Road bikes today are brimming with measurement systems, having everything from GPS to lean angle sensors. And you don't even need to spend crazy money to get a bike with them, like Yamaha's MT-09 SP, which has all of the aforementioned equipment and a $12,699 MSRP. So, if aftermarket electronic navigation systems are to stay relevant, they need to offer more (useful) features than ever. Enter Garmin's Zūmo XT3.
Between Quad Lock mounts and OEMs' built-in GPS technology, buying aftermarket GPS systems for the sake of having one has become almost obsolete. This is to say, I don't regard units like Garmin's Zūmo XT3 as GPS systems; it has a GPS feature, but to get folks to fork over the retail price of $499.99-$599.99, it needs to do a helluva lot more than show you how to get from A to B.
Garmin has obviously picked up on the fact that it can't position the next-gen Zūmo the same way it did back in 2005, when it launched the first iteration of the unit. So, according to Garmin, these latest XT3s are "purpose-built motorcycle companions that add live lean angles and expanded mapping, available in two sizes to fit nearly any bike." But that's just scratching the surface of this model's capabilities.
The latest addition to the Zūmo family has more advanced motorcycle-focused GPS equipment. Garmin says that the XT3s features preloaded street maps and high-definition topographic maps, and that you can download crisp satellite imagery directly to the unit. The manufacturer also states that you can get better visualization of routes and surroundings by purchasing Outdoor Maps+, which includes Adventure Roads and Trails for turn-by-turn routing for off-road rides. However, it is a subscription service, and they're not well-liked in the motorcycling community.
One area where the Zūmo XT3 dominates when compared to a standard smartphone using Google Maps is how it gets you from A to B. Users benefit from Garmin's Adventurous Routing to find more hilly, curvy, and scenic rides. You can also check out what other motorcyclists recommend via the Great Rides feature, which shows the top-rated routes from fellow Zūmo users and Popular Moto Paths. If you already have a route you like, you can plan it on the device or via the Tread app with a compatible smartphone, or import routes with GPX, KML, or KMZ files.
Whether you're riding your own ride or taking the advice of a stranger via the Great Rides feature, you can always stay up to date with what your mates are doing via the group ride mobile feature on the XT3 or via the Tread app. On the road, the unit works with a suite of Garmin's other products, including the Zumo R1 radar for rearview and blind-spot monitoring, a Handlebar Controller so riderscan control their navigator without taking their hands off the handlebar or an inReach Satellite Communicator 2 (all sold separately).
Ifyou were to only base the Zūmo XT3's performance off the features listed above, then it stacks up relatively well against the other aftermarket motorcycle GPS units on steroids. But how this model sets itself apart from the pack is with the Garmin Performance Package. This package gives riders access to a lap timer and, according to Garmin, "drag racing features". Riders can record their drag racing time and distance milestones, including their 0-60 mph time, and 1/8-mile and 1/4-mile times, along with their delta times.
Recording your drag times is just where the fun starts, as users can also access leaderboards to see how their times compare with others. I use "fun" very purposefully here because that's how the Zūmo XT3 comes across, between comparing 0-60 mph times to maximum lean angles. It essentially gamifies riding your motorcycle, as though you're hooking straight into Xbox Live, and that might not be to everyone's taste, and certainly not for those looking for the purity of a ride. But if you don't want to use it, you don't have to pay for it—that's correct, these features are also part of a subscription plan.
If you want to gamify your ride, the Garmin Performance Package will set you back $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year. Personally, I wouldn't pay for this subscription package unless I was actually drag racing or creating content around this niche, which isn't where I suspect most riders will use this feature. I ride my motorcycle on the road to get away from games and the competitive nature of life, but I'd be lying if I said I wouldn't try to match what Triumph says my bike will do down a "drag strip" at least once.
If you're not interested in the data from the Performance Package but like what the Zūmo XT3 can do in terms of navigation, then it's hard to point to another motorcycle-specific navigation system that beats it. The unit meets military (MIL-STD-810) standard for drop rating and carries an IPX7 water-resistance rating, and is built to stand up against rigorous handlebar vibrations. The glove-friendly display comes in either a 4.7 or 6-inch high-resolution screen, costing $499.99 and $599.99, respectively. The larger option includes a handlebar mount kit with a U-bolt Base.
