I have been a happy user of Garmin’s motorcycle units since the first Zumo model was released almost 20 years ago. It was the natural choice to use the Garmin Zumo XT I already had, for this trip.
I chose a Garmin unit over a phone/tablet solution because it’s rugged, reliable, doesn’t overheat in direct sunlight and has a glove friendly screen.

Despite the fact that both mine and my wife’s Garmin XT have worked flawlessly I’ve come to believe that they are no longer the best option. There are several reasons for that:

  • With a Garmin unit the choice of maps is limited. If you are not willing to pay a small fortune for official Garmin maps it can sometimes be a hassle to find and download the OSM maps* you need – and when using OSM maps you lose some navigation functions.
  • Garmin’s user interface has improved over the years, but is falling still further behind the best navigation apps available.
  • Using a Garmin restricts you to just one navigation system. With an android unit you can switch between different apps depending on the situation. Google Maps is far superior to Garmin when it comes to road navigation, especially in urban areas. OsmAnd on the other hand are better for trail and off road riding – and getting maps for both is a breeze compared to Garmin.
  • In my experience the POI on Garmin is close to worthless outside of Europe. More often than not it shows me to gas stations, camp sites, hotels, restaurants and shops that have been closed for years. It’s another area where Google Maps is far superior.

Garmin hardware has been superior for motorcycle use up until recently. But now you can get rugged Mil-spec android units that, combined with a suitable mounting system, can withstand the rigor of motorcycle travel without overheating or being shaken to pieces. Some are even glove friendly.
At the moment (2024) it seems like Tripltek, Blackview, Ulefone and Doogee are some of the big players in this category.
I would also consider one of DMD’s setups developed specifically for motorcycles.

I’ve sadly come to realize that paper maps have become obsolete. I still love maps for wall decoration and to muse over within the confines of a home, but on the road they take up unnecessary space and are redundant if you bring a tablet or laptop.

* This is where I get OSM maps for my Garmin:
Opentopomap
Alternativaslibres
Openmapchest