Motorcycle GPS Systems

So many people tend to think that only people who use cars and trucks use a GPS system. Motorcycle riders want the convenience as well.

Of course, they can not pull a GPS unit out of their pocket and use it while riding. However, there are motorcycle GPS systems out there that are made so that even the motorcyclist riding down the freeway will be able to make use of the technology of the GPS.

There are special motorcycle GPS systems for a reason. Think about it. Inside a car or truck, the regular GPS system is not going to be hit with a lot of wind, potential downpour of rain or direct sun. Because of this, the motorcycle GPS systems were designed in order to give motorcycle riders the same luxuries and help as all of the other drivers on the road. The motorcycle GPS systems have casing that is weather proof and a special touch screen option that is designed specifically with motorcycle gloves in mind. Another nice feature that can be found on these models are anti-glare screens since a lot of direct sun will probably hit the screen of the GPS unit throughout the day.

Garmin Zumo 220 Motorcycle Navigation System

The Zumo 220 is an all around great unit for motorcyclists, no matter if you are commuting or taking long trips. Of course it features a durable waterproof design but it doesn't skimp on technology or features. It has bluetooth and turn-by-turn directions so if you have a helmet that is bluetooth capable you can hear the directions without having to check the screen frequently while you are riding. Of course, this is a Garmin product which has the latest pre-loaded maps for the U.S. and Canada.

Overall the Zumo 220 is a compact unit that fits nicely mounted to your motorcycle with a variety of different mounting options. One of the most convenient tools is lane assist which will alert you ahead of time of which lane you need to be in to make your next exit on the highway--a great safety feature. In terms of extras and accessories there is a custom Garmin console to the Zumo for trip data including a digital fuel gauge that will show you how many miles you have left based on fuel capacity. There are also available car windshield and dashboard mounts for the Zumo 220 so you can easily move your unit from bike to car or truck and back again.

TomTom Rider 2

TomTom was one of the first manufacturers to recognize the need GPS units that could be easily used on motorcycles. The Rider 2 is a durable, waterproof unit that has proven to be one of the most popular units in the segment. The anti-glare screen and sun visor combine to improve visibility even on sunny days. Exclusive to TomTom is the Cardo Scala-Rider in helmet bluetooth device that allows the rider to have spoken turn-by-turn directions. Itinerary planning makes planning trips a snap by offering a choice of whether you want the shortest, fastest route, no tolls or even more scenic routes. Accurate maps provided by TomTom Map Share technology. There are different motorcycle mounting options available via the RAM mounting kit and an optional car mount kit accessory makes it easy to transfer from bike to car.

Consider The Battery Life

If you are someone that takes your motorcycle out on long trips, you will want to take into consideration the battery life of the various motorcycle GPS systems that you come across. Generally, the GPS unit requires AAA batteries, either two, four or six of them. If you are someone that tends to travel a lot on your motorcycle of even lose track of precious time, you might want to consider rechargeable batteries. This way, if you need to top off the battery charge, you can do so from the battery of your motorcycle. This is a much better option than carry around extras batteries on your bike.

Must Have Accessories For The Motorcycle GPS

Even though cars and trucks hit a lot of bumps on the road, a motorcycle always hits them harder. Because of this, you will want to make sure that you have a mount for your GPS that is shock proof. This will ensure that the unit itself will absorb the shock instead of the GPS unit. Many motorcycle GPS systems will automatically come with the mount that is shock proof, but not all of them do. If you purchase one that does not come with it, it is important to make sure that you purchase it.

You might also want to consider a standard vehicle mount that you can place in your car or truck, if you have something other than your motorcycle. This way, whenever you go from one form of transportation to another, you will not have to worry about changing out the mounts. You simply take the GPS with you and place it in the mount that you previously set up. This will save you a lot of time and frustration.