"When I get somewhere beautiful, somewhere complicated," American Borders author Carla King explains, "I put my maps away so I have a chance to get lost."
But as romantic as that concept sounds, last month's densely-packed appointments with Florence, Rome, Cortona, and Bologna meant I couldn't afford to get lost. So I contacted the folks at Garmin, who loaned me the zumo 660, their latest, greatest GPS unit that happens to be dedicated for motorcycle use.
How did the nav system-- loaded up with European maps-- perform aboard my borrowed Ducati SportClassic GT1000? Read my Garmin zumo 660 review to find out.
Related:
- How to Plan a Motorcycle Trip
- Cardo Scala Rider Q2 Multiset Bluetooth Helmet System Review
- Midland BT2-D Bluetooth Helmet Intercom Review
- How to Ride Safely in a Group of Motorcycles
- How to Pack an Emergency & First Aid Kit
- 2009 Ducati SportClassic GT1000 Touring Review... Instant Classic?
Photos © Basem Wasef; click for review
If you haven’t had a chance to try one of these yet, you should. Odds are you’ll buy one once you’ve used it.
If you enjoy spending a day / weekend / week getting hopelessly lost trying to find a great road, a good NAVI unit is money well spent!
Pete,
Seems that most hardcore long distance riders– even the guys you wouldn’t expect to go too high-tech, like the Rawhyde Adventures dudes, are going GPS. Of course as outlined in my story, sometimes even a nav system can add to a little bit of unplanned adventure.
Basem
…and don’t forget those fantastic new Nav systems popping up on the iPhones, etc. I’ve enjoyed the Navigon app with live traffic and it’s interoperability on the iTunes and phone. It does take a RAM bracket kit and Ziplock bag to make it motorcycle worthy.
Eric,
I’d love to test an iPhone-based nav system, but I’m on Verizon and I won’t give up my BlackBerry until they pick up the iPhone. I’ve resisted the Motorola Droid… so far.
Basem
Unfortunately, I seem to have a photographic memory for maps. A glance at a map in the morning and I never have the joy of getting hopelessly lost the rest of the day.
Scottie,
You really should experience the ‘joy’ of getting hopelessy lost at least once..especially with a small tank on a bike that sucks gas like a sewer main!
Let’s see…if get up to a buck forty along here, how far can I coast??