Without my GPS I would be lost. I often have to go to places that I would never find without a GPS. GPS devices are either stuck to your windscreen/dashboard or built into the car. Have you ever thought about where you would put a GPS when on a motorbike? Until recently this never crossed my mind. Considering that everything is pretty much in the open, including your life, you can’t just stick a GPS on your bike. I am guessing if you did, it would fly off.
TomTom are well known in the Portable Car Navigation industry. I received the TomTom Rider to check out. I don’t have or ride a motorbike so I attached the Rider to my bicycle and took it for a spin.
My fear of the GPS flying off the bike is soon put at rest once I see how the Rider attaches to the bike. Once the mount is attached onto the handlebar of the bike, the GPS unit clips securely into place. Plug in the provided usb cable and you can charge the Rider while riding.
The GPS pretty much performs like any other GPS yet it does have certain features that bikers will love. Bikers are pretty unique individuals so why should they settle for the norm. The TomTom Rider caters for bikers with some fancy features. For example the winding roads feature allows you to choose the route with the most curves, so that you can avoid the boring straights. Another feature which I think is pretty nifty is the points of interest feature. This provides points of interest that are relevant to riders.
Overall I am really happy with the quality and performance of the TomTom Rider. The mount attaches securely to the bike so it can definitely not fall off. The GPS is detachable so you can take it with you otherwise it could get stolen off the bike. There are some really cool features that are perfect for bikers which can make your ride extra fun.
The following is taken from the TomTom website:
Plan a route
- FREE Lifetime Maps
Always ride with the latest map. Get to your destination faster with FREE Lifetime Maps. For the life of your product, you can download 4 or more full updates of the map on your device every year. You receive all updates to the road network, addresses and Points of Interest.
- Points of Interest
Find the best Points of Interest—including those relevant to riders. From the nearest pit stop to the most outstanding vista, the most affordable motel to the juiciest burger. Got your own big ideas? Add to the community by sharing your POIs.
- TomTom Speed Cameras
Your device has speed camera locations, including reports from other users. It also warns you of other alerts, such as fixed speed cameras and average speed checks for the road ahead. It saves you money on speeding fines, helping you drive safely and relaxed.
- FREE Daily Map Changes
FREE Daily Map Changes from the Map Share community. Includes dynamic changes like new speed limits and blocked roads. Some things change overnight and can delay your journey. Map Share helps you deal with the more frequent road changes. Avoid detours and get to your destination even faster.
- IQ Routes
The world’s biggest database of real travel times is built into every TomTom device. Which means you’ll get the fastest routes and most accurate arrival times. It’s genius!
- Advanced Lane Guidance
Clearly shows which lane to take at junctions so you don’t miss your turning. On the most difficult highway intersections, realistic 3D representation of the junction keeps you relaxed and safe.
Plan a thrill
- Winding Roads
Feel the twists, the turns, and the adrenaline of the road beneath your bike. Winding Roads allows you to choose the route with the most curves, so that you can avoid the boring straights.
- Points of Interest
Find the best Points of Interest—including those relevant to riders. From the nearest pit stop to the most outstanding vista, the most affordable motel to the juiciest burger. Got your own big ideas? Add to the community by sharing your POIs.
Manage itineraries
- Upload Routes and Go
Gain inspiration from riders in the know, with Upload Routes and Go. With it, you can find inspiration from other riders online, upload their routes to your TomTom RIDER and customize them. Best of all, you can use more than 10,000 route points. So, where do you want to go?
- PC Route Management via Tyre®
PC Route Management via Tyre® lets you get an early start on your touring excitement. Use Tyre® to search, create and edit routes on your PC before you upload them to your device. Share your designs with others in map form, or wait ‘til you meet and share them directly from your TomTom RIDER.
- Share files via Bluetooth®
Make new friends and keep the old (on track). Share your route via Bluetooth®—before you head out, or while you’re on the way.
- Itineraries
In Itineraries, you can save all your favorite tours and memories. Or you can use it to plan a new route with waypoints. Every time you go out, or find a new favorite road, you can save it—for riding, or just viewing, again.
- Trip Recording
Capture your route from beginning to end, with every spontaneous detour and waypoint in between. Trip Recording ensures you can always find your way back to your new favorite roads and share them with your friends.
Built for bikes
- Glove-friendly, waterproof screen
The glove-friendly screen responds instantly to touch and is designed for riding in any weather.
- Instructions via Bluetooth®
Keep your hands where you need them with Bluetooth® enabled directions delivered to your headset or helmet.
- Sunlight Visibility
The Sunlight Visibility on our larger 4.3″ screen gives you different color options to choose from at different times of day. So you have high visibility—whether you’re on the road at high noon or during late afternoon.
- Turn On/Off with Ignition
The TomTom RIDER powers On/Off with your bike’s ignition. Which is extra convenient. It’s ready to ride when you are.
- Handsfree calling
The TomTom RIDER connects to your phone, so you can call handsfree via Bluetooth® while you’re en route.
- Charging Bike Dock
Don’t worry about charging, or recharging, your battery. Our Charging Bike Dock enables the TomTom RIDER to power up while you ride.
- Universal, vibration proof RAM mount included
Your device is attached to the bike by a mount robust enough to handle tough biking conditions. This mount is made by world-leading mount supplier RAM.
