However, the true star is mode. You tell the device how "twisty" you want the road to be (Level 1 to Level 5). At Level 5, the GPS actively tries to route you away from straight roads. It will take a 4-hour journey and turn it into a 6-hour journey of pure corners. In my testing, Level 3 was the sweet spot—it kept me moving but still removed the boring sections. Off-Road and Adventure Features TomTom is clearly chasing the Garmin Tread and Zumo XT customers here. The Rider 600 comes pre-loaded with thousands of recorded off-road tracks and the ability to import GPX files effortlessly via WiFi.
If you ride a Harley or Triumph with high vibration levels, the old units sometimes shook loose. The magnetic mount is solid. Furthermore, if you are caught in a sudden downpour, you can rip the unit off your handlebars and stash it in your jacket in under one second. It is genius.
If you are tired of stopping to wipe rain off your phone screen or pulling over to fix a snapped Quad Lock, test ride the Rider 600. Your next great adventure is just a twisty route away. Available now at RevZilla, TomTom.com, and Amazon. Look for the "Adventure Pack" which includes the rugged bumper case and extra RAM arms. new tomtom rider 600
To mount the device, you simply hover it over the cradle; the magnets pull it into place with a satisfying clunk . It locks automatically—no latches to slide. To remove it, you squeeze two ergonomic triggers on the side.
You only commute in a straight line (use your phone). You are on a tight budget (look for a used Rider 550). Or you only ride within 50 miles of home and know the roads by heart. Final Verdict (Score: 8.5/10) The new TomTom Rider 600 is the best purely motorcycle-focused navigator for paved roads and light gravel. The magnetic mount is a revolution in usability. The Thrill Seek algorithm is genuinely fun—it has taken me down roads I never would have found on my own. However, the true star is mode
The screen is glove-friendly. I tested this with thick Klim snowmobile gloves and thin summer leather gloves; the capacitive touchscreen recognized input instantly. It also has a "rain mode" where you can disable the touchscreen to prevent water drop false triggers, relying purely on the physical buttons on the side. TomTom claims the Rider 600 lasts 6 hours on battery saver mode. In reality (with brightness at 80% and Thrill Seek mode active), I got just under 5 hours.
However, there is a catch: The mount requires wired power. It uses a "Smart" connector that detects if you are walking (battery mode) versus riding (charging mode). The heart of any GPS is the routing algorithm. TomTom has introduced Rider-Assist HD Traffic for the 600. Unlike smartphone traffic that relies on other drivers, TomTom uses real-time data from millions of car GPS units and fleet vehicles. It will take a 4-hour journey and turn
The killer feature for motorcyclists is "Lean and Twist." You can set your bike type (Scooter, Cruiser, Touring, or Adventure) and the Rider 600 will avoid highways for cruisers or prioritize asphalt grip for sportbikes.