Garmin Zūmo 2016 range, more and more assistants for traveling by motorbike [VIDEO TEST]

Garmin Zūmo 2016 range – While waiting for our accurate and complete review, we went to the Piacenza area to test the company's products in the field Zūmo family, Garmin navigators dedicated to motorbike tourism use. The Swiss brand deals with 360 degree navigation, with specific products for every single type of use of a GPS device, from airplanes to golf, through those for the localization and training of dogs, for fitness, for cyclists , for boating, up to the products we have also dealt with in the past on our pages, dedicated to cars and motorbikes. Specifically, the Zūmos are dedicated to use with grand touring motorcycles. It may seem strange to some, but a navigator cannot best satisfy the needs of all users, because they are very different and, in some cases, even in contrast with each other. For the motorcycling public, Garmin's journey began in 2002, with its first motorcycle navigator, developed for BMW. In 2006 the effort was doubled, because the commitment with the Propeller manufacturer continued, but in parallel Zūmo was born, obviously taking advantage of the experience acquired in previous years. He starts talking with his cell phone and the intercom, becoming central and important element during a journey, not only to guide us to our destination. Over the years, the size of the screens increases, with measures that lead to better visibility even in direct sunlight, while on the navigation front, the lane assistant and 3D mapping of city buildings are introduced. Thus we arrive at 2014, with the introduction of the Zūmo 590, with a 5" transflective LCD display and the possibility of practically becoming the interface screen for the motorbike's infotainment, just like the systems we have been used to on cars for some time now. year now.

In addition to navigation and advanced functions which we will see in detail later, remote devices such as the Zūmo can be controlled Action Cam VIRB, integrated MP3 player, as well as communicating with the mobile phone to manage phone calls, view notifications, but also exploit the connection for particularly advanced functions. You even get to be able to monitor tire pressure, thanks to sensors that are mounted to replace the classic valve caps.

Almost indestructible

Taking a step back, the specificities of Zūmo products, since their birth, they mainly concern the physical appearance on the one hand, and the functions dedicated to the motorcycling public on the other. As can be easily understood, a product that must resist bad weather, but also the vibrations and stresses of an external housing, on a vehicle moving at high speeds, must be robust and absolutely waterproof. From the first model it was then thought about the fact that the Zūmo was often exposed to the risk of fuel splashes during refueling, thus making it resistant to this eventuality. Another essential characteristic is that of being able to work with gloves, of any type and above all also thick winter ones, therefore with controls of such dimensions as not to create problems. The Zūmo have a resistive display (that of smartphones is capacitive) and intelligent keyboard for quicker selection, with proposals that also reason based on the position detected by the GPS, proposing the closest locations first. In terms of robustness, the devices are made to withstand impacts, although they must obviously be treated with care, especially when handling them away from the motorbike (it is no coincidence that dedicated cases are available among the accessories), while the water resistance is certified by the standard IPX7, which involves immersing yourself in one meter of water for an hour. The needs of installation in the motorcycle sector mean that no other product can achieve the same resistance and robustness as a Zūmo, while on the contrary, it is possible to install it in a car. The device is only a little bulkier, but the presence of a dedicated car support in the box demonstrates the dual usability of motorbike/car.

On a motorbike you go for a walk, as well as moving from point A to point B, with Zūmo a very attentive assistant keeps us company

In addition to the physical specifications, a motorcycle navigator must then satisfy the needs of a public that is very different from that of motorists. You ride a motorbike more for pleasure than for necessity, like this when traveling you don't choose the shortest route in terms of time or distance, but you look for the most interesting roads from a driving and landscape point of view. Thus, already in 2002, points of interest for motorcyclists were born and gradually the possibility of following a track on roads not present in the maps was created, for those who also appreciate some off-road passages. The most tortuous route, which a motorist would firmly avoid, is almost always the most popular option for a motorbike ride. However, this is not the only specificity of this type of use. The greater intrinsic danger in the use of a two-wheeled vehicle increases the added value of functions active security. Not just on the interaction front with intercoms and cell phones, making it simpler and less distracting, but also in the form of alerts and information that allow you to travel more safely and consciously. Starting from altimetric profile of the journey, you can then have information on weather conditions (in the more advanced models that exploit the mobile phone connection with Weather Live, currently available only in Northern Italy), of traffic (Live traffic, always via the 4G network and with faster updates than traditional radio systems), or all those connected to the cartography, which is enriched with data such as the number of lanes, seasonal closures, the speed limit, other limitations such as a ban on overtaking and much more. The Zūmos signal, with a colored band at the top of the display and also with acoustic warnings, a dangerous curve, driving in the wrong direction, or a change in the speed limit, an animal crossing zone, or that you are near a school. To this we then add a fatigue alarm, after 2 hours of driving without stopping, with indication of places for a break and with buttons to disable the alarm or to postpone it for 30 minutes. On a motorbike, we know it well, a moment of distraction is enough to find yourself at speeds beyond those prescribed by the code, perhaps even slightly. To avoid unpleasant consequences, reports of the presence of speed cameras and detectors at traffic lights are greatly appreciated. In France, where this is illegal, it is only indicated that the section of road is subject to control.

Our test

Let's start with a very useful indication regarding updating the maps. A navigator can be the best in the world, but if he uses outdated cartography he ends up being the worst. In the past, updates paid, even handsomely, whereas now Zūmo products include the right to 4 free updates per year, for life, in the price. For our test we were taken to Carpaneto Piacentino, in a hilly area full of roads and different options for moving from one place to another, a paradise for a motorcyclist, provided you know where to go...or have the right tool to to do it. Not knowing the area we are therefore in perfect conditions to put the Zūmo to the test. The current range consists of three models, a simpler one, the 345, two essentially twins, the 395 and the 595, with the difference of a display size of 5" for the second (from 4.3 on the other two). The two "high-end" ones are equipped with advanced features, purely based on the possibility of interfacing with a smartphone. We get on one of the Honda Africa Twin made available by True Adventure Offroad Academy Honda, where a Zūmo 595 is installed. Switching on is almost immediate, a few seconds and we are in the main menu. From here we can first choose the type of route, while the choice of destination is simple and intuitive. Our test included four intermediate destinations, for a total of approximately 110 km, during which we were able to begin to learn about the characteristics and advantages of this product. Let's say it right away, the "basic" navigation function, the one that takes us where we want to go, with the type of route we prefer, becomes almost secondary, in light of everything that the Zūmo 595 is capable of doing. Thanks to Bluetooth connection becomes a central that talk with intercoms, Mp3 files and above all with our cell phone, exploiting it to enrich the service offering. We can use voice commands, for example to manage phone calls, but also listen to music with Spotify using the Internet connection of the connected mobile phone. If you wish you can share, with SmartphoneLink, your position with a person, through the use of a dedicated App. It can be useful when traveling alone to potentially dangerous areas, to inform an anxious wife, but above all to optimize an appointment by giving real-time information to those waiting for you. Unfortunately, however, we suffered from housing the navigator in a slightly too lateral position. For this reason it is useful to know that the supplied support, with a classic attachment to the handlebar or to a tube of similar dimensions, can be replaced by one of the many attachments available, so as to be able to fix it in the optimal position, close to the field of vision with head held high. and look at the road. Only in this way can all the advantages of the Zūmo be exploited offers a myriad of information in real time. Let's start from the road, if we travel in an unknown place we can know if a straight stretch or a sequence of curves awaits us, but all are appreciable warning messages, from dangerous curve warnings to limit warning messages, which are often not so easy to keep under control with road signs alone.

For other more detailed information we refer you shortly for a more in-depth test, which we will have the opportunity to complete in the next few weeks, after prolonged use of a Zūmo 595. Finally, on the price front, the range starts from Zūmo 345 is listed at €399,99, while the more advanced Zūmo 395 and 595 have a suggested price of €499,99 and €699,99 respectively.

Test clothing:
Jacket: Dainese Carve Master Gore-Tex
Trousers: Dainese New Galvestone Gore-Tex
Gloves: Dainese Carbon D1 Short
Boots: Dainese TRQ-Tour Gore-tex Boots
Helmet: AGV AX-8 Dual Evo