Well I did it, I spent money on a GPS. The final kicker was sitting in on a 3 hour talk on GPS at the BMWMOA rally last week. I have wanted one for years, this last year I had my heart set on the Gramin 2820 but after looking up and reading everything I could I bought the "Garmin Zumo 550 Motorcycle GPS Navigator" it's due in today just in time for a 9 hour trip to Kanasa City then Mid-Ohio for vintage days and the Ron-Dee-Voo. Was thinking of opening up a new forum here where we could share maps and general GPS stuff, if theirs any interest. What's on your handel bars?
I have a Garmin Quest 2. Have used it in many countires, and 49 states.
I really find it invaluable.
Well of course you got the Zumo - after Mike Paul's review in The Sidecarist, what else could you get? 🙂
I have a street pilot three color which has worked very well for me. It is great at finding gas stations and places to eat and directions to the hotel - most of the time.
A GPS forum might be interesting. Worth a shot anyway.
Couple of years back I was on my way to the RON DEE VOO site (20 miles or so from home) and got behind a truck and trailer with a Ural rig in tow. The driver was going up over the mountian and I decided to follow him because no doubt he was lost. Then he took a side road and then another. Soon I was on roads I never knew exisited and I live here. Well wouldn't you know it he finally pulled out onto a road that went straight to the rally. He wasn't lost but I was for a little while...lol. It was Sgt Brown with his trusty GPS leading the way.
We will probably get one someday. Gotta admit that we were impressed.
For now our outdated Rand McNally works okay in a a pinch. Actually I always thought that getting lost was part of the adventure but times are changing I suppose.
I love have a GPS. I am one of those when at sea I know where I am and have many miles at sea. The last few years of sailing I carried one because they help win races. Now on land I can get lost in my back yard.
I started with a Garman 45 for easy of use so when it came time to look at one for land use I when with the Garman Street Pilot. I really just pulled it out of the box plug it in and was on the go. The fact that it talks to me and tells me about up come turn makes it worth the cost. There are many things it will do that I have not even tried. I need to get around to doing some studying but I have only had it two years.
I've been able to see many places and sights that are off the beaten track on bike runs the last 60 odd years by using conventional road maps and taking some of the gray or dotted (Closed in the winter or unpaved) roads presented there.
When disoriented by cloudy weather or darkness I've learned to use a system taught to me by a long time Kanuck riding Buddy. Canadian GPS!
To explain how it works:
You flag down the first person you see and ask "If we head down this road, where does it end up and how far is it to the next Pub or Peeler Bar?"
It's very unAmerican to admit you're lost, but it works. No batteries needed. LOL
Lonnie
Lonnie, I agree but the fun roads are the ones that aren't on the map. I never got lost, I always ended up at home.
Big difference between being lost and just not knowing where you're at 🙂
I always know where I am. It's just some times I don't know how to get where I want to go.
Me too. I always know where I'm at. I'm almost always in Idaho. Sometimes I'm in the Western United States. It's just a matter of scale. We use them all the time in Search and Rescue. They are indispensable when you need to bring in the Life Flight helicopter. However, on my sidecar I just have a tank bag with a map case.
I am a GPS junky.
I recently picked up what I think is one of the best on road motorcycle GPS's, the Garmin street pilot 2610 from Edge GPS for $199.
Its a waterproof touch screen unit.
Unlike the Zumo and Quest it does not have a battery which is a bit of a bummer and you have to hard wire it to your battery or fuse box.
The real plus of the 2610 besides the obvious cost factor is that it has road preference settings for prefer/avoid major, middle & minor roads.
I love to travel on real podunk roads and most GPS tend to be too "efficient" and route you on major/mid level roads unless you stick in a bunch of via waypoints. With the road preferences settings on I can get the 2610 to take me on the roads I really like.
If you want the roads less traveled without getting lost,put in your way points after pre-planning your trip using Google Earth.
Ah.... but that's the true benefit of the motorcycle mounted GPS.
Not pre planned, I ended up here, but need to get there by night fall (or lunch perhaps), lets go find some great roads that generally take us in that direction.
Many times I will depart off my planned route to explore a road or area that looks appealing. For this a GPS in general and the 2610 in particular is ideal.
I do use google earth to scout general areas I want to go to, its a great tool too.
Dave, I'm using a Garmin Street Pilot III which I put on the BMW R1200CLC as soon as I bought the bike. It, of course, remains on the bike handlebars even after adding the hack. It's a bit long in the tooth (like me) but still does the job. I've used it for many trips. Most recently, it took me right to the door of the Smoketree Lodge for the USCA Rally.
If I do upgrade, I think it'll be to the one you bought.
Hall
After reading all the comments I still don't understand the need or benifits of a GPS. As an American male over 60, I must state I have never been lost [ha ha]. My wife might disagree but she would never tell me. I guess some people just have to have the newest toy. A 'good' map has always worked for me, State welcome center maps are in general the best. If half the fun is getting there, why limit the fun?
