Hi all!

Next month I'm doing a road trip in the Southwest with a friend.
We are (roughly) driving from LA to Joshua Tree, Vegas, Grand Canyon, Lake Powell, Zion, Death Valley, Yosemite, San Fran and back down the PCH to LA.

We have rented two HD Road Glides from Eaglerider LA. They told use it has the built in H-D Navigation system.

Myself I own a TomTom Rider 400 moto gps which I use on my streetbob back here in Europe. I have also downloaded the USA map on my TomTom GPS.

I was wondering what you advice would be? Is the HD nav good enough and do I leave my TomTom home or would you advise to use the TomTom instead?

Never used the HD nav system before...

Thanks for you advice!

Marijn
Belgium

 

I've always used my phone and google maps even while I was in Europe. Maps are always up to date and it always includes traffic and re-routes.

 

Always have a back-up system.
A back-up GPS, Paper maps, phone or whatever.
If one method fails then your back-up keeps you going.

 

The H-D navigation built into the BoomAudio system is adequate. I find it takes some getting used to when switching from another system that I am more familiar with. One of my peeves with the H-D system is the last second notifications for turns. ["Turn right at that intersection you just passed" :-)] The one thing the H-D system will not help you with is traffic. As a backup, you might want to consider an app on your phone such as Waze.

ETA: BTW, check with the rental place if they are going to offer helmets with the appropriate speakers and wiring. I rented a TriGlide in South Dakota, and while they offered helmets with the rental, they were merely half helmets with no wiring. If all you are concerned about is navigation, the lack of wiring will not be a problem because you can route notifications to the fairing speakers; but if you want to use the intercom feature with a passenger or Bluetooth paired with your phone, you will need the mic which is part of the hardwired system.

 

I also have bought the Butler motorcycle maps of CA, NV, AZ & UT.

Mainly checking what the best main navigation product is.

 

How complex will your routes be? If complex I would stay with what you are familiar with at least until you figure out the HD GPS. If you are simply entering a destination and tapping on "Go" the HD system should be fine.

 

My wife and I just did a trip through Nevada-Arizona-California--1st day I tried the navigation on the Ultra limited I rented: basically sucked to what I,m used to[ our vehicles at home and smartphone]--bring your system you're comfortable with, will make the trip less stressful -------Sailmotion is right, the time it tells you to turn is to late---kinda sucks---after the 1st day we never had a problem.The trip you have planned shows to me that you may only need to use it on the way out of LA and the way back in -----the rest of the trip[which I,ve been on more than once] is pretty simple by just reading a map the night before---Sounds like an awesome adventure---enjoy
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/road-...-cal-trip.html

 

I have found the boom nav to be fine for my trips. I carefully plan out my route on Ride Planner and upload to the boom. There is a learning curve and a good youtube vid on using ride planner.

If you are more comfortable with the Tom tom, unless it bluetooths to the radio, it would be a stand alone unit. The Boom system does not have an Auxiliary input to run audio of the tom tom through the radio.

 

I like my phone with Google Maps better but you may have a spotty connection in some of the areas you're going. I'd probably just use the HD gps. I rented a bike in Vegas a couple times and the HD gps got me to where I was going.

 

How complicated is this trip... can’t you just note the roads... how bad can the bike nav be...it should be adequate enough to get you through a city then when on the highway, just ride... to me nav should only be used as a last resort.