Most motorcycle enthusiasts know that riding out on the open road creates a feeling like no other experience. Spending an afternoon, day, or even a week touring can be an exhilarating and thrilling time, and one that lets you see plenty of cool and interesting places. One of the greatest boons to this kind of touring activity in recent years has been the development of GPS technology.

Today’s GPS receivers are cooler and more advanced than ever. There are even GPS devices specifically built for bikes that include shockproof memory. Today’s GPS boxes have detailed road maps, and may have extra features like MP3 player capabilities, support for Bluetooth connections and even Satellite Radio.

Which GPS device will work best for you is, in many ways, a matter of your individual situation. It depends on where you’re going to be riding, and what kinds of things you want the device to do.

For example, you might want your GPS receiver to do more than just go with you on your bike. You might want to be able to take it hiking, or out on a boat. You might want a GPS device that has a large enough screen to read while you’re going down the road, or you might want one you can reference when you’re stopped. You might want one that has a voice-based route directions, or that may not be a part of what you’re looking for.

Garmin makes a line of GPS receivers that are specially designed to be used by motorcyclists. The Zumo 665 is waterproof, has map data included for all of the United States and Canada, includes a car kit, has Bluetooth capability, includes XM radio receiver, and even has a weather radar. That one would certainly be toward the top of the heap, and the price tag shows it.

A step down from there is the Garmin Zumo 660. This one is also waterproof, has US and Canadian maps, a car kit and Bluetooth, but does not have XM or radar. The Zumo 550 is similar, and offers XM Radio as an option.

Most of the other major GPS manufacturers offer similar products. Each comes with a variety of accessories, as well. You can get mounts for most of them, and some of them allow you to subscribe to a service that will put real-time traffic data right on your device.

Finally, you need to make sure that your GPS is covered for theft or loss on your motorcycle insurance policy. The last thing you want to do is have that sucker stolen after paying through the nose for it.

Photo via dawidone