GPS system for bike???

[scottsscooter]

Hi, does anyone have a good GPS system, made just for motorcycles? I have a friend that brought a new ride, and he is looking for a GPS system. Any feedback is appreciated.

[motormd]

I am looking at the TOM TOM rider. A little expensive but alot of conveince. It has a bluetooth headset that and talks you thru the turns.
http://www.tigergps.com/tomtomrider.html

[James O'Sullivan]

I am looking at the Garmin 2730 unit. It has XM radio as well as XM Nav Traffic capabllities. Of course an XM subscription is required for those features. There is a kit, available from CycleGadgets.com, that provides a cradle for the 2730 GPS, A ball mount for the cradle, a linking arm and a ball mount/u-joint for the handlebar connection. The kit is from ARM I think. This is not a motorcycle specific unit, but I believe that it is a very good one for a bike. IMHO.

Safe Riding.

[ILuv_UMan]

Hi, does anyone have a good GPS system, made just for motorcycles? I have a friend that brought a new ride, and he is looking for a GPS system. Any feedback is appreciated.

I have been a mountain pedal biker for years and buy all my equipment through Performance Bicycle. The reason? They have the best prices and they test everything they sell. You also have to remember Mountain bikes are pretty tough on equipment. If these guys don't like it, they won't sell it.

If you go to their website they have only one GPS unit. It's a Garmin 305 GPS. Just click underneath the unit, and they will give you all the details.

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/sub ... ry_id=4112 (http://www.performancebike.com/shop/sub_cat.cfm?subcategory_id=4112)

I know a couple friends that have a GPS unit as part of the wireless telephone. I always carry a cell telephone with me, you might suggest your friend look into this technology and service available in your area.

[tnlawndart]

I use the Garmin StreetPilot 2610. Purchased a remanufactured unit (which has the same warranty as a new one) from http://www.getfeetwet.com for $450. Mine is mounted with a RAM mount, got the setup from http://www.cyclegadgets.com.

I have the motorcycle power/audio cable hardwired to the battery (always on) so I can do route calcs with the bike turned off.

MapSource software the comes with it works well enough for most of my route planning needs.

[mruiz31]

I also have a Garmin GPS II+, which is a handheld model like many others on the market. The 2610 is a totally different animal. They are designed for vehicle use only, hence no batteries. This is not designed for hiking. It uses mapping software. The maps are roadmaps. The main difference is that the handheld types are only good for "as the crow flies" directions and mileage. The 2610 actually routes you. You simply enter a destination (using several methods including address, intersection, a previously saved place, coordinates, pointing at it on the map screen, etc.) and the unit computes the route (using another set of variables such as fastest route, shortest route, etc.) and then visually guides you there by showing your location on a moving screen, and also voice prompts you as to upcoming turns, lane changes, etc. All the while this thing is displaying all the cross streets by name as you pass them. Don't ask me how they get all this info, but it is simply amazing. Not to mention all of the other info available such as what services are available at any exit on the interstate. Also lists dining, shopping, points of interest, motels, and too much other info to list. If you miss a turn, it will tell you so and immediately recalculate your route to your destination or tell you how to get back on your original. It ain't past telling to literally make a u-turn. There are several other brands and models available now. The main reason I chose the Garmin 2610 is that the maps are stored on a chip (like the ones used in digital cameras), the larger the chip capacity, the more maps you can store. A 2 gigabyte chip will hold the entire U.S. You load the chips with the maps you choose from your computer. Most of the other units available have built-in hard drives which are pre-loaded. But I thought the extra vibration from motorcycle use might not be very healthy to a built-in hard drive. This fact was pointed out in some literature I read and influenced my decision. I know this was long, but I am so enthusiastic about this thing. Purchase one and you will be astounded by the technology. At the very least, you will never be lost again.

[murph]

I have the garmin 2720 i have no faults in how it works and this unit has no hard drive.i have it mounted with a tourateck lockable mount [very expencive 250.00.I would say at times it could use a shield to stop the sun glare.Something else not talked about mutch in gps units this one has voice promps witch is in [mono sound] the big deal with this is if u have a music sound system on the bike like me [xm2go with rumble roads amped] taping into to hear the voice promps can creat problens because [mono taped into sterio] not done corectly will bang heads and make all audio sound [mono].the corect way to solve this problem is with a [mix it2]witch switches out and cuts out [over rides] when voice promps ocoure.the mixit2 will also let u plug into it numourious things into it like radar detector,xm,gps and so on witch will not mess with the mono problem and override radio to gps when voice promps ocoure. I wish there was more talk on how to corectly and cheaply get the voice promps with out without spending 200+ on the mixit2.keep in mind i would give up my gps for nuthing as i use the unit in my truck.One last note do buy a extended warentee with the gps i have yet to find out but others have said stores replace the unit when something goes wrong or give u a later model when out of stock.By all means i am not complaining just giving u a little know.

[backwoods]

I use the TomTom Navigator software on the Treo 650 cellphone. For $199 including mounting hardware (assuming you already have a Treo 650), I haven't seen anything close. It even includes real-time traffic updates that show traffic congestion on your route and offers an option to route around it. Biggest missing feature is the ability to upload tracks after a trip.

http://palm.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/p2094677dt.jpg

[Backroad]

Garmin Legend Cx. Runs about 30 hours on 2 AA batts, portable from bike to car to your pocket, color screen, micro SD card memory for maps, and won't cost you an arm and a leg. About the only thing it doesn't do is talk to you. And with my V&H pipes and my MP3 player going, I couldn't hear it anyway. But with a RAM mount for the handlebars, it's right in front of my face, so I can see it - even at my advanced age.


al

[Guitar4Him]

I wish there was more talk on how to corectly and cheaply get the voice promps with out without spending 200+ on the mixit2.

I have the following:

XM2Go (MyFi)
Rumble Roads Speakers (powered version)
Garmin 2610

I have the voice prompts coming out of my left speaker only. It's plenty loud and only cost me for a capacitor (about 2 bucks). Works perfectly.

[Verbatim]

Garmin GPS Map 60 CSX. It's a handheld that I use backpacking. I have a windshield suction mount for the car and a handlebar mount for the bike. It has all the features you could want. I find that the display of the navigation messages is sufficient and you can also display the distance to the next turn. If you're not keen on figuring out how to do the sound system thing, this is a good versatile option. 30 hours on 2 AA batteries and removeable memory card.

I used it in the Houston/Galveston area a couple of weeks ago and the technology is truly astounding. The thought of never being lost again and being able to find hotels, gas stations, restaurants etc without asking the seemingly clueless locals everywhere I go makes this one of the best investments I've ever made...next to the X of course.

[grumpyz]

Look for posts from Beast-X. He has the new Lowrance. It has like a 5 gig HD and a screen that can be seen in direct sun light. I can see it in the day light riding next to him. It also had MP3 capability. It is the best unit I have seen.

[Retro Rocket]

Why spend all that money when half the fun is getting lost and finding places you have never seen before. I guess it your going on a long trip and have a time limitation on when you have to be there for, then I guess their ok. I try to keep distracting electronics to a minimum so I can pay attention to the road ahead instead of looking down to see all the bling bling on my handlebars. Different strokes for different folks I guess.

[SGMGunner]

I had a Magellan Meridian mounted on my Bike it was very good and even told me how fast I was going, I now have a TomTom Rider, and I like it, very much it is a little easier to read, I miss the knowing the speed. but it is pretty good, it also has a ear pice that is bluetooth to tell you when to turn.

[meesier42]

Got a Garmin GPSMAP 60C, with a bike handle bar mount, works pretty good, and when I get these, pop it off and its a handheld.