If you thought GPS was just for the car - think again. Back in 2006 TomTom launched the original TomTom Rider, a GPS for motorbikes, and they’re back in 2008 with the 2nd edition. I’m not a biker, but I come from a family of them, who were all more than willing to help me review this little baby. I’ll start by what features make this a GPS for bikes, then we’ll see what’s new in the second edition.
Probably the most obvious advantage for bikers in Scotland is that the TomTom Rider is waterproof. It also has an anti-glare screen for those 3 days of sunshine a year, and a mount fits “almost any bike”. It fitted all the ones we tried it on, but it’s best to check with TomTom for compatibility in case your bike is not one of the most
In the box
The two things in the box that TomTom are making a song and dance over are the secure RAM mount and Cardo helmet connection. Don’t be confused with the memory specs, RAM here is the manufacturer of the tough, rough, hardcore bike mount. It’s designed to withstand any biking condition you can throw at it. You can buy an additional attachment so that the mount works in the car too so you can use your single TomTom whichever vehicle you’re in - so simple yet complete genius! The helmet connection is a Bluetooth device that allows you to take directions and even make calls without taking your helmet off.
The other standard accessories are: the home charger, the battery cable for power while on the road, a security strap to make sure it stays safe, a carry case to protect it when it’s not on the bike, USB cable, user guide, CD rom and the SD Card containing the maps. The TomTom Rider is available either in Regional or European variations so the maps you get will depend on the version you buy - obvious but thought it was worth saying!
The look…
The TomTom Rider is sold as ‘rugged’, but it looks pretty similar to the other sleek little numbers in the TomTom range. The most obvious difference is the built in sun-visor that juts out at the front to help with the visibility of the LCD screen. The screen itself is antiglare and waterproof so whatever the weather you can see where you are to go next.
Usability…
The TomTom Rider has the standard ‘Plug&Go’ TomTom technology, meaning you can use it right out of the box. The whole interface is just as intuitive as the other TomTom models, so you really don’t even need the instructions. Most importantly in the usability stakes is that the touch-screen is glove friendly, meaning the buttons are big enough for you to input instructions without having to take your big biker mitts off. Another important factor is that the volume adjusts with your speed. The faster you go, the louder your bike gets, so the louder the instructions are read out - again, so simple but so clever
Features…
The TomTom Rider comes with the patented ‘Mapshare’ system that was launched with the GO range. Mapshare is basically a way for users to share permanent and temporary changes to maps, eg road closures. You make the change on your TomTom Rider and upload the details automatically next time you connect to your PC. That way other users can benefit from the correction. You’ll also automatically download changes other people have made, according to your preferences. You specify which downloads you’ll accept - all corrections, the most popular, or just those checked and ratified by TomTom. Mapshare also allows you to add your own ‘missing’ points of interest, block or unblock streets, reverse traffic direction or even edit street and place names, and add missing streets. The best part is that the whole system is completely free.
While we’re on the subject of maps, another great feature is TomTom’s ‘Latest map guarantee’. If they release a new version of the maps within 30days of your purchase, you can update free through your TomTom HOME system. HOME is the software you install on your PC that lets you update the software on your TomTom Rider, download maps, and access all the other free goodies TomTom provides online. If you’re a TomTom fan you’ll already know all this as it comes as standard across the new range, and let’s face it, it’s far better than most the other systems manufacturers are offering as ‘value-adds’ these days.
Now, before I sent my loving family members off on the bikes with the TomTom I made sure that the thing was safe to use. Like other TomToms, it simply won’t let you input instructions when you’re going fast - making sure you keep your hands where they are supposed to be. Secondly, the TomTom Rider has passed “TÜV safety, quality and durability tests to a level far beyond Euro normal CE standard” Now I’m not entirely sure what this means, but it sounds safe! .
The little safety feature which I wax lyrical about on the GO series is here on the TomTom Rider too. The ‘Help Me!’ menu lets you find emergency service information relevant to the area you’re in. From hospitals to mechanics, it’s sure to be a life-saver at some point and I think it’s brilliant. It’s so easy to use as well, so even under pressure I’m sure it would be the best help.
Now my uncle claims that the speed, sorry, “Safety camera alerts” are a safety feature. He says that they are there to help you be a more responsible driver around accident blackspots…but I don’t care if you’re on a bike or in a car - the alerts stop you getting speeding tickets, and that’s still a great feature no matter how you sell it to me!
Other wee features that my biker boys loved included the ‘Trip Statistics’ button which shows you all the details from your last journey, like mileage and average speed. Things like this are important to touring bikers apparently. My cousin particularly liked the ‘Scenic routes’ feature. You can download these routes for free with the TomTom HOME software, and upload your own for others. Just like car enthusiasts, bikers know that it isn’t always about getting somewhere, it’s about how you get there. So this feature comes highly recommended by Jackie - and there, you got your mention!
The other usual features like POIs, itinerary planning, QuickGPSfixTM etc are there and you can find out more about these through any of the other TomTom reviews on this site, but I hope I’ve covered all the important biker points!
In Conclusion
The bad…
All of the bad points really were about the Bluetooth headpiece. The volume was too low for some of the guys, and the battery life/charging capabilities are annoying. You seem to get more life out of the headset than from the TomTom - but have no way of charging it except through the home charger, so if you’re away on a camping trip, it can leave you stuck. It’s also apparently not the most comfortable.
The good…
The thought has really gone into developing a device that is really usable. Like the others in the new TomTom range the effort has gone into developing new useful features rather than expanding on the multimedia and other frivolous capabilities. Overall, the TomTom Rider got a resounding thumbs up from my notoriously hard to please group so well done TomTom!
