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[GregKhougaz]

Call me old fashioned (though I prefer "old school") but I disdain GPS on my bike.  I like to know where I'm going rather than have some electronic voice tell me where to go.  I've had some great laughs disagreeing with companions whose GPS was telling them to go against street signs, down a dirt road to find a gas station, or even to ride south when we could see our destination to the east.   When traveling, I enjoy reading the map, either paper or on line, ahead of time.  Yes, you can still get paper maps.   AAA gives them out for free.       

So,  today I see this story from Milwaukee:  GPS mix up leads semi-truck to become stuck on bike path.  See the link for a video.        Following his GPS, a truck driver drove his rig over a walkway and it got stuck on a footbridge...  in broad daylight!  

Here's another example of a professional trucker getting stuck for following GPS: 

So, my somewhat tongue-in-cheek question is, "Just how much do you rely on your GPS?   

[owl893]

They are handy Greg, but blind obedience to them isn't the answer.  If it is a relatively straightforward route I trust it, but if there are tricky pickups (like in the mountains) I markup a map and check it out on Google Earth if I have the time. As always, local knowledge is best so when possible, I'll ask other riders when I stop for fuel or a meal.

OWL

[Trapperdog]

Before AK Andy got a gps he:
Led a group through a grade school out door picnic table area
Led a group to the wrong State
Led a group 1/2 mile through a field

Not quit as exciting following him now that he uses a GPS   

[Ironhorse]

Yeah Greg, but just think of all the great people we met who stopped to help us out with 3 gallons of gas.

[porthole]

I think I would enjoy riding with AK !

[phato1]

When we want to go on a trip I plan ahead by reviewing PAPER maps ahead of time and then using GOOGLE maps or TYRE to plan out a route and load it into the GPS.

If we want to go on an adventure I'll follow the GPS's directions......especially in Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine where there are many "seasonal" roads (which is a fancy name for unmaintained dirt roads) - of course some of them make for excellent short cuts - except during a rain storm, or immediately after one when your trying to get to your destination...

[barrhill]

I always use a map (Harley road atlas )  in combination with a gps but never trust it blindly .
also  getting threw a large strange city , ETA , elevation and distance to next gas station are very handy 

also is there a new Harley road atlas to ever come out ?

[phato1]

I always use a map (Harley road atlas )  in combination with a gps but never trust it blindly .
also  getting threw a large strange city , ETA , elevation and distance to next gas station are very handy 

also is there a new Harley road atlas to ever come out ?

If your a member of HOG they send one out every year, at least they have so far....

[MIKEYTEE]

GPS' are for direction challenged people. Having said that, I have used one a few times in the truck when delivering Edible Arrangements. I like maps and study road atlases before I travel on the bike, no GPS on the bike. I do have a Navigation App on my phone.
Mike
 

[Fired00d]

GPS' are for direction challenged people. Having said that, I have used one a few times in the truck when delivering Edible Arrangements. I like maps and study road atlases before I travel on the bike, no GPS on the bike. I do have a Navigation App on my phone.
Mike
 

Are those of the liquid kind?

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

[krypto2011]

Last winter up here in the north, I towed 2 cars off 2 different snowmobile trails. The trails are at the end of what we call a class 6 road in NH. They are roads that are on the maps but in the winter they are not maintained or passable by car or truck. They turn into snowmobile trails. Both of these folks used their GPS units to navigate and weren't bright enough to see that it was going to end bad!!! One guy had a subaru all wheel drive wagon and made it almost a mile in before he went no further!!! Gotta love those GPS'.

[mark]

I rely on my GPS on planned trips by plotting the ride on the HD ride planner.  It's much easier than trying to recall each turn or writing them down on your arm, taping paper to your console, etc.  Technology, embrace it.

[Trapperdog]

Traveling on interstates and larger highways, road signs and a compas will do. Running a few dozen different two lane back roads in a day I use my GPS. A roll chart would suffice too for those that remember or have done back woods racing, but you have to keep re setting your trip odo. 

[FlaHeatWave]

I use the GPS (iPhone) quite a bit when traveling. Didn't use any paper maps on our big trip last year, or the last 5-6 years for that matter.

The GPS is a great navigation tool, not a substitute for common sense...

[Phantom309]

This is my second bike with gps that I turned off, also had an '09 Silverado with it and never used that either. I'm old school and like it that way, gps is technology I could care less about and never will. I bought my bike to get lost on and don't care to hear some idiotic voice interrupting my tunes.