Becker unveils the Crocodile Traffic Assist Z 100 GPS for motorcycles

When you're cruising down the highway on your hog, wind in your face, hair trailing behind you, teeth covered with insects, you probably want a GPS unit that's as rugged and unafraid of dying as you are. That's where Becker's Crocodile (AKA Traffic Assist Z 100) comes in. Nothing says "fearless badass" like a crocodile-skin satnav, replete with a 4.3-inch touchscreen, 2GB on-board memory, 3D terrain and city views, and 42 country maps pre-installed. The device is rubber coated and water resistant, and features turn-by-turn directions optimized for motorcycles, making it ideal for your cross country biker gang meet-ups, or just long weekends cruising the coastlines. The Crocodile will be released in October for €300 (or around $438).

[SNP @ Sep 2nd 2008 11:24AM]

Love the stupid disclaimer

[thrillchuckles @ Sep 2nd 2008 11:25AM]

looks more like a gps for the flintstone mobile.

[Najakwa @ Sep 2nd 2008 11:26AM]

man, i was really hoping that was the actual size.

[lordmorgul @ Sep 2nd 2008 1:32PM]

I was a little concerned myself until I saw that disclaimer... for a minute the article text sounded like a product actually marketed to motorcyclists and built with them in mind and I was thinking 'wow this is finally the day engineers got a product in front of people without marketing morons in the way'; unfortunately this is not to be and we must endure the shame of knowing that the marketing people think motorcyclists are that idiotic to think a GPS device is bigger than a motorcycle.

I wouldn't buy this crap until they provide an ad that doesn't say 'you are stupid'.

[Gr1zz @ Sep 2nd 2008 11:26AM]

That's super inexpencive for anything water resistant. I'll keep an eye on this one.

[konshuss @ Sep 2nd 2008 11:27AM]

neat... but aside from being coated in rubber in case it falls on the road, what about this is catered toward motorcycles? i have a feeling that's what our biking friend stopped in the grass is pondering as well...

"is it all just marketing?"

[Richard Glitter @ Sep 2nd 2008 12:00PM]

Actually, there are some differences in the way a moto-specific GPS works. The gold standard is the Garmin Zumo series. Some features besides the water-resistance are:

- Big buttons for gloved fingers to press, along the left side (i.e. non-throttle hand) of the unit
- Extra bright screen for viewing in direct sunlight
- Ability to pre-configure multiple routes with numerous points and destinations (only the high-end Garmin units have this normally)
- Terrain views which are very helpful when you're riding in the canyons / mountains

I'm sure there's more but those are the main ones I know, I haven't used the Zumo but have heard nothing but good. It's also like $700 though so this is an interesting unit.

My main question is with the touchscreen - how feasible is it that it will work properly when wearing riding gloves??

[Gr1zz @ Sep 2nd 2008 2:14PM]

I feel water resistant is the most important reason for us New England riders. I would love to not have to worry about the ziplock bag causing my (crappy) Mio to jump out of the mount.

[JamesR @ Sep 2nd 2008 3:49PM]

Condoms actually make great waterproof skins for the GPS.

[RWD fan @ Sep 2nd 2008 11:34AM]

Is the photo flipped, or is that guy holding the bike up?

[rallyprox @ Sep 2nd 2008 11:42AM]

Photo is flipped, That is a Yamaha R6, and the exhaust is on the right side.

[Richard Glitter @ Sep 2nd 2008 12:00PM]

Flipped, notice there is no sprocket and chain where it should be.

[ballsack @ Sep 2nd 2008 12:57PM]

maybe its a british model...

[superfresh @ Sep 2nd 2008 11:42AM]

He's pondering the absence of the mountains so clearly illustrated on the screen of his GPS.

[fieldcar @ Sep 2nd 2008 11:45AM]

@RWD fan
Yeah, flipped photo, the r6 doesn't have a left mounted pipe or brake rotors on the left.

[Richard Glitter @ Sep 2nd 2008 12:09PM]

Ok, Joshua Topolsky, I know engadget loves its snark, but the whole biker, ride with the wind, live free or die imagery was a bit over the top. The ad even shows a normal looking person on a sportbike, not some leather clad easy rider wannabe. Although his stoic ponderance is a bit over the top haha.

That being said there are plenty of those people out there, dentists and office managers who are corporate puppets M-F, and play dress-up bad biker boy on the weekend, then go home to their soccer mom wife. Ridiculous. But the majority of motorcyclists are normal people who actually take riding very seriously, from a skill and technical standpoint, as a skill that they spend their lives working to constantly improve and learn. Some of those people actually are the fringed-leather Harley crowd but it seems like mostly not. Those OCC wannabe guys typically buy their bike to join the club, put a thousand miles on it and let it sit for a few years before finally selling it. But others simply love to connect the dots on a twisty mountain road and enjoy the exhilaration of a perfectly executed set of curves, set to a stunning mountain vista as a backdrop, with a marvel of modern engineering putting out crazy power beneath you.

[Bill @ Sep 2nd 2008 2:32PM]

When did biker trash get all sensitive and Dr.-Phil like? "We have feelings just like all you other Humans do! Group hug!" I have a feeling the only reason R. Glitter stopped his whine is the Ooopa Loompas were starting some dance/singing/moral number...

Ooompa Ooompa, Ooompity Dee!
I ride a bike, nuthins wrong with me!
Ooopma Ooompa! Oooompity Doo!
We've got feelings just like you!!!

[JamesR @ Sep 2nd 2008 3:53PM]

@Bill

You're a tool.

[phanbouy @ Sep 2nd 2008 6:26PM]

Bill is bitter cager trash. Enjoy your Porsche, baldy.

[riggs @ Sep 2nd 2008 6:41PM]

The Oompa Loompas are NOT AMUSED.

[Bill @ Sep 2nd 2008 10:47PM]

The real irony is I'm was looking at bikes today...dual sport Kawasaki 650, Suz 650 as well...both sold out. Ninja 250s sold before they hit the sales floor...Kawasaki 250 unfortunately to tall for me...I'm Ooompa Loompa sized.

[D-Doc @ Sep 2nd 2008 12:22PM]

Maybe people will jump on this because the Garmin Zumo is very expensive but the features are awsome

[Phil @ Sep 3rd 2008 9:53AM]

The Zumo also has built-in bluetooth, and XM radio capability, plus left-hand controls so you don't have to take your hand off the throttle. If it weren't for the price, I'd have one.

[H @ Sep 2nd 2008 12:38PM]

That motorcycle has been flipped. The exhaust is on the wrong side.

[OziD @ Sep 2nd 2008 1:38PM]

my house is in the pictured area on the GPS.

[OziD @ Sep 2nd 2008 1:46PM]

oh wait apparently theres a san bernardino in switzerland. the landscape looked similar, but the other cities didn't ring a bell so I looked into it.

i'm sure the swiss San Bernardino is much less violent than mine. :(

[bernardino @ Sep 2nd 2008 2:42PM]

Yeah, for a second I thought that was the Cajon Pass.

909 Represent!

[Richard Glitter @ Sep 2nd 2008 5:17PM]

I bet the chicks in Swiss SB are a lot less meth-head-y too.

[phanbouy @ Sep 2nd 2008 1:43PM]

Ha! the real disclaimer should read: "please don't lean against your bike, kxthxbai"

Anyone have a clue what "features turn-by-turn directions optimized for motorcycles" means? I could see mapping optimized for _bicycles_,...

[Ryan Trevisol @ Sep 2nd 2008 2:06PM]

It tells you when to weave in and out of lanes, urges you to skip to the head of the line of traffic waiting at a light, and indicates when you can use the sidewalk.

[SV650er @ Sep 2nd 2008 4:18PM]

Good questions. And, how is this better than the handle bar mount/clamp and garmin combo for under $250 or even the cheaper ol' paper map and tank bag? Marketing Fail.

[Eddie @ Sep 2nd 2008 2:15PM]

Like anyone who rides actually give a crap where they are going...its all about the freedom man! Time to unplug and ride!

[phanbouy @ Sep 2nd 2008 2:17PM]

totally! unless you don't have a fuel gauge like most bikes and would like to find a gas station

[w4rh34rt @ Sep 3rd 2008 4:43PM]

LOL! Nearly all bikes above 50cc have a fuel gauge now-a-days!

[Dave @ Sep 2nd 2008 3:21PM]

So that's a hog? And that guy looks like a fearless badass!

[SV650er @ Sep 2nd 2008 4:10PM]

Did the pansy that write this even make it out of bed today? Or are they still working on their fear of growing a spine and leaving the house?

[Milt @ Sep 2nd 2008 4:29PM]

Soccer Moms are hot! Especially after a couple of kids when they get the giant implants and stuff...

[RCook @ Sep 2nd 2008 4:47PM]

I think you got the opening paragraph wrong, "When you're cruising down the highway on your hog, wind in your face, hair trailing behind you".

Given that you referenced a 'hog' I think you meant to write, "When you're cruising down the highway, wind in your face, your hog trailering behind you" cause thats mostly what I saw as I rode my Bandit to Sturgis this year.

[phanbouy @ Sep 2nd 2008 5:40PM]

when i'm cruising down the highway in my Hog, i think about how bitching of a BMW or Ducati superbike i coulda bought for the same cost

[macstibs @ Sep 2nd 2008 10:25PM]

If only I had a bike in the first place...

[R1Rider @ Sep 24th 2008 9:40AM]

Will it be has good has the Garmin MotorCycle Satellite Navigation systems Garmin Zumo 550