GPS, TomTom rolls out Urban Rider motorcycle GPS
By Donald Melanson 
posted April 27th 2010 1:19PM
posted April 27th 2010 1:19PM
We didn't get a glimpse of this one when we checked out TomTom's new Go Live 1000 navigation unit earlier today, but the company has also just introduced a new GPS device for motorcycle enthusiasts: the Urban Rider. This one sticks fairly close to the company's previous RIDER units, but apparently simplifies even further with a revised interface designed to allow easier operation with gloved hands -- yeah, you can bet this screen is resistive. Otherwise, you can expect features like TomTom's IQ Routes and Map Share, along with advanced lane guidance, and a promised six hours of use from the battery -- that larger battery comes at the expense of an SD card slot this time around, though. No word on a release over here just yet, but this one will be available in Europe next month for €249 (or about $330).
This should be integrated with the:
Reevu MSX1 Rear View Mirror Helmet for a heads up display.
http://www.likecool.com/Reevu_MSX1_Rear_View_Mirror_Helmet--Motorcycle--Car.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+Likecool+(Likecool-gadget+and+design+magazine)
its not kurtz, who minces once, on a moped
Cool, but I really don't understand the pricing.
@jonnythan Moto GPSs are always more expensive - different screens, lower sales volumes, and more or less weatherproofed. This one is still expensive, but not as much as what I remember them being the last time I looked ($600-800)
@Releaux Weatherproofed, ruggedized (drop and dust proof), and they are usually constructed with a plastic that is resistant to decay from gasoline. This is due to the fact that most people mount the device very near the gas tank.
You can't take one of the normal in-vehicle GPS' and expose them to sunlight, rain, or dust for a long period of time.
@Smurf
I've been using a nuvi 200 for well over a year on the motorbike now. No way can they justify tacking £300 onto the price for a weatherproof casing. Mine sits in a nylon bag with a clear plastic screen so it's waterproof, it's been fine thus far.
I'm not exactly riding a cruiser either, I ride a kawasaki ninja...
Nice to see a motorcycle GPS that costs less than $1 gazillion.
Too bad there's no forward facing camera.
...and by forward I mean forward on the bike, not the unit.
Can anyone suggest a good Bluetooth-enabled helmet for radio/music?
@PandaLand
Cardo Systems makes a great one: Scala Rider
this would be nice on my Florida to Alaska charity ride in July. http://drsign.com/Alaska.html
corey
Hope it works better than my Rider 2 which refuses to route phone audio to my headset .. grrr..
After two Rider one repairs and the crappiest services possible (in Australia) I've dumped TomTom for a Garmin Zumo.
Be wary of the mounting - the first Rider went for 10,000Km ( a 4 week trip on a V twin Roadstar on tarmac all the way) and failed to charge half way through - the four contacts on the back had arced to the point they became pitted and no longer made contact.
The same thing happened with the replacement unit after a similar mileage - I returned that and had to deal with inane questions like 'maybe dust caused the problem' and ' was the motorcycle vibrating execessively?'. Puh-leeez. It took 2 months (had to return it after an online update bricked the newly returned unit).
The design of these units is defective and should've been recalled.
Anyway, enough moaning. The Zumo is a real step up compared to the Rider, coming with a bike *and* car mount. Software is great, screen is great. Online update is so simple compared to the TomTom.
Do some research folks before reaching for a Rider (1 or 2) and hope the mounting has been changed.
Check out Zumo while you're looking around.
Bart