Whilst sat navs are becoming almost mandatory in cars and there is a huge range of models available to choose from, sat navs for bikes have yet to catch on in such a big way. It’s possible that the difficulty in attaching them, the higher risk of theft and the need for greater protection against the elements all have a role to play in this.

Still, sat navs can be incredibly useful for bikers and if you want to try one out then there are a number of good models to choose from.

Important Features of Motorcycle Sat Navs

Motorcycle sat navs have very different demands to models designed for cars, so in addition to the standard features of a sat nav that you would expect from any model, look out for the following specific features when buying one for your bike:

• Easy to mount – there are various sat nav mounts that fit onto both the handlebars and the filler bezel of the fuel tank. Sometimes riders complain that they can unbalance the bike whilst on the road, so it might be worth trying out a few variations before you buy one.

• Secure – bike sat navs are at greater risk of thieves, so make sure yours can be locked when you are not with your bike, and always ensure you have bike insurance in place in case the worst comes to the worst.

• Ease of use – gloved hands make sat navs particularly challenging to use on bikes. Most of the better models claim to be glove friendly and feature touch screens as well as large buttons, but it’s worth trying one out for yourself with gloves before you buy it. If you can’t use it easily then it can be distracting which can increase the likelihood of being involved in an accident and having to make a claim on your motorcycle insurance policy.

• Easy to read screen – a screen that is easy to read in bright sunlight is more of an issue on a bike, so don’t invest in one that you can’t read.

• Bluetooth – if you want to receive audio instructions then a Bluetooth headset is essential. Some sat navs come with a headset, but many do not. However, any good model will have Bluetooth functionality.

• Durable – bike sat navs have to be tough and waterproof otherwise they won’t last for long. Most of them claim to be tough, but some are more durable than others.

Models & Features

There are far fewer options when it comes to bike sat nav units than you have with sat navs for cars, so you can’t be as picky. However, two of the best options are the Garmin Zūmo range and the TomTom range.

Garmin Zūmo Range

The Zūmo range has quite a few models to choose from, with the best being the Zūmo 550 and the Zūmo 660, the latter of which is the latest model. Both of these units come highly recommended, and although they are very similar the 660 features a number of notable improvements which make this a slightly better option.

Its display is bigger and provides a better resolution, and although the unit is bigger it is over 30 grams lighter. It lasts an hour longer on the battery, is more responsive and the Bluetooth is better. However, despite the improvements, the 550 is still a good unit, and with features such as TTS for excellent audio instructions, the glove-friendly screen, the secure mount and the ease of fitting, it remains one of the most popular bike sat nav units available.

TomTom Range

TomTom is the other big manufacturer of bike sat navs, and it currently offers three models: Urban Rider Regional, Urban Rider Europe and Rider Pro Europe, the latter of which is the most expensive.

All of the models are very similar, and all feature a good touch screen, an intuitive menu, glove friendly operation, solid and waterproof design, lane guidance and route changes. The major difference between the TomTom models is the mapping they each come with, and the fact that the Rider Pro Europe comes with a Bluetooth headset for voice instructions and phone calls.

Find Your Perfect Sat Nav System

The only way to really get a feel for a bike sat nav unit is to try it out for yourself. Make sure that you have a play around with a few models in the store and take your biggest pair of winter riding gloves along with you to see how easy you find it to operate.

A number of sat navs designed for cars also claim to be compatible with bikes. However, a dedicated motorcycle sat nav is probably your best bet because it is designed specifically with riders in mind. It’s worth remembering this before you spend your money on a sat nav that decides it’s not up to the task halfway through your next road trip across Europe.