Best motorcycle GPS

sonnythebull

sonnythebull

Banned
Site Supporter
Forum Sponsor
What's the best motorcycle GPS to buy that can have GPX files loaded and mounts easily so it can be switched between bikes fast and easy..and where to get it local
 
Garmin zumo 660...water proof...lifetime maps, base camp software for your pc to plan and save your trips, and so much more. Comes with a bike mount and car mount, I move it back and forth every day. Blue tooth to my scala with turn by turn if you need it. Also paired with my phone with caller Id so you can screen your calls when you are riding.

Forgot to tell you where to get it, I bought mine on line at gps city, delivered to my door in less than 48 hours.
 
I have had all kinds of motorcycle GPS' and I don't rust them, to be honest the best option to me is an Ipod

Download the app "GPS copilot" its an off line gps option that allows you to create routes, download maps from google and any GPX files.

When you are out there exploring, put it on motorcycle mode and it will pick the roads with the most twisties.

I used it for 3 weeks while in Spain and Portugal and it was flawless.

Get a decent mount hard wire it to the battery and you are set to go. while you are riding, you can take pictures, use wifi where is available to check for road maps and all the functionality a GPS does not have.
 
Last edited:
If you want the best, get the zumo 665 it has live weather maps.
 
Refused to spend the dough on a Garmin, picked this up for $150 shipped. Well reviewed, runs Windows CE so you can install any map software you want, waterproof, glove friendly. Picked up a RAM mount for $30 to go with it:

http://www.chinavasion.com/china/wh...Navigation_System_-_Waterproof_4GB_Bluetooth/

Reviews:
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=697456
http://www.ex-500.com/index.php?topic=39740.0
http://www.st-owners.com/forums/sho...fe-GPS-Me-And-Fred-%96-9-000-Miles-In-19-Days
 
Zumo 665 is tops. It has the XM satellite over the 660 model (which I had). Can't remember if it loads GPX files or not, I just remember that routing with it required MapSource which was a total PITA. Sold it and am sticking with written directions that I occasionally stop to verify with Navigon on my iPhone.
 
sonnythebull said:
What's the best motorcycle GPS to buy that can have GPX files loaded and mounts easily so it can be switched between bikes fast and easy..and where to get it local
Click to expand...
And in case you were trying to search GTAM for GPS, go to google and type this in:

site:gtamotorcycle.com GPS

Voila ;)
 
The zumo 660 is my favourite, it comes with the wiring, mounts for both car and bike, everything you need to be set up, powered by your bike battery. I do not like the iPhone maps, simply because there is no easy way of plotting routes and putting it on the device. Sure you can do it, but with Garmin you can use base camp, the maps that are on your GPS are on your computer, not just roads, but all POI's. You can plot out everything, search for hotels, gas stations, whatever. Its a big price tag sure, and not right for everyone, for me I love it and works very well.

I dont think you get lifetime maps though with the Zumo, I know I did not with my 660, which is just dumb as it costs way more then the $100 units which will come with life time maps. You can purchase it though, one time fee and your maps are forever upto date.
 
Whatever GPS you go with, RAM mounts are the way to go for attaching it to your bike. gpscity.ca stocks their stuff and have a fast turnaround time, have used them for multiple orders
 
nfq said:
+1 to this. Got my GPS at RadioWorld with all necessary accessories. Zumo is the way to go for motorcycles.
Click to expand...

My Zumo 550 threw in the towel after less than 4yrs of minimal use. (on the way to Deal's Gap).
Could never update it.
Handy to have, but wasn't cheap.
Bought it from Radio World at the Jan Bike Show.
When it croaked, I went into Maryville and bought a Nuvi 2495LMT. I've since bought all the necessities - hard wire, cradle, etc from gpscity.ca. After 4 updates, it won't accept any more - saying the memory is 'full'. I get prompted to store the new updates to an imaginary card - the 2495 has no slot for a card. :confused:
What good are life time maps, if you can't upgrade? Did they not expect this unit to last more than a year?
If I didn't care what I was throwing my money at, I'd still buy another Zumo, or another Garmin that's waterproof, unlike the one I'm using now.
 
Gary said:
My Zumo 550 threw in the towel after less than 4yrs of minimal use. (on the way to Deal's Gap).
Could never update it.
Handy to have, but wasn't cheap.
Bought it from Radio World at the Jan Bike Show.
When it croaked, I went into Maryville and bought a Nuvi 2495LMT. I've since bought all the necessities - hard wire, cradle, etc from gpscity.ca. After 4 updates, it won't accept any more - saying the memory is 'full'. I get prompted to store the new updates to an imaginary card - the 2495 has no slot for a card. :confused:
What good are life time maps, if you can't upgrade? Did they not expect this unit to last more than a year?
If I didn't care what I was throwing my money at, I'd still buy another Zumo, or another Garmin that's waterproof, unlike the one I'm using now.
Click to expand...

I had issues with that before on my old 550, bought and SD card to solve that problem. There is a way to do it, but I think you have to delete the maps that are on it to put the new ones on, a bit of a hassle and not a good way of doing things. I like the Zumo because of the SD card slot as well, I have a 32 gig card in my 660, all for music that streams to my helmet. 70 albums or so with a little over 20 gigs of space still available.

Garmin is great when in warranty, but they will not do anything when its outside of warranty, even for simple little things. I have had zero problems with my 660 and it has been banged up a fair bit
 
Garmin Nuvi 550 (discontinued but can still be found for about $330)
Garmin Zumo 220 (looks to me to be a re-badged Nuvi 550, except closer to $400)

I have the 550 and it does a great job at a lot less money. Yes, it's missing Zumo features but it's a good, basic, touch screen, waterproof unit.
 
coyo said:
Garmin Nuvi 550 (discontinued but can still be found for about $330)
Garmin Zumo 220 (looks to me to be a re-badged Nuvi 550, except closer to $400)

I have the 550 and it does a great job at a lot less money. Yes, it's missing Zumo features but it's a good, basic, touch screen, waterproof unit.
Click to expand...

Those were great budget waterproof gps devices for motorcycles. Put one on my uncles harley and my dads harley. They do lack a lot of features of the 660, it all depends on what your uses are for it. With that though you need to buy the wiring, mount, ram, etc. It adds up, still cheaper then the Zumo, but with the Zumo you get everything.
 
Gary said:
My Zumo 550 threw in the towel after less than 4yrs of minimal use. (on the way to Deal's Gap).
Could never update it.
Handy to have, but wasn't cheap.
Bought it from Radio World at the Jan Bike Show.
When it croaked, I went into Maryville and bought a Nuvi 2495LMT. I've since bought all the necessities - hard wire, cradle, etc from gpscity.ca. After 4 updates, it won't accept any more - saying the memory is 'full'. I get prompted to store the new updates to an imaginary card - the 2495 has no slot for a card. :confused:
What good are life time maps, if you can't upgrade? Did they not expect this unit to last more than a year?
If I didn't care what I was throwing my money at, I'd still buy another Zumo, or another Garmin that's waterproof, unlike the one I'm using now.
Click to expand...
this is my problem with GPS hardware, it's useless.

The Ipod is durable, the software on the app is so much better than all GPS' and can be multipurpose.

Paid 300 for the Ipod, 90 for a GPS enhancer and like 20 for the app - instead of the 800 for the zumo.

However if you like to tinker with the gps while you ride, then you may need to get a GPS with buttons instead.
Forum Sponsor
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom