A Dirt bike provides unlimited fun and enjoyment to its rider. Every dirt bike enthusiast loves to explore new places with their vehicle. But, the most common issue you may face while discovering the mysterious beauties of nature is you can get lost in those unknown places. As a result, you may put yourself in deep trouble.
But, what’s the fun of dirt biking without these extraordinary adventures. Attaching the best dirt bike GPS with your bike could be an outstanding solution. That’s why I have reviewed 9 top-class navigation devices to help you pick an ideal one for you.
9 Best Dirt Bike GPS Devices’ Reviews
Some Dirt bike navigators last for years and some become useless within a month. It’s not because of their quality, sometimes we damage these tools with the wrong usage. Therefore, you need a simple-to-use and durable GPS loaded with some essential features. Here are some great navigation devices for you. Read carefully and decide wisely.
1. Garmin dezl 580 LMT-S Navigation device
The Garmin 580 LMT-S is a great choice for bikers looking to track their performance and make improvements. The GPS device features maps of North America and you can customize your own routes with included navigation software. It’s also lightweight—weighing only 8 oz or 0.5 lbs!
In addition to that, the GPS device is equipped with tons of features to make your life easier. This Dēzl 580 LMT-S has detailed information about the width of different roads, bridges, and dangerous turns.
It’s like having an additional set of eyes when biking which helps keep bikers safe from harm. Just enter your vehicle profile information and find your perfect route!
Moreover, the onboard trip planner system lets you plan, save and execute your trips on the go. So. you can use it to create a multi-stop route that will get you from place A to B in no time!
You can use the device effortlessly using its user-friendly and smooth touch-screen display.
No wait for road service! The GPS’s built-in directory lists several vehicle repair and service locations in the U.S. and Canada, including those offering after-hours roadside assistance; so you can get back on the go faster than ever before.
Your important calls are always ready to receive with this Bluetooth-enabled device. Simply sync and continue seamlessly answering phone calls without having to take them out of your pocket or console! Text messages, app alerts–they all come through on Dēzl’s display for an all-in-one experience.
- Integrated WIFI system for updated map and software facilities
- Vivid and clear display for easy navigation
- Robust build quality
- Comes with a hefty price tag
2. Garmin Zumo 595LM GPS device
Garmin is an American company founded on principles of engineering excellence and customer-driven solutions and it has been a leader in the GPS industry since 1989.
They are committed to providing quality products and services that meet their customers’ needs through continuous innovation. And this Zumo 595LM is another masterpiece from this renowned brand.
The 595LM promises that you will always have the most up-to-date maps, routes, and points of interest with free lifetime map updates. So, you won’t be deceived by outdated maps of unknown areas.
Thanks to its compatibility with smartphones and Bluetooth headsets, you can easily start taking calls while driving without having to remove any of the necessary gear.
So, safely store your phone in the saddlebag or pocket on long rides and fully focus on the journey.
Moreover, this guy will allow you to receive customized notifications from your iPhone, tablet, or Android mobile right on your navigation display.
In addition to that, you’ll be able to easily navigate complex interchanges with PhotoReal Junction Views, which show realistic views of junctions and interchanges on your route.
A radiant arrow along with voice prompts for verbal instructions make it super user-friendly.
What’s even better, its amazing 3D Terrain features also allow you to see a detailed elevation map that’s not possible from just looking at road signs alone!
With the TracBack feature, it’s easy to find your way back home from unknown regions; simply follow directional arrows in reverse.
Plus, this high-tech navigation device provides useful alerts for dangerous curves ahead, speed changes, railroad crossings, and more.
You are also notified when you need to check state helmet laws or the status of other traffic rules such as one-way roads.
- The GPS is very easy to use
- Nice bright screen
- Very stable Bluetooth connectivity
- The screen is difficult to see in daylight.
3. Trail Tech Voyager pro 922-125 GPS Device
Introducing the Trail Tech Voyager Pro! The stunning GPS device comes with maps and trails of North America loaded right into it! Relax! You can download other areas’ maps too.
Therefore, whether you are looking to explore on your own or search for new routes in different areas, this cutting-edge gadget will help guide you along as if an expert was riding by your side.
Apart from the maps of North America, the altitude lines showing topography such as hillsides and contours assist riders to know just how steep their next climb could be before they even start up the trailhead.
Plus, it includes ground-breaking buddy tracking technology. This modern system with the help of localized radio signals helps you to keep track of your buddys’ locations.
This technologically advanced beauty not only helps you find up to 20 riders nearby but also marks their real-time location on its 4-inch display.
In case of emergencies, you can easily seek help from other group members as you can turn your locating icon red from green. It makes your ride more stress-free too.
With the Bluetooth-enabled feature, you can listen to your favorite playlist, manage call logs, messages, and media.
The best part is that two phones and two headsets will be able to connect simultaneously if necessary. In addition, it also integrates flawlessly with your bike so that all data points are up-to-date for those long road trips!
- Buddy tracking technology with real-time location showing system
- Anti-glare, colored, and smooth touch screen display
- Measures and display other important data too
- You may face issues reading data in dusty conditions
4. TomTom Rider 550 Motorcycle GPS Navigation Device
Gone are the days of getting lost or stuck between landmarks and unknown hills as this innovative and feature-packed GPS navigation device from TOMTOM will help you navigate your way through natural beauties.
With this best GPS solution for off-road motorcycle riders, you can search through every possible route and then customize it to your liking with hills or other features that make a ride more of an adventure than just a mundane trip from point A to B.
Moreover, this GPS is more than a navigational tool, it’s your personal safety device.
Yes, it is designed with a built-in WIFI system to keep you up-to-date on any live service alerts or speed camera locations. As a result, you can travel at ease knowing that Tomtom has got your back!
Plus, the integrated Bluetooth system easily connects with your smartphone and you can utilize Siri and Google Now for on-demand music, calls, messages, and check up to date weather by simply asking through your headset microphone without needing to take out your phone.
It will give your desired information right away – all while staying focused on driving!
You will be glad to know that the navigation device comes with a glove-friendly touch screen for providing the utmost convenience.
Also, the GPS has a rugged, water and dust-resistant design that keeps it harmless in all weather conditions.
With the capacitive and simple 4-inch touchscreen and Quad-core processor, this easily mountable TomTom wizard will make every ride memorable.
- The Quad-core processor ensures swift overall processing speed
- Easily readable and weather-proof design
- Durable and high-quality
- Audio quality is poor
5. Garmin Montana 680T GPS device
Every rider wants a reliable navigation device mounted on his bike while discovering various mysterious roads. And this Germin Montana 680T with several worthy bells and whistles could be the greatest companion of a professional biker.
Whether you’re in a city, town, or woods, this GPS device will always lead the way. The high-sensitivity, Hotfix satellite prediction, and GLONASS support plus WAAS enabled GPS receiver will mark your location meticulously.
So, when there are barriers like heavy cover or deep canyons, your adventure will become easier with this high-tech GPS device by your side!
You’ll also get 1-year free subscription to Birdeye satellite imagery service. It is also equipped with TOPO U.S 100k maps. With the 3-axis tilt-compensated compass and barometric altimeter, it will always keep you on the right path!
Additionally, this navigation device has a 4″ screen that can be read in both portrait and landscape orientations, as well as having an 8-megapixel camera. It’ll automatically geotag your photos so you never forget where they were taken!
Overall, Montana is the perfect mate for those who love to be outdoors. With its sunlight-readable touchscreen display, vivid colors, and high-resolution output images, you can always find what you’re looking for with ease.
So whether it’s a map or your next fishing spot, the 680T tool will help keep your adventures going all day long!
- Perfect backlit display and storage capacity
- It comes with a built-in rechargeable battery
- Electronic compass enhance accuracy significantly
- It doesn’t include any case or bag
6. Garmin eTrex 20x GPS navigator
Here is another top-notch Garmin navigation device offering some cutting-edge features to make your dirt bike adventures more engaging. Yes, this stunning thing lessens your fatigue by eliminating the need of inserting coordinates and paper printouts manually. It securely stores and shows essential data such as location, descriptions, difficulty, hints, and terrain.
To provide your further comfort, it is made compatible with geocaching GPX files. Therefore, you can download geocaches and have accurate information quickly. On top of that, eTrex is equipped with 3.7 GB of internal memory and additional memory card slots(MicroSD) to allow you to store different kinds of maps like BlueChart g2, HuntView, TOPO 24K, and many more.
You will also love its preloaded base map of the world with shaded relief. You can pair the GPS with a birdseye satellite for having unlimited images of any place using satellites. Thanks to its hotfix satellite prediction and WAAS-enabled receiver, this wizard can easily locate and maintain your position in remote areas too.
Apart from GPS tracking, this guy can track GLONASS satellite which locks on your spot 20X faster compared to GPS. Interesting, isn’t it?
Also, this dirt bike companion comes with a solid structure to provide long-lasting performance. Its 2.2 inches(240 by 300 pixels) display is sunlight-friendly. So, you won’t find any issue reading data while riding the bike on a sunny day.
Overall, this waterproof GPS with outstanding battery life makes it an exceptional option for beginners.
- It locks on pretty fast
- Top-grade build quality
- Supports both GPS and GLONASS satellite tracking system
- You can’t rely on this device’s accuracy.
7. Garmin eTrex 32x Handheld GPS Navigator
Garmin’s eTrex 32x falls in the middle of premium outstanding GPS and affordable utility one. In short, it’s more of a cost-effective GPS, featuring more than most entry-level navigating devices, while still being within the reasonable threshold.
Its screen is only 2.2″ in size with a 240 x 320 pixel, and only weighs 142g- making it one of the lightest dirt bike GPS. But just because it’s small doesn’t mean you have to treat it delicately. It’s definitely rugged and can take a good amount of beating while you’re offroading.
Simplicity is one of its main redeeming factors. There is hardly any clutter so you can pick up on the information immediately. And you can easily look at the transflective screen even during intense sunlight.
The 32x is definitely an upgrade over the past eTrex models. It has a barometric altimeter delivering accurate altitude data and features a GPS+GLONASS system that provides superior tracking compared to only GPS systems.
With the electronic 3-axis compass, you get spot-on directional readings even at low speeds.
The TopoActive maps can reroute while you’re on the field and provide you with a stellar detail of roads, contours, water sources, etc.
There is also ANT+ support to connect heart/cadence/temp sensors as well as a VIRB camera. You could also use this for transferring data with other Garmin devices.
However, the user interface resembles those Motorola phones from the late 90s. Today’s smartphone-wielding users might have trouble adjusting to it at first.
- 8 GB internal storage with 32 GB microSD card support
- Compared to buttons, it is easier to navigate with the joystick
- 25 hr battery backup
- Slow zooming compared to other GPS devices
8. Garmin GPSMAP 276Cx
When Garmin 276C was launched back in 2004, it was an instant hit. Its popularity raged like wildfire across biking communities. It was one of Garmin’s all-time best products, having high demand even after discontinuation.
Garmin has recreated its discontinued product with the GPSMAP 276Cx to carry on its legacy. This is by no means a refurbished product, it has its own identity.
It is a complete GPS navigator that you can use for light aircraft, marine, or terrestrial purposes.
There are two main profiles- automotive and marine; each providing its own distinctive navigation. The automotive model covers everything from walking to mountain climbing, this includes dirt bike offroading.
It features a GNSS [GPS+GLONASS] option that trumps other devices that solely work with GPS. With its antenna, it usually is on the receiving end of 10-12 satellite signals.
Being true to its vintage roots, it keeps the old user interface- no touchpads only buttons. The non-touchscreen display is brilliantly designed, the easiest way I can relate its display would be to compare it to the old Nintendo devices.
The buttons on the right might be a bit difficult to use at first but it’s because we’re so used to touchscreens, don’t worry you’ll get used to it eventually. Remember when our phones used to have button inputs? Good times.
While it looks and feels like the old smash hit GPS, on the inside, it features completely new hardware and software. It’s a really rugged device, as well as dustproof and waterproof.
- Multipurpose device for various activities
- 6 GB internal storage with SD card supporting 32 GB
- 5″ bright display with 800 x 480 pixels resolution
- Need 3rd party support for auto-routing maps
9. Garmin Edge 830 GPS Dirt Bike Computer
Garmin came a long way from the first GPS of the Garmin 800 series back in 2011. All those years’ experience gave us this product that has an awesome touchscreen with 2x faster reactions than most older Garmin models.
There are two versions of this GPS, the standard bundle [this one] and the sensor bundle that includes a speed sensor, heart rate sensor, and cadence sensor.
Its design is trademark Garmin with an all-black body with bezel, and highly matches the Garmin edge 530 and 130. The screen size is perfect and clearly displays your route.
Setting it up is extremely easy, just press it on and connect it with the smartphone app and on the PC. Cross-platform sync is a blessing. Plus, you can easily connect to the social platform Strava as well.
I like its sophisticated mapping. It prioritizes dirt bike-friendly routes based on popularity with other bikers. And, you can make your own routes on the fly!
It also gives you performance data like FTP, training load, VO2 max, hydration, nutrition, heat, and altitude acclimation. If someone moves your bike, the GPS will send a notification to your smartphone.
There’s also a group messaging and tracking feature, but to be honest, it’s a lot of work and I doubt your friends would go through all the hassle.
- Supports Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity
- Can use different apps and widgets from Connect IQ store
- 20 hours of battery life with an extra 40-hour backup
- ClimbPro feature shows total ascension height while climbing
- Occasional bugs and freezes
Factors To Consider When Buying The Best GPS For Dirt Bike
Buying a GPS for dirt bikes is a tricky task. It’s not because you can’t find a good one, but rather every single one is a damn fine piece of equipment! If you have the budget for it, you can get more and more features!
But, you need to prioritize what you need the most. Here are the things you should look for when buying a dirt bike GPS:
Screen size
This is one of the key factors you should look for. The screen should be big enough for you to pick up on all the details without spending too much time on it.
Offroading is risky if you take your eyes off the road, having too small of a screen where you have to stare at it could result in accidents. At the same time, a GPS that’s too bulky has its problems too. They are easier to get bumped.
My personal recommendation is a 4″ or 5″ screen. 2.2″ screens aren’t bad but I like them big.
Processing speed
Another important is how fast the GPS can process the necessary data. It’ll be infuriating as a rider if your navigation tool is lagging every now and then, especially when you’re feeling an adrenaline rush for a high-speed run.
Fast routing calculation is extremely important.
Mounts
Where your GPS will be placed is significant because if they fall and break, you’re losing 100$ or more. You need to pick the perfect mount.
There are different kinds of mounts. Some are placed on the gas tank with straps, but the ones that you can place on the handlebars are better as they’re screwed in with bolts.
I love the universal mounts because they fit most dirt bikes without any hiccups.
Display Clarity
A premium GPS with 10 other cool features is nothing if its display isn’t good enough. Most screens have backlit to help when it’s dark. But what about when the sun is radiating intensely?
You need one that is easy to read even when the sun is shining bright, or during heavy rains.
User interface
Just like the screen, your user interface has to be easy too. If it’s a touchscreen then the touch has to be super responsive. There are many products that are still holding on to the good ol’ button style.
In that case, the buttons have to be somewhere easy to maneuver, because we’re not really accustomed to buttons anymore.
If you don’t wanna spend time adjusting, then it’s better to go for a touchscreen interface. But in that case, pick the one you can use with gloves on, and has big enough icons for you to use them smoothly as we do for phones.
Maps
If you’re in the US or Canada, then do not settle for a GPS that doesn’t have preloaded maps. Most manufacturers include them, and it’d make your adventures easy because you don’t have to rely on real-time routing all the time. Plus, these maps are incredibly detailed.
There are other cool things like wireless and Bluetooth connectivity, being able to connect with various cloud-based services or biking communities, but pick those only after analyzing your wallet, okay?
Is a Motorcycle GPS worth it?
It is definitely worth it. I’m aware of the rapid advancements made in smartphone technology. So why am I still choosing a dedicated GPS?
It’s because strolling on the pavement is one thing but I definitely don’t want my smartphone when I’m offroading on a dirt bike, it could fall and the bills to fix or replace it would be gargantuan!
Plus, I can access a GPS anytime I want regardless of network issues, and they provide information with rich details. GPS is usually dustproof and rainproof as well.
So, I’m Pro-Motorcycle GPS!
How does GPS work on a bike?
You might turn on your GPS and see the most optimal route for you, but there is a lot of stuff that goes on in the background to produce perfect directions. I’ll discuss them below:
In total, there are 3 players in this entire activity- Your GPS, the ground station, and the satellites.
The GPS installed in your bike will come in contact with satellites placed all around the world. These satellites share data with your device in the form of coordinates, but first, it’ll go to the ground station. It will receive the coordinates from the satellites in the form of radio waves.
The ground station tracks the satellite signals and is responsible for making sure sending and receiving signals happen seamlessly.
Your GPS receiver will be on the lookout to catch the transmission. It will trace not one, or two, but four satellites and calculate your location as well as how fast it received the signals. This helps computing with utmost accuracy.
Finally, when all the maths are done, your location shows up on your screen.
You could be on top of a hill or underwater, doesn’t matter, a good GPS will never fail to send you to the right location.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some commonly asked questions that may come in handy while grabbing a perfect GPS navigation tool for you. So, read these answers to know more about GPS devices.
What is the Ideal screen size of a Dirt bike GPS device?
Some navigators have a large 5-inch screen while others come with nearly 2-3 inches of screen. Of course, big screens are easy to read but small ones are more convenient to mount on your bike. So, it completely depends on your preference.
What does a shaded relief map mean?
A shaded relief map shows flat surfaces and hilly areas distinctly so that you can easily get an idea about the area that you wanna travel by your dirt bike. Here hilly areas are shown as rough surfaces and flat places are viewed smooth.
Is a dirt bike GPS better than a phone?
Though some phones offer many outstanding features for the ease of navigating, a dedicated Dirt bike GPS device comes with other unique bells and whistles to provide you a comfy and informative journey every time. So, it is better than a phone in this circumstance.
Why are motorcycle GPS so expensive?
Normally GPS stays inside the car/boat/airplane and these devices do not get in contact with rain, sun, and dust. But, GPS devices that are made for bikes have to face rough weather and need to function properly in such conditions.
That’s why motorcycle GPS tools are built with better quality materials. They are also made to be dust-proof and rainproof. Visibility under any lighting conditions is another factor. All of these considerations make them expensive.
Parting words
With A good GPS system, you can make memorable new adventures and explore uncharted territory with confidence. If my shortlist and guidance can help you in your quest in finding the best dirt bike GPS, then I’d be over the moon.
I’d definitely get the TomTom Rider 550 next time I’m shopping for a motorcycle GPS. Its quad-core processor is something I want. I also hope you get your desired GPS from here.
Let’s ride the wind!