GPS on a motorcycle.

[arrfep]

Any of you guys that ride use a GPS? If so, what kind? Motorcycle specific units by Garmin are like $600 vs $200 for comparable car models. Is the price difference just for weatherproofing?

I'm just looking for something to help me get around backroads when I go out for random destination-less rides, I don't need anything super fancy. Maybe a handheld unit? Just lookin' for some ideas.

 

[zerocool84]

Yup looks like the extra expense is in the waterproofing and the motorcycle mounting.

 

[DeviousTrap]

They also have some hard buttons on the side that you can push with gloves, so that and the waterproofing, are the only difference.

I've always used my cell phone + a RAM mount (this + this). I keep a zip lock bag with me if I expect it to rain, but otherwise, it works great. Currently using a Nexus One w/ free Google Navigation, only downside (after using my blackberry before this phone) is the capacitive screen doesn't recognize your touch when you've got gloves on.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I had a Garmin on my motorcycle for a while but it didn't even last a year before vibrations killed it.

 

[WackyDan]

Motorcycle specific GPS's are pretty nice to have if you have the money.

All are built to be vibration and weather proof and are glove friendly.

Some have blue tooth so you can pair up to various in/on helmet audio setups... like a Scala G4 Bluetooth module.

Some have the ability to accept an XM radio antenna or have it built in...

Some have the ability to receive weather radar maps... This can actually be nice when riding.

The question is... are they worth the price?

I personally use Ram mounts ( http://ram-mount.com/ ) to mount my GPS to my bike. I use a Garmin 1300t and have had it on the bike for 13 months and 11,000 miles. It still works just fine. I carry a few gallon size zip lock bags and rubber bands to hold the zip lock in place.

If you do the math... You can get a decent Garmin for about $150 to $175... each comes with a one time free map update. Even if you burn through a Garmin a year for a few years, you sill won't hit the $800+ price point of the Garmin 665 Zumo which has the XM antenna, BT, and weather receiver.

Now... Do I want the Zumo 665... HELL YES. Not having to worry about zip locks in the rain, and having the XM would be awesome. I have a Scala G4 for my helmet and currently stream tunes to my helmet from my Droid. ( I prefer a dedicated GPS to the Google Nav )... BT in the Garmin would allow me to stream the directions to my helmet, but to be honest, I don't need to. I just look down now and then and I rarely miss a turn.

Also...If you do mount one, make sure you mount it up and in your field of view. The ability to just move your eyes and not your whole head to look quickly at the GPS is far safer than looking down dead at your bars for info.

 

[rstrohkirch]

For bikes on a budget I like the Garmin eTrex series. It's an outdoor/marine gps thats durable and dust/waterproof. I use on my dirt bike and swap it to the street bike if I take longer trips. Unfortunately, it isn't as fancy feature wise as the more expensive stuff.

 

[arrfep]

I had a Garmin on my motorcycle for a while but it didn't even last a year before vibrations killed it.

Ahhh....Never even thought of the vibration factor.

If you do the math... You can get a decent Garmin for about $150 to $175... each comes with a one time free map update. Even if you burn through a Garmin a year for a few years, you sill won't hit the $800+ price point of the Garmin 665 Zumo which has the XM antenna, BT, and weather receiver.

Excellent points regarding what you get for the price. I would just never be able to justify buying a GPS unit that cost 80% of what the bike itself did.

For bikes on a budget I like the Garmin eTrex series. It's an outdoor/marine gps thats durable and dust/waterproof. I use on my dirt bike and swap it to the street bike if I take longer trips. Unfortunately, it isn't as fancy feature wise as the more expensive stuff.

Do the eTrex series come loaded with street maps? If not, can you buy them afterwards? I always thought those were primarily topo, and I don't (currently) do any off-road riding.

 

[WackyDan]

Ahhh....Never even thought of the vibration factor.



Excellent points regarding what you get for the price. I would just never be able to justify buying a GPS unit that cost 80% of what the bike itself did.

Keep in mind my garmin is going just fine after over 10k miles on my Spyder and several sessions of dampness...You can go cheaper, but also remember that you can still use the GPS in your car as needed.

I originally used Magellans, but that company and product went way downhill when they were bought by MTAC....

If you get one, remember that the screen size makes a big difference... Mine is a 4.3 inch wide screen and the fonts on the garmin are larger and easier to read than the magellan's.