TomTom Rider 2 GPS Navigator for Motorcycles and Scooters

by TomTom

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 4.5 x 2.1 x 3.8 inches ; 10.9 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 4 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000VB6VOC
• Item model number: 1K00.180
• Average Customer Review: 2.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (63 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #41,765 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description Developed for bikers by bikers, TomTom RIDER is one of the smartest navigation solutions for motorcycles. Switch on and go right out of the box. Just mount the unit on your bike, and you're ready to hit the open road. Turn-by-turn spoken directions guide you safely door-to-door to any address in the United States or Canada.

The smartest navigation solution for motorcycles. Click to enlarge.

Developed for bikers by bikers. Click to enlarge.

Rugged waterproof device, anti-glare screen, integrated sun visor, and gloves-on operation give bikers just what they need while riding. Navigation instructions are spoken via in-helmet Cardo scala-rider Bluetooth headset for great audio quality, external noise cancellation, and added safety and convenience. Itinerary planning helps riders to make the most of their time on the road. And with a choice of routes--including shortest, fastest, non-toll roads, and avoiding highways--you can explore the world your own way.

TomTom RIDER can even be used for safe hands-free calling with your Bluetooth-enabled phone.

TomTom has the most accurate maps, and with TomTom Map Share technology, you instantly can modify street names, street direction, points of interest, and more on your own device.

Included universal RAM mounting kit securely fits most bikes. Optional car mount kit accessory makes it easy to transfer from bike to car.

The TomTom RIDER is the ultimate in smart and easy bike navigation.

RIDER Features

• Maps of United States and Canada with TomTom Map Share
• Spoken Instructions
• Glove-friendly Touchscreen
• Waterproof
• Cardo scala-rider Bluetooth headset
• Universal RAM Mount
• Bluetooth Hands-Free Calling
• 3.5-inch Touchscreen
• Car Mount Kit--Optional Accessory

All TomToms Feature

Plug & Go--Works right out of the box.

Preloaded Points of Interest--Easily find millions of gas stations, restaurants, hotels, and more on your route.

30-Day Latest Map Guarantee--Up to date, off the shelf.

TomTom Map Share--Modify your own map and benefit from others' verified changes with TomTom Map Share.

Help Me! Emergency Menu--Easily access local emergency providers, such as police, fire stations, and hospitals.

TomTom HOME--Always up to date.

Traffic Ready--Optional RDS-TMC traffic receiver accessory keeps you up-to-date on traffic events to minimize potential delays.

Fuel Price Service (optional)--Know more, pay less.

Why TomTom?

TomTom believes that personal navigation should be as easy and safe as possible. TomTom develops smart technology that gives you straightforward solutions, innovations to make life easy.

Easy to Use

• Award-winning navigation software
• Plug & go

Best Maps

• 30-Day Latest Map Guarantee
• Modify your own map and benefit from others' verified changes with TomTom Map Share

Best Routing

• QuickGPSfix
• Traffic ready

Leader in Safety

• Help Me! emergency resources menu
• Safety preferences menu

About TomTom

Founded in Amsterdam in 1991, TomTom has established itself as a global leader in navigation by being an innovative company with a strong brand, clear customer focus, and high-quality products and services.

TomTom is a leading navigation solutions provider with navigation products sold in 30 countries and in over 20 languages. To further its commitment to car navigation, TomTom acquired Tele Atlas maps in 2008 so that the company can continually provide the most up-to-date maps and intelligent routing.

TomTom has its own mapping company!

Did you know that every year, roads change by up to 40% in high-growth areas? Tele Atlas manages this by using the world's most comprehensive systems to identify and incorporate these changes into our maps with unprecedented levels of speed and accuracy. All TomTom devices benefit from the Tele Atlas advantage--more coverage, more points of interest, and more freshness and accuracy.

What's in the Box

TomTom RIDER, Memory card (SD card) with software and maps, USB cable, High quality Cardo scala-rider wireless Bluetooth headset for in-helmet spoken instructions, RAM Mounting kit

Product Description

TomTom RIDER is one of the smartest navigation solutions for motorcycles. Switch on and go right out of the box. Just mount the unit on your bike, and you're ready to hit the open road.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

68 of 72 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent GPS for bike or car, January 1, 2008

By 

Colin Lawson - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: TomTom Rider 2 GPS Navigator for Motorcycles and Scooters (Electronics)

I received this unit for Christmas primarily for my bike, but once I purchase the car mount adapter it will be used in the car as well.

This is an excellent unit, to say the least. One reviewer mentioned that it's too difficult to turn the unit on- I say "hogwash". The pushbutton is stiff, yes, but that's done to keep the unit from turning on accidentally while in your jacket pocket or carry bag (and with a touch screen, you can well imagine how much mischief one could accidentally create if it turned on without your knowledge). Ditto with the Scala Rider headset- you don't want the thing accidentally turning on, running the battery down, do you?

Another reviewer mentioned that it doesn't have a "speedometer" or trip meter function- it most certainly does have a speedometer, and what I assume is the "trip meter"- but since TomTom set the unit from the factory to eliminate as much extraneous information as possible, you have to activate it in the menus. Once that has been activated, it'll be there until you turn that feature off. In fact, there are a great number of features you can turn on and off in the menus.

I found the documentation to be adequate, and to the point. The printed documentation is to get you up to speed until you charge the units and turn them on- it's easy sailing after that. The unit is very easy to use, and it has tutorials right on the unit, so in my opinion further paper documentation is rather redundant- actually, I think it's pretty smart on TomTom's part to include tutorials on the unit itself rather than supply a printed book- that way I don't have to carry around the book, as all of the information is already on the unit! They really don't say much about the bike power cable, but I can certainly understand why- it's not possible to provide information about every bike out there, and if you aren't familiar enough with your bike, or can't figure out how to install it, it's probably best to get someone who is (like your bike dealer) to do the installation.

I've got a Motorolla Razr phone, and the TomTom easily hooked up to my phone via Bluetooth, and it painlessly downloaded all of my phone numbers I have stored on the phone (thank you for providing this helpful feature!).

I do wish that it gave the street name when it gives you instructions to turn, but I soon got used to how it works- not only does the display give you very clear instructions on where to turn, it also gives you the street name. Once you get used to it, it's easy. But I would like the option of hearing the street name (my PDA does, but the map display isn't as easy to see as the TomTom). While playing with the unit as my father-in-law drove the car, I discovered one potential issue with having the street name spoken to you- what happens when the street name is changed, but your maps haven't been updated? If you rely on the spoken street name, you might miss it- it's best to take a glance at the screen to make sure you're taking the correct turn (I found one such road- the name has recently been changed, but the map showed the old name instead). Still, I'd prefer to have it spoken, and visually double-check the map.

Overall, I give the TomTom an A-. TomTom, if you're reading this, I'll give you an A+ if you guys update the software so that it'll give you the street name by voice- then you'll have the best bike GPS available! However, I'd still buy the unit as is. It would just increase the functionality by including this feature.

103 of 115 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not enough features for the price class, February 21, 2008

By 

Joey Ferguson - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: TomTom Rider 2 GPS Navigator for Motorcycles and Scooters (Electronics)

My wife gave me this unit for Christmas. She's a doll and I love her very much, but she was not very versed about what to shop for or expect from a GPS unit. I've now used the unit several hours during trips, utilizing the blue tooth connectivity with my cell phone and the included headset within my helmet. Ive also used it in the car a lot. They said this unit was designed by motorcyclists, but obviously the bikers TomTom consulted knew very little about the minimum expectations for features required in a decent GPS unit...especially one costing this much.

I am going to break-down my review into two parts....what it has that is good...and what it lacks that makes it a non-competitive GPS unit in the US. I've used GPS technology at work and at play for years. Most of my background with consumer-grade GPS units is with the Garmin brand. So it is to that brand that I will make most of my comparisons because Garmin, for the most part, has it right and does it right! (imho)I have no financial or personal relationship with Garmin, whatsoever.

OK..first for the positive...it's water resistant/proof (don't really know about the proof part cause I havent had it in the pouring rain yet)...Fast processor and fast acquisition of the GPS constellation...good screen graphics and brightness...decent battery life...sensitive touch screen technology....blue tooth capable...can download your Outlook contact database....decent internal memory...heavy duty Ram mounting hardware for your bikes handle bars....USB connectivity to your computer for map downloads, etc....and if you are into directions from the unit, it has a few male and female voices from which to choose.

Now for the features it should have but does not:
-Should have a trip computer with trip parameters such as max speed, average moving speed, time moving, time sitting still, odometer, trip odometer, vertical and horizontal elevation, etc. None of this exists on the tomtom rider.
-Should leave a track, or a bread crumb trail, as you ride along. Not available on the TTRider. This is a real disappointment.
-Should have larger fonts for speed, arrival time, etc. Way too small to have to deal with on a motorcycle...even when set to the largest font.
-Should not "snap" to the nearest road to fool you into thinking their base map is accurate...because it is not that accurate in reality.
-Should come with a cig lighter plug for powering, but it does not.
-Does not allow any preference setting while in motion. You must stop before you can do anything with this unit outside of a few limited functions. Excuse: a safety feature
-Cannot make a call while moving. You can only recieve calls while moving. What's that about???? (yea I know, safety)
- Has annoying icons on the screen when the phone and headset are not connected and there is no way to get them off the screen!!
-Gives you no options as far as screen orientation relating to your travel direction...always points you up. Thats ok most of the time, but we deserve to have a choice in this price class.
-Can fall off the ball mount and, if not tethered to the bike or mounting base, it will hit the ground and will be lost.
- No elevation available...for those of us that ride in mountains and are use to seeing this on gps units, it's certainly an oversight by the TTRider. GPS derived elevation is not that accurate in the first place, but readings are relative and give a pretty good indication of elevation changes as you ride.
- Direct sunlight makes the screen totally INVISIBLE.

If I could send it back to Amazon I would. I plan to give it to by wife for her car and purchase a gps unit that more closely fits my needs as a touring motorcyclist and as a consumer that refuses to settle for inadequate and poorly designed products.

27 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars TomTom Rider - Read this before you buy !, June 11, 2008

By 

G. Gold - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: TomTom Rider 2 GPS Navigator for Motorcycles and Scooters (Electronics)

1. I have owned a Rider for more than 18 months.
2. The first one I had, the dock broke in Texas while I was riding Route 66.
3. I called TomTom from Texas (I live in Calif) and asked them to FedEx a new one.
They said no can do.
4. Once home, TomTom sent me a new Dock, but... it took them 1 month to get it to me.
5. After a while I started to notice that the Rider was not charging while in the dock and on my bike.
6. They asked me to send them my Rider back with all the accessories.
7. Then after 4 weeks, they sent me a new Rider, with no charger and no accessories.
8. The asked me to send it back.
8. After another 4 weeks, they sent me another.... new Rider... with all the accessories.
9. The dock didn't charge.
10. After another week, they sent me a new dock. It works.

There are known issues with the docks and charging, but TomTom won't admit it.
It's manufacturering issue. I'll let you guess where they are made.

The Tom Tom rider is good, easy to use. But if anything goes wrong, you'll be waiting many weeks for a replacement.
Ad of course the wait time on the phone, plan on an hour with each call.

I probably would NOT buy another one.