Touring Models Road King, Road King Custom, Road King Classic, Road Glide, Street Glide, Electra Glide, Electra Glide Classic, and Electra Glide Ultra Classic bikes.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Gps

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
  #11  
Old 04-14-2010 | 04:12 AM
Casper's Avatar
Casper
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,490
Likes: 309
From: Blue Grass (KY)
Default

OK, remember ya gets what ya pay for....you bought a HD because you wanted the best, now you want a cheap GPS....just saying.

I have a Zumo 550 for the bike, but use a Garmin Nuvi 780 in the car.
The 780 is a nice unit, bluetooth, MP3's, etc...but not waterproof...and can't say for sure about vibrations etc....I know several riders use the Nuvi line of GPS without issues....

check eBay, craigslist in your area etc....several retailers online sell refurb units with warranty....

it's you call, but I wouldn't anything on the bike except the Zumo line...either 550, 660 or the new 665...you can pick up a used ZUMO 450 cheap, but they a not bluetooth, no XM, and don't come with a car mount ( can be bought)...

go to the Garmin web site and you can do a comparison, side by side on features....

good luck with whatever you go with...
 
  #12  
Old 04-14-2010 | 04:52 AM
katobird's Avatar
katobird
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,716
Likes: 8
From: General Sherman's Christmas Location 1864
Default

Garmin Zumo series. Waterproof, built for motorcycles
450,500,550,650 series, depends what bells and whistles you want
Either go new or used...you'll be happy
 
  #13  
Old 04-14-2010 | 06:45 AM
wannabe's Avatar
wannabe
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 142
Likes: 0
From: S.W. Iowa
Default

I did the same thing several years ago, just wanted a cheap one, bought a tomtom, worked fine not waterproof so when it rained i had to put it in a ziplock bag and worried about getting it ruined, last year I ended up buying the zumo 660 from my local HD dealer, had a gift certificate, 25% off and so on. Best money spent, I can sit and plan a route on the computer and download it into gps, a lot of cheaper models can't do this, but the thing I really liked the most was last summer I rode to the east coast by myself and while out there my bike started riding funny so i hit the gps and found the nearest HD dealer and headed straight there, it comes with all the dealers loaded into it. I guess what I'm getting at is if you think you might upgrade you might as well buy the right one the first time. just my experience.
 
  #14  
Old 04-14-2010 | 06:52 AM
Pirate Boy's Avatar
Pirate Boy
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 396
Likes: 0
Default

The garmin nuvi 500 does all the things the zumo does and is weather resistant for a period of time at a fraction of the cost. Sometimes the best isn't always the most expensive . Just saying

Ride Safe
Pirate
 
  #15  
Old 04-15-2010 | 02:20 AM
doc_cj's Avatar
doc_cj
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,600
Likes: 2
From: Windsor, CO
Default

Originally Posted by Harley Limited
What is the best GPS? I don't really need a high dollar fancy one. Looking to spend around $200 or so. Would be using it for bike and car.
I've been using the Garmin Nuvi 760 on my bikes for the last few years, and it works very well. I use a Mount Guys mounting system which allows me to put it on and take it off quickly. I also have a small hood that I put over it on really bright days.

I like the 760 for several reasons.

1) It is under $180, and you get a LOT of GPS for that price.

2) Multi-Destination Routing -- You can set several waypoints and plan the entire trip. It is easy to use and can make travelling from one point to the next very convenient; especially if you're going to be making several stops in a busy city.

3) Hands-Free Calling -- You don't use this much on the bike, but it is nice to be able to link up to your cell phone (assuming you have Bluetooth capability on the phone).

4) Integrated FM Traffic Receiver -- I only used this during the trial period, but if I lived in a major city I might consider getting the service full time.

5) MP3 player -- This is a GREAT feature. I load several MP3 files on my SD cards and I'm set for a long trip. I can get multiple audio books on one 4GB SD card. I think I have 1200 songs on another card. The MP3 player on the Nuvi works really well, both through a Bluetooth headset or through the aux port on my Limited's HK radio system.

6) Portability between car and bike -- I use the system in my wife's car when we're on the road together as well. The included car mount system is perfect.

7) Anit-theft system -- Program in your PIN and the system uses "Garmin Lock" to help prevent thieves from using the devise after they steal it. I don't know how effective the system is (I've never had it stolen or used a stolen system), but it is nice to have either way.

8) Car Finder -- When you park in a huge parking lot (like at a stadium or a large shopping mall) you can use this feature to locate your car. The Nuvi will remember where you parked and then direct you there when you return. This is another feature I haven't used, but I guess if you need a GPS you may be the type that also forgets where you parked.

I know some of the folks on here are die-hard Zumo fans, and that's great ... if you can afford $600 for a GPS. Even when you can afford it, why? The Nuvi does all that I need, for 1/3 of the price (or less). It's also been pretty bomb proof, so far. I've used it on a Heritage and now two touring bikes. Both of the touring bikes shake like $10 hookers in Reno, so they're not easy on GPS systems. So far, though, I've not had any problem with the little Nuvi being able to hold up to the use on a bike.

I'm guessing the guys who spend $600+ on a Zumo have a point about the Nuvi not being waterproof, but then again I'm not a big fan of riding around in the rain looking at my GPS anyway. So I just store it in the Tourpak when not in use, and I'm careful about when I use it in foul weather. Frankly, the last thing I want to do is try to ride in a rain storm while trying to look at a 4" GPS screen and dodging dumb drivers who are talking on the cell phones while they are trying to avoid mud puddles.
 

Last edited by doc_cj; 04-15-2010 at 02:26 AM.
  #16  
Old 04-15-2010 | 03:10 AM
EricD10563's Avatar
EricD10563
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,480
Likes: 73
From: Florida
Default

Garmin Nuvi 550, waterproof, battery last a llong time and around 250 dollars. Works for me, not a lot of bells and whistles just gets the job done.
 
  #17  
Old 04-15-2010 | 07:51 AM
troop's Avatar
troop
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,870
Likes: 49
From: Stoughton, WI
Default

I didn't spend a lot of $$ on my gps. On Black friday, I went to Best Buy and bought a Garmin 255WT for $125 and a ram mount from mountguys for $35 I also bought a visor on EBay for $15. I was concerned about glare but it really hasn't been an issue with either sunglasses or overcast days. It's not waterproof but a plastic baggy will work just fine. I would suggest one in wide screen design tho as it is easier to see/read IMO...
 
  #18  
Old 04-15-2010 | 08:02 AM
teedubya's Avatar
teedubya
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 892
Likes: 11
From: Northern NY
Default

Wife bought a Tom Tom rider for me for christmas. Never had much use for a GPS until this last summer when we almost ran out of gas on the western prairies. I like having the ability to locate services such as gas food and lodging while traveling. Tom Tom Rider 2 is also portable from car to bike and has a mount that also contains a speaker. I'm sure there are plenty to choose from and I'm not familiar with the others mentioned here. Probably would have bought a Zumo if I would have been making the choice.
 
  #19  
Old 04-15-2010 | 08:12 AM
xsarge110's Avatar
xsarge110
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: SE PA
Default

Bought a Garmin 750 (around $170) and a RAM mount. I use Streets and Trips 2010 to plan the route then send it to the Garmin - Works great. I just hard wired the power this past weekend. Ran a cord behind the fairing for the audio into the AUX jack of the stereo..
 
  #20  
Old 04-15-2010 | 08:25 AM
t059736's Avatar
t059736
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 654
Likes: 11
Default

I purchased a ZUMO 660. Probably would have been just as satisfied with a 550.
What most people have to realize is that things do change and - guess what - the GPS does not replace HUMAN intelligence!
 


Quick Reply: Gps



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:33 AM.