Motorcycling is rarely just about getting from A to B as quickly as possible. It's about bends, beautiful landscapes and the joy of riding. That's why good route planning for motorcyclists is so important. Many still use a classic motorcycle sat nav, but Google Maps is increasingly becoming a real alternative. Here we look at how Google Maps works on a motorcycle, where its strengths and weaknesses lie, what tricks there are and how the app compares with well-known motorcycle sat navs.
Google Maps for motorcyclists: functions and features
Google Maps has been the world's most widely used navigation app for years. For motorcyclists, these functions are particularly interesting:
- Route planning with waypoints: build breaks, fuel stops or sights straight into the route.
- Live traffic data: avoid traffic jams and accidents, which can be particularly unpleasant on a motorcycle.
- Offline maps: handy in remote areas without reception.
- Route options: motorways, toll roads or ferries can be avoided.
- Voice guidance: hands-free navigation via your Bluetooth headset in the helmet.
What Google Maps does not automatically take into account, however, are typical motorcycle roads such as winding country roads or scenic routes. This is where dedicated motorcycle sat navs usually have the edge.
Advantages of Google Maps for motorcyclists
| Advantage | Description |
|---|---|
| Free | Google Maps costs nothing, whereas many motorcycle sat navs are expensive to buy and update. |
| Regular updates | Maps and traffic data are updated automatically. |
| Flexible & cross-platform | Runs on smartphone, tablet and desktop. Smartwatches and Bluetooth devices can be integrated. |
| Large POI database | Petrol stations, restaurants, sights and hotels can be built straight into the route. |
| Live traffic | Traffic jams, accidents and roadworks are shown in real time and the route adapts. |
| Easy sharing | The route can easily be shared with fellow riders or transferred to other devices. |
Disadvantages of Google Maps for motorcyclists
| Disadvantage | Description |
|---|---|
| No real motorcycle routes | Google Maps mainly suggests the fastest or shortest route, not the twistiest or most beautiful. |
| Battery consumption | Longer tours drain the smartphone battery heavily; you need an external power supply. |
| Offline limitations | Offline maps contain no live traffic data. |
| No weather or road conditions | No information on closed roads or roads that are dangerous for motorcycles. |
| Distraction | Without Bluetooth in the helmet, operating it while riding is difficult and risky. |
Google Maps compared with dedicated motorcycle sat navs
| Function / feature | Motorcycle sat nav | Google Maps |
|---|---|---|
| Special motorcycle routes | Yes, many models offer winding roads, Alpine passes and motorcycle route planners | No, standard routing without bend optimisation |
| Weather & road conditions | Partly integrated (e.g. TomTom Rider) | Not integrated |
| Costs | From €200, updates often chargeable | Free |
| Usability | Large display, robust, weatherproof | Smartphone, less robust, smaller display |
| POIs | Motorcycle-specific POIs such as biker meeting points | Standard POIs, no special motorcycle hotspots |
| Offline function | Usually very good | Limited, no live data |
| Flexibility & sharing | Limited | Very flexible, easy to share |
Result of the comparison: for simple tours and everyday rides, Google Maps is often enough. But if you're looking for winding, scenic roads, you can hardly avoid a real motorcycle sat nav such as TomTom Rider or Garmin Zumo.
Tips for route planning with Google Maps on a motorcycle
- Use route options cleverly
- Avoid motorways: Settings → Route → "Avoid motorways"
- Exclude ferries if necessary
- Plan stopovers
- Add petrol stations, rest areas, cafés or sights
- Very handy on longer tours on hot summer days
- Download offline maps
- Especially for rural regions or mountains without reception
- Settings → Offline maps → select and download a region
- Mount your smartphone securely on the motorcycle
- Use a robust motorcycle mount with charging function
- Route cables neatly
- Use Bluetooth
- Send voice guidance to your helmet headset
- That's less distracting and safer
- Plan routes on the computer beforehand
- Better overview, waypoints are easier to move
- Then send the route to your smartphone
- Combine with motorcycle communities
- Platforms such as Kurviger or Motoplaner plan twisty routes
- You can then transfer these routes to Google Maps
Well-known apps that complement Google Maps
- Kurviger: designed for twisty, scenic motorcycle roads
- Calimoto: motorcycle navigation app with its own routes, POIs and bend optimisation
- Rever: community platform for motorcyclists; tracks can be exported
Tip: use Google Maps as the basis and leave the fine-tuning to the specialised apps.
Practical examples for route planning with Google Maps
- Short tour in the Alps (3–4 hours)
- Enter the starting point in Google Maps
- Activate "Avoid motorways"
- Add stopovers such as viewpoints or cafés
- Transfer the route to your smartphone and download the offline map for the area
- Switch on voice guidance via helmet Bluetooth
- Day trip to the sea (approx. 250 km)
- Plan a fast route for the outward and return journey
- Add petrol stations and rest areas as stopovers
- Check the traffic situation live
- Have an alternative route ready for traffic jams or roadworks
10 more Google Maps tips for motorcyclists
| Tip | Description |
|---|---|
| 1. Check the elevation profile | Look at the route's elevation profile beforehand, especially on winding mountain tours, so you can plan demanding sections better. |
| 2. Plan breaks | Calculate realistic riding times including breaks so you stay focused and don't get overtired. |
| 3. Check the weather | Use external weather apps or Google Maps' satellite view to check the route for rain, snow or fog. |
| 4. Find parking in advance | Look for suitable parking or motorcycle spaces at your destination, especially in cities and at tourist hotspots. |
| 5. Save favourite routes | Save tours you ride often in Google Maps so you always have them at hand. |
| 6. Avoid accident black spots | Watch out for "reports" of accidents or dangerous junctions in Google Maps and avoid risky sections. |
| 7. Plan group rides | Share the route with your fellow riders via Google Maps so everyone rides the same route. |
| 8. Calculate fuel stops | Plan fuel stops based on your motorcycle's range, depending on route length and elevation profile. |
| 9. Include sights | Build beautiful places or viewpoints into the route as short stops. |
| 10. Save the return route separately | On longer tours, create a separate route for the way back. That way you don't have to improvise and can navigate home relaxed. |
Conclusion
Google Maps is a flexible, easily accessible and inexpensive solution for motorcyclists, especially for everyday rides, city trips and shorter distances. But if you're looking for really twisty and scenic motorcycle roads, you can hardly do without dedicated motorcycle sat navs or apps such as Kurviger, Calimoto or Rever.
Our recommendation: use Google Maps as a basis and fine-tune the twisty sections with a motorcycle app. With offline maps, helmet Bluetooth and well-placed stopovers, your tour will be safer and more relaxed.
Frequently asked questions
Can Google Maps plan twisty motorcycle routes?
No. Google Maps mainly suggests the fastest or shortest route. For twisty roads you need a motorcycle sat nav or apps such as Kurviger or Calimoto.
Does Google Maps work without reception?
Yes, with offline maps downloaded beforehand. However, there is no live traffic data then.
Which motorcycle sat navs are an alternative to Google Maps?
Well-known devices are the TomTom Rider and Garmin Zumo. They cost from about €200 and offer twisty routes and motorcycle-specific POIs.
How do I hear Google Maps' directions in my helmet?
Via a Bluetooth headset in the helmet. That's safer because you don't have to look at the display.