The best route planners for motorcyclists: This is how you find routes that are really fun

Anyone who rides a motorcycle doesn't drive from A to B. We drive because of the route. Because of the curves, the landscape, the feeling when the asphalt and line feel perfect. This is exactly where many classic route planners fail - they think like drivers. Fast, short, efficient. Motorcyclists think differently. Curvier, sportier or just more scenic.

A good motorcycle route planner decides whether your tour becomes a memory or a test of patience. Whether you get gravel, truck tracks and boring federal roads. Or curves, elevation gain and routes that you would rather ride twice.

This article shows you:

• what route planners are looking for really arrives,

• which tools suitable for motorcyclists,

• which recommendations you can safely integrate into your planning,

• and how you can get the most out of every tour - whether it's an after-work tour or a trip to the Alps.

Why normal route planners are often unsuitable for motorcyclists

Google Maps, Apple Maps and vehicle navigation systems have one goal: efficiency.
Motorcyclists have a different goal: Driving fun.

The problem:

• Shortest route ≠ most beautiful route

• Fastest route ≠ best route in terms of driving

• Highway ≠ experience

Many motorcyclists know this:

You plan a tour, blindly follow the navigation system and end up on endless straights, through towns with 30 zones or closed mountain passes.

A good motorcycle route planner takes into account:

• Curve fun

• Elevation profiles

• Road quality

• Traffic density

• Motorcycle-specific closures

• scenic charms

He doesn't think in minutes - but in Experience factors.

What makes a good motorcycle route planner

Before we talk about specific tools, you need to know how you recognize quality.

1. Curve prioritization instead of time optimization

Motorcyclists want curves. Point.
A useful route planner offers:

• curvy alternatives

• Avoiding highways

• conscious detours in favor of beautiful routes

Without this function, a tool for motorcycles is hardly usable.

2. Adaptation to driving style and type of motorcycle

A super athlete, a travel enduro rider and a cruiser have completely different requirements.
Good planners allow:

• sporty vs. relaxed routes

• Avoidance of gravel or conscious integration

• Adjustment to range and refueling stops

3. Planning on the desktop – navigation on the go

The reality:

• Planning is done at home

• Navigation is used on the go

A good route planner works:

• conveniently on a PC or tablet

• synchronized with app or navigation

• exports routes cleanly (GPX etc.)

4. Community knowledge instead of flying blind by algorithms

The best routes are often not known by the algorithm, but by other motorcyclists.
Tools with:

• Community Reviews

• shared routes

• Comments on closures or road conditions

The most popular route planners among motorcyclists – honestly rated

Kurviger – the classic for curve hunters

Kurviger is the entry point for many motorcyclists - and rightly so.

Strengthen:

• Focus on winding roads

• very easy to use

• clear motorcycle logic

Weaken:

• limited offline functions

• less detail on long journeys

Calimoto – Motorcyclists first think about driving fun

Calimoto clearly positions itself as a motorcycle app – and delivers exactly that.

Strengthen:

• Curve and height focus

• Community routes

• Tour recording

• Blocking information

Weaken:

• Subscription model

• partly aggressive choice of route (not always beginner-friendly)

Recommendation: Very good for drivers who discover new routes want and are willing to pay for quality.

MyRoute app – planning at a professional level

Anyone planning trips lasting several days can hardly avoid the MyRoute app.

Strengthen:

• extremely precise planning

• different card providers

• Ideal for Garmin & Co.

• perfect GPX exports

Weaken:

• more complex than other tools

• less “fun button”, more planning

Recommendation: Top recommendation for Touring riders, Alpine passes, European trips and structured planning.

Garmin BaseCamp – unloved but powerful

BaseCamp is not a fun tool – but it is a workhorse.

Strengthen:

• maximum control

• perfect navigation integration

• usable offline

Weaken:

• steep learning curve

• old-fashioned surface

Recommendation: Ffor technology-savvy drivers with a Garmin navigation system, the want to know exactly what they are driving.

Smartphone or navigation system? The honest answer

This question divides motorcyclists; completely unnecessary in our opinion.

Smartphone: flexible and modern

Advantages:

• large selection of apps

• quick planning

• Live traffic & closures

Disadvantages:

• heat

• Battery life

• Readability in the sun

Motorcycle navigation system: robust and reliable

Advantages:

• weatherproof

• vibration resistant

• perfectly readable

Disadvantages:

• expensive

• less flexible

Recommendation:

The smartphone is sufficient for day and weekend trips.
For long trips and extreme conditions, a dedicated motorcycle navigation system should be considered.

This is how I personally plan a motorcycle tour – step by step

From the perspective of a motorcyclist, not a developer:

1. Define a rough idea (region, time, driving style)

2. Planning on the desktop (MyRoute app or Kurviger)

3. Activate curve focus, get out of the highways

4. Make refueling stops consciously

5. Export GPX or sync app

6. Check closures before departure

7. Stay flexible on the go

A route planner is a tool. Neither more nor less.

Common route planning mistakes (and how to avoid them)

• Too many kilometers per day

• Ignore elevation profiles

• Blind trust in algorithms

• No alternative route available

• Underestimating breaks

A good route planner helps – but It does not replace experience.

Why the right route planner changes your motorcycle tour

Motorcycling doesn't start with the start button, but with a decision: Which route do I ride and why?

A good route planner doesn't make this decision for you, but it gives you the freedom to make it consciously. Instead of collecting kilometers, you collect experiences. Instead of arriving as quickly as possible, you enjoy the journey.

I know from my own experience how big the difference is. With the wrong tool, even the most beautiful region becomes boring. With the right route planner you will discover roads you would otherwise never have driven, empty curves, surprising views, routes that will stay in your head. That's exactly what motorcycle tours are all about.

Whether you're doing short after-work rides or planning long trips, it's worth investing time in planning and using tools that are made for motorcyclists. Not to anticipate every corner, but to create space for exactly those moments that make us ride motorcycles.

In the end, it doesn’t matter which route planner is the “best”. What matters is that it suits you, your riding style, your motorcycle and your feeling for the road. When these come together, a route becomes a tour. And a memory from a tour.

Further links:

Home page – Alpine passes | Passes and mountain roads in Europe

Weather worldwide – meteoblue – Shows you the current weather situation worldwide.