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[92fxsts]

The 14's are offering navigation included in the 6 inch display module.  Does anyone think they will support navigation better that the last time they offered it?  As I remember they sold it and then never offered updates to the navigation CD's.  Then they started selling Garmin models.

[Eagle Eye]

Not sure about Harley, but my experience with built in automotive GPS has not been good.  We have a 2004 Mercedes ML350 that now requires replacement of the entire GPS system for around 3K in order to get an update.  Perhaps HD will do a better job of supporting the product, but I prefer being able to upgrade without having to pay the exorbitant prices of the manufacturers. 

Also, having paid for the license; I can take the Garman 650 in the house for updates for the life of the unit. Will Harley do this? 

[grc]

Without seeing the details of the system it's hard to say much, but if this system is similar to the ones the automotive sector has offered for many years I think you will find it is overpriced, under supported, and quickly becomes obsolete.  It is much smarter IMHO to spend a couple hundred bucks on something like a Garmin that you can easily update on the internet and can use on other vehicles or even as a hand held unit in many cases.  Even if you pay the higher price for the motorcycle specific Zumo rather than a Nuvi, you will still be way ahead of most factory systems.  Unfortunately with the Harley setup it appears you will be paying for this built in GPS whether you really want it or not.

Jerry

[North Georgia Hawg]

Not sure about Harley, but my experience with built in automotive GPS has not been good.  We have a 2004 Mercedes ML350 that now requires replacement of the entire GPS system for around 3K in order to get an update.  Perhaps HD will do a better job of supporting the product, but I prefer being able to upgrade without having to pay the exorbitant prices of the manufacturers. 

Also, having paid for the license; I can take the Garman 650 in the house for updates for the life of the unit. Will Harley do this? 

Perhaps for awhile... but how will the GPS updating be done?

I like my RT 665, mounted on the fairing up high and on the left, where I can see it and operate it easily. I have weather and traffic on it, too. And lifetime updates.

Like you said, I can snap it right off and take it with me.

I had an in-dash GPS in my '11 Avalanche LTZ... but I like the Garmins much better. That one was DVD-based, which I did NOT like. My current '11 RAM pickup does not have a GPS, but I just use my iPhone Maps app with voice prompts. It's ALWAYS up to date!

Ken

[North Georgia Hawg]

Not sure about Harley, but my experience with built in automotive GPS has not been good.  We have a 2004 Mercedes ML350 that now requires replacement of the entire GPS system for around 3K in order to get an update.  Perhaps HD will do a better job of supporting the product, but I prefer being able to upgrade without having to pay the exorbitant prices of the manufacturers. 

Also, having paid for the license; I can take the Garman 650 in the house for updates for the life of the unit. Will Harley do this? 

BTW Ken, I always like seeing your bike. It's very pretty! 

Ken

[SDCVO]

Interesting feedback. The main "upgrade" I personally liked in the 14 was the built in Nav. In cars they have been much superior to "add ons" for many years. I think at the end of the day this will end up being the best upgrade they did this year even over the cooling. If you bought a $40,000 car and it didn't have a built in screen and you had to add a "after market" Navigation, we would all be pissed!

[acevtwin]

I have a Ford SVT Raptor with the built in Nav and I love it. I am interested to see the Harley unit.

[Twolanerider]

Though lacking in specificity the fact of downloadable upgrades (for a fee) is mentioned in the 2014 tech bulletin.

[bissjim]

Just my opinion but it has been my experience that built in GPS units on vehicles are expensive when it comes to map updates. Cost me $325.00 for a single map update from ford. Cost my brother $275.00 for a map update for his Chevy and cost my son in law $325.00 just a few months ago for his map update. I expect the map update for the Harley will be very close to these amounts. I will never buy another vehicle with a built in GPS because of the cost. I think I will stick to the portables like a Nuvi for the cars and a Garmin for the bike. $100 for a nuvi and and if it goes bad in a few years its only $100.00 to replace it. My Garmin with lifetime maps is still less expensive then a built in model.

By the way I was at the dealer scoping out the 14's. asked them to move the bike out into the sun, turned on the GPS moved the bike so the sun was just behind me and the screen washed out. You could still see it but it did wash out. Pretty much like my Garmin when the sun hits it.

The sales people did not even know how to turn it on, a little learning curve going on.

[North Georgia Hawg]

Just my opinion but it has been my experience that built in GPS units on vehicles are expensive when it comes to map updates. Cost me $325.00 for a single map update from ford. Cost my brother $275.00 for a map update for his Chevy and cost my son in law $325.00 just a few months ago for his map update. I expect the map update for the Harley will be very close to these amounts. I will never buy another vehicle with a built in GPS because of the cost. I think I will stick to the portables like a Nuvi for the cars and a Garmin for the bike. $100 for a nuvi and and if it goes bad in a few years its only $100.00 to replace it. My Garmin with lifetime maps is still less expensive then a built in model.

By the way I was at the dealer scoping out the 14's. asked them to move the bike out into the sun, turned on the GPS moved the bike so the sun was just behind me and the screen washed out. You could still see it but it did wash out. Pretty much like my Garmin when the sun hits it.

The sales people did not even know how to turn it on, a little learning curve going on.

I got FREE lifetime map updates when I bought my RT 665. Impossible to beat FREE!

Ken

[FLSTFI Dave]

Interesting feedback. The main "upgrade" I personally liked in the 14 was the built in Nav. In cars they have been much superior to "add ons" for many years. I think at the end of the day this will end up being the best upgrade they did this year even over the cooling. If you bought a $40,000 car and it didn't have a built in screen and you had to add a "after market" Navigation, we would all be pissed!

Lets see, I have a 12 Range Rover with built in GPS.....My Road Tech 660 is much better, it can get me to my house, my Range Rover, three miles from the house quits providing directions.  When to a Cardiac clinic in a different town, Range Rover GPS stopped giving directions 3/4 mile away.  My phone got me there.

Nope, the GPS built in is not very good.  A Range Rover is a  quite a bit over 40K.  I am pissed my Several thousand dollar nav system in my Range rover is not as good as the 125 dollar Garmin Nuvi in my wifes car, or as good as my 5 year old Road Tech.

[porthole]

Though lacking in specificity the fact of downloadable upgrades (for a fee) is mentioned in the 2014 tech bulletin.

Updates for my F-350 and my wife's MKX are both around $200. Never did and never planned to update either, they both work fine.
As for new roads  I have pretty much figured out, from using portable GPS units for over 10 years now that that it takes about 10 years for a new road to show up on the database. Especially if it was never a paper street.

I think it was last year that Kathy, Brian and I were on a highway for 5 miles or so that didn't show up on either of the GPS's

I have the lifetime update for my Garmin ($99) and it is such a pain that I only update about once a year instead of the offered 4 times a year.
And to boot, the data got so bloated last year I was back to only having regions stored on the unit instead of the entire US.

[SDCVO]

Lets see, I have a 12 Range Rover with built in GPS.....My Road Tech 660 is much better, it can get me to my house, my Range Rover, three miles from the house quits providing directions.  When to a Cardiac clinic in a different town, Range Rover GPS stopped giving directions 3/4 mile away.  My phone got me there.

Nope, the GPS built in is not very good.  A Range Rover is a  quite a bit over 40K.  I am pissed my Several thousand dollar nav system in my Range rover is not as good as the 125 dollar Garmin Nuvi in my wifes car, or as good as my 5 year old Road Tech.

Im not sure anything that is "English built" actually counts when it comes to electronics... Probably the only place in the world that makes American electronic products seem "unbeatable".. Just kidding of course, Range Rovers are beautiful vehicles for sure!
I travel quite a bit for my work and I use GPS religiously all around the country in many different vehicles and most "built in" products work and look great. The trend now is going to larger screens (see the new Tesla for "over the top") with "hands free" operations. IMHO Harley has just set the standard for the touring motorcycle world and I personally think it is very cool and wish I had it on my bike. Dont mean to be argumentative, just IMHO...

[BaggerProud]

My current '11 RAM pickup does not have a GPS, but I just use my iPhone Maps app with voice prompts. It's ALWAYS up to date!

Ken

Does that use a lot from your data plan?

[North Georgia Hawg]

Does that use a lot from your data plan?

I don't really know how much data it uses. We have an 8 GB plan shared between 3 iPhone 5s. I am mostly at home because I work from home. I only use the Maps app when I'm going somewhere in the truck and I don't know here it is.

Ken