(Last Updated: November, 2024)
What Changed?
- Added Garmin Zumo 595LM
- Removed discontinued products
- Adjusted pros and cons on Garmin Drive 50 USA
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There’s nothing quite like your motorcycle rides that take you far away from your everyday concerns. You might love indulging in your freedom inspiring motorcycle roadtrips but there’s always one thing that pops up: your navigation.
People that don't ride much will tell you to use your phone GPS. Experienced riders know that that is just too risky and dangerous, especially if you're risking getting caught in bad weather conditions. Thankfully, there has been some progression in motorcycle friendly technology lately and GPS companies have upped their game to provide options for your motorbike navigation.
Here are our motorcycle GPS reviews to help choose the best motorcycle GPS Navigation systems currently available.
Our Picks For The Best Motorcycle GPS Systems
Motorcycle GPS Reviews
More About The Garmin Zumo 595LM
Garmin has long been a pioneer in high-quality GPS systems, and the Garmin Zumo 595LM upholds that legacy. When you're serious about having fun on the road this motorcycle GPS device gives you everything you need and features you'll love to discover.
The screen has been fully optimized to include all the considerations that motorcyclists are looking for. The 5-inch screen can be rotated for landscape or portrait orientation to fit your preferences. The best part of the screen? It's designed to reduce glare while providing a clear, HD like a view in even the brightest sunlight.
The Garmin Zumo 595LM lets you play it safe and gears you up for adventure when you're ready. Rider alerts let you know everything relevant to the safety of your ride from upcoming animal crossings to sharp turns to state helmet laws and speed cameras. You can use the adventurous riding mode for when you want to start your fun right away.
If you're a super-connected kind of person you'll have a blast with the Bluetooth capabilities and social features. You can answer calls and texts hands-free and control the entire GPS and functions safely. Let's not forget the LiveTrac feature that lets your friends view the real-time progress of your ride if you so choose.
Pros
Cons
Shop Related Products | |
|---|---|
Koolertron Waterproof GPS  | Garmin Drive 50 USA LM GPS  |
TomTom VIA 1525SE 5-Inch GPS  | Garmin Nuvi 57LM GPS  |
More About Garmin ZumoLMT-S
The Garmin Zumo LMT-S keeps riders connected while offering a total ride management system. The less you have to keep track of, the more you get to enjoy the freedom of the road. This motorcycle GPS is ultra durable so you know it'll hold up to fumes, rough weather, and UV rays, all without sacrificing utility.
It's got built-in Wifi for easy updating and sharing. What's even better? It can work with your smartphone to give you even more. The Link app allows you to get live updates and alerts as they're available. That's not just traffic updates either, you'll get alerts when rough weather is coming up. Use a plethora of social features to give your ride an extra boost and add some entertainment with music streaming.
When you're riding with your buddies use the Link app to send GPX maps to everyone and keep your team on the same page. With the hands-free Bluetooth feature, you'll be able to communicate with your fellow riders without having to get off the road for a huddle.
Now, get ready for your motorcycle manager:
This motorcycle GPS model features a built-in fuel tracker that not only lets you know when you'll need to refuel, it strategically suggests fuel stops. Now you don't have to wonder how long you can drive on your tank and hope there will be a gas station nearby. That's not all, this Garmin Zumo keeps track of your mileage and maintenance so you don't have to.
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Pros
Cons
Shop Related Products | |
|---|---|
Koolertron Waterproof GPS | Garmin Drive 50 USA LM GPS |
TomTom VIA 1525SE 5-Inch GPS | Garmin Nuvi 57LM GPS |
More About The Garmin Montana 680t
The Garmin Montana 680t is made for motorcyclists that enjoy capturing their journey along the way. You can keep a log of your rides detailing everything from bird's eye photographs to the terrain and difficulty of your rides with the free year’s subscription.
It’s got powerful geocaching technology to back it up and the Garmin high standard of quality to boot. The whole set up is easy to use, with quick track logging features. The precision GPS system meets the interface’s pace and provides rider friendly use with a 4-inch glove compatible touch screen.
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Pros
Cons
Shop Related Products | |
|---|---|
Koolertron Waterproof GPS | Garmin Drive 50 USA LM GPS |
TomTom VIA 1525SE 5-Inch GPS | Garmin Nuvi 57LM GPS |
More About The BMW Navigator VI
For BMW bikers, here’s a specially fitted GPS system just for you. It comes with all the preloaded maps you could ever need when riding through North America, as well as totally free maps updates for life.
Now, there’s even more: it’s compatible with Android and iOS smartphones, so riders that like to jam en route are in luck.
Added to that is the hands-free communication system so you can call when you get close, or voice command different directions. This motorcycle GPS comes with its own carrying bag and all the tools you need to install it on a compatible model.
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Pros
Cons
Shop Related Products | |
|---|---|
Koolertron Waterproof GPS | Garmin Drive 50 USA LM GPS |
TomTom VIA 1525SE 5-Inch GPS | Garmin Nuvi 57LM GPS |
More About The TomTom Rider 550
This TomTom Rider motorcycle GPS is sturdy, reliable, and smart enough to track your usual routes. The boring stuff aside, it’s also fun enough to track a winding road or hilly adventure when you need one.
The built in Wi-Fi moves at your pace, allowing you to update routes and customize settings without hooking up to a desktop. For an even better trip, you can get exclusive Tom Tom road trip routes directly onto your TomTom Rider 550, to ensure you get the most out of every single mile.
You’ll be able to use total hand-free control over this navigation device, and get even more bonuses now that it’s compatible with Google Now and Siri. You won’t even have to pull over if you’re waiting for an important message. Texts and SMS messages are read out loud to you as you ride, so you can keep talking, without taking your hands-off steering.
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Pros
Cons
Shop Related Products | |
|---|---|
Koolertron Waterproof GPS | Garmin Drive 50 USA LM GPS |
TomTom VIA 1525SE 5-Inch GPS | Garmin Nuvi 57LM GPS |
More About The Garmin Drive 50 USA LM GPS
If you're a resident of the good ol' US of A, this GPS is a great choice for. It comes pre-loaded with maps for the United States and gives you directions in a "real direction" style, which means that it will give you turn by turn, as well as landmarks to look out for. Being a Garmin product, you know you're getting a top-tier navigation system right out of the box.
Why choose this over Google Maps? This is the big question with just about any best GPS device, especially for motorcycles. In order to justify paying the price of a new piece of technology. When it comes to the Garmin Drive 50 USA LM GPS, you get a few features that doesn't come with Google Maps such as an informative split screen, current speed limits, "up next" guides and offline navigation.
Pros
Cons
Shop Related Products | |
|---|---|
Koolertron Waterproof GPS | Garmin Drive 50 USA LM GPS |
TomTom VIA 1525SE 5-Inch GPS | Garmin Nuvi 57LM GPS |
Purchasing a Motorcycle GPS Unit
Here’s what to consider when you’re shopping for GPS units for your motorcycle.
Battery Life
It can be dangerous to have your GPS unit suddenly die when you need directions most. That's why a long battery life is critical for any good motorcycle GPS units. If you routinely go on shorter rides you may not need dozens of hours of navigation.
Here's the thing you have to consider with GPS units:
What happens when your short excursion gives you the opportunity to turn it into an all-out adventure? If your GPS only has a battery that lasts a few hours you might be out of luck. Or what happens if you forget to charge the battery and it only holds a few hours to charge, to begin with?
Naturally how much battery you really need depends on you and your riding habits. It's worth looking into a longer battery life if you like a little spontaneity or want to have a more dynamic future use for your GPS units.
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Mount
This feature is fairly straightforward. Mounts are either universal or specific to features of your motorcycle. We recommend looking for GPS units with a universal mount for a couple of reasons:
First, it's easier and less confusing to find and fit a universal mount. Mounts made to fit specific models can require confusing measurements that can vary between brands.
Next, universal mounts offer you the ability to continue to use your navigation system for years to come. Whether you end up buying another motorcycle, currently switch between motorcycles, or lend your GPS to a riding buddy, a universal mount ensures your GPS moves whenever you do.
Here's the thing:
It's not only about how the mount fits. To guarantee stability you need to look for a mount that can handle the movement of your motorcycle. Finding a shockproof mount ensures your GPS can handle whatever roads you take.
Durability
There are a lot of ways a motorcycle GPS unit might qualify as “durable.” The outer case should provide ample protection from everything that could affect it on your ride, including water, direct sunlight, heat, and wind. Aside from reverb protection that comes with a shockproof mount, it should also be protected from harsh weather and debris. That means making sure its safely sealed away from any water that would otherwise damage it.
But here's the kicker
There are other things motorcycle GPS units needs to be protected from. Think about the fuel and fumes that could affect this sensitive technology. Make sure the outer case keeps your GPS protected from fumes.
Visibility
Screen visibility is something that's far too often forgotten until riders get on the road and realize they have a basically unusable GPS device. Motorcycle riders need extra features that increase visibility and minimizes the impact of direct sunlight.
Even if you're using a sun shield in your helmet, you can get a heavy glare on your GPS screen. Make sure the screen provides anti-glare capability and enough brightness that the display is clearly visible in all conditions.
Extra Considerations
While the features listed above should the first things you look at, here are a few other factors to check out before making your purchase:
Overall Usability
Some GPS for motorcyclists are more user-friendly than others based on built on features and individual preference. Some things to consider about this subjective category:
Does the screen work well while wearing gloves? Some models are designed to respond well to motorcycle gloves while others aren't. Make sure you check this out before you buy, and always test it out before you get on the road.
What size is the screen?
This is another factor that's weighed on personal preference. If possible test it out with your helmet on to make sure you won't be struggling to see your map mid-ride.
High Tech Extras
While techy additions aren't necessary for a functioning GPS device, they can enhance your enjoyment when riding and provide extra ease of use.
So what features can you look for if you want a navigation system that gives your ride some extra perks?
Bluetooth capabilities are increasingly popular in motorcycle gear and the GPS industry has followed suit. For some people, it's a convenient perk, for those that can't stay off their phone it can be a safe alternative. Bluetooth connectivity in your GPS device can allow you to answer calls, listen through GPS speakers, or even command your device totally hands-free.
Next, see if the device allows extra storage via an SD card. Again, it's not a requirement, but it can be convenient for GPS that require a subscription. It also gives riders the benefit of having solid maps downloaded if you plan on going through remote areas that may not allow an adequate signal to keep directions accurate.
Some motorcycle GPS devices include extras to keep you entertained. Often this is worked through with Bluetooth capabilities or a smartphone app that connects with your GPS.
You can often stream music from popular services or, if your device allows SD cards, you can create custom playlists to get you through your ride.
Like many other extras, this feature isn't going to enhance safety features but if you want your potential motorcycle GPS units to do more to boost your ride, it's a safer option to enjoy music through the device rather than messing with less rider-friendly options.
Which Motorcycle GPS Will You Choose?
When it comes to navigation, your safety is paramount. You want to get a reliable motorcycle GPS that will mount properly, give clear instructions and be durable. Taking a look at our pick for the best gps devices is a good place to start your search.
One thought on “Best Motorcycle GPS Systems On The Market”
BMW knows how to make a proper adventure bike. The company has been building its off-road-worthy dual sport bikes since the early 19. It invented the segment, and today s BMW bikes define it. So who better than BMW to build an affordable adventure machine?