Motorcycle GPS | GTAMotorcycle.com

Motorcycle GPS

You can use any GPS as long as you have a mount for it.

I'm using an old Garmin 2720 with a ram mount that I purchased online from GPS city.
 
I also have an old 2720.
I wish it were a 2820 so it would play MP3's.
Any Garmin Zumo is specifically engineered for bikes.
Garmin's Nuvi550 is also waterproof, but not vibration isolated. I have a few friends who ride with the 550 and they seem to hold up fine and can be had cheap online if you find a sale.
 
Have been using the 550 for 3 years now with no issues at all. Completely waterproof and works well.
Only downside is no Bluetooth, mp3 and not to much storage space to store maps.
It does due custom maps and routes very well and also has a bread crumb feature.
 
Hmm the 550 is better priced too!!! Might have to look into that
 
I use a 765t.A ziplock baggie goes over it if it rains.And they are about $300 cheaper than a mc specific unit.
 
Bagel09 said:
Thank-you all for the feedback. I think I will go down that route and go with a Garmin. Now I looked at the Garmin Nuvi550, http://radioworld.ca/nuvi-p-5072.html , I see it does not come with a USB to charge the bike well riding though.
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You can get one for $19, plugs rite into the battery and mini USB in back of unit.
 
I'm a big fan of the old Streetpilot series (2610, 2620, 2720, 2820, etc.) Have killed a 2720 and 2820 each and am now on my second 2720. They do almost everything the new Zumo's do and cost next to nothing. You can find a good shape 2720 for $50 on ebay/craigslist, the RAM mount and wiring will cost you another $40. For under $100, you have a fantastic, fully functional, motorcycle gps
 
regder said:
I'm a big fan of the old Streetpilot series (2610, 2620, 2720, 2820, etc.) Have killed a 2720 and 2820 each and am now on my second 2720. They do almost everything the new Zumo's do and cost next to nothing. You can find a good shape 2720 for $50 on ebay/craigslist, the RAM mount and wiring will cost you another $40. For under $100, you have a fantastic, fully functional, motorcycle gps
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First thing I do is check Ebay for deals on anything, sadly this time around I didn't have much luck (ill keep looking though). But with a bit of research and with the help of everyone (thank you again), I have an idea now of what I'm going to get.
-Garmin nuvi 550
-Ram mount from GPScity.ca http://www.gpscity.ca/ram-mount-nuvi-500-short-motorcycle-mount-ram-b-149-a-ga32u.html
-Garmin Bare Wire Power cable
Best price I could find so far is $260.00 with everything.
 
I was also looking to get a motorcycle specific GPS a couple of years ago, but after realizing the cost I decided to get a regular, used, GPS… which I use in the car too.
I bought my used Garmin 265WT for $50. It has Bluetooth so it connects to my scala. I added Ram Mount for it and that was it. I’ve had it for couple of years now and no issues at all. If it gets damaged I’ll get another one from kijiji for about $50.
 
I think if you compare prices almost in every case you will find gps city cheaoer. I have bought from gps city and their service is excellent. FTW.
I bought the 785T series because it has the mp3 player. Yes they are discontinued but only if you want music
 
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What's wrong with a smart phone?
I can't possibly see the need for a dedicated GPS these days on a motorcycle

99¢ you are in

MotionX-GPS-Drive-V14-s2.jpg


http://news.motionx.com/category/motionx-gps-drive/

Bluetooth or straight to earphones and superb voice guidance even manages your tunes from the same app and you can set the levels between music and guidance separately.

Lot of other uses than just GPS

The companion app to MotionXGPSDriver is MotionXGPS and you just download the maps or route so even if out of network range it works.

Got me back from Pennsylvania perfectly at midnight through fog and construction with detours and it shuts up when not needed on the long stretches between turns.

http://news.motionx.com/category/motionx-gps/
 
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MacDoc said:
What's wrong with a smart phone?
I can't possibly see the need for a dedicated GPS these days on a motorcycle

99¢ you are in

MotionX-GPS-Drive-V14-s2.jpg


http://news.motionx.com/category/motionx-gps-drive/

Bluetooth or straight to earphones and superb voice guidance even manages your tunes from the same app and you can set the levels between music and guidance separately.

Lot of other uses than just GPS

The companion app to MotionXGPSDriver is MotionXGPS and you just download the maps or route so even if out of network range it works.

Got me back from Pennsylvania perfectly at midnight through fog and construction with detours and it shuts up when not needed on the long stretches between turns.

http://news.motionx.com/category/motionx-gps/
Click to expand...




I just use my iphone. Enter the distination, put the ear piece in and you are set to go. Just listen to instructions, no need to look at it, only a distraction.


ps. I use iphone maps , free and its pretty good as a gps
 
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MacDoc said:
What's wrong with a smart phone?
I can't possibly see the need for a dedicated GPS these days on a motorcycle

99¢ you are in

MotionX-GPS-Drive-V14-s2.jpg


http://news.motionx.com/category/motionx-gps-drive/

Bluetooth or straight to earphones and superb voice guidance even manages your tunes from the same app and you can set the levels between music and guidance separately.

Lot of other uses than just GPS

The companion app to MotionXGPSDriver is MotionXGPS and you just download the maps or route so even if out of network range it works.

Got me back from Pennsylvania perfectly at midnight through fog and construction with detours and it shuts up when not needed on the long stretches between turns.

http://news.motionx.com/category/motionx-gps/
Click to expand...

Can u plot your trip on that?


Sent from my phone using my paws
 
On the MotionXGPS one yes. I don't but you can and it does a really good job of re-routing when you want follow some interesting road.
AFAIK MotionGPS is very full featured for route plotting, tracking etc.
lots of info here
http://gps.motionx.com/iphone/resources/

I just use my iphone. Enter the distination, put the ear piece in and you are set to go. Just listen to instructions, no need to look at it, only a distraction.
Click to expand...

yup and it mutes the music, gives the instructions and then the music comes back on and still allows the phone calls in and out as well.
I keep mine in the right hand glove box :D - I can flip it down and have a quick look if I want to see what is coming ( usually when I'm very close to the destination ) and it hooks to the charger there.
GPS is very battery intensive so you need a power supply for distance/time.

Getting the instructions verbally is simply so much easier and relaxing. If I'm heading to PA etc I can ride without navigating and go off on tangents and know I'll still be guided back to my destination no matter what the side excursion I take.

Downloadable maps are an important feature BTW. Do it before you leave home so you reduce data charges while travelling.
 
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What's being overlooked here is that if you want to operate the GPS with your gloves on you will need to check the specs for a pressure sensitive screen. Most GPS units now are capacitive screen which rely on your uncovered finger to respond. Zumo's and 2720/2820 will respond with gloves on. Not sure what else does but it is getting rare to find.

The 2720 certainly looks old but darn it they do the job well, withstand rain and have 4 large buttons for easy access to common commands - and pressing the buttons in different ways gives you different functions right away. eg. double tap Find and you are routed to Home location. My screen just developed a fog patch after 4 years of getting wet. Hopefully a good drying out will cure it. Hard wire the power into your bike - no battery on that series.

The other thing I look for is a unit that will store routes I create on my desktop. Don't assume they all have it.
Also check which models take SD chips and which rely on a USB data connection. Lastly, what is the upgrade path should the maps need updating in the future unless you find it better to replace the whole unit by then.
 
Charlie-brm said:
My screen just developed a fog patch after 4 years of getting wet. Hopefully a good drying out will cure it.
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My 2720 started to fog up after a few years of being drenched and in and out of temp extremes.I bought a bag of silica gel at a craft shop and put the gps and silica in a plastic bag for a few days.Never did it again. This would prolly work well for cells that go swimming as well.
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