Bike Upgrades: Motorcycle GPS
Words Dean Mellor
There’s no doubt that a smartphone can be a handy navigation device, but when you’re on your bike there’s no substitute for a dedicated motorcycle GPS receiver.
These days there are only a couple of players involved in the motorcycle GPS receiver market: Garmin and TomTom. BMW Motorrad has its own branded GPS receiver, but this has been developed in conjunction with Garmin.
Despite there only being two manufacturers, each offer different models to choose from, with price points varying depending on size and features. All are designed to be as easy as possible to see and use while you’re riding your bike, and all are built to withstand the elements.
Built Tough
Most smartphones (and GPS receivers designed for use in cars) have a habit of breaking or dying completely if you drop them on the ground or dunk them in water, but dedicated motorcycle GPS receivers are built tough to handle extreme conditions; after all, they’re designed to be mounted to a bike’s handlebar where they’ll be out in the open and subject to ever-changing weather conditions including direct sunlight, wind, dust and rain.
As well as having a tough outer case and bolstered internal components, motorcycle GPS receivers have an IPX7 rating, which means they can be used in all weather conditions including rain and snow. In fact, the IPX7 test involves subjecting devices to immersion in up to one metre of water for a duration 30 minutes.
When looking for the right GPS to suit your requirements, ensure that the mount will fit on your bike’s handlebar, that it offers enough range of adjustment in the space available for clear visibility, and that the touchscreen is within easy reach. Have a good look at the mount, too, to ensure it will be tough enough to handle the conditions you’ll throw at it, and that it offers a quick-release set-up so the device can be easily removed to prevent theft, or to swap it over to another bike or your car.
As well as the handlebar mount, dedicated motorcycle GPS receivers are usually supplied with a couple of power-cable options. If you’re going to be using the device on more than one bike, it makes sense to plug it into a 12V accessory outlet, but if the device is to be used on only one bike, hard-wiring is a better option. Most devices will have a built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery, so the GPS receiver will continue to operate when the ignition is switched off. Most also power down automatically to prevent starting-battery drainage in case you forget to switch it off at the end of the day.
Easy to Use
The next thing to look at is how the device operates. Firstly, the screen should be large enough that you can easily read the maps and menus, and it should be bright enough that you can see it clearly in direct sunlight. Most GPS receivers feature a sunlight-readable screen, and some models will automatically adapt brightness to suit the ambient light level. A night-mode will ensure you’re not dazzled by the GPS screen when riding in the dark.
All dedicated motorcycle GPS receivers can be operated while wearing gloves, and some models have adjustable touch sensitivity to suit thin summer gloves or thick winter gloves.
Modern GPS operating systems are quite straightforward and feature simple menus that allow you to easily enter destinations and plan routes. All will be supplied with preloaded maps with built-in POIs (points of interest), and some will also have 2D and 3D mapping, a rotatable screen and, for adventure riders, some can also be loaded with optional topographic and custom maps.
Other Features
Modern GPS receivers can be used for much more than navigation and, thanks to Bluetooth connectivity, they can also be paired with an in-helmet communications system to provide street-by-street voice navigation.
Additional Bluetooth connectivity features allow you to also pair your smartphone, providing access to features such as music, phone calls, live traffic, weather updates and various other functions via the GPS receiver’s touchscreen.
Additional features on the Garmin zūmo range of GPS receivers include map updates, micro-SD card slot, lane-assist with junction views, MP3 player, smart notifications and free live traffic and weather via a Smartphone Link app, rider alerts and speed camera warnings, service history log and more.
Features specific to the Garmin zūmo 396 LMT-S include TripAdvisor ratings for travel POIs, built-in Wi-Fi for updates and Group Route Sharing (GPX files), while features specific to the zūmo 595 LM include a dual-orientation display, TPMS (Tyre Pressure Monitoring System) when coupled with optional tyre sensors, 3D terrain and VIRB control for voice activation of an optional camera.
Features on the TomTom Rider 550 include dual-orientation display, updates via Wi-Fi, free Lifetime World Maps (with motorcycle routes), Traffic and Services, speed camera warnings, TomTom Road Trips, Mydrive Motorcycle Route Planning, and Siri and Google Now compatibility for voice control over phone calls, messages, music and more.
Another option for motorcyclists is to mate a handheld GPS receiver with a motorcycle mount. Handheld GPS units are well suited to adventure riders as most will include additional features such as preloaded topographic maps, and some will add a built-in camera with geo-tagging, a compass, barometer, altimeter and more. Some even offer GPS satellite communication capability (with a subscription), making them ideally suited to riders who travel in remote areas. If you choose this route (excuse the pun), ensure the handheld device’s screen is large enough to easily read while riding and that it can be operated while wearing gloves.
