GPS for Motorcycles: Garmin Zumo 550

In a way, I am somewhat conflicted about GPS for motorcycles. I mean, the whole idea is adventure, getting lost, getting away from it all, seeing what is over the next hill or around the next curve, discovering out of the way places, that little cafe that turns into a culinary oasis in a sea of fast food. When the Zumo lit up, I wondered, would it all disappear? Would I be chasing satellites instead of dreams?

On the contrary. In the extreme, you can always turn off the GPS, get really good and lost, then turn it back on to find your way out. It does not ruin an adventure any more than using a map, but it does make it easier. It does not show you what is over the next hill or around the next curve, but it will show you if it is a dead end or connects to other roads. Finally, though it will list restaurants, there is nothing to prevent you from asking fellow travelers or local people to recommend a good place to eat.

When it comes to GPS, competition is keen and there are many choices. Garmin has been the leader of the industry and offers a unit made specifically to meet the needs of motorcyclists, the Zumo. The model I have is the Zumo 550. They retail for over a thousand dollars, but you can find them on the Internet for as little as $730.

The waterproof Zumo has external buttons that can be operated left-handed and a touch screen. Mounted in its motorcycle bracket, you can use wired headphones, a necessity for the XM radio option (yes, you read that right). Most riders take advantage of the wireless Bluetooth technology and mate their Zumo to their Bluetooth cell phone and Bluetooth headset or earpiece. Typically, riders mount the Zumo on their handlebars over the speedometer. You won't need the speedometer anymore. The Zumo constantly calculates and displays your speed. You will not need your clock, either. Satellite time, no extra charge.

It helps you find the road less traveled

The Zumo 550 offers three ways to look at a map. The default mode is what Garmin calls 3D, but not really. It is a perspective drawing that resembles what you will see looking down the road. I prefer the tracking mode. The map on the screen is oriented to the direction of travel, as you would a paper map. It has a scale which the 3D mode can not. The scale changes automatically as you speed up or slow down. You can override the scale by zooming in or out on the touch screen or with the left-hand buttons. The third mode is with north up.

The Zumo has all the maps and all the business telephone directories for the United States and Canada. I still can't believe they got all that stuff in there, and the programs to run it, receive satellites and work the touch screen. You can search for and locate services anywhere, view a list of companies with directions and distances, select one, call it on your cell phone by touching the screen on the Zumo and calculate the route.

The Zumo can plot a detour. It can also store and display pictures or be used like an MP3 player to play music while you ride. At extra cost, in addition to XM radio, you can subscribe to traffic reports, tourist information and consumer information services. You can also buy nautical maps and use the Zumo on your boat. I have not used any of these.

There are some Zumo Bluetooth compatibility issues when using some Motorola cell phones with some Motorola headsets. The cell phones and headsets can be mated, but the Zumo is not able to differentiate between them. It is better to use a different manufacturer for one or the other. Also, flip phones should be avoided. They have to be open in order to use them.

Jill keeps it professional

Once you get all the electronics fired up, you can see your route and receive audio instructions. Wind noise can make the instructions impossible to understand. A good, quiet helmet and windshield is important to clearly hear the voice navigation instructions.

Of course, a rider does not have to have voice instructions. A rider could glance down at the screen and observe the map or read instructions, but the voice instructions are so very helpful in heavy traffic in a strange city. They allow you to keep your eyes on the road and concentrate on riding. It is very reassuring to hear Jill say, "In 400 feet, turn right onto Oak Street... Turn right onto Oak Street... Proceed north on Oak Street 3.2 miles to Highway 47 and turn left... " Thank you, Jill.

MSD WeatherTight Connector allows ZUMO mounting bracket to be easily removed.

The power cord for the Zumo is connected to the mounting bracket. Most people wire the other end of the power cord directly to their battery. Keeping the unit powered up makes it easy to use during stops and eliminates having to reboot, enter your password and recalculate the route. Kickstands down is also the best time for fiddling with Zumo addresses, routes, making phone calls and whatnot.

If you leave the bike unattended, pop the Zumo out of its bracket and take it with you or lock it out of sight in a hard case. If you simply hide it in a soft tank bag, tail pack or saddlebag, a thief might observe the mounting bracket and decide to hunt through your soft luggage for the Zumo. On my BMW F650GS, I wired a connector to the handlebars so I could easily remove the Zumo with its mounting bracket.

Zumo Security Screw

There is a security screw that uses a special tool, but it is still too easy for some miscreant to walk off with the Zumo and the bracket. By the way, keep the security screw screwed down tight even when the Zumo is not in the mounting bracket so it won't back itself out and fly away like mine did. In my opinion, the key ring hole for the security screw is in the wrong end of the tool. I drilled a hole in the other end on mine so the tool would be easier to use.

The Zumo will run on its internal battery for about three hours. You can carry it into a restaurant and plot the next leg of your journey while you wait for that hamburger. You could also use it in stealth mode. Carry it turned on inside a tank bag or riding jacket pocket and stop to refer to it as you would a map.

The Zumo includes a mounting bracket for automobiles that makes the Zumo every bit as useful as any other automobile GPS unit around. The power cord plugs into your cigar lighter. No need for headphones in the car. The automobile mounting bracket has a speaker built into it and you can use it to make hands-free cell phone calls while you are driving.

Stick the Zumo car bracket to the windshield with the built in suction cup. To locate the Zumo elsewhere, Garmin provides a shiny disc with double-sided tape on one side. The suction cup sticks securely to the slick side of the disc. Stick the 3M side of the disc onto a convenient surface, the underside of the dash above the instrument display for example. Again, over the speedometer is a good location. Be sure the disc is where you want it. Once it sticks, you will not be able to move it.

GPS is the future. I like maps, but they are doomed to end up in museums as curiosities right next to sextants, compasses, chronographs and slide rules. Start saving your maps now: They will be collector's items.