Ring In the New Riding Season With Garmin’s Zūmo XT2
It’s bigger and packed with more features, but is it going on your motorcycle?
We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn more ›
I’m an avid motorcyclist and guilty of thinking my phone is a sufficient GPS navigator. At least, I was, until I got lost in the mountains a couple of months ago. I made it out but decided it was time to get a dedicated motorcycle GPS. I knew the Garmin Zūmo XT was about three years old, so I held off purchasing anything in the hopes a new model was on the horizon. That day has come, the Garmin Zūmo XT2 is here, and this is everything you need to know.
The greatest visual difference you’ll notice is the new 6-inch display, giving you an extra 0.5 inches of real estate to work with. This glove-friendly screen isn’t just bigger than the previous model, it’s brighter too. The IPX7 water-resistance rating means you don’t need to worry about getting caught in a shower, and it’ll easily endure whatever vibrations come through your handlebars.
According to Dan Bartel, Garmin Vice President of Global Consumer Sales, “We’re confident that the larger and brighter Zūmo XT2 will quickly become a favorite companion for motorcycle adventures. It gives riders who enjoy the thrill of gripping their handlebars, feeling the road beneath their tires and finding scenery off the beaten path, the freedom to explore with peace of mind.”
The best upgrades for the Zūmo XT2 lie beneath the surface. You can now track your friends’ locations via the Group Ride Mobile feature, which works with the Tread app. When you’re out of cell service, the Group Ride Radio accessory (sold separately) is what you need to keep an eye on where your riding buddies are. Anyone in search of a new adventure can check out popular motorcycle routes preferred by other riders and view them using the subscription-free Birdseye Direct satellite imagery.
When cell reception is a distant memory, you can still keep in touch with other riders by pairing this unit with Garmin's inReach satellite communicator. Pairing these devices enables you to share your location and use two-way messaging, which could be a lifesaver in an emergency. If you’re undecided about whether a satellite communicator is for you, check out Jonathon Klein’s review of the Garmin inReach 2.
Manage each trip using your smartphone or the Zūmo XT2 and receive real-time traffic, weather, and smart notifications when paired with the Tread app. After each trip, you can review a summary of your ride via the Tread app, including speed, acceleration, deceleration, and elevation.
Users of the Zūmo XT will be familiar with Garmin Adventurous Routing. This feature enables you to adapt your route depending on whether you’re looking for the most efficient way to get from A to B or the most thrilling. Customize your route based on your skill level by using one of the four difficulty options. The unit comes pre-loaded with on-road maps of North America, topographic maps, and satellite imagery, enabling you to choose the map that best suits your adventure.
The Zūmo XT2 is expected to come with a $599.99 price tag, and you can check out a video of it in action below.
The Drive and its partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links. Read more.
