4 Best Motorcycle GPS Reviews

Discovering how to use a GPS with a motorcycle can be a difficult thing to do since they do not have the secure interior that a normal automobile does.

As a result, getting the best motorcycle GPS system can a little complicated since they are harder to hold on to.

What Features Matter Most in the Best Motorcycle GPS?

Getting the best motorcycle GPS system is a process that will either heavily protect your motorcycle investment, or make it slightly harder to steal. This means that if you want to purchase a good tracking device you might want to get an option that comes with plenty of features that allow you to protect your motorcycle.

For example, in many cases, you can get a system that allows you to receive notifications by SMS whenever your vehicle leaves a certain area. You can also get a motorcycle GPS system which is small and portable, making it more difficult to locate and identify. These sort of GPS devices are also the same ones that can typically be placed in a backpack for monitoring things other than just your motorcycle.

Lastly, being able to pull up the location history of your GPS system will help you to easily look through the history of where your device has been during recent history.

Here are the best-selling products on the market:

How much should I save for a motorcycle GPS system?

Motorcycle GPS systems are not as expensive as you might think. Typically, they range anywhere between $20 – 50.

However, since the economy is always subject to natural factors such as inflation and unexpected changes, there is no guarantee that this price range will always remain this way for the best motorcycle GPS systems.

Another thing to consider when you are researching the price of a GPS system is whether or not you want to pay a monthly fee to have premium features such as instant notifications whenever your GPS system moves out of an authorized location.

These services provide a considerably higher level of security, but will obviously add up in cost as you continue to use them for months.

Other uses of a motorcycle GPS

Of course, whenever you purchase a GPS system of some sort there are many different ways that you can choose to use it.

Besides simply placing it on your motorcycle and keeping it in one location, you can also adjust how you use your motorcycle GPS system.

Some people might opt to use a GPS system to keep track of their children’s location, spouse’s location, or other similar means of tracking.

If you pick the right GPS tracking system, you can even receive alerts when someone or something special reaches a target location.

This is great for making sure that your kids arrive at school safely every day, or to their friend’s house, for example.

Just keep in mind that notification settings typically require you to sign up for some sort of monthly service, so this might be something a little out of your budget range.

Garmin Zumo 590LM – Best Overall Motorcycle GPS

The 590LM is made with a 5” screen, making it a little larger than some other navigational device options for your motorcycle.

It’s designed to be easy to control even if you’re wearing gloves, which is especially useful in cold weather when you want to be able to ride your motorcycle without your fingers freezing.

You’ll also be able to use the Garmin’s display to control your iPod or MP3 player, so you don’t have to worry about fumbling with a device while you’re on the road.

This can help so keep you safe while still being able to enjoy the music of your choice.

With the help of the Smartphone Link app, you’ll be able to keep an eye on the traffic as well as the weather so that you know how you need to dress for your ride as well as what routes are more likely to be backed up.

It’s also made to be tough and handle a variety of different conditions that can easily damage an electronic device, such as wet weather, UV rays and more.

You’ll also be able to set that Garmin to pick out more scenic routes rather than a highway, depending on your preference.

Traffic can be a real hassle, so being able to avoid it is a great benefit for one of these devices to offer.

Specifications

• 5” Screen that is easy to read even in bright sunlight.
• Display offers dual-orientation and can be used with gloves.
• Allows you to control music when connected to an iPod or MP3 player; can also use Pandora.
• Gives you information on weather, traffic, and more.
• Built to resist harsh conditions, fuel spills, UV rays and water.
• Allows you to opt for windy roads rather than busy highways.

Garmin Zumo 395LM Motorcycle GPS Navigator – Best Motorcycle GPS For The Money

This device offers a nice small screen and is designed to be glove-friendly and easy to read when the sun is out, which is incredibly convenient on those hot days when you want to enjoy a long ride.

It’s made with a special display that includes a white backlight to make it easier to see.

This navigator is built to be able to withstand water, fuel spills and UV rays so you won’t need to worry too much about breaking it easily.

You’ll also be able to control the navigator through a headset, which makes it much easier and safer to use because you’ll be able to keep your hands focused on the task of driving.

Nowadays, it becomes more and more important to keep your attention on the road, so the more you can do through voice control, the better.

This Garmin is also designed to work very well with software known as the Tire Pressure Monitor System, which allows you to keep an eye on the tire pressure on your bike, which adds to the overall safety and convenience of your rides.

While that software is sold separately from the Garmin itself, this device does offer a lot of other conveniences without any extra cost.

For example, any updates that are added to the maps on your device will be free for the lifetime of the Garmin.

So if any new routes are added, you’ll know about them without having to pay extra.

Overall, having a Garmin like this one on your bike can be helpful in a number of ways, including several that keep you safer while you’re on the road.

Y​​​​ou can really never be too safe whether you’re on a busy road or a winding scenic route.

Specifications

• 4.3” screen that is glove friendly and easy to read in the sunlight.
• Offers a WQVGA TFT display, allows you to see easier with the help of a white backlight.
• Resists fuel spills, water and UV Rays.
• Bluetooth capability to control your phone with your voice via a headset.
• Works with the Tire Pressure Monitor System.
• Offers free map updates for a lifetime.

BMW Motorrad Navigator V with Cradle

This navigator comes with a mount cradle so that you’ll be able to keep it in a safe place.

The kind of mounts available will be different based on the model you choose to purchase, so make sure that you get something that will work for your bike.

Like many other navigators, this one comes already loaded with a plethora of map data for North America, so you’ll be ready to go pretty much right upon starting it, barring some updates and getting it set up for your preferences.

It offers 8GB of flash storage, so you won’t have too much worry about running out of space.

You’ll also be able to get map updates for the lifetime of the device, so you’ll always be up to date when new additions are added to roads in the areas that you often use.

With this device, you’ll also have the benefit of being able to control the navigator through the use of a Bluetooth helmet or headset, which makes your overall riding experience safer.

When you do need to use your hands, you’ll have the convenience of being able to use the navigator easily even while wearing gloves.

So even in the cold weather you won’t have a problem getting information from the device without having to expose your hands to colder weather conditions.

Specifications

• Offers a mount cradle.
• Comes with a multitude of data on North American maps.
• Has a larger, brighter screen than other options and models.
• Gives you 8GB of flash storage.
• You get a lifetime of map updates.
• Bluetooth capabilities through either your helmet or headset.
• Operates well even if you’re wearing gloves.

Garmin Zumo 595LM – Best GPS For Motorcycle Touring

The Garmin 595LM offers the ability to choose more adventurous routes over the typical highway or main road possibilities.

This is great if you tend to prefer more scenic, windy routes.

You’ll also be able to control music or other media right on the display when it is connected to a Smartphone or MP3 player.

So, you won’t have to worry about digging your device out of your pocket to change the song or adjust the volume.

You’ll also be able to get alerts for upcoming weather changes, state helmet laws and sharp curves so that you can be prepared for the weather and stay safe when tough roads are coming up.

You’ll also have the ability to see any texts, calls or app notifications right on the Garmin screen.

This adds a lot of safety to your ride because you won’t have to worry about getting out or holding your phone to check for any alerts.

You’ll also be able to let your friends keep track of where you are using the Livetrack application, which can help keep you safe if you’re traveling long distances or new roads and want your friends and family to be able to make sure you’re making your way alright.

You’ll be able to use this device using gloves, and it will also be easy to see even in the brightest sunlight due to the design.

Like other models, this one is also designed to be able to handle rough situations.

Specifications

• Special routing ability lets you choose winding roads rather than highways.
• Allows you to control music and media using a Smartphone or MP3 player.
• Receive alerts for speed cameras, sharp curves, state helmet laws, etc.
• View texts, calls, app notifications and more with the Smartphone Link app that is only. available on the 595LM model.
• Make sure people know where you are with Livetrack.
• 5” Screen that is readable in the sunlight and works well with guns.
• Made to withstand harsh conditions.

Best Overall Motorcycle GPS: Summary

These are all great options as far as motorcycle navigation devices go, but the Garmin 590 and 595LM have some really great options as far as added applications go.

They allow you to listen and control music, which is great for getting the best balance of safety and enjoyment.

If you are fond of taking your bike on long rides on windy roads, then both of these devices offer more adventurous routing capabilities which can allow you to enjoy your trip without having to worry about getting lost.

Both of these options also offer a 5 inch screen so you’ll be able to see everything clearly.

Overall, with any of the GPS devices in this list, you’ll be sure to get something that will be able to help you have a safer and easier time navigating new areas whether you’re going somewhere specific or just exploring a new road.

These devices are also made to handle different weather conditions better than the ones you might be able to get for a car, so it’s a good idea to make sure you get a GPS that is made to be used on a motorcycle.