Some thieves will go to incredible lengths to steal your pride and joy, but what you have on your side is that they don’t know how far you’ll go to protect it. Motorcycle GPS tracking devices are a rider’s last line of defense against thieves because when you need to use them, your bike is usually already gone. Most of these devices will alert you as soon as someone starts tampering with your bike, unbeknownst to the perpetrator. What’s fantastic about these tracking units is they don’t just help you get your bike back, you’ll often catch the thieves who tried to snatch it, too.
Our Methodology
To choose the best motorcycle GPS tracking devices on the market, I employed The Drive’s comprehensive research methodology and evaluated dozens of GPS trackers before choosing the top contenders. Although I haven’t personally tested these products, my selection is informed by consumer testimonials, expert reviews, discussions on relevant online forums, and my institutional knowledge of the automotive industry. I visited the Motorcycle subreddit to get a more informed opinion of what motorcyclists felt about the products on the market and RevZilla to see what the experts had to say after their hands-on tests.
Best Motorcycle GPS Tracking Device Reviews & Recommendations
Our Verdict
You can place the Spy Tec GPS GL300 practically anywhere on your bike thanks to the durable, waterproof, magnetic case that’s included in the sale. It won’t break the bank, and It’ll alert you as soon as anyone tampers with your bike and keep you up to date with its movements in real time. If you’re on a tight budget, check out my value pick, the Amcrest GPS GL300.
Things to Consider Before Buying a Motorcycle GPS Tracking Device
Tracking System and Subscription Plans
Most trackers work using a 4G SIM card and GPS, which is generally accurate to within 10 to 25 feet. Depending on what SIM card or plan you use, the tracking device will work globally or only in select North American countries. Subscription plans and prices vary widely from free to around $35 per month. Some motorcycle-specific trackers are expensive but end up cheaper in the long run, thanks to low-cost subscription plans.
Some plans will send you positional updates every five minutes, whereas other plans will send you updates every five seconds, and there are plans that accommodate everything in between. So you need to decide how important update frequency is to you. Other tracking devices, like the AirTag, don’t require a subscription, as they don’t work on a GPS satellite network. The problem is that these trackers rely on a network of devices to track your bike, so if it’s in a rural area, you might not be able to find it.
Battery Life and Power Source
Depending on where you place your tracker, its battery life could be a hindrance or a benefit. For example, if you’re going to remove your fairings and zip tie a tracker under them, you’ll need a device with a long battery life, unless you want to remove your fairings every two weeks. If you’ll keep your tracker under your seat, then one with a battery life of three days might not be an issue.
Look for a tracker that can be hardwired to the bike’s 12-volt battery if you never want to worry about charging it. The disadvantages to a hardwired tracker is that they stop working if your bike's battery is dead, and they're easier for thieves to find.
Durability
Depending on where you’ll keep your tracking device, its durability and water resistance will be a factor. If the device will be exposed to the elements, then it needs to have at least an IP65 rating, making it weatherproof and water-resistant. But, ideally you’d get a model with an IP67 rating, meaning even if it gets submerged in water, it should be fine.
Some models come with waterproof cases that have magnets, which allows you to stick it to any metal surface on your bike. These are great options if you like to go off-road or regularly ride in harsh conditions. The only issue with these waterproof cases is that they usually prevent you from hardwiring the tracker to your motorcycle’s battery.
Extra Features
Some devices that are hardwired to your bike’s battery can give you live battery and diagnostic updates. You can also get devices that’ll call your cell phone instead of just giving you a push notification if your bike moves. You can adjust the sensitivity of some devices, from letting you know if someone touches your machine to only informing you if the engine is started. Certain trackers will only alert you when your motorcycle goes outside of a boundary zone that you’ve pre-determined, which is useful if you let other people ride your bike.
Compatibility
Usually, compatibility won’t be an issue, but it’s still something you need to check out before buying your tracker. For example, AirTags will only work with iPads and iPhones that are model 11 or newer. So make sure the tracker you choose will work with both your desktop and mobile devices before choosing one.
Motorcycle GPS Tracker Pricing
You can pick up a general GPS tracking device that uses the 4G network and will work on a motorcycle for $30, but many of these models have expensive subscription plans and a battery life of fewer than 14 days. For between $30 and $100, you can get a GPS tracker that gives real-time updates and comes with a waterproof case that has magnets, meaning you can attach it to any metal surface on your bike. For $100 to $250, you can pick up a motorcycle-specific tracking device with a battery that’ll last for more than a year or one that can be hardwired to your bike’s battery and send battery level and diagnostic updates to your phone.
Some of the more expensive GPS tracking units have relatively cheap subscription plans, meaning that you can recoup the high initial cost within a year and continue to save money for as long as you use it. So pay close attention to subscription plan prices when picking out a model.
FAQs
You’ve got questions. The Drive has answers.
