Introduction
Here we’ll take a look at the Motorcycle GPS and its features. GPS stands for Global Positioning System. The GPS is a motorcycle satellite navigation system which allows you to pin point where you are and get directions to where you want to go. Having a GPS mounted on your handlebars can be very useful as it’s difficult to read a map on the move and you don’t always want to keep stopping to do so either.
A GPS unit receives radio signals from 25 land-based ground reference stations and a series of 26 satellites. The GPS itself does not transmit signals, it is just a receiver. Its function is to locate your position no matter where you are. Modern motorcycle sat nav systems have an accuracy of 6 to 8 metres, with 95% certainty, if there are no obstructions to the sky. Many GPS models have built in maps which let you see your current position on the map and display it on the GPS receiver screen.
Some things to consider when buying a motorcycle sat nav system are:
1.The ruggedness and vibration resistance of the GPS, it needs to be pretty sturdy for when you’re out on the road going over bumps.
2. Water resistance, it’s no use if it’s not going to work in the rain or it’s going to get damaged.
3. It needs good battery life, especially if you go on long rides, although some units can be supplied with adaptors which can be wired into the bike’s electrics.
4. A good reception is vital to motorcycle GPS systems, you don’t want to be waiting for your GPS receiver to get a signal with a big queue of traffic behind you.
5. A mount, most of the best motorcycle sat nav systems come with a mount included.
6. The audio output, its best to get one that has a receiver that lets you connect helmet speakers.
7. The screen needs to be clearly readable in sunlight as you don’t have a roof to shield it.
8. The user interface: you want to be able to update software and maps easily.
In order for the satellite signal on a motorcycle sat nav to be accurate, the GPS receiver needs a clear shot to the sky, without obstructions such as a trees or roofs. If you are in woods, there will be some signal degradation. To get around this you can locate your GPS in a clear area where the signal is strong, giving your location on the map. Ensure your GPS has a solid lock on all the satellites for about 10 minutes before you go into the woods. The motorcycle sat nav system then holds the signal better and can re-acquire a signal better after you’ve done this.
You can set waypoints in your motorcycle sat nav system. These are landmarks or locations which you may want to return to again. You can store them in your motorcycle GPS system, similar to setting favourites on a computer, and they can also act as checkpoints. You can then set a route via a set of waypoints that you’ve stored in your GPS.
The motorcycle sat nav system should also have a track log which stores a series of points as you pass through them, whilst on the move, a bit like laying down a breadcrumb trail. These can then be shown as a string of points on your GPS screen to show where you have been. You can also download these later onto a computer with the GPS software and save your journeys as files. Another good feature is that you can share the files with other GPS users with compatible units, so it’s easy for a group of you to go out together on the same route without anyone getting lost.
Most motorcycle sat navs use batteries, 2 ‘AA’ type batteries, or some will use 4 or 6 batteries, which will usually give between 8 and 12 hours of use. It’s always advisable to take a spare set of batteries if you’re going on a longish trip.
Engine vibration can be a problem with some motorcycle sat nav systems. This is when the engine shakes the GPS so much that it breaks down. To avoid any chance of this happening it’s best to look for a military specification (mil-spec) GPS as these will be able to handle bumpy rides and also get a vibration-isolated mount for it. Other useful tips can be to use dielectric grease on battery connections to stop any sparking, and use duct tape or silicon between batteries and the GPS case to soften any possible vibrations.
Garmin
Garmin are easily the leading motorcycle GPS makers. What makes the Garmin motorcycle sat navs so popular is that they are simple to use with a straightforward layout of buttons and programme functions, and are very dependable.
Some of the highly recommended basic Garmin handheld GPS systems are the Garmin eTrex and the Garmin Geko 101. These are amongst the smaller models so are less expensive to begin with, and easy to use. If you want more features such as advanced mapping, some other highly recommended motorcycle sat navs are the Garmin GPSMAP76CSX and the Garmin GPSMAP60CSX.
The GPSMAP76CSX is a very rugged model as it was designed for military units so it is virtually indestructible. It is designed for mapping and its screen is big enough to read at speeds of 60mph. This motorcycle sat nav has an advanced antenna, extendable memory for storing maps, and is the type used to plan and navigate through the Baja 1000 course. The newer Garmin systems have two-way communication system rather than just a GPS receiver. A two-way communication feature means that a GPS can be a radio as well, and models such as the Garmin Rino Series have this function. This allows users to pin point another Rino user on your display and communicate with them.
Amongst the highest rated motorcycle sat nav systems is the Garmin Zumo 550. This has controls and a 3.5 inch touchscreen which are easy to use with gloves on, and easily operated with the left hand so you can keep your right hand on your brakes. The screen is easily readable in bright sunlight and UV resistant to stop fading. It only weighs 10.6 ounces so it’s easy to carry with you when you’re off the bike. The motorcycle GPS system has a speaker to give voice directions and built-in Bluetooth, so it can be used with a headset and mobile phone, as well as a bike and car mount included.
The Garmin Zumo 665 model of this motorcycle sat nav system has some unique features such as advanced 3D navigation, a larger 4.3 inch screen, and a built-in MP3 player, so you can also listen to music or ebooks whilst riding on the included Bluetooth headset. The motorcycle sat nav also has a lane-assist function, which points out the most appropriate lane as you approach junctions. There are also optional extras with this motorcycle sat nav such as an XM antenna which receives weather and traffic updates, a built-in micro-SD slot which allows sharing of ride data with friends. The Garmin motorcycle sat navs are also available in a good range of colours to match your bike.
Of all the motorcycle GPS systems on the market, the Garmin handheld GPS ones are easily the most popular in terms of sales and reviews, so whilst TomTom are also worth a look if you want to compare, you can’t really go wrong with a Garmin motorcycle sat nav for your bike.
