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View Full Version : Finding a gas station on a trip?

Top Cat
05-30-2009, 07:29 AM
You guys that have GPS on your bike, does it have the feature that lets you find the nearest gas station?
If it does, what GPS do you have?
I know the new 660 has that feature(thanks Bob) but it is $800.
If thats what I have to do then I will but I really would rather find the features I want at the least expensive price http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif
waterman
05-30-2009, 07:52 AM
OP,

Think that all of them have this feature. I have a streetpilot 530c and it has this. I know a friend has a tomtom and it has this as well.
Todd
05-30-2009, 08:09 AM
I am new to using GPS but in researching, about all have that feature.
cactusjack
05-30-2009, 08:10 AM
How did people find gas stations before GPS was available?
Todd
05-30-2009, 08:28 AM
I think those big ole signs they stick up outside each store...silly ain't it ??? ???

For this long trip, it's one of the peace of mind things I am looking forward to using my friends zumo.
dabull
05-30-2009, 08:29 AM
100 miles, start lookin....need to stretch legs...
Cajunrider
05-30-2009, 08:41 AM
100 miles, start lookin....need to stretch legs...

Unless you're riding the Natchez Trace. Better start looking before then....
coacha
05-30-2009, 08:53 AM
Don't got no GPS and don't plan on gettin one any time soon. Got me some paper maps and such. All this new fangled gizmos...guess we are getting soft.
dogdoc
05-30-2009, 09:02 AM
NO GPS for me on my bike. I did buy one for the truck though. they all tell you where gas is located.
kioti
05-30-2009, 11:41 AM
My C530 does but it didn't do any good crossing Oregon on Hwy 20 last year.
GPS said gas available at Brothers, OR but when we got there we needed to go another 70 miles.

The lady running the post office scratched together 2 gallons, I gave her 12 bucks and off we went again.

DON'T TRUST THE GAS STOPS ON THE GPS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
dandolfn
05-30-2009, 12:34 PM
NO GPS for me on my bike. I did buy one for the truck though.

I already had a Garmin Nuvi 260W for my car when I bought the bike. Added a RAM mount and now I can go back and forth.

Used the GPS on my bike just yesterday. Someone wanted me to check out a restaurant about 60-70 miles away so I plugged in the address and the GPS took me right there.

I don't use it most of the time when I'm riding just locally, but it's been very useful on trips.
fish
05-30-2009, 12:38 PM
My Garmin 330c and Lowrance XOG both have gas stations and both GPSs are cheapies. :)
ponch
05-30-2009, 01:49 PM
The AAA or they contacted the oil companies for their stations locations.



How did people find gas stations before GPS was available?
oldbikers
05-30-2009, 02:01 PM
TC you can buy a Garmin 2720 on ebay for $112.00 it has every thing you need for a GPS no Ipod or other gadgets like that.
MikeInFla
05-30-2009, 02:06 PM
Can't find my way out of the driveway without the GPS.
I have a Garmin 265 and it has the find the closest gas station thing. I never really use that feature, I start looking about 120 miles to stretch the legs.
caddman11
05-30-2009, 07:50 PM
I have a Magellan and a TomTom and they both have gas stations, the Magellan under $100 and the tomtom under at $225.
flavor
05-31-2009, 05:37 PM
Would never have gotten a GPS for the motorcycle but I'm leaving on an extended solo trip soon and want all the help I can get for finding addresses, hotels and gas stations.

Purchased the Garmin Zumo 450 which is the older version that garmin makes for motorcycles.
glwilson
05-31-2009, 06:03 PM
I like riding on long trips; and off the main-drag whenever possible.

A GPS is great for this type of riding.

Mine will list all kinds of info. I can call AAA to see if a gas station is open; or about a restaurant... plus a whole lot of other info if needed.

GPS is something I use a lot and am glad I have it.
Top Cat
05-31-2009, 08:02 PM
gl, what kind of GPS do you have?
unwind2
05-31-2009, 08:21 PM
Find on GPS and make sure it's open for business. http://s2.images.proboards.com/shocked.gif
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c398/afterkatrina/Long%20Beach/IMG_1773.jpg
taranis
05-31-2009, 09:31 PM
OUCH! LOL

I have the Garmin 260w. I would've never owned one had I not moved to DFW. Now I hardly go anywhere without it. Fantastic device, most especially on road trips, or just wandering the backroads for the day. Has nearest food, lodging, fuel. I can wander all day long and get myself completely lost, then when it's time for the fun to end, hit "Go Home" and I have the fastest, shortest route to my garage door.
ponch
06-01-2009, 11:34 AM
A better question is, where to find premium fuel?
unwind2
06-01-2009, 08:20 PM
A better question is, where to find premium fuel?

+1
Sounds like someone has had my experience...pull in...no premium...pull out. http://s2.images.proboards.com/tongue.gif
ponch
06-01-2009, 10:43 PM
I had to get 89 once. not a great idea, but I did what I had to.



A better question is, where to find premium fuel?

+1
Sounds like someone has had my experience...pull in...no premium...pull out. http://s2.images.proboards.com/tongue.gif
schoeney
06-02-2009, 02:55 AM
How did people find gas stations before GPS was available?

Hey CJ...using this logic we would all be riding horses! http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

My suggestion is to buy a GPS that is portable between car and truck and then just get a Ram mount. If you are cheap like me there is no need to spend alot of money when 99% of the time you just enter an address and hit "go".

I learned my lesson when VCR's (yes VCR's not DVD or DVR) first came out.......
Got all wrapped up in all the bells and whistles....spent about $800 just to pop the movie in and hit play...big waste of money. Could have saved 50% or more.

Analyze how you will really use the GPS and buy what is appropriate....the basic features will be enough for most riders.

Good Luck!
Top Cat
06-02-2009, 08:23 AM
schoeney, here's what I want it to do.
I want to plan all my routes of the trip on my computer and transfer the entire trip to the GPS.
I want to hear the directions over my Scala rider Q2 intercom.
I want to be able to pinpoint gas stations and motels.
Any ideas?
redjay
06-02-2009, 11:13 AM
My GPS tells me we have gas downtown at the local convienience store. Never have had in the 15 years I have lived there. It also tells me there are restaurants in town that dont exist, never have.


Dont trust the GPS completely.
schoeney
06-02-2009, 01:04 PM
schoeney, here's what I want it to do.
I want to plan all my routes of the trip on my computer and transfer the entire trip to the GPS.
I want to hear the directions over my Scala rider Q2 intercom.
I want to be able to pinpoint gas stations and motels.
Any ideas?

Hi TC,

I am not an advanced GPS user or very knowledgeable with their ultimate capabilities so I only require the basics.

I am sure what you need can be done and maybe even at a reasonable price. Gas stations and hotels will be a snap with even the most basic unit.

I have a basic Garmin Nuvi 360...already discontinued and it does the fuel and hotels. It has blue tooth so I assume it is compatible with wireless helmet set ups?

It also accepts SD cards so it may be able to to transfer images with a computer so maybe it can transfer HD ride planner?

My Garmin manual is in my wife's car so I don't have it for easy refernce but if you go to the Garmin, Ram, Scala, websites I think you can get a feel for what you will need.

My point of my previous post was we shouldn't assume we have to buy a real expensive "Motorcycle Only" unit to get what you need because RAM mounts will allow us to use alot of models including ones designed for cars.

I used my Garmin with my Ram mount for the first time last week and it worked well but I use it muted because the Garmin voice sounds like my wife http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif ooops did I say that out loud?

Good Luck!
tazfl
06-02-2009, 01:21 PM
I have a Garmin Nuvi 200 for my truck and it has that feature, like others have said I'm pretty sure all GPS's have that feature. I wouldn't mind having one on my bike when I'm traveling in areas I'm not familar with.
borto1990
06-03-2009, 02:52 AM
my bike doesn't leave the garage without it. comes in handy SOOOO many times. I have the nuvi 750 i believe, has MP3 yada yada yada. the ease of use is great.. just drag the map around with your finger if you want to see what's around.. for 150 on ebay I think it's a steal of a deal!
schoeney
06-03-2009, 07:55 AM
TC...I tried synchronizing my Garmin NUVI with the HD ride Planner yesterday....it worked!

I enter my ride and hit the GPS Synchronize button in the upper right corner....the GPS will end up with any "Location" (but not "Waypoint") you marked on the ride.....cool. This will save alot of time and keep me on course.

Thanks for starting this thread.
Top Cat
06-03-2009, 10:46 AM
I'm glad you found that schoeney, and thanks for your help.
ponch
06-03-2009, 04:17 PM
Did you ever see the episode of Office where they use a GPS and drive into a lake. Sometimes the GPS between the ears works better. :)



My GPS tells me we have gas downtown at the local convienience store. Never have had in the 15 years I have lived there. It also tells me there are restaurants in town that dont exist, never have.


Dont trust the GPS completely.
petenomad
06-04-2009, 10:33 PM
I'm fairly familiar with the Garmin GPS lineup:
nuvi 200/205 models don't support downloadable routes or MP3
nuvi 700/705 models support both of these features.
The BT on most nuvi's is designed for the nuvi to be the speaker phone, not to transfer audio to a headset. (the nuvi is sort of the headset - if that makes sense).
The nuvi 500 is waterproof, supports route downloads, but not MP3 and can send audio to a BT headset like Scala.
zumo models do everything most bikers want - for a price. The newer zumo 660 also supports stereo BT for the MP3 player. When comparing the price for zumos remember that all the mounting hardware for the bike and car is in the box.