GPS ‘Map’. Update?
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,171
Likes: 680
From: Forest Hill, Md
I recently updated the 2014 I just picked up since it had the original maps. Yeah it's overpriced but I got a good deal on the bike so I didn't mind as much. Painless process if you follow the video that Harley has.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 17,138
Likes: 6,163
From: SE Michigan
Not really. You can cache multiple states locally on your phone. No cell towers required.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 17,138
Likes: 6,163
From: SE Michigan
How can you tell if you have the latest version? Is there a version number displayed somewhere, and what is the latest version?
I agree on gps vs car play. Shut the bike off in a non cell area, and your mapping is gone, unless you have specifically downloaded the map from an online source, Now car play might use map data from the HD system, but not sure of that.
I agree on gps vs car play. Shut the bike off in a non cell area, and your mapping is gone, unless you have specifically downloaded the map from an online source, Now car play might use map data from the HD system, but not sure of that.
The "online source" to download map data locally is... Google Maps. Very easy to cache a very large geography prior to departure.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 6,031
Likes: 1,802
From: Kalifornia
Yea no way to even get a whole state, like CA by doing that. In fact I could get maybe two counties, which does not get you far. I have seen paid subscriptions that allow you to download several states at a time, but is a PITA in my opinion, compared to just using Sat Nav.
I noticed on the Pan Am, it ONLY works with cell data, there is no Sat Nav service. Not my idea of an Adventure bike. Mind you I will probably never need to worry about that, with my back as it is, I cannot see me venturing on off road trails for days at a time, in unknown areas.
However, where I live cell service is spotty, and we have had numerous people using cell nav and get lost because they turned it off for whatever reason, and when restarting without cell service, the phones gps shows them on screen, but with no road data to show where they actually are. Seen it too often to trust it. With Sat Nav, it's just a matter of getting a clear view of the sky. I think having the phone supplement the Sat data is a good idea, but not replacing it, or relying solely on it is not.
To each their own.
I noticed on the Pan Am, it ONLY works with cell data, there is no Sat Nav service. Not my idea of an Adventure bike. Mind you I will probably never need to worry about that, with my back as it is, I cannot see me venturing on off road trails for days at a time, in unknown areas.
However, where I live cell service is spotty, and we have had numerous people using cell nav and get lost because they turned it off for whatever reason, and when restarting without cell service, the phones gps shows them on screen, but with no road data to show where they actually are. Seen it too often to trust it. With Sat Nav, it's just a matter of getting a clear view of the sky. I think having the phone supplement the Sat data is a good idea, but not replacing it, or relying solely on it is not.
To each their own.
HDF Community Team
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 503
Likes: 241
From: CA
With a Pan Am I'd get a Zumu XL and some half decent mount, I'd start and see if Touratech has one yet.
Google recently changed some of its nav stuff in ways that don't work for me, for example I can't create a route on my laptop using dragging to create waypoints; these can no longer be sent to the phone.
Curiously, H-D recently implemented (or just plain fixed) this on their ride planner (at maps.harley-davidson.com). With a few gotchas it's now VERY usable. I save a route on my laptop and it shows up in the app; it even shows and is downloadable directly from the bike without having to even open the app (with the phone nearby).
I keep google maps open on the phone in carplay though, it can do satellite views and sometimes I'll switch to it just to view while the head unit is handling the guidance. If I need lane or exit info I'll just switch back as needed.
Google recently changed some of its nav stuff in ways that don't work for me, for example I can't create a route on my laptop using dragging to create waypoints; these can no longer be sent to the phone.
Curiously, H-D recently implemented (or just plain fixed) this on their ride planner (at maps.harley-davidson.com). With a few gotchas it's now VERY usable. I save a route on my laptop and it shows up in the app; it even shows and is downloadable directly from the bike without having to even open the app (with the phone nearby).
I keep google maps open on the phone in carplay though, it can do satellite views and sometimes I'll switch to it just to view while the head unit is handling the guidance. If I need lane or exit info I'll just switch back as needed.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 385
Likes: 37
From: Two Rivers, WI
I may getting a 2018 RG to ride from an inherentance and since I have a 2014 Ultra already, does anyone think I could upgrade the maps on both bikes under a single map purchase? Or does the map purchase vin specific?
I'm assuming the downloaded file goes to my computer and then to a thumb drive.
I'm assuming the downloaded file goes to my computer and then to a thumb drive.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 20,616
Likes: 4,440
From: anacoco, la
the maps are bike specific. you have to create a 'thumbprint' for your bike to perfom the update.
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Novice
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 19
Likes: 10
From: Northwestern Wisconsin
Need cell service for GPS to work
Sadly, cell towers ARE required if you want to use your downloaded maps as anything other than a typical paper map with no routing capabilities 🤔
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 2,197
Likes: 281
From: Long Island NY
I may getting a 2018 RG to ride from an inherentance and since I have a 2014 Ultra already, does anyone think I could upgrade the maps on both bikes under a single map purchase? Or does the map purchase vin specific?
I'm assuming the downloaded file goes to my computer and then to a thumb drive.
I'm assuming the downloaded file goes to my computer and then to a thumb drive.
Last edited by IUOE ROB; Jun 12, 2023 at 06:10 PM.
