Best Motorcycle GPS, Tested

A motorcycle GPS is an essential part of riding your motorbike safely that provides peace of mind on the road by getting you where you need to be. The best GPS navigation systems have weatherproofing, touch screens, complete device compatibility, and are easy to install – ready right out of the box for your next road trip.

It’s important to know where you are heading when driving any vehicle. No one likes getting lost on the roads and even worse, putting yourself and others at risk by not putting your full attention on the road. The best motorcycle GPSs will get you where you need to be, using the best route possible. Our team has researched and reviewed the best motorcycle GPS units so you can travel safely and reach your next adventure.

Motorcycle riders can easily use a smartphone and a navigation app such as Google Maps or Apple Maps, just as many car drivers do. However, a Motorcycle-specific GPS like those we recommend below can offer different functions that may be useful to some riders.

If you only plan to ride your motorcycle on major roads and highways – anywhere you would typically see cars – a smartphone will work just as well as any Motorcycle GPS. However, for adventure riders that plan to make any part of their journey on back roads, dirt roads, or remote areas, a Motorcycle GPS with this feature is a must-have.

With some motorcycle GPS units, you can drop waypoints and plot out your path along remote areas, creating a customized set of directions that can easily be shared across other motorcycle GPS units.

Another reason to purchase a dedicated motorcycle GPS is if you prefer not to use your phone for navigation. Some riders may prefer a separate, dedicated GPS device to save their phone battery on long trips.

1. Best Overall: Garmin Zūmo XT Motorcycle GPS Device
2. Best Weatherproof: Garmin Zūmo 396 LMT-S Motorcycle GPS
3. Device Compatibility: TomTom Rider 550 Motorcycle GPS Device
4. Simplest Design: Beeline Moto/Scooter GPS

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The Garmin Zūmo XT GPS is a great product if you are looking for an easy-to-use GPS from a reliable brand with a variety of technology features and safety notifications. It is equipped with a variety of adventure and safety features for the best riding experience. The spoken turn-by-turn directions can be connected through your motorcycle helmet or headset so you don’t have to look back and forth between your screen and the road. 

With off-road topographic maps, 4×4 roads, and BirdsEye Satellite Imagery, the possibilities are endless when using this GPS while riding. With the Garmin Adventurous Routing options, you can find curvy or hilly roads for a fun and new riding experience.

Not only is the Garmin XT rain-resistant, but you can also access live weather and traffic, share routes with other riders, and get phone notifications with the Garmin Drive app. On top of all these features, the 5.5-inch screen has a glove-friendly display with crisp HD resolution in landscape or portrait mode for easy viewing.

Key Features

• Cost: Around $489
• Battery life: 3.5 hours
• Passed the military standard 810 drop test
• No annual subscription
• Garmin Explore manages routes, tracks, and waypoints across your navigator, smartphone, and computer
• Record, save, and share your route by using the track recorder

Our Experience

Ease Of Installation: Attaching the mounting piece to the GPS was not the easiest. There were many small parts including screws and nuts that required tools not included in the installation kit for assembly, making the process longer to complete.

Smartphone Connectivity: We found this product to be fairly easy to connect to a phone. After the GPS was charged, it prompted Bluetooth^® and Wi-Fi setup to pair the GPS to our smartphone. After creating an account with the Garmin App, we simply had to accept pairing and it took only a few seconds to get the two devices connected.

We then entered a local address into the smartphone app and were able to transfer the directions to the GPS. The smartphone connectivity was overall positive and easy to follow.

Stability: The handlebar mount requires a wrench to securely tighten the bolts. This GPS does stick out a fair bit because of the larger mount, but the handlebar attachment held the heavier device firmly without much movement. 

What Customers Are Saying

Amazon Review Score: 4.6 out of 5 based on over 1,100 ratings

Most customers are pleasantly surprised by the very clear touchscreen along with its glove compatibility. Some customers are grateful the smartphone app is much better than those of other GPSs.

Some customers were disappointed with the power cable for the product. There were complaints about the cable deteriorating over a few months. In extreme weather conditions, some customers noted the cable broke and was unusable.

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The Garmin Zūmo 396 GPS is a great choice if you need a navigation system that can withstand extreme hot, cold, and wet weather conditions. This GPS features a rugged, glove-friendly, sunlight-readable 5.0-in. display. Resistant to fuel vapors and UV rays, this weather-resistant GPS can withstand fluctuating temperatures and conditions.

On top of the weather safety features, the GPS can be paired with a compatible smartphone for hands-free calling, notifications with the free Smartphone Link app, and sharing GPX files for group rides with fellow motorcyclists.

Key Features

• Cost: Around $330
• Screen size: 5.0 in.
• Battery life: 4 hours
• Motorcycle navigation for on- and off-road adventures
• Access free live services for traffic and weather using the Smartphone app
• Garmin Adventurous Routing finds curvy or hilly roads for fun rides

Our Experience

Ease Of Installation: Similar to the Garmin XT, the Garmin 396 required separate tools outside the installation kit in order to get the mounts attached to the GPS. This added time for installation and made the process more difficult because our team had to reinstall the pieces a few times before finding we would need extra tools that were not provided.

Smartphone Connectivity: The Garmin 396 had some issues connecting to our smartphone through the app. The device was able to connect to both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, but it took three separate tries for the two devices to pair, only for them to lose connectivity after a few minutes.

After getting the devices paired and resetting the wireless connection on each device, we were able to enter a destination on our phone, which transferred over to the GPS when prompted without any major issues or glitches.

Stability: To attach the handlebar mount to your bike, a wrench will be needed to secure the mount to prevent any movement or sliding. When our team attached the mount, there was some instability because this GPS is a heavier device. Upon tightening the handlebar attachment and GPS mount, our team found the attachment was more secure and would hold firmly when riding at higher speeds. 

What Customers Are Saying

Amazon Review Score: 4.3 out of 5 based on over 900 ratings

The majority of customers are pleased with the easy installation and battery maintenance holding up in higher temperatures. Some customers shared that after dropping the GPS navigation system at high speeds, it was undamaged and everything still worked smoothly.

Similar to our top pick, a handful of customers had malfunctions with the power cable for the product. The cable that comes with the device had some issues holding up over time. Customers believe this could be an issue with Garmin, not the individual GPS products.

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The TomTom Rider GPS is a great navigation system if you’re looking for a device that has an easy installation with various connectivity options to your smartphone. It is iOS and Android compatible, with USB, Bluetooth, and wireless connectivity options. This glove-friendly device has a touchscreen size of 4.3 in., making it more compact when compared to other motorcycle GPSs.

Don’t be put off by the smaller size of this motorcycle GPS navigation system. Equipped with real-time service updates, safety alert notifications, and live map updates, TomTom has ensured that this GPS stands up to the rest.

Key Features

• Cost: Around $400
• Screen size: 4.3 in.
• IPX7-certified waterproof design
• RAM mount included for secure installation
• High brightness and sunlight-readable display
• Switches between portrait and landscape mode

Our Experience

Ease Of Installation: The mount was incredibly easy and time-efficient to install onto the back of the GPS. With all the tools you need in the installation kit already provided, it was easy enough to follow their instructional manual and get the product attached to the mount in no time.

Smartphone Connectivity: Connecting the two devices was a simple process. While the TomTom app has low ratings on the iPhone App Store, we found the process to be quick and easy. We did not run into any issues when setting up both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connections. The app also allows for headset connection to deliver audio navigation.

Transferring our destination from the smartphone to the GPS took a longer time when compared to the other devices, but still transferred correctly shortly after we sent the request from one device to another.

Stability: The TomTom Rider did have some stability issues. The device is heavier, and our team had some difficulties using the handlebar attachment. The RAM mount is incredibly durable, but the handlebar attachment was lacking in comparison. This GPS is heavier than others, which could add to stability issues, though the mount did not slide or move around. We suggest tightening the GPS as best you can.

What Customers Are Saying

Amazon Review Score: 4.2 out of 5 based on over 590 ratings

The RAM Mount system receives a lot of positive feedback, with customers sharing that it is durable over time. Customers are also pleased with the ease of device connectivity, sharing that the Bluetooth setup is simple and straightforward.

The main issues reported by customers include update errors regarding points of interest and poor weather durability. A handful of customers shared issues with water leaking into the screen after a heavy downpour, affecting the capabilities of the GPS.

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The Beeline GPS is a great choice if you want a simple GPS system that will reliably get you from one location to another, while still having phone connectivity options. Beeline offers one of the simplest touchscreen GPSs for motorbikes available. With a clear and simple navigation interface, you can get to your next destination using both Waypoint and Smart Compass maps for easy visuals and directions.

This handlebar mount GPS has a variety of mounts available to fit any motorcycle or scooter. The compact design of this product prevents it from taking up too much space on a smaller bike, making it a versatile option to choose from that will work for any sized bike.

Key Features

• Cost: Around $195
• Battery life: 30 hours
• Waterproof screen
• Works with a free companion app on iOS and Android, for route planning, route import, and ride tracking
• Bluetooth connection and communication

Our Experience

Ease Of Installation: The GPS mount uses an adhesive to attach to your bike. With a simple mount that just locks onto your GPS, this installation process took only a minute for our team to finish. There is a second installation method using elastic bands to wrap around your handlebar, though our team chose to use the adhesive mount because it provides more flexibility with the slightly larger mount.

Smartphone Connectivity: The Bluetooth pairing between our device and the GPS was simple and showed no issues. The app is a simple design that records your ride times while using the GPS. Pairing the device only allows for Bluetooth, so making sure you have a good connection is important since you do not have a Wi-Fi setup option.

Entering our destination into the app was simple and with the click of a button, you can transfer it to the GPS. However, sending it over for the GPS to receive had its challenges. We had to re-enter the destination three separate times before it was able to get an accurate starting location. Once we got the accuracy down, it was easy enough for the GPS to get the navigation started.

Stability: Our team was surprised by the stability the mounting system offered from the Beeline GPS. Our lower rating is because the mount uses an adhesive, not a metal handlebar attachment. The attachment was incredibly secure, but all adhesives wear over time, and our team found the handlebar attachments to be more secure in comparison to the Beeline mount.

What Customers Are Saying

Amazon Review Score: 4.3 out of 5 based on over 280 ratings

Customers are pleased with the simplicity of the device which makes it very easy to use and operate. Many are also very happy about the long battery life, saying it is simple to maintain over time.

This GPS did have some Bluetooth pairing issues for some customers. The issue was Bluetooth taking many tries to get connected, or in some cases, not connecting to a smartphone at all.

When looking to purchase a motorcycle GPS, there are specific factors to consider that may help you choose one product over another. How well the product holds in hot or cold weather, the desire for a variety of features, and reliability of navigation are all things to consider and all aspects that vary depending on the product you choose.

Weatherproofing

For any electronic device, there is a potential that water and heat can affect the screen and overall functionality. Keeping this in mind, it’s important to consider a GPS that is specifically designed to resist all weather conditions to get the most out of your purchase and have a longer-lasting product life.

Features

Some motorbike GPSs have more features than others. Comparing the Beeline GPS to the Garmin XT shows the difference between the number of features that are available with one product over another.

If the amount of features available is important to you, comparing each product against what they offer will help you buy the product that is right for you, whether that’s a variety of applications or a more simple GPS design and functionality.

Navigation

Making sure you have a GPS that will reliably and consistently get you from one location to another is important when purchasing a motorcycle GPS. While this may seem like an easy factor to forget, some GPSs do have better navigation features than others. The Garmin XT offers visuals such as satellite imagery and topographic maps that may make your navigation easier.

Having a device that can connect to your headset to navigate you from one location to another is also up for consideration. The TomTom Rider has a headset navigation Bluetooth connection that can be set up using the free app. Different types of navigation from visual maps to auditory directions should be considered before making your GPS purchase.

Ease Of Installation

Each GPS device comes unmounted and requires installation in order for it to be attached to your bike handlebars or wherever you choose to mount the device. To test for ease of installation our team followed each installation manual to correctly mount the device to the bike handlebars.

Smartphone Connectivity

To test each GPS on the ease of connection to a smartphone device, our team charged each GPS to full battery, downloaded the compatible smartphone apps, and connected via both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, using an iPhone 11 for each connection. Our team rated smartphone connectivity by how easily the device paired with a smartphone and how well the navigation directions transferred from our smartphone to each GPS.

Stability

Testing the stability of a GPS requires mounting each GPS onto a motorcycle. To do this, we chose to attach each device to the bike handlebars, with the exception of the Beeline GPS because it uses an adhesive. Depending on each product’s mounting system, it will impact the stability and durability of each GPS we tested.

The motorcycle GPSs in this article went through two rounds of reviews. We started by searching Amazon and Advance Auto Parts for top products, looking at factors like shipping eligibility, customer ratings, Amazon superlatives, and prices.

Our product testing team then ordered the five motorcycle GPSs that best met these standards. A team member tested each product on a car, taking note of how easily they were installed, their connection to a smartphone, and the stability of the device on the handlebars. Each motorcycle GPS was given a rating out of 5 stars based on these criteria.

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We publish hundreds of product and service reviews to bring car enthusiasts detailed guides on automotive tools, detailing kits, car seats, pet products, and much more. For more information on our testing methodology and how we evaluate every product, check out our methodology page here.

The best motorcycle GPS navigation devices will get you from one place to another safely and reliably. Motorcycle-specific GPSs are built for durability and longevity to withstand the elements and hold up in the event of an accident on the road. Whether you go with the great Garmin Zumo options or the ultra-compatible TomTom Rider, the best motorcycle GPSs can give you peace of mind while adventuring off-road or riding around town.

*Data accurate at time of publication.