Whether you ride within the city or through adventurous country trails, having a high-quality GPS navigation for motorcycle is essential. In the city, a GPS navigation system can help you avoid traffic jams and find the fastest routes to your destination. Some are even equipped with apps that help you find the best restaurants or shops in town and alarms that help deter theft.
For those who love adventure, a motorcycle GPS tracker is quite useful in navigating through unfamiliar territories including curvy and hilly roads. It also enhances safety as it warns you of high speeds, dangerous curves, and state laws. It can even track movement, record ride details, and send alerts during emergency situations.
Best Motorcycle GPSes
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Best Overall
1Garmin Zumo 595LM Motorcycle GPS
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Best For Low Budgets
2Garmin nüvi 2597LMT Motorcycle GPS
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Best For Higher Budgets
5TomTom Rider 550 Motorcycle GPS
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1. Garmin Zumo 595LM Motorcycle GPS
- Dual Sport GPS
- 5.0-inch Transflective Dual-Orientation Touchscreen
- Tire Pressure Monitor System
- IPX7 Water Rating
With its durable weatherproof shockproof build and glove-friendly, sunlight-readable display, the Zumo 595LM is undoubtedly one of the best GPS systems for adventurers.
It can withstand virtually any weather condition and is equipped with advanced navigation technology. The Garmin Adventurous Routing™ enables you to adapt your ride to the level of challenge you prefer while the Garmin Real Directions™ ensures you get real-time and accurate road guidance.
It comes with preloaded street maps and 3D terrain that are updated regularly to ensure accuracy. It’s also loaded with information on landmarks and points of interest, which is quite nifty when you’re looking for the best shops or dining places. Aside from these integral functions, it also has Bluetooth connectivity for hands-free calling, smartphone notifications on the Zumo screen, and sync capabilities for various media sources.
Specifications
Pros
- 4-hour battery life
- Glove-friendly touchscreen
- Customizable adventurous route settings
- Live weather radar and traffic information
Cons
- A bit on the expensive side
- Has no voice command features
2. Garmin nüvi 2597LMT Motorcycle GPS
- Garmin Real Directions™ with Garmin Real Voice™
- 5.0” Dual-Orientation Display
- Voice-Activated Navigation
- Photoreal and Bird’s Eye Junction Views
The voice command feature of the Garmin nüvi 2597LMT sets it up a notch from other navigation systems in its category.
Remain in control of your vehicle as the nüvi responds to your voice command. Since it can be synced with your smartphone and Bluetooth devices, it also enables you to make or answer phone calls without taking your eyes off the road.
Like most Garmin units, this comes with detailed maps of North America that are updated regularly for free. Highly accurate directions are given turn by turn, and traffic situations are provided in real time. Trip Planner and Trip Log features also help personalize routes. With all these features, it can make long cross-country rides a breeze.
Specifications
Pros
- Detailed and up-to-date maps of North America
- Accurate GPS with fastest routes suggestions
- Free lifetime map updates
- Business listings and POIs
Cons
- Limited internal storage
- Turn info is sometimes flawed
3. Koolertron Motorcycle GPS
- High Precision GPS Parameter
- Resistive Touch Display
- Multimedia Player
- IPX7 Waterproof Rating
Ride through any terrain and in any weather condition with the Koolertron Motorcycle GPS. It can handle heavy rain and withstand shock, making it a great choice for those who love riding adventurous trails. It is equipped with Bluetooth connectivity for hands-free control so you can focus on your ride better.
With its user-friendly interface, it doesn’t take ages to figure out how this GPS tracker works. The features are simply laid out in a 4.3-inch resistive touchscreen. Ride data and other information can easily be stored in the 4GB internal memory or in a 16GB memory card.
Specifications
Pros
- Rugged and durable build
- Starts up in less than a minute
- Can be connected to cigarette lighter port or motorcycle battery
- Simple and easy-to-use interface
Cons
- Screen can be difficult to read under sunlight
- Computer required for updates
4. Garmin Zumo 396 LMT-S Motorcycle GPS
- Dual Sport GPS
- G-Sensor Camera with Incident Detection
- IPX7 Water Rating
- Wi-Fi Map and Software Updates
If you’re looking for a GPS unit for long trips, the Garmin Zumo 396 is well worth considering. Find the best places to go to or to stop over with preloaded Foursquare points of interest and TripAdvisor traveler ratings.
It also has a rugged and tough display that can withstand harsh weather, strong UV rays, and harmful fuel vapors. Its transflective display also makes it easy to read even under direct sunlight.
Thrill-seekers would love the Garmin Adventurous Routing™ feature that allows you to set road preferences including twisting and hilly terrain. Ride Alerts for sharp curves, speed changes, speed cameras, and state helmet laws keep you safe, while Incident Notifications ensure that you promptly get help in case of emergencies.
Specifications
Pros
- Rugged weatherproof design
- Live View feature
- Accurate GPS and navigation system
- Incident notification feature with location link
Cons
- Basecamp interface can be a bit confusing
- Can be difficult to read in bright sunlight
5. TomTom Rider 550 Motorcycle GPS
- MyDrive customizable route planning
- Siri and Google Now Compatible
- Lifetime TomTom Traffic
- Quadcore Processor
The TomTom Rider 550 won’t fail you wherever you ride. Its extremely durable construction withstands harsh weather and rugged terrain, enabling you to handle routes with hills and challenging trails. It also has a bright capacitive 4.3-inch smart screen that’s glove-friendly and readable under sunlight.
Powered by a quadcore processor, it starts up in seconds and remains accurate throughout your ride. Its precise GPS, detailed maps, safety alerts, and live service updates ensure you have the information you need during your rides. Bluetooth connectivity for hands-free calling and data exchange lets you stay connected without losing control or focus.
Arguably, this GPS unit is among the most advanced, reliable, and durable models today.
Specifications
Pros
- Weatherproof, drop-proof, shockproof
- Stores up to 100 routes
- Good search and routing capabilities
- No computer required to update software and maps
Cons
- Interface is not that user-friendly
- Touchscreen can be a bit sensitive
6. Garmin DriveSmart 60 Motorcycle GPS
- 6.0-inch dual-orientation touchscreen
- Garmin DriveSmart™ advanced features
- Voice-activated navigation
- Driver alerts
Voice-activated navigation is one feature that makes a GPS system worth buying. The Garmin DriveSmart 60 has this exact feature and many others that help you drive smart and safe.
It allows hands-free calling and customizable smart notifications so you can make and take calls, send messages, and adjust media controls without taking your eyes off the road.
It comes preloaded with North American maps and gives alerts for sharp curves, red light cameras, and traffic jams. For more comfortable rides, it also gives up-to-date information on weather and traffic conditions.
To ensure driver safety during long rides, it sends out fatigue warning alerts after long hours of driving and suggests potential stops for resting.
Specifications
Pros
- Big intuitive display
- Solid GPS and up-to-date maps
- Additional stops can be added to set route
- Speed trap alerts
Cons
- Tends to avoid unpaved roads
- Voice command responsiveness needs improvement
Motorcycle GPS Buying Guide
Best Brands
Durability, reliability, and advanced technology set Garmin and TomTom apart from the rest of the brands that offer motorcycle GPS navigation systems. These two brands manufacture high-quality devices with features specifically designed for motorcycles. They also have among the most advanced technologies when it comes to navigation systems.
Garmin
This brand is well-known in the industry for its GPS devices including portables and wearables for hikers, cyclists, and other adventurers. It also manufactures devices for automotive use and designs motorcycle-specific GPS navigation systems in water-resistant, weatherproof units.
Its GPS devices for motorcycles feature glove-friendly and sunlight-readable screens, user-friendly intuitive interfaces, and technologically advanced Garmin apps.
TomTom
Get the most state-of-the-art navigation systems with TomTom GPS devices. This brand offers the best in navigation and has top-notch connectivity. It delivers the ultimate driving experience for motorbikes, cars, trucks, and campers with its highly accurate traffic and travel information.
It also has among the best screen resolutions and the most user-friendly interfaces.
Features
The specific features you need for your motorcycle GPS depends on how and where you ride your vehicle. For thrill-seeking riders, a feature that allows setting adventurous routes is an advantage.
Responsiveness and reliable connectivity can also mean a big difference when it comes to safety. For city riders, the most up-to-date traffic alerts are most useful. However way you ride your bike, there are core features that you should look for including the following:
Dual Sport GPS
A dual sport GPS can be used both on rough trails and on paved roads. While this is more useful for extreme riders, it can also be quite useful for city riders who use their motorcycles on long road trips. It provides versatility in any ride.
Waterproof
Motorcycle GPS are exposed to natural elements, so a high waterproof rating is essential. Choose one that is weather-resistant and can function well in rainy, sunny, snowy, and windy conditions. Resistance to dust, shock, and UV rays is also a plus.
Transflective LCD Screen
A transflective LCD reflects and transmits light. It’s a combination of a reflective and transmissive LCD, making the display visible in a variety of lighting conditions. Since motorcycle GPS units are often used under bright sunlight, this feature is required to make sure that the display is readable under ambient outdoor light.
Battery Life
Most GPS units today come with cords that can be attached to cigarette-lighters or motorcycle batteries. For those that do not, a long battery life should suffice. Check also for fast-charging ones or those that come with battery-powered USB chargers.
Speedometer
When riding a motorcycle, some riders become unaware of the actual speed they are running. This is where a GPS speedometer comes handy. GPS data is used to calculate speed and distance, and the rider is alerted to stay within speed limits.
Updatable
Almost all motorcycle GPS systems come with the latest software and are preloaded with maps. However, if these cannot be updated, the information and the system itself can become outdated and useless. So, check if software and map updates are available and that the device has enough memory capacity for future updates.
Some GPS units require computer connection for updates, but there are also some that can be conveniently updated using Wi-Fi.
Motorcycle GPS App
Useful apps such as motorcycle maps, personalized routes, and live tracks can improve ride quality. Look for those that have Bluetooth connectivity for hands-free calling, music streaming, route setting, and other actions.
Compatibility with Siri and Google Now is also a great feature to have. Aside from Google Maps and Waze, other nifty apps to have in your motorcycle GPS unit include EatSleepRIDE, Rever, MotoEye, InRoute, and Best Biking Roads.
Pricing Range
Cheap motorcycle GPS units can be had for under $50, but these usually have very few features and short battery lives. Mid-range GPS units from $100 to $300 may be good enough for regular commutes around the city. Of course, expect to shell out more for the latest technology, state-of-the-art features, and durability. The best units will always come at premium prices, but they will be worth the cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Motorcycle GPS units come with mounting kits and instructions on how to install them. While these may vary depending on the model, mounting usually requires the use of an Allen key to unscrew the handlebar mount and a rubber piece for mounting the GPS on the handlebar.
The GPS holder is securely mounted over the rubber on the handlebar and the GPS unit is then attached to the holder. After this, the GPS unit can be connected to the motorcycle battery and set for use.
Our Verdict
A motorcycle GPS system is not just functional but also adds fun to your ride. It helps you get to your destination, thwart theft, and explore unfamiliar territories. To get the best value for your money, choose the most trusted brands that manufacture high-quality devices using the latest technology and innovations.
Look for user-friendly interfaces, weatherproof build, accurate GPS, and reliable navigation systems. With these features, you can enjoy comfortable, fun, and safe rides on any terrain and in any weather condition.
Use our comprehensive guide to help you find the best model for your riding needs and to know more about how your motorcycle GPS works.
