Another HD-GPS road test
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 69
Likes: 7
From: South Central MN
I don't mind the interface at all. The POI situation is another story. I usually use my phone to find the address then punch it in. The last update was two years ago. I don't know how they integrate all the POI's in the software but I hope they do a better job next time.
Club Member
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 7,618
Likes: 10,437
From: Des moines IA
I think the $24,000.00 clock statement is a blatant stretch. The radio works great, it has bluetooth capabilities, plays mp3's via bluetooth or usb. It has phone and text connectivity and a clock.
Is the rest of the motorcycle worth nothing? I would have to say all things considered, you bought a pretty useful radio system for about 6-800 dollars and got a free gps.
All kidding aside, my gps does everything i need it to do. Maybe i don't depend on it as much as others. I'm kinda old, i try to know where I'm going before i leave.
I have used it with Rideplanner and it worked great. I also used POI out of state a couple times with no issues either.
I don't depend on my bike telling me where to go, i have enough people doing that already
Is the rest of the motorcycle worth nothing? I would have to say all things considered, you bought a pretty useful radio system for about 6-800 dollars and got a free gps.
All kidding aside, my gps does everything i need it to do. Maybe i don't depend on it as much as others. I'm kinda old, i try to know where I'm going before i leave.
I have used it with Rideplanner and it worked great. I also used POI out of state a couple times with no issues either.
I don't depend on my bike telling me where to go, i have enough people doing that already
Club Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 11,469
Likes: 3,572
From: Idaho
Have to agree, more than once I've had the Boom GPS taking me to the wrong destination. I've got to shame Harley for putting such a poor system on their expensive motorcycles. But I didn't buy my Harley for the GPS, I bought it because it's one awesome bike. Still, they could have easily sourced a better GPS system.
I don't mind the interface at all. The POI situation is another story. I usually use my phone to find the address then punch it in. The last update was two years ago. I don't know how they integrate all the POI's in the software but I hope they do a better job next time.
Nope. Kept pointing back to Vegas.
I'm sitting at the pump, filling up my bike, and the GPS is telling me the nearest station is 30 miles away. And, no, it wasn't a brand new gas station.
So, just for ***** and giggles, I take out my phone, say: "Find gas stations", and BOOM (no pun intended) there it is.
Club Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 11,469
Likes: 3,572
From: Idaho
I wear a full coverage helmet, specifically chosen because, among other things, it's one of the quietest on the market. I can't hear a damn thing from the BOOM system. And, you cannot Bluetooth ANYTHING from the BOOM system to your Bluetooth headset, because all of those capabilities in a standard Bluetooth setup have been deliberately deleted/crippled.
You know, I would fully understand if the MoCo had deliberately crippled standard Bluetooth functionality in the BOOM system in order to force you to buy a $500 Bluetooth headset from them, the one with the Willie G skulls on it, but they don't even sell a Bluetooth headset.
They're simply making damn sure you can't use yours.
And it's effing 2016.
Back to the discussion of the GPS.
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,110
Likes: 203
From: Fischer, Texas
I had big smile on my face when I bought my bike, and one small reason was the built in GPS. What a POS it is!! I once put in a HD dealer for grins even though I knew where it was. The little lady in the fairing said you have reached your destination on the left. I could see the dealership about 1/2 mile on the right.
It is not very user friendly nor does it have a good display. When you zoom out you loose all the names of the roads.
I too have plenty of friends that attach their old Garmin to the bars. May be my next step
It is not very user friendly nor does it have a good display. When you zoom out you loose all the names of the roads.
I too have plenty of friends that attach their old Garmin to the bars. May be my next step
TAnd, you cannot Bluetooth ANYTHING from the BOOM system to your Bluetooth headset, because all of those capabilities in a standard Bluetooth setup have been deliberately deleted/crippled.
You know, I would fully understand if the MoCo had deliberately crippled standard Bluetooth functionality in the BOOM system in order to force you to buy a $500 Bluetooth headset from them, the one with the Willie G skulls on it, but they don't even sell a Bluetooth headset.
You know, I would fully understand if the MoCo had deliberately crippled standard Bluetooth functionality in the BOOM system in order to force you to buy a $500 Bluetooth headset from them, the one with the Willie G skulls on it, but they don't even sell a Bluetooth headset.
Club Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 11,469
Likes: 3,572
From: Idaho
The one that I was told "has Bluetooth".
The one that the Harley-Davidson web site says is "Bluetooth capable".
The one that my Owner's Manual (which you don't get until after you buy it, obviously) tells me to "go to the H-D web site for a list of Bluetooth devices (plural) that will pair with your BOOM Infotainment system".
Of course, when you go there, the "list" has a grand total of one "devices"; smartphones.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,500
Likes: 332
From: Blue Grass (KY)
For what it's worth, the built in Nav on the new gold wings aren't any better, what I'm saying is no built in Nav will do what a stand alone Garmin will do.
It isn't a POS, but it has limitations that's for sure. Accept it for what it is and does and you'll be a little more happy.
I've had three Rushmores with Nav, 14 TG, 1 SGS and now a 16 Ultra. We took a 6400 miles trip on the TG and the gps did what I asked of it, but I knew its limits before hand and didn't expect a Garmin unit to be in the bike...
It isn't a POS, but it has limitations that's for sure. Accept it for what it is and does and you'll be a little more happy.
I've had three Rushmores with Nav, 14 TG, 1 SGS and now a 16 Ultra. We took a 6400 miles trip on the TG and the gps did what I asked of it, but I knew its limits before hand and didn't expect a Garmin unit to be in the bike...
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 713
Likes: 97
From: Castle Rock, Colorado
I don't know, it seems to me that the GPS is just like anything on our bikes, if something on the bike doesn't meet our expectations we replace it, right. Like mufflers, head pipes, bars, paint, wheels, tires, windshields, etc. Yeah, we paid for the GPS and expect it to work and it works as designed, it is what it is. The shocks on my SGS worked too, but the Ohlin's work better. Again, it seems to me if someone really doesn't like the 6.5 system change it out or go buy the best Garmin you can mount to your bars. I definitely wouldn't buy a Yamahaha because it had a better GPS. And if the 6.5 system isn't any better in the 2017 models, I really don't care, I'll buy one anyway.
Last edited by Sunnyday91360; May 8, 2016 at 08:41 PM.