Best Navigational Option
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Jan 27, 2022, 10:24 AM
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,952
Likes: 903
From: South Florida (Ft Myers area)
Phone in pocket (or otherwise out of site) with blue tooth in helmet, voice directions, eyes on the road.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 17,148
Likes: 6,171
From: SE Michigan
Currently out of stock, so not sure when/if it will reappear, but something like a water/vibration proof GPS system would likely be the best option if you can't use your phone (or for that matter even if you could). I had one when I had an older Road Glide, worked well.
Road Tech Zumo 590 Navigation System - 76000573 | Harley-Davidson USA
Or directly from Garmin: Garmin zūmoŽ XT | Motorcycle GPS Navigator
Road Tech Zumo 590 Navigation System - 76000573 | Harley-Davidson USA
Or directly from Garmin: Garmin zūmoŽ XT | Motorcycle GPS Navigator
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 1,322
Likes: 731
From: Pennsylvania
Exactly. Don't be the people we bitch about.
I have a small iPhone SE. Smart but small. One step above a flip-phone I suppose. I do have a cheap mount for it - mainly so I can easily see the time since I hate wearing a watch. Especially with a jacket and gloves. So I couldn't see it to use for GPS even if I wanted to.
So my OCD takes over and I map out the ride ahead of time. I memorize the directions. Do Google street view so I recognize landmarks as I approach turns. A bit over the top, but I can look forward to new places to eat. New roads to explore. And not have to pull over after I get really lost.
My wife is on her own bike so she can't even help en route. I like going with a group in THEIR territory so I can just follow along. I hate to lead
I have a small iPhone SE. Smart but small. One step above a flip-phone I suppose. I do have a cheap mount for it - mainly so I can easily see the time since I hate wearing a watch. Especially with a jacket and gloves. So I couldn't see it to use for GPS even if I wanted to.
So my OCD takes over and I map out the ride ahead of time. I memorize the directions. Do Google street view so I recognize landmarks as I approach turns. A bit over the top, but I can look forward to new places to eat. New roads to explore. And not have to pull over after I get really lost.
My wife is on her own bike so she can't even help en route. I like going with a group in THEIR territory so I can just follow along. I hate to lead
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Banned
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 4,027
Likes: 6,286
From: SoCal
I can't imagine using a GPS screen that is larger than my phone on my bike, but if that's your thing you can always upgrade the bike.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 5,815
Likes: 2,555
From: UK
Garmin XT. Hands down the best option out there right now. Comes with a very complete RAM based mounting kit so you can mount to your bars very easily. Live traffic, etc...
It's perfect for point to point stuff, but really shines for when you have routes planned, or are even in territory you don't know and are looking for food, lodgings or gas.
You can also plan routes on your computer, tablet or phone and send them wirelessly to the XT.
Better than a phone based nav. Sometimes if you are using a phone, a notification or something will pop up on your screen and you wont be able to get it back to the nav screen without stopping. Also, phone touchscreens don't play well with many kind of gloves, whereas Garmin screens do.
As for those that say "no screen, just audio to your ear", I say BS. It's far easier to quickly glance at a screen near your eyeline to see things like advanced guidance for lane position, current speed limit, speed cameras ahead etc. And as for "turn right in 100 yards"....yes, but there are three right turns in close succession at different angles. Which one? Oh..quick glance and I know...
In fairness, the phone with just audio to your ear can work well. But if you are doing emergency response and looking for hospital pathology labs in inner cities it's just not accurate enough and you will get lost. You need the visual map. Works great for long lazy rides though.
It's perfect for point to point stuff, but really shines for when you have routes planned, or are even in territory you don't know and are looking for food, lodgings or gas.
You can also plan routes on your computer, tablet or phone and send them wirelessly to the XT.
Better than a phone based nav. Sometimes if you are using a phone, a notification or something will pop up on your screen and you wont be able to get it back to the nav screen without stopping. Also, phone touchscreens don't play well with many kind of gloves, whereas Garmin screens do.
As for those that say "no screen, just audio to your ear", I say BS. It's far easier to quickly glance at a screen near your eyeline to see things like advanced guidance for lane position, current speed limit, speed cameras ahead etc. And as for "turn right in 100 yards"....yes, but there are three right turns in close succession at different angles. Which one? Oh..quick glance and I know...
In fairness, the phone with just audio to your ear can work well. But if you are doing emergency response and looking for hospital pathology labs in inner cities it's just not accurate enough and you will get lost. You need the visual map. Works great for long lazy rides though.
