How does a premium GPS compare to the Nav6

dannyv

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Still sitting on the fence, but sliding fast toward a Yamaha. I still like the Nav6 (with thumb wheel) on the 1200GS. Has anyone had experience with the Nav unit, as well as spent time with a good Garmin or TomTom? I see Tom Tom has a new model for bikes, a 550 Rider. And Garmin has the Zumo.

Anyone used the thumbwheel?> Are the top end GPSs easy enough, to use touch screen, with gloves on?

Pretty well convinced myself the lower S10 buy in, along with lower service costs, are the way to go. Wife is urging me to go for the 1200GS, oddly enough. She doesn't really 'get' fun vehicles, but she likes understands fancy brand names! And I must admit, the Nav 6 and thumbwheel have my attention.

Thanks for your thoughts.

-Dan
 

swakop_toe

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I've been using my 276c with the speaker charger on my S10 for 6years now and the only times I have ever had to access the GPSr was when the location of the address I was aiming for was off.

Offroading, all the GPSr is good for is to tell me how far to the next waypoint, where I've been and logging info.

I have ridden my Buddies R1200GS/A with the thumb toggle and it's nice, because you can, but after 20min I found it pointless - I know where I'm heading for at least the next 250km and the GPSr tells me when to turn and where.
Fiddling with it at say 80kph on a gravel road is way too distracting.

And I bet you you will stop to work your GPSr should you get lost, none of this on the fly rerouting, etc.

And I'm old school. Keep the electriciry to a minimum, separate the devices into removable, serviceable, replaceable items as much as possible.

Enjoy the freedom with as much as you care to spend. Whether a pig of a S10, R1200 or a Ducatti.

Een of ander tyd gaan jy neer moer dan gaan die badge net so gekrap soos jy wees.



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Longdog Cymru

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With all due respect, I really don't think that you should choosing a motorcycle on the fact that it has a GPS system controlled by a thumbwheel.

Take a long test ride on a R1200GS and take another test ride on a Super Ten, then use all of the $$$$$$$ that you have saved on taking your wife a a few touring holidays!
 

dannyv

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With all due respect, I really don't think that you should choosing a motorcycle on the fact that it has a GPS system controlled by a thumbwheel.

Take a long test ride on a R1200GS and take another test ride on a Super Ten, then use all of the $$$$$$$ that you have saved on taking your wife a a few touring holidays!
I did two weeks on a rented 1200GS! But only had 15 minutes on an S10. The GPS/ thumbwheel is not the only deciding factor. As mentioned, I am leaning toward the S10. swakop_toe made the point that even with thumb control, any big route planning will probably require a stop.

Also, reading today, a number of guys have trouble with the TFT display on the GS. Another thing I liked about the GS. Even if only 10 percent of GS have trouble with the fancy electronics, well, I do not want to chance that I have one of them.

Now- I just need to convince my wife I do not need a BMW! (nice problem to have-). Maybe with the saved bucks I can find an old Miata for shitty weather.

-d
 

Roge

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I use a Garmin 395 in a locking mount, a Sena intercom and my phone, the phone is Bluetoothed to the Garmin for phone and directly to the Sena for music which the Sena controls. The Garmin works fine with gloves. All works perfect.
 

squarebore

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Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
Still sitting on the fence, but sliding fast toward a Yamaha. I still like the Nav6 (with thumb wheel) on the 1200GS. Has anyone had experience with the Nav unit, as well as spent time with a good Garmin or TomTom? I see Tom Tom has a new model for bikes, a 550 Rider. And Garmin has the Zumo.

Anyone used the thumbwheel?> Are the top end GPSs easy enough, to use touch screen, with gloves on?

Pretty well convinced myself the lower S10 buy in, along with lower service costs, are the way to go. Wife is urging me to go for the 1200GS, oddly enough. She doesn't really 'get' fun vehicles, but she likes understands fancy brand names! And I must admit, the Nav 6 and thumbwheel have my attention.

Thanks for your thoughts.

-Dan
I think you are asking the wrong people. We all have an S10 and got them for lots of reasons. It sounds to me like you would prefer the GS. They are a great bike and if money was not an issue I may have one too. I wouldn't normally comment on a post such as this but you did ask for opinions.

If you can afford the GS, not just the purchase but maintenance etc, then get it (or not. Haha).

You are lucky to have a choice. Cheers

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Talltourer

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Ottawa, Ontario
A "cheap" phone with a 4" screen, a 20$ data plan, well under the price of any "premium GPS" out there and google maps is always(more so than those) up to date. You can also have music, off line maps, take pictures, record videos, eck, even use it to call using data only with some apps and wifi in hotels, McDonalds and such all over the place.

I'll never own another of those dedicated GPS, they are a insane cash grab for what you get tech wise.
 

dannyv

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squarebore, thanks, yes, I am looking for opinions. And yes, I am lucky, I can afford to go either way. But I would hate missing out weeks of use if a BMW puked its electronic guts just as the weather would break clear.

And there is a difference between being able to afford something, and wanting it/ using it/ all that much. A bike is a toy for me, face it, I suspect they are toys for most of the folks here. Albeit a toy I know I will use, and enjoy. But maybe not enough to justify the bigger price. And it is not like I have a ton of bike time, I am trying to learn, taken 3 classes now, and I watch safety youtubes (MCrider!) all the time. I'm certainly no expert rider- part of why I keep asking questions. Don't know if I'll ever be good enough to really appreciate the BMW.

Yes, I know I am asking S10 people about this. Biased? Sure you are. I have followed some similar threads on a BMW forum. They all say, oh great bikes, they last forever, go for it. They may be a bit biased too.

There is another thing I've not mentioned. I went to Tennessee last month for the S10 gathering at Tellico Plains. Great bunch of guys! Now that is the kind of group I want to ride with occasionally. Did the big BMW rally a couple years back, again nice folks, but I only got in one shortish ride. A different culture, for sure.

thanks for all your thoughts, I'll post when I decide (probably in the next week or two).


-Dan
 

dannyv

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A "cheap" phone with a 4" screen, a 20$ data plan, well under the price of any "premium GPS" out there and google maps is always(more so than those) up to date. You can also have music, off line maps, take pictures, record videos, eck, even use it to call using data only with some apps and wifi in hotels, McDonalds and such all over the place.

I'll never own another of those dedicated GPS, they are a insane cash grab for what you get tech wise.
I have used my cell phone for a while now, both on the bike, and in the car. I liked the Nav5 better, easier to read, no squinting, no map worries. Roge sounds like he has it worked out the way I want.

Thanks!
 

regder

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Toronno
Went from a prehistoric Streetpilot 2720 (well four of them) over the past ten years, to a Zumo 595 this year. Absolutely love the 595

Yes, a cell phone has better tech and Garmin should be ashamed for how much they charge for a bike gps, but at the end of the day, the Zumo (and even the 2720) works much better as an overall package for me. A cell phone could be comparable, but I haven't found a gps app that is anywhere as easy to use on the fly.
 

squarebore

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squarebore, thanks, yes, I am looking for opinions. And yes, I am lucky, I can afford to go either way. But I would hate missing out weeks of use if a BMW puked its electronic guts just as the weather would break clear.

And there is a difference between being able to afford something, and wanting it/ using it/ all that much. A bike is a toy for me, face it, I suspect they are toys for most of the folks here. Albeit a toy I know I will use, and enjoy. But maybe not enough to justify the bigger price. And it is not like I have a ton of bike time, I am trying to learn, taken 3 classes now, and I watch safety youtubes (MCrider!) all the time. I'm certainly no expert rider- part of why I keep asking questions. Don't know if I'll ever be good enough to really appreciate the BMW.

Yes, I know I am asking S10 people about this. Biased? Sure you are. I have followed some similar threads on a BMW forum. They all say, oh great bikes, they last forever, go for it. They may be a bit biased too.

There is another thing I've not mentioned. I went to Tennessee last month for the S10 gathering at Tellico Plains. Great bunch of guys! Now that is the kind of group I want to ride with occasionally. Did the big BMW rally a couple years back, again nice folks, but I only got in one shortish ride. A different culture, for sure.

thanks for all your thoughts, I'll post when I decide (probably in the next week or two).


-Dan
Hey Dan, what I probably meant was there are no bad motorbikes. It's a choice between two great machines. I rode an xl500 to Cape York in Australia in 1982 and loved it. The bike is not that important. Let's face it, they're all good. Cheers

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Bryce

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Acworth, GA
A "cheap" phone with a 4" screen, a 20$ data plan, well under the price of any "premium GPS" out there and google maps is always(more so than those) up to date. You can also have music, off line maps, take pictures, record videos, eck, even use it to call using data only with some apps and wifi in hotels, McDonalds and such all over the place.

I'll never own another of those dedicated GPS, they are a insane cash grab for what you get tech wise.
Amen.

40,000+ miles on the S10 and about 10,000 on the KLR with a Samsung Galaxy S8 Active (my old S6 Active previously). Out west and back. MABDR. A few SS1000s. I'll never go back to a dedicated GPS either
 

HeliMark

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Dec 18, 2013
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Tennessee
I have the Zumo 390 on the bike. Mounted on a ram with the stock holder. If I am off the bike, it gets put in the box, easy to do.

I tried the phone thing, and it works fine, but I really like a dedicated GPS, and one that is really weather proof. I plan the route prior to the ride, but have on the "fly", although it works with gloves, it can be frustrating. I do really like the curvy road selection on the GPS. It can send you on some very interesting routes. Also the ability to select if you want dirt roads or not is nice.

I like listening to XM, and have a receiver on the windshield bar in front of me. Weather proofed by a plastic lunch bag. Next GPS, I will spend the money to get the unit that has the XM in it.
 

dannyv

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I'm a dork- hopelessly out of touch. Did not know you could get XM in a GPS! That would be great for vacation with the RV, for 2 weeks a year it is not worth keeping XM active, but hey I could use the same GPS on the bike, and in the RV! For tunes, I just use Pandora off the phone. Or- I sing. In fact, with ear plugs in, I sing very well, thank you.
 

MIKE R

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Lancashire, UK
Quite a dilemma to have.


I'm in the fortunate position of owning both a S10 with electronic suspension registered in March 2015 (now with 35000 miles) and a BMW 1200GSA Rally registered in 2018 with 7800 miles on the clock so I can compare the two.

Depending on the model you buy, the GS will have all the electronic aids

Dynamic ESA suspension that adjusts automatically to the weight on the bike without the need for altering the suspension through rider only, rider and passenger etc etc. Personally, I find the BMW suspension to be slightly superior.

Cornering ABS ........not available on the S10. Can't comment on how good it is as never had to use it.

Hill Start assist on the BMW....Brilliant but not available on the Yam

Keyless ignition not available on the Yam but having used it for 6 months I still don't get the point of it

BMW has self cancelling indicators which I like....other's don't

TPM on the GS is great but you can fit aftermarket to the Yam

Colour TFT on the BMW has many functions I don't use compared to the black and grey on the Yam. I prefer the BMW but it's a personal choice.

It could be argued that the lack of all the above electronic gizmos on the S10 is an advantage as there is less to go wrong.

As regards riding the bike the BM has more power, slightly better suspension, brakes and handling. From the riding prospective I think that the BM is marginally the better bike but both are excellent in their own way and the Yam is a LOT cheaper.

Both are very comfortable for touring

The cruise control is easier to use on the Yam.

The Yam is (IMHO) better put together than the BM and appears to be more reliable. After 3500 in Spain this June I found loose spokes in my back wheel resulting in me taking the Yam on the next tour in September down to Greece as I had lost some confidence in the German beast. No problems at all with the S10 in the 35k of ownership that were not self-induced.

If I could only have one bike, I'd probably sell them both and buy a new S10!

Hope this helps

Mike
 

brianhen

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May 14, 2017
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Winnipeg, Manitoba
I thought I would chime in here on the discussion regarding GPS. I have the 2017 S10, I mounted a Garmin 61 LM I guess it is....I bought it at Costco. Now for the fun part. Prior to using, I ran a thin bead of silicone around the edge of the screen and around the power supply (Can still unplug and plug it in) then I laid the GPS face down on a cardboard box and Plasti dipped the back panel. I have ridden to Tukoyaktuk and did the Trans Labrador Highway. I wash the bike with the Garmin still on it and have never had a problem.
 

dannyv

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Indianapolis, IN
Thank you, Mike R., just the sort of info I was looking for. You make some great points, only missed one thing- cost/ frequency of scheduled services. I believe the S10 gets nod on that.

I already have a 2nd and 3rd bike, I guess. Wife's scooter, C650GT is great for quick runs to the store, or to give my daughter a ride around town. Love those self cancelling signals. It also reminds me of what the service costs are! And I may keep my F650GS for a while, kinda hate to give it up. It is light enough I can load it into my trailer, or my truck, on my own. And it isn't worth much money anyway. Great learner bike. But my plans may change.

1260 Multistrada Enduro - Hmmmm.... I did look at a 950 (demo deal!) last Fall. Exciting machines, but then, I paused, and thought of my old Fiat Spider I had many years ago. I got very good at adjusting carbs. Then the damn thing fell apart into a pile of rust when I blinked.

Phone as a GPS is not happening for me. For one thing, my phone will over heat in the sun. And- the phone has a more important job. I want it with me, but not on the handlebar. And it cost more then almost all GPS units. And it can not be locked in position easily.

Thanks guys. Pretty sure I will be an S10 owner soon. My local dealer just put an '18 ES on the floor. Hoping he will come close to internet prices. They are great people, I like to support local, but I can run 5 hours up the road and maybe save a grand.

-Dan
 

dannyv

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Post script to my original - I bought the '18 ES, presently in my carport, covered, waiting install of Rumbux parts, Bumot panniers, and Baja Design lights. Eric V. and Jason S. (adv motorrad) were both professional and very helpful, getting my choices for extras worked out. And I expect to order the big Garmin soon, I can use it in the RV, truck, and bike. That helps to justify the price.

I'll want to mount that Garmin on the windshield bar, that bar is skinnier then the handle bars. How do I attach the GPS base to the small bar?

Thanks all for your input. The active participation, and friendliness of this community certainly played a part in my choice of an S10 over the 1250 GS.
 
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