Features

April 23, 2007 – GPS CYCLE SELECTIONS

Many navigational system companies are now
manufacturing GPS units designed for use on
two-wheeled vehicles. Here are four products that provide cutting-edge navigational technology to today’s motorcycling enthusiasts.

Garmin Zumo 450
913/397-8200
www.garmin.com
With glove-friendly, left-handed controls, preloaded street maps and a sunlight-readable screen, the Zumo 450 waterproof navigator from Garmin is made for motorcycles. The GPS comes preloaded City Navigator NT street maps and a hefty points of interest (POIs) database, including motels, restaurants, fuel, ATMs and more. You also can monitor traffic tie-ups with the addition of an optional FM TMC traffic receiver. By adding traffic services and a receiver, your 450 notifies you of upcoming accidents or road construction ahead on your route. An SD card expansion makes it easy to store data and share routes, and also allows you to load MP3 files to your unit. Other features include a motorcycle console for trip information, including resettable fuel gauge to warn you when it’s time to fill up; motorcycle mount with universal mounting hardware; ibration-tested, waterproof and built with fuel-resistant plastics to withstand the elements
MSRP: $857.13

TomTom Rider
866/486-6866
www.tomtom.com
This water-resistant GPS unit allows a motorcyclist to just plug the unit in, switch it on and ride. It has a simple touch screen operation, clear turn-by-turn in-helmet spoken instructions (Bluetooth headset included), 3D and 2D graphics and a drive mode tailored for use with gloves on. The Rider also can recognize if you are in a car or on a motorcycle, so there’s no need to adjust it for use in an automobile — it automatically switches from glove-friendly to in-car mode for driving, and allows you to make and take calls any time on the move. The device also speaks more than 30 languages in more than 50 voices. Other features include a compass mode that displays a compass on-screen to have even more orientation while driving, free scenic routes, and is ready for TomTom PLUS Services, which includes scenic route maps, weather, additional voices, city maps and more.
MSRP: $599.95

Magellan RoadMate 2000
408/615-5100
www.magellangps.com
This GPS, which is designed for automobiles but can be fastened to a motorcycle, features simple touch-screen menus and a built-in interactive map of the contiguous United States, making it easy to select
virtually any destination and get voice and visual turn-by-turn directions as you drive. The unit has a touch screen to enter an address or select a point of interest and get an instant route using the shortest time, shortest distance, most freeways or least freeways. Also included is the advanced processing chipset, SirfstarIII, which makes receiving a satellite signal faster and easier with a stronger and wider search range. The RoadMate also has 1.3 million pre-programmed points of interest which enable you to quickly find gas stations, airports, hotels, restaurants and more. A complete set of advanced features include SmartDetour to route you around sudden slow freeway traffic, multi-destination routing, QuickSpell to quickly enter your destination and 3D bird’s-eye view to clearly see your surroundings. Plus, a built-in battery gives you continuous use for up to three hours.
MSRP: $349.95

Lowrance iWAY 250C
800/324-1356
www.lowrance.com
Although not designed exclusively for motorcycles, this compact, portable color GPS navigation system can be mounted on nearly any bike and features built-in battery power, stereo MP3 music player and a picture viewer. The iWAY 250C also includes a 2GB MMC/SD card preloaded with NAVTEQ mapping detail for the United States and Canada, featuring millions of accessible Points-of-Interest, into a compact case. The unit also features turn-by-turn audio and visual cues, including auto-zooming and automatic recalculation of directions after a missed turn, a straight-line navigation feature for off-road and marine use, seven voice direction languages and 12 display text languages.
MSRP: $229.95
— Steve Bauer

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button