Navigation: Just Terrible
It's not as intuitive as my old Harley/Garmin unit...but I've finally started to get the hang of it. The key for me is to drop PLENTY of waypoints along my route. I made a cross country trip from NOLA through Niagara Falls, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, New England, the Carolinas then home without a hitch. I just had to take my time, be patient, and learn the damn thing's quirks.
I haven't really had any visibility issues...maybe just didn't have the sun hit it in a bad way.
I haven't really had any visibility issues...maybe just didn't have the sun hit it in a bad way.
Club Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,633
Likes: 54
From: GA
I feel like the unit HD provides is decently accurate and I liked all the routing options but I always ran into issues with minor cloud cover. My Garmin unit on another bike deals much better in less than perfect conditions than the HD unit but that could come down to it's ability to "see" the satellite based on wherever the antenna is mounted on the bike.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 403
Likes: 14
From: Tennessee
I've had no problems using the GPS unit. In the past 12 months I've logged over 12K miles on long trips, all guided by the Harley GPS in my dash. Each days ride was completed in Basecamp and imported. I could always see the screen. I didn't get strange routings, and it always functioned as expected. I keep the navigation prompts (sound) turned off. I also keep my unit's software and dealership database updated to the current version.
Granted, it doesn't work exactly like a Garmin however, if I had Garmin experience and I bought a TomTom, I wouldn't expect the TomTom to work just like a Garmin. It is my understanding that the Harley system is made by neither Garmin or TomTom. With that said, if you take the time to learn how this unit functions, plan your routes, and keep your system updated to the latest software, it's very capable to meet the needs of any motorcyclist's navigation needs, IMO.
Granted, it doesn't work exactly like a Garmin however, if I had Garmin experience and I bought a TomTom, I wouldn't expect the TomTom to work just like a Garmin. It is my understanding that the Harley system is made by neither Garmin or TomTom. With that said, if you take the time to learn how this unit functions, plan your routes, and keep your system updated to the latest software, it's very capable to meet the needs of any motorcyclist's navigation needs, IMO.
3rd Gear
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7
Likes: 9
From: Sacramento Area
Nav problems
We're on a trip from Arlington, Texas to Telluride, Colorado on our Road Glide Special. Staying the night in Farmington, New Mexico. So.....we've been using our Harley Nav. Got to say it is the worst. It drops out without warning, gives strange routes, is difficult to follow and washes out in sunlight. It really is close to useless. So, we resort to the Garmin Ap in our IPhone. Shame on Harley for installing this cheesey nav system item in its high dollar motorcycles. ��
I've got a 2017 Ultra Limited. Went on a 2 hr trip and it gave wrong directions at least 6 times telling me to turn left when I was supposed to go right. Thankfully I was somewhat familiar with the area and knew the general direction I had to go. If I was in a strange area, I would have been screwed!!!
No excuse on having a problem with the GPS system that's been out for 3 years now and on a premium model to boot!! I also don't feel you should have to pay for map updates on a bike running $30,000. Guess I was pretty spoiled having free Lifetime Garmin updates!!!
Last edited by motor162; Sep 3, 2017 at 02:09 AM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,295
Likes: 485
From: St Louis
I looked at the Harley 6.5 boom system very hard when I got my 15 road glide and again when I got my M8. honestly, imo its the worst system on the market for ANY vehicle. That is the ONLY reason why I got the standard RG instead of the RG special. I could not bring myself to paying extra for such a crap system. I had really hoped that they would have made changes with the 18 model year, but that didn't happen. Now I see a lot of folks saying learn how to use it. well I did and its not very good. it is functional, but its just not good. IMO
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,396
Likes: 146
From:
Mine worked flawlessly giving turn by turn directions through Colorado, Utah, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and back to Colorado. I had maps as backup but never needed them. More importantly, It was a great trip!!!
Cruiser
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 178
Likes: 79
From: El Paso
Yesterday our bike began throwing codes while travelling. I used the navigation to route us to the Flagstaff dealership. It took us to the wrong side of Flagstaff and then put us in an endless loop between two exits. At least it got us to the right town.
The systems motto should be, "We may not get you to where you're going but we will get you close."
The systems motto should be, "We may not get you to where you're going but we will get you close."
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 17,149
Likes: 6,173
From: SE Michigan
Yesterday our bike began throwing codes while travelling. I used the navigation to route us to the Flagstaff dealership. It took us to the wrong side of Flagstaff and then put us in an endless loop between two exits. At least it got us to the right town.
The systems motto should be, "We may not get you to where you're going but we will get you close."
The systems motto should be, "We may not get you to where you're going but we will get you close."
The software is fine, the damn maps are pathetic.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,295
Likes: 485
From: St Louis
The maps and POIs need updating. It has a location for one of our local dealers that moved over a year ago. Traveling to/from Sturgis, it would drop navigation guidance periodically because sometimes the roads we were on were rebuilt/redirected two years ago.
The software is fine, the damn maps are pathetic.
The software is fine, the damn maps are pathetic.