TomTom RIDER 2nd Edition
TomTom has announced the new TomTom RIDER 2 in Europe. While it appears certain there will be a USA version since they mention it including maps of the USA and Canada, some of the specifications are still displayed in European values so we are still waiting to get further clarification on a few of the specs. Still, we do know quite a bit about what the TomTom RIDER 2 will offer.
Physical
The TomTom RIDER 2nd edition looks very similar to the original TomTom RIDER. It comes with a 3.5″ touch screen display that measures 320×240 pixels. But being a GPS designed for motorcycle use, there are a few more important physical features to talk about.
The RIDER 2 is designed to be operated while wearing gloves. It also features a more rugged design than a typical auto GPS, and is waterproof to IPX7 standards. So if you happen to drop your RIDER 2 into the water for a short amount of time there shouldn’t be much trouble. More likely however is when your summer ride turns cloudy and begins to rain. This is when you will be thankful for having a waterproof GPS. The user interface has also been tweaked slightly with fewer icons on certain screens to facilitate using the touch screen with gloves.
Another physical aspect about the TomTom RIDER 2 for motorcycle users is the mount. This GPS comes with a RAM mount which is designed to make it easy to mount the GPS on just about any bike. The mount can also be adapted to work in your car. So if you want a GPS that will work on your bike during the weekend and in your car for commutes during the week, there should be enough mounting options for you.
An internal, lithium ion battery powers the new RIDER and should give you about five hours of charge.
Hands Free Calling
Another motorcycle specific addition to the RIDER 2 is the Bluetooth hands free kit. A regular speaker for voice prompts just won’t cut it when it comes to riding a motorcycle and wearing a helmet. TomTom has included Cardo scala-rider Bluetooth headset so you can get the voice prompts piped into your helmet, and the RIDER 2 is compatible with a number of Bluetooth helmets.
Outgoing calls are not supported due to safety reasons while the GPS is moving, however incoming calls are sent directly to your headset/helmet.
Routing
One of the things we don’t know yet is if the RIDER 2 will be running the rumored version 7 of TomTom software. However we can safely say that the RIDER will support many of the advanced routing features TomTom is known for such as Advanced Planning, multi segment routing thanks to the TomTom itinerary planning feature, as well as a host of avoidance and route customization features TomTom is known for.
We are not yet certain of availability in the USA, but plan on spending about $600 for this device sometime near the end of May or after.
| Store | Rating | Best Prices |
|---|---|---|
Compare all prices on the TomTom RIDER 2nd Edition Motorcycle GPS ranging from $359.88 to $699.95. | ||
 | In stock at Mwave.com | $382.99 |
 |  In stock at Cymax | $449.95 |
 | In stock at Dick's Sporting Goods | $437.99 |
 | In stock at PCNation | $372.08 |
 | In stock at www.sayera.com | $388.00 |
 |  In stock at Newegg.com | $449.99 |
 | In stock at ClubMac | $389.99 |
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Hi,
I have a TomTom Rider 2, and I was wondering if there is a way to configure it so that the volume to the blue tooth headset increases as speed increases?
Is the TomTom Rider 2 capable of logging the route taken for download later? The portable Magellen GPS I have now will log a ‘backtrack’ route that can then be downloaded to a PC and saved. I like to use this feature to keep a record of the rides I make. The intinerary planner sounds great for long trips.
Scott – There isn’t a tracklog feature built in however there are reportedly some third party programs available that can record them.
Has anyone seen any aftermarket mounting systems for the Rider 2? I loved the RAM mount I had with my Rider. I hate the RAM mount that I got with my Rider 2. Unfortunately the Rider RAM mount is not interchangeable wuth the Rider 2. I’m contemplating going to a machine shop and getting a custom mount made
Do you think a Rider 3 is on the works? This one has been on the market since 2007 and in 2008 TomTom made some interesting innovations to the automobile ones (say the 730 & 930 series) .
Thanks,
Andres – I haven’t heard any specific rumors about a RIDER 3, but with CES just a few days away perhaps we will hear something then.
on the original Rider the mounting bracket for the device left a lot to be desired, the device still vibrated in the mount causing the connection pins on the back of the device to wear down and then not make contact for power. Does the Rider 2 have the same system or is it more stable.
I made a video on how to repair, or replace the battery in the TomTom Rider 2 GPS. Getting this thing open is a real trick. Tom Tom has no out of warranty repair center. If you ever have a problem with your GPS, this video could help.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9_MF7EuLuQ
I am thinking about a GPS for my bike. I am planning on a coast to coast trip this next year. This is also going to be my first GPS. Is this a good unit compared to others? Ease of use, price, etc.. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks- P.K.
The Rider two is my third motorcycle GPS, and my second Tom Tom. My first Tom Tom was a car unit which was excellant in almost every way. The Rider 2 on the other hand is as close to worthless as seems possible for a motorcycle GPS. Illegible much of the time in daylight. Most of the incedental info like speed, arrival time etc, illegible under almost any conditions while riding. The simple functions, like get me home are easy and intuitive. Beyond that, the unit delights in making things occult.
I recently completed a 7500 mile tour with the unit and I am giving it away. Eating the $500 loss and going back to Garmin. It is impossible to imagine that anyone who rides had anything to do with the design of this unit. Even more astonishing that this is the second edition. That suggests that there was once a Rider 1, which was worse.
Total piece of garbage.I am amazed that a company that makes such first rate car GPS units, would put their name on this disaster.
I am interested in knowing on which site can I get maps for my Tomtom gps rider 2 for india and asia
You can see the maps available for the Rider 2 here.
I have upgraded to the Rider 2. After panning an itinerary for a route in one direction is there a ‘reverse trip’ feature that will follow the same waypoints backwards? My previous tom tom version 3 did this but can’t find any options on Rider 2.
I’m writing this having had another completely useless session with TomTom support (sic).
This unit is one of the worst I’ve dealt with.
1. Shortly after purchase the mount disintergrated.
2. The software is clunky and doesn’t have most of the features on current Tomtoms. Essentially the application provided feels like old software.
3. The compatibility with phones or headsets is appauling. Very few modern phones with work with it and virtually no other headset other than the ‘old’ Cardo suppied will work #not even compatible with the new Cardo units! Even with all this, I have found the bluetooth link – again, I expect old bluetooth software – very patchy. Very often the call doesn’t link up, or doesn’t disconnect properly – which can be dangerous.
4. Anyway, last week the software failed – apparently the main application in the unit ‘corrupted’, something the tech support guy was aware of. After I cleared and re-loaded the software, it wouldn’t see the map on the unit. So I deleted that map and went to update on the web. It wouldn’t allow me to download the map – it didn’t tell me this, of course, it just said there was a server error – hence another wasted 2-3 days trying. Then I call Customer Support and spoke to Chris Webb #supervisor#. Apparently: a) I have deleted the maps #trying to get it working#so I have to buy a new map! He would be prepared to send me a 2 year old map #my unit has failed within 12 months# but wouldn’t send me a current map or even a map the same age as my unit. b) It was my fault for deleting the unit map without a backup #although no warning anywhere that this would mean I’d need to purchase a new map!# c) He refused to allow me to talk to his superior, the Departmental manager, David Watkins. d)
The final offer would be to send the unit away #max delay of 20 working days# simply because he wouldn’t send me the map which would have got the unit working.
So now I have a dead unit – and a complete refusal of Tom Tom to fix the problem in a manner any customer forking out this kind of money would expect. IMO it shows an arrogance of the company which I find repugnant.
Clearly, you must decide if you still want to buy this unit but may I suggest you have a good look at the Garmin Zumo 660 – whatever their customer services is like, it can’t be worse than Tom Tom’s.
PS: I have now bought the new map as the only way to keep motoring – I hope they are pleased with the extra £54 they squeezed out of me :<
Ok hear it is, the truth. I own two tom tom riders, the first and the second edition. If I had to do it all over again I would never of bought a tom tom gps. Software sucks, mounts suck, can’t see the screen in sunlight, no track logs, service sucks because when your done taking to them the problem is still there and that sucks, keeps putting me on dirt roads and that sucks. Please take my advice and check out Gamin or anything but this.
I recently purchased the Ryder 2 and am very unhappy with it. The unit works as advertised except for one very important feature. It is impossible to see the screen during daylight hours. What is strange to me is that you would have thought that would have been the most important part when it was designed. Basically it is totally useless on my motorcycle.
I bought mine for a little over $400. It doesn’t keep a charge ever. I sent it back to them they supposedly sent me a new unit, the same thing. I can charge it with the desk charger then it dies within 2 hrs of being on my bike. The car charging usb port doesn’t work nor the bike mounted charger. I called to complain and was told there was really nothing they could do then a day later I got an email stating my service order on my TomTom was closed. So much for service. I recently moved to Phoenix, Az and really rely on a gps to get around in this huge city. Can anyone recommend a reliable unit from a reputable company? Thank you.