With prime motorcycling weather nearly here, TomTom has prepped an update to bring a handful of new features to its RIDER 2nd Edition. Aside from including Map Share technology and the "Help Me" menu, the enhanced 2nd Edition GPS will also provide a latest map guarantee, trip statistics and itinerary planning. Reportedly, the upgraded unit will go on sale early next month for £349.99 ($691) / £399.99 ($790) depending on whether you're picking up UK / Ireland maps or all of Europe, but existing 1st Edition / 2nd Edition owners can snag the update gratis via TomTom HOME. No word on a North American release just yet.

TomTom's launch of its latest RIDER GPS unit for motorcycles hasn't exactly gone as planned, with some pictures but not a lot of details leaking out last week. It looks like the company's now gotten things in order, however, making the new and improved device official and providing some details about it. Among the additions this time around is a new Cardo scala-rider Bluetooth headset that'll relay directions straight to your helmet, as well as a new RAM mount that should let you use the unit with just about any motorcycle. You'll also now be able to bring the RIDER's GPS guidance along with you in your car, although you'll have to drop more than $100 extra for that convenience. Look for this one to hit Europe by the end of May in both Western Europe-wide and U.K/Irelend-specific models for between £300 and £400 (approx. $590- $790).

[Via NaviGadget]

TomTom accidentally let a flash animation loose this morning featuring their new RIDER 2 GPS unit for motorcycles and scooters. Although the mount has been clearly redesigned, no further information is available. But hey, a formal announcement can't be too far away now, right?

It looks like Garmin's set to release another GPS receiver intended to sit on the handlebars of your motorcycle, and like the TomTom Rider, this unit features built-in Bluetooth for streaming spoken directions directly to a compatible helmet. Though not quite as stylish as the Rider, the upcoming Zumo does offer a few innovative features not found on other models, including the ability to calculate how much fuel you have left for automatically re-routing you to the nearest gas station when you start running on fumes. You can also listen to MP3s stored on a memory card and set the unit to act as a datalogger, letting you download route history information to a PC for perusing at your leisure with Google Earth. Sources say that the Zumo will be available for purchase sometime in October, but prepare to spend around $1,000 if you want to take one of these out on the open road.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]