13 Essential Touring Apps for Motorcycle Riders

These days, we rely on our smartphones for almost everything—shopping, banking, booking hotels, and even learning. This digital revolution has extended to motorcycle touring; today, a smartphone is as essential as a helmet.

Touring apps have transformed how riders experience the open road, from navigating unknown roads to ensuring safety and finding the best places to stay. For motorcycle enthusiasts, these tools can enhance every aspect of a journey, making it smoother, safer, and more enjoyable.

Fortunately, there is something for you whether you are a weekend rider looking for a new place to ride or a seasoned tourer looking for a one-in-all planning and navigational app. Here are 13 essential touring apps that every motorcycle rider should have for their next adventure.

Google Maps

Google Maps is a staple for any traveler. Why? It is used globally by bikers, motorists, and even pedestrians. It offers comprehensive mapping services, real-time traffic updates, and route planning capabilities. For motorcycle riders, Google Maps is invaluable for its accurate navigation. You just type your starting point and destination, and the app will show you the most suitable route based on your preference, whether you want the fastest or shortest route.

The app also shows real-time traffic and road conditions. It finds alternate routes when traffic is heavy, or there is a road closure. Google Maps also highlights points of interest along your way, such as gas stations, restaurants, and rest stops. This makes it easier to plan breaks during long rides.

Waze

Waze is another excellent navigation app that offers real-time traffic updates and route planning. This app was created by an Israeli company but was bought by Google in 2013. How is it different from Google Maps? Waze relies heavily on user-generated data. Drivers and riders contribute real-time information about traffic conditions, road hazards, accidents, police traps, etc. This crowd-sourced approach allows Waze to provide highly accurate and up-to-date traffic information.

For this reason, it can help avoid traffic jams and find the quickest route under current conditions. Waze continuously adjusts routes to reflect real-time conditions.

Motobit

Are you looking for an app offering comprehensive navigation but built strictly for motorcycles? You just found it. Unlike Google Maps, designed for all road users, or Waze, intended for vehicles, Motobit was created strictly for motorcycles. It tracks every aspect of your ride, providing detailed statistics on speed, acceleration, braking, and lean angles, plus route mapping.

Motobit uses real-time data to provide safety alerts. For instance, it can warn you if you are approaching a sharp curve at a high speed or if there is a sudden deceleration ahead. These alerts help you make safer decisions on the road. The pro version has a Crashlight feature that alerts your emergency contacts if the app detects an accident.

Rever

Rever is designed to help riders discover, track, and share their rides. It offers curated routes, offline maps, and detailed ride statistics like distance, duration, and speed. The community feature allows you to connect with others, share your experiences, and find inspiration for new adventures. The app's tracking feature also helps keep a detailed log of the journeys, which can help plan future trips and reminisce about past adventures.

Best Biking Roads

Are you looking for thrilling and scenic routes for your next vacation? The Best Biking Roads app is a must-have for riders. It offers an extensive database of user-submitted motorcycle routes worldwide, with detailed descriptions, ratings, and reviews. In fact, it has over 14,000 reviewed and rated global routes.

Best Biking Roads allows you to filter routes by difficulty, scenery, and road type. The app's community-driven approach ensures updated and reliable information. This helps you discover hidden gems and popular biker routes. Whether planning a local ride or an international tour, Best Biking Roads enhances the journey, providing memorable and exciting routes for every motorcycle adventure.

MyRoute App

MyRoute App offers advanced route planning, turn-by-turn navigation, and offline maps. It features customizable routes with multiple waypoints and a vast library of user-shared routes for discovering new adventures. The app is compatible with GPS devices like Garmin and TomTom and is available on iOS and Android, which helps with seamless integration and accessibility. The app also tracks ride statistics, helping riders improve their performance.

EatSleepRIDE

Although marketed as a GPS app, EatSleepRIDE is a comprehensive app with many features, including ride tracking, route planning, and social networking. One of its standout features is the CRASHLIGHT® service, which can automatically detect a crash and notify emergency contacts of the rider's location. This safety feature can be a lifesaver in case of an accident. The app also allows you to track your riding habits and performance. The data collected can help you improve your riding skills over time.

Drivvo

Safe touring requires your motorcycle to work in optimal condition. Drivvo is designed to help riders manage their motorcycle's maintenance and expenses. It allows you to log fuel expenses, track service history, and set reminders for upcoming maintenance tasks. With Drivvo, you can ensure your motorcycle is always in optimal condition, reducing the risk of breakdowns and enhancing overall safety during tours.

Rider

Rider is a social app designed to connect motorcycle enthusiasts. Riders can share their experiences, discover new routes, and join group rides. The app's community feature helps riders find and connect with others with similar interests. This is great for organizing group tours and events. Rider also provides information on upcoming motorcycle events and rallies.

Airbnb

After a long day of touring, motorcycle riders need comfortable accommodations to rest. Airbnb has many lodging options, from cozy rooms to entire homes. The app has extensive filter options that allow users to find accommodations that suit their preferences and budget. Furthermore, you don't need to worry if you are in a new country or remote area; you can still find local hosts.

Booking.com

Booking.com is another excellent app for finding accommodations. It offers many hotels, motels, and other lodging options, often with competitive prices and deals. The app's user reviews and ratings help riders choose the best places to stay based on real experiences.

Booking.com has flexible booking options and detailed information on amenities to help you find suitable accommodations that meet your needs. Whether you are looking for luxury stays or budget-friendly options, you'll find something on this app.

WeatherBug

Weather conditions can significantly impact a motorcycle ride. When touring, you need to stay updated, as weather changes are inevitable. WeatherBug provides real-time weather updates, forecasts, and severe weather alerts. It also provides detailed radar maps and lightning alerts to help you plan your trips around adverse weather conditions. If you are concerned about pollution levels during your travels, the app's air quality index is also a valuable feature.

MyRadar

MyRadar is another useful weather app that offers real-time weather tracking and high-definition radar maps. It has a simple interface and detailed weather data to inform you about changing weather conditions. It also provides hyper-local weather updates to help you make timely decisions to avoid bad weather.

Summing it up

There you go, 13 essential touring Apps for motorcycle riders. While apps have revolutionized the way motorcycle riders plan and experience their tours, the right touring apps can significantly enhance your touring experience. From navigation and weather updates to safety features and community connections, there's an app for everything you need. So, before you hit the road on your next adventure, download these essential apps to enjoy a smoother, safer, and more connected journey.

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