Comments on: TomTom Rider 2nd Edition

By: Larry McDougald

Larry McDougald — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 22:44:19 +0000

Got a Rider 2 for x-mas, and I love it. Rode home recently 45 miles in a driving rain. Worked great, no weather issues. I like “getting lost” too, but now I don’t have to STAY lost. Back in ‘74, late at night, on reserve, no gas stations in sight, having the Tom Tom show me the nearest gas station would have saved me some pushing…

Been riding over 45 years, put 26,000 miles on my ‘06 FJR, NOT a FNG. If your a weakend only rider, or a Saturday night Ninja, you might not want any GPS. If you really ride, Tom Tom has a good product.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 02:03:51 +0000

Neat stuff . But I like the getting lost part when I’m out on a weekend jaunt .I play with to many gadgets when I’m at work .

By: todd

todd — Sat, 25 Aug 2007 16:39:42 +0000

For a nearly free system you can always remove a GPS unit from a GM OnStar’s system. There are plenty of how-to articles on the subject. In fact, Popular Science just did a feature on doing just that. Maybe you could hook it up to some sort of mini computer (is there such a thing?) and mount it on your bike. I’ve been thinking of looking into this using the GPS from my wife’s old Saab 9-3, since we never use OnStar and it will no longer work when the whole network goes digital in the near future.
Here’s a page that details the procedure:

http://members.cox.net/onstar/

-todd

By: Matt in NC

Matt in NC — Sat, 25 Aug 2007 04:06:48 +0000

Richard,
Thanks for the info on the headphone issue. I guess that growing up in CA made me think that everywhere there were restrictions.

As for the Zumo, and this TomTom, I guess I’m just of the belief that this is an unneeded distraction. There are guys out there, like the ones in the Iron Butt, who will probably need something like this, but I just can’t justify this kind of expense, especially when I need a new set of leathers.

The Legend model I mentioned is color, has expandable memory, is waterproof, just as accurate as this Tom Tom, and every bit as mountable. The only thing I can see it’s missing is the touch screen and POIs, and BT. Again, I don’t mean to start anything, it just seems that all these devices should be getting cheaper, not bloated with extras just to inflate the price. I must be in a minority though, as it appears that people are clamoring for these things. Oh well.

By: Richard

Richard — Sat, 25 Aug 2007 01:45:59 +0000

Matt, earphones are NOT “illegal in most states.” 41 states have no restrictions on using earphones. CA, MD, MN, & NY allow earphones in 1 ear only. GA, PE, and VA allow them “for communications only”. Only MA and RI totally prohibit possession or use of earplugs. Some cities in OR prohibit them, but the state allows them.

As for the bigger question, regarding GPS prices. The $225 Garmin Legend you mentioned is not designed for motorcycle use. The Garmin Zumo and the new Tom Tom are designed to be easily mounted on a bike and for easy use while wearing gloves. The Zumo has the advantages that it is waterproof and shock resistent. The Zumo lists for about $750 (Zumo 450) or $1080 (Zumo 550), so the price of the new Tom Tom is very competitive.

As far as who might use it, I can’t really say. Most of the time, I prefer getting lost on my motorcycle, too.