Best Motorcycle Travel Apps

In motorcycle travel and touring, we want to explore new places, which means navigating unknown territory. Google Maps sets the standard for navigation apps, but it’s not motorcycle-specific. In this video, I explore five other navigation apps: InRoute, Harley-Davidson, Indian, Calimoto, and Rever, to see if either the free or paid navigation apps are worth switching to.
Timecodes
00:00 - Intro
02:11 - Google Maps
03:17 - InRoute
05:36 - Harley-Davidson
07:52 - Indian
08:52 - CaliMoto
11:49 - Rever
13:40 - Conclusions
@TeapotOne

[@Drstrapps]

Google maps lets you add waypoints, but doesn't automatically advance beyond the waypoint when you get there, which is extremely annoying. Having to hit something on your phone while riding in order to know when your next turn is, is a flawed design.

[@MicheleLilyannaFineart-vs1eb]

Awesome video Peter. You research so well! Thanks for sharing!

[@RetiredAdventureRider]

Thanks for watching!

[@waltermitty7452]

@@RetiredAdventureRider a couple of questions if you don’t mind. Do you use CaliMoto for your trip planning only? And then push what you’ve created in CaliMoto to your Garmin? Or do you also run CaliMoto on your phone simultaneously? Did you look into Scenic? It also has a lot of type of route planning options….like Fastest, or Curvy, etc. I too am a CRF250L owner. Awesome lil bike that does almost everything “okay”. Thanks for the video.

[@WhiteLineRambler]

Well made video man, I bought Sygic years ago for on road in the USA as it doesnt use data, works well for me.

[@RetiredAdventureRider]

Thanks for sharing

[@fuglbird]

Good presentation. I learned from watching it. Thank you! I still travel on my motorcycle as I did back in 1978. I mainly use paper maps. Now I also use a Tomtom Rider 50 LE GPS. It's easy to enter and change routes on the way and I don't need to bring a computer. I find the Apps very limited in comparison to "a proper motorcycle GPS". I'm the kind of rider that have a general idea but not necessarily stick to a pre-planned route. I usually learn along the way. I also bring an old Garmin for hiking in the mountains (and use my hiking boots on the motorcycle).

[@AttorneyThatRides]

Great info video!

[@jimcarr8425]

Over here in the UK I use Waze on-road and Back Country Navigator XE on the trail because it gives access to Ordnance Survey maps. I also have a venerable Garmin Zumo 660 but I am seriously thinking about a Carpuride as that allows your phone to be the satnav but out of the elements which cause it problems.

[@MeAndMyRoyalEnfield]

Me And My Royal Enfield have a TomTom Rider 550. I use the TomTom My Drive app on my phone. Also plan on laptop with TomTom MyDrive Route Planner. Thanks for this video.

[@MrFurious1993]

I'm running a Carpuride W702 Carplay/Android Auto unit in leu of a GPS. For basic navigation to an address or location I just use Google Maps or Apple's equivalent. If I want to create a route for a trip I've been using Gaia GPS and so far I like it (other than I can't access the record track function via Carplay).

[@lazmandjik9368]

Great comparison video. I use Google Maps (but I have been experimenting with Cali) I carry only my phone and use it for navigation and controlling GoPros and my Cardo communicator. One device does it all. I also like Google Maps showing traffic snafus along my route. My wife wants me to share my route with her so she knows where to find me and when to expect me home. I share it by copying the link in Google Maps and pasting into an email (any email will do). I also email it to myself because I plot the course on my laptop and retrieve the email in my phone to bring it up on my Google Maps on my phone. For me, plotting a route is a lot easier to do on my laptop than on my phone. In 2022, I planned a cross Canada tour, Ontario to B.C. and back using 3 apps. Google Maps, The Weather Network app, and an online hotel reservation app. 7400kms, Best trip of my life ! Happy (and safe) riding to you.

[@stevec-b6214]

I am not against tech at all, I just enjoy planning and riding with a paper map. I actually enjoy stopping to check the map, turn the engine off, talk to the guy clipping his hedge, maybe spot an old church/building, and walk over and check it out. I have a phone if I really need to check my position, I just don`t want it wobbling around on the handlebars all the time.

[@RetiredAdventureRider]

That's a very wise attitude. My step-son's phone when flying off his handlebar last week at a cost of several hundred dollars. I always carry a paper map and I enjoy browsing to get to know a region. But I admit, I enjoy trying out lots of different tech, which is just a personal preference.

[@mtbman2479]

I love having paper maps. I buy the Butler G1 maps whenever they go on sale and have built up a pretty comprehensive collection. Too bad they haven't put together maps for Canada..

[@Jonathan-L]

I had a situation where I was parked alone in a metropolitan area, minding my own business and setting up a new route on a GPS unit. Although I didn't realise it at the time, somebody was watching me and called the cops, who arrested me and they confiscated my phone & laptop (but didn't take the GPS). The stupid cops believed a false accusation from another person but would not accept my position on the matter. If I had a paper map on the day, then things would have been much more simple.

[@randylevine3535]

Just came back from an adventure ride through Idaho, Montana and Washington. I had paid for REVER Pro last year when riding down to California (from Vancouver, BC). I find REVER can give some great route suggestions but is VERY frustrating to use on phone (and I don’t carry a laptop on DR650). Subscription must have come due during trip and app stopped working all together. No warnings and could not renew if I wanted to. Thanks for this video, I think I will try Calimoto on next US ride. For off road routes, OnX is excellent. Even in Canada. User friendly where REVER is anything but.

[@RetiredAdventureRider]

Thanks, I'll have to give OnX a serious look. My first impression was that the focus was on the US.

[@GotToThink4yourself]

It’s one thing to use an app that is dependent on excess to communications and the good old fashion paper printed physical map. It has happened to me when on a trip that my phone got lost and with the device gone so where my navigation. It’s about a backup system in place that at the very least can get you back to civilization.

[@RetiredAdventureRider]

So true. I'm old enough to have grown up with paper maps, and I love going over them just to see what is out there. There's more serendipity with a paper map. I always carry one on my trips, including a detailed topo map when I'm in the back country.

[@garybecker4490]

Nice review. I've been playing with Scenic lately and like it so far. I'm headed to Hyder Alaska in August and have some concerns about cell service, gas and accommodations along the Yellowhead highway through BC. I dont plan on camping. I'd be grateful for any information you can provide.

[@RetiredAdventureRider]

I've only ridden that route once, three years ago. You won't have a problem along 16 finding gas or accomodation but use Google Maps to plan ahead a bit. Cell service will be off and on, but as far as I remember, mostly on. Hyder is 287 km (about 180 miles) from Kitwanga, so you can do it easily in less than a day. Fill up at Kitwanga. You take 37 north to Meziadin Junction. You probably won't get cell service between Kitwanga and Meziadin Junction, which is where you get the road to Hyder. Here's the link to the map for cell service by Rogers www.rogers.com/mobility/network-coverage-map

[@garybecker4490]

@@RetiredAdventureRider Thanks for the info.

[@stephenscott6570]

I have been annoyed at Google Maps at times when I select one of two routes. It changes to solid blue. Then during the travel it decides to route you to the option you did not choose. I have had to stop and back-track.

[@jerryrathman5717]

I agree some of REVER is clunky, but having the BDR routes and all of the amazing Butler Maps available makes it 100% the best choice.

[@4940markhutchins]

I use REVER’s Butler maps as a reference, but I plan and document my route in MRA Route Plannner

[@billseaman2585]

My route works me easy to plan and down load to Garmln

[@tribalbc]

For Western Canada backroads nothing beats BRMB. All possible roads, trails, campsites, gas, POI, etc. I use that to navigate and Rever to track and data. Used Calimoto for the free trial and found it useless unless on standard paved routes. The only two things I liked about it was it displayed elevation and you could see when twisties were coming. But issues were many, especially for the price.

[@RetiredAdventureRider]

BRMB certainly has the details that I want. I just find the user interface complicated. Maybe after I've used it for a while, it will become more intuitive. I'm going to look at it more closely for off-road adventures.

[@tribalbc]

​@@RetiredAdventureRider Yes I agree it's clunky to try and plot routes and such. I just run it with the downloaded maps with appropriate layers added before download. Download in Town and City View to get the appropriate details you need. Newest version has added 3d to map which is useful when zoomed in. I also like that elevation contours have ample stated elevations.

[@user-op5vc9qw6o]

I’ve been using Scenic for 18000 miles. I like it since there’s no subscription. Wish it had web app or desktop app I could use for planning on my 27” monitor. Might try calimoto out a bit

[@peterhallahan8098]

I have used Scenic for almost 70,000 km in Australia. I use Garmin Basecamp on my desktop to plan trips and import the .gpx file into Scenic. Basecamp can be clunky and frustrating but worth persevering.

[@steveetier3025]

I’ve experimenting between My Route-app, Rever, Garmin Tread and the Triumph app. The Garmin Tread is only available on Apple iOS and Android devices no desktop equivalent. Ideally I want to create routes that I can use on my Garmin XT2.

[@Siggymund]

Look into a android emulator for your computer, I use to play a game in one worked perfect. So I'm sure a Map app would be just fine.

[@anti-squat4666]

OsmAnd+ ang Gaia

[@stephenfisher3554]

REVER US routes abound except in the Midwest were in many states there are zero user routes. This despite my submitting several and waiting over a year to see them show up and to date still nothing. Emails to customer service got reasonably quick response - stating only that they have a small team and it takes a while (forever) to review and post user submitted routes. I canceled REVER when even after I paid for the app it wouldn't let me save my last route plan wo/ posting pictures - on a route I'd yet to ride!

[@harleycross4170]

REVER is garbage ime. Paid, and wish I didn’t, you go slightly off route, and it never recalculates, just annoying beep until you stop it.

[@Atopper]

I use google maps to figure out the places I want to go. Then I use ride with gps to map it out. Then I wing it with nothing on my bars.

[@michaelsuren8014]

Nice video, but as a long time Harley rider I would like to say that I despise the Harley app. I think you’re much too kind on that one. My only other comment is you didn’t talk about the WAZE app and I’m curious about it. Thanks. P.S. I do really like the google maps app.

[@RetiredAdventureRider]

I think for most basic navigation, Google maps does the trick. The only advantages other apps can offer is making it easier to find campgrounds, gas stations, or Harley Dealers. I used WAZE a few years ago for commuting because it showed traffic details, but it wasn't valuable for me at my last job because there were no alternative routes no matter what happened on the highway. I'm not sure how it would be for long-distance planning.

[@tomneedmorebeer5525]

Which satellite communications system was it that you use? I need to get one…

[@RetiredAdventureRider]

I use a Garmin InReach Mini 2. I like that I can send text messages through it.

[@tomneedmorebeer5525]

@@RetiredAdventureRider thanks! I’ll look into it

[@mattvanlandingham8034]

Doesn't your Zumo come with an app, too?

[@RetiredAdventureRider]

Yes, I can use Garmin Explore on my desktop and on my phone, but it's really clunky to plan a route, so I've learned from other users to use an app (most likely one of the ones in this video) to plan a route and then transfer it to Garmin Explore to use on my Zumo. I was originally going to include the process of exporting routes from these apps but the video would have been too long. Moreover, this video is aimed at people who don't use a dedicated satnav.

[@ggs0605]

You mentioned zumo. Is that the navigation you use or phone?

[@RetiredAdventureRider]

Zumo XT is a dedicated satellite navigation device from Garmin. A new version Zumo XT2 was recently released. That's a different debate: dedicated navigation device or phone?

[@peterronning5922]

@@RetiredAdventureRider I would be curious to know if you use a Zumo. I don't own a phone with a GPS in it, so if I want some navigation device on my bike I either have to buy another phone, or a dedicated device like the Zumo. I'm leaning towards a dedicated device, but that's based on personal prejudice more than logical reasoning.

[@RetiredAdventureRider]

Yes, I have a Zumo XT. One of the main reasons I bought it was because phones can overheat and they are vulnerable to rain. I was on a trip where I developed a bad muscle spasm in my back. I wanted to get to a drug store to buy some pills, but the temperature was super hot, and just as I arrived in town, looking for a drug store, the phone shut down due to heat. Super frustrating. The Zumo has a nice big display, and it's always on. The new version is bigger and brighter. But planning a trip is something I do at my desktop (usually in the dead of winter when riding is not as pleasant). So, I like to plan my trips in advance; I can transfer the routes to the Zumo later. (And that's not necessarily a simple process.)

[@peterronning5922]

@@RetiredAdventureRider Thank you for taking the trouble to reply. I'm thinking along the same lines.

[@TK-cl1jm]

I had the XT. Although I generally liked it, it was quite buggy. It died after 3 yrs use. I would consider the XT2, but the price is ridiculous.

[@JohnSmith-kg3im]

Can you find me an app that shows crooked twisty mountain roads across north florida?

[@RetiredAdventureRider]

I think you're out of luck on that one, unless Florida changes its state boundaries.

[@floydthorne6444]

Garmin BaseCamp

[@m.f.m.67]

You start (at least for me) with a false premise. That everyone uses a cell phone for navigation. I'll NEVER again expose my expensive $$ cell phone to the vibration, rain, dirt and dust of motorcycle riding. One broken cell phone was enough. GPS all the way. What someone like me needs is a desktop based mapping application that can be converted to GPX and transferred to our GPS device without difficulty. Google maps and Apple Car play are four wheels only.

[@mortarman81MM]

If you have a Garmin device and an iPhone, you can put Tread on your iPhone and then upload .gpx files to your Garmin device. Use whatever you want to create a route (provided it will export a .gpx), export the .gpx, then use Tread to load it to your Garmin. I'm currently using Rever to do all of the above. Rever has some nice features, but it also has a major limitation: it will only allow 24 waypoints. You can plan longer rides in stages, but it's kind of a PITA, and it's sub-optimal to have to use a workaround for that limitation. Good luck.

[@RetiredAdventureRider]

Fair point. I’m not sure that I stated everyone uses a cell phone for navigation but this video is certainly aimed at those who do. I have a Garmin Zumo XT for many of the reasons that you cite. I use these apps for planning not necessarily for navigation. I was going to go into the process of downloading the gpx file for the Garmin but that would have made the video too complicated. Perhaps I’ll make one on how I transfer a route to my Garmin later. Thank for your input.

[@leocopper9588]

What about Gaia & Onx? My ride is a Yam WR250R

[@RetiredAdventureRider]

If you're riding off road then it's a whole different thing. Those are certainly worthy of consideration.

[@darrellhay]

OnX makes me crazy off road. Hate it for the lack of legend and the tiniest trails (or non-existent roads) sometimes come up looking like major roads due to the coloring and highlighting. They lost me as a paid customer over this issue Cannot differentiate between single track and fast roads (at least in Utah and Arizona and WA) where I have used it. Gaia I have used for BDR's and offline it works, it just tends to lag a couple minutes on the moving map, so quite often to avoid missing a turn I would have stop and wait for GPS to catch up. But otherwise very good. OSM has been reasonable also on free version. I have WRR also, great bike (and DR650 and KLR)

[@simonwalker1833]

Organic maps is the way to go. Offline, free and you're not handing over your data....

[@Scottishbikerabroad]

My route app ???

[@RetiredAdventureRider]

I think it's called MyRoute, and it seems worth checking out.

[@lordvader2060]

Gaia