Road Trip

[Harryc]

So you want to go on a road trip on your bike, and you want to select the roads that you want to get there (not allowing the app or GPS to select the fastest route), and you want to have turn by turn directions spoken on your bikes audio system (or helmet speakers) via bluetooth. What devices or apps do you use? Mind you I have never used a GPS device on a bike, so maybe they allow this customization and functionality already and I don't know about it? Lets hear your experiences and recommendations. I currently only have an Android phone, but if there is an App or another device (like a GPS unit) that would do this reliably I am in.

[Moonshot_1]

So you want to go on a road trip on your bike, and you want to select the roads that you want to get there (not allowing the app or GPS to select the fastest route), and you want to have turn by turn directions spoken on your bikes audio system (or helmet speakers) via bluetooth. What devices or apps do you use? Mind you I have never used a GPS device on a bike, so maybe they allow this customization already and I don't know about it? Lets hear your experiences and recommendations.

I believe it is called Wife 1.0. Tells you where to go and critiques your driving skills as well. NOT compatible with any GF series models.

[Harryc]

I believe it is called Wife 1.0. Tells you where to go and critiques your driving skills as well. NOT compatible with any GF series models.

Wife 1.0 is not compatible with Valkyrie 2.0, so that one is out, but thanks. GF 3.0 doesn't care where she is going. Lol

[Serk]

My phone in a RAM mount running Waze.

I do the navigation beforehand using Google Maps and selecting which main cities or landmarks I want as my waypoints, e-mail that to myself and then pop those destinations into Waze as I go.

[Harryc]

My phone in a RAM mount running Waze.

I do the navigation beforehand using Google Maps and selecting which main cities or landmarks I want as my waypoints, e-mail that to myself and then pop those destinations into Waze as I go.

Does that allow you to select exactly what roads you want to travel to get to the waypoints? That is my main need here. Google Maps generally selects the fastest route...no bueno. Who the heck wants to get there quickly on a bike. That and I don't want to stop and 'pop' anything into an App. I want an entire customized trip ready to go. If this is an impossible ask so be it, but I figured there must be a way.  Here's what made me think of this. I went on a large group ride this weekend that was MC Police escorted. I witnessed 'every' officer taping a sheet of paper to their fairings with directions and I thought...really? That is archaic, plus I never like to take the fastest route on my bike. Yes I could memorize directions, but that becomes an arduous task for really long and detailed trips, where my time is better spent enjoying the ride.

[Serk]

Waze will give you 3 possible routes and you can choose from them, I'll just whittle the destination down until the route I want is an option.

What you're wanting there probably is an app that does it I'm just not willing to give up the other features of Waze to get it.

I know a decent stand alone GPS will do complex routing like you're describing, I used to have a Zumo 550 and Zumo 660, and both could do complex routes with multiple waypoints, just set the waypoints close enough together to force it onto the roads you're after.

But, once the smart features of an app like Waze came along, that was the only way for me to go...

[Jess from VA]

So you guys admit to hearing (command) voices when riding?   Interesting.   

[Hook#3287]

Some of the best roads I've found is when using my gps.

I like the features it offers and I'm not comfortable using my phone for directions. Phone stays in pocket, ignored.

If I'm dismounted against my wishes, phone is in pocket.

I just purchased a new garmin and you can preprogram your trip.

There's  a learning curve, but once you accomplish it, it's a great tool.

[LandElephant]

It's called map and note pad 1.0.  Used for years and never fails. Can pull it out you pocket and look at Route Number.  Cost about $0.10 if you use the fancy stuff.

Charlie Morse
Landelephant

[Serk]

So you guys admit to hearing (command) voices when riding?   Interesting.   

When I got my first GPS ever the spousal unit came up with a name for it: BIMBO...

Which is an acronym... Bitch In Machine Barking Orders... (Yeah, she's the smart one in our relationship.)

Few minutes later she piped up "Wait, but you'll listen to that bitch but not me???"

"Yes dear, she knows where she's going" was evidently NOT the correct answer.


For those who don't like GPS, that's fine and your choice, but consider this, a GPS gives you the freedom to get lost. Utterly lost. Riding on your planned route, see an interesting side road? Take it.

It'll get ya' back.

Out in the middle of nothing and hit reserve? Find the nearest gas station.

(MOST of the time, there are exceptions (Looking at you Daniel))

[3fan4life]

So you guys admit to hearing (command) voices when riding?   Interesting.   

When I got my first GPS ever the spousal unit came up with a name for it: BIMBO...

Which is an acronym... Bitch In Machine Barking Orders... (Yeah, she's the smart one in our relationship.)

Few minutes later she piped up "Wait, but you'll listen to that bitch but not me???"

"Yes dear, she knows where she's going" was evidently NOT the correct answer.


For those who don't like GPS, that's fine and your choice, but consider this, a GPS gives you the freedom to get lost. Utterly lost. Riding on your planned route, see an interesting side road? Take it.

It'll get ya' back.

Out in the middle of nothing and hit reserve? Find the nearest gas station.

(MOST of the time, there are exceptions (Looking at you Daniel))

[Willow]

...
"Yes dear, she knows where she's going" was evidently NOT the correct answer.
...

LOL!  Apparently honesty is not always the best policy but silence is so difficult to achieve.   

[3fan4life]

I witnessed 'every' officer taping a sheet of paper to their fairings with directions and I thought...really? That is archaic, plus I never like to take the fastest route on my bike. Yes I could memorize directions, but that becomes an arduous task for really long and detailed trips, where my time is better spent enjoying the ride.

Last year on my way to Inzane I decided to take a meandering route through WV.

Since I have became very spoiled by using the GPS on my phone I didn't write anything down.

I wasn't far into WV when I lost cell signal and the GPS wouldn't work.

I had my old GPS with me but it kept insisting on routing me back to the Interstate.

It took me 3 stops before I found a place that sold maps.

I also bought some dry erase markers (should've used grease pencils) and wrote the turn by turn directions on my windshield.

Lesson learned,   now if I'm headed somewhere that I'm not familiar with:

1) I'll print off the turn by turn directions from Google Maps.

2) I'll pack a map.


I have found that Google Maps can be manipulated pretty easily on a Windows based computer. Not so on an Android device.

You can send the route to your phone which is pretty handy.

Google maps will also let you download an area map to your phone for offline use.

If you have a Garmin or TomTom gps there is a program called Tyre to Travel        http://www.tyretotravel.com that will let you design custom routes and then save them to your GPS.

[Crackerborn]

No voices in the ear, no GPS or phone either. Delorme atlas in the saddle bag and the whole point is to get as lost as possible. Sooner or later there will be a large, salty body of water in both the East or the West, that tells you, you might have overshot your intended destination. That large, bright object in the sky always rises in the East if your not sure what direction your headed. I may have actually used the atlas many years ago in one of the western states when fuel was a concern.

[Harryc]

Some of the best roads I've found is when using my gps.

I like the features it offers and I'm not comfortable using my phone for directions. Phone stays in pocket, ignored.

If I'm dismounted against my wishes, phone is in pocket.

I just purchased a new garmin and you can preprogram your trip.

There's  a learning curve, but once you accomplish it, it's a great tool.

Hey Bill. Which Garmin unit/model did you get? I am learning that GPS is probably the way to go for what I am looking to do.

[Hook#3287]

Some of the best roads I've found is when using my gps.

I like the features it offers and I'm not comfortable using my phone for directions. Phone stays in pocket, ignored.

If I'm dismounted against my wishes, phone is in pocket.

I just purchased a new garmin and you can preprogram your trip.

There's  a learning curve, but once you accomplish it, it's a great tool.

Hey Bill. Which Garmin unit/model did you get? I am learning that GPS is probably the way to go for what I am looking to do.

This one.  I like it.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Garmin-DriveSmart-5-NA-LMT-EX-GPS-Navigator/472223704?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=6280&adid=22222222227080828158&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=193149061383&wl4=pla-305531686240&wl5=9001641&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=114496950&wl11=online&wl12=472223704&wl13=&veh=sem#read-more

[Rams]

So you guys admit to hearing (command) voices when riding?   Interesting.   

For those who don't like GPS, that's fine and your choice, but consider this, a GPS gives you the freedom to get lost. Utterly lost. Riding on your planned route, see an interesting side road? Take it.

It'll get ya' back.

This!   This pretty much describes how I use my GPS most of the time.
Before taking most trips, I'll look at the route I want  to take on either mapquest or in my map book.
It is not unusual for me to miss a turn and get lost.

They don't call me Rong Way Ron for nothing ya know.   

[hubcapsc]

What devices or apps do you use?

Pick some route at your leisure using google maps. Make sure you can
see your route in the DeLorme Gazetteer for your chosen state(s). Take
off. When you get off your route, stop at the next marked intersection,
find yourself in the Gazetteer, and head back off in the right direction 

-Mike

[Harryc]

This one.  I like it.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Garmin-DriveSmart-5-NA-LMT-EX-GPS-Navigator/472223704?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=6280&adid=22222222227080828158&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=193149061383&wl4=pla-305531686240&wl5=9001641&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=114496950&wl11=online&wl12=472223704&wl13=&veh=sem#read-more

Interesting, not MC specific but the price is right. How do you mount it on the bike and power it? I see the battery time is 1hr so I'd guess you keep it externally powered?

[3fan4life]

What devices or apps do you use?

Pick some route at your leisure using google maps. Make sure you can
see your route in the DeLorme Gazetteer for your chosen state(s). Take
off. When you get off your route, stop at the next marked intersection,
find yourself in the Gazetteer, and head back off in the right direction 

-Mike

Avoiding dirt roads whenever possible of course. 

[Hook#3287]

This one.  I like it.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Garmin-DriveSmart-5-NA-LMT-EX-GPS-Navigator/472223704?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=6280&adid=22222222227080828158&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=193149061383&wl4=pla-305531686240&wl5=9001641&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=114496950&wl11=online&wl12=472223704&wl13=&veh=sem#read-more

Interesting, not MC specific but the price is right. How do you mount it on the bike and power it? I see the battery time is 1hr so I'd guess you keep it externally powered?

No, it's not MC specific, so don't let it get wet. Some use a plastic sandwich bag to protect them, I just put it in my pocket if it starts raining.

I mounted generic handle bar brackets on the bikes I use for cruising around.  Got them off the web somewhere.  They work well, but in direct sunlight the screen is hard to read.  The mounts let you adjust easily though.

On one bike I modified the power wire and use the acc wires behind the right cover, on another I put a switch, mounted on the center cover, in the ground wire of a cigarette lighter type wire hooked to the battery and on another I just hook it up when I use it.

Can't leave it hooked up all the time because the little light on the plug will eventually drain your battery.

I like the switch method the best, I can use the gps without having the ignition on.

I fished the wire under the gas tanks for now and I'll do the  permanent  wire route next time I pull tanks.

Like you said, for the money, it's a nice unit.

[Harryc]

Thanks Bill and everyone, I appreciate it.

[Oss]

if you can come down for the rides I would love to see that unit,

Been thinking of finally getting a gps and the bluetooth thing sounds good also

Oss

[J.Mencalice]

No voices in the ear, no GPS or phone either. Delorme atlas in the saddle bag and the whole point is to get as lost as possible. Sooner or later there will be a large, salty body of water in both the East or the West, that tells you, you might have overshot your intended destination. That large, bright object in the sky always rises in the East if your not sure what direction your headed. I may have actually used the atlas many years ago in one of the western states when fuel was a concern.

[Jess Tolbirt]

I have a gps. its a garmin and it gives you 2 choices, the fastest route or the shortest route, set it on the shortest and enjoy the ride,, you will hit roads that will knock your socks off..

[fudgie]

Rand McNally is all I use and will ever use. Maps rarely fail. When we went to the GC this yr I just studied the map before I left and all was well. I confess tho, the SO did use her phone when we got lost in the Ghetto in Tulsa and when I missed my turn in Amarillo. But I was within 5 miles of my destination.  But I have always been into maps. Even at work.