.
2. Garmin Zumo 595LM
This is a well-built and durable GPS device that packs lots of amazing features that will greatly improve your biking experience. It will be difficult to mention all the great things about the device but we can always try. The device can withstand harsh weather conditions, thanks to the tough and rugged condition.
The Garmin Zumo 595LM comes with a 5-inch dual orientation touchscreen display that is sun-friendly and very responsive even when operated with the gloves on. You will enjoy handsfree spoken direction and phone control: this improves safety. The device is Pandora and Spotify compatible; you will enjoy great tunes while on the move. Another feature you will find interesting in this device is the 3D terrain and ability to choose twisty and windy roads for the best adventurous experiences.
3. TomTom Go 520
The TomTom Go 520 GPS has so much to offer and will appeal to those looking for best adventure motorcycle GPS system. The device comes with free lifetime map update. Besides this feature which is widespread among top motorcycle GPS systems, the TomTom Go 520 will let you craft your own adventure and learn to ride through tough paths. You can easily find winding roads or hilly roads to make your adventure more thrilling.
In terms of construction, this GPS device is perfectly built: it has a weather-proof design and reputed to be a durable GPS system. It is Bluetooth compatible and also has 16 GB internal memory for track support. The TomTom Go 520 offers 40+ mins battery life which will be quite an issue when you are out on an adventure. The built-in Wi-Fi connectivity lets you get latest maps and software updates without a computer.
4. Garmin Zumo 396
This is one of the best adventure motorcycle GPS devices in the market. From the way it is constructed, you can sense that the device is specifically built for use in really tough conditions. It is resistant to fuel vapor, UV rays and harsh weather. It features a 4.3-inch touch screen display that is very sensitive and responds well to your touch even if you are wearing gloves. The screen is also readable under sunlight.
The Garmin Zumo 396 LMT-S features an array monitoring data including traffic, weather and even LiveTrack to let you track your mates when you are out on a group adventure. It is also Bluetooth compatible, allowing you to connect wirelessly to other devices for hands-free calls and plying media files. The GPS also has long-lasting batteries.
5. Garmin Nuvi 2699
This is an advanced GPS system that every motorcycle enthusiast will find very helpful. It is a very likable device, thanks to the sort of detailed information it displays and the many features it has. It comes preprogrammed with maps that can guide you to some really interesting paths. In addition to the tons of destinations, the device will let you travel through congested roads as you will get highly accurate information about traffic jams and weather conditions.
It comes with a 6-inch pinch-to-zoom dual-orientation display that shows detailed maps and HD Digital traffic. The lane assist feature also helps you tremendously to navigate difficult terrains seamlessly. It offers lifetime free map update. The Nuvi 2699 LMT GPS device is easy to use and the voice command works excellently well.
6. Garmin Nuvi 2597
This is a wonderful motorcycle GPS device that is easy to use and very helpful in providing the most reliable information for your road trip. You will have the recent information at the tips of your finger since the device allows you to download new information free. You have a lifetime free map update and several other important features.
The Nuvi 2597 LMT comes with a 5-inch dual-orientation display. The interface is also very friendly and responds well even if you are wearing your biking gloves. There is also real voice guide that offers real time guide, recognizing buildings and landmarks. You will also get traffic updates to help you navigate through towns and cities with ease. The GPS system is also Bluetooth compatible, connecting to several different devices and letting you stream music or receive hands-free calls.
7. Garmin DriveSmart 70
As the name suggests, this is a very smart GPS device that will let you enjoy your motorbike better. It will keep you connected to the real world, offering a range of alerts and updates for enhanced experience. While it is mostly used by those that use their bike for daily routine, it can also be very useful if you are thinking of some sort of adventures.
The alert feature can keep you safer on the road as you will know when it is safe to move fast as well as when you need to slow down. Lane assist can be very helpful too. The traffic information it provides will also help you to plan your route better and beat traffic situations. The DriveSmart 70 NA LMT GPS device is also Bluetooth compatible, allowing you to stay connected through your cell phone. The smart GPS system understands voice commands well too.
8. BMW Navigator VI
Coming from a trusted brand, this is one of the best bike GPS you will find in the market. It is a well-designed device with 5-inch touch screen. The touch screen is super sensitive and is always responsive even when you are wearing gloves. It is fast and easy to operate.
The screen of the Navigator VI has an 800 x 480 pixels resolution with TFT display of 65,000 colors. This offers excellent map viewing and navigation experiences. Even during daytime when the sun is up, the display is always clear. The device also comes with a free lifetime map update, meaning you don’t have to pay any extra money to remain updated with the best navigation information. The device also supports micro SD card up to 64 GB. If you can afford this device, it will be an excellent GPS device for all occasions.
9. Koolertron Motorcycle GPS
This is a well-built motorcycle GPS system that is compact and very easy to use. It comes with a 4.3 inch display that is very visible and sunlight readable. The touch screen is also very responsive and works excellently even when you are wearing your bike gloves. In terms of resolution, the screen boasts of 480 x 272 pixels, which is impressive for device of the size.
This GPS boasts waterproof rating of IPX7 and can stay under water for up to 30 minutes at a depth of up to 1 meter. It also has Bluetooth connectivity that allows hands-free operation so you can concentrate on the road ahead.
10. Garmin Zumo 395 LM
This is another one of the best adventure motorcycle GPS devices. It features the Garmin Adventurous Routing options for those twisty, hilly, terrain-hugging rides that fun riders seek. It is definitely one of the very best off road motorcycle GPS devices as it can help bikers navigate through any terrain at all with pinpoint accuracy.
The 4.3-inch touch screen display is sunlight readable and resistant to fuel vapors, UV rays, and harsh weather. The screen is also very responsive and glove-friendly. The device offers riders alert and will keep you informed of traffic and weather conditions ahead. It is also Bluetooth compatible, helping you to stay connected wirelessly to receive calls and stream music if you want. This GPS also offers free lifetime map updates, so one time purchase offers so much with time.
Buyer’s Guide
Best features to look out for
Though we have considered the most important factors in selecting the devices featured in this article, it is still important that you understand the features you need to look out for in selecting the best GPS for your motorcycle:
Navigation
Navigation should always be on top of your list when it comes to important factors to consider when looking for a GPS device. You need a navigation system that can provide everything you need on the road including traffic alerts and lane assist. A good navigation system has detailed maps with intersections and junctions clearly displayed in 3D for easy navigation.
Sturdiness
This is especially important if you are looking for the best off-road motorcycle GPS device. If you are out on a rough path, your motorcycle is certainly going to vibrate so much: you need a device that will be able to handle the vibration.
Ergonomics
Ergonomics is very important when it comes to using your motorcycle GPS. The more the ergonomic, the easier it is going to be for you to mount and use the device. For a touch screen device, it needs to be very responsive. For a motorcycle GPS with buttons, the button needs to be accessible.
Voice Guidance
It will not be too easy to read the GPS map when you are biking. This is especially true when you are going at high speed or journeying down a rough path. It is always better to have a GPS device that features high quality voice guidance. This will not only make it easier for you to ride but ensures improved safety.
Connectivity
It is always better to have a GPS device that you can connect with other devices wirelessly. Bluetooth connection, for instance, will help you to receive hands-free calls via Bluetooth even while you are still biking.
Battery
You need to consider how your GPS is powered as well how long the battery can last. It is better to have a GPS device that will lead you through your adventures without needing recharging or changing of batteries.
Other important factors
There are some other factors you need to consider before buying a GPS device. The price and your budget, for instance, can influence your decision meaningfully. Depending on when and where you are going to be biking, a water-resistant GPS can be desirable, too. Look for a device with a great navigation and enhanced functionality, and your motorbiking experience can be greatly improved.