A modern motorcycle is a pretty high tech piece of kit and even mid-spec machines will come equipped with more computer power than the first space rockets had.
But sometimes even the most technologically advanced motorcycles have a gap that can be filled. It’s on these occasions that you can turn to the smartphone in your pocket, and load it up with the best motorcycle apps around.
Best motorcycle apps
EatSleepRIDE
Price – free
In-app purchases – Optional CRASHLIGHT subscription
ESR is a bit of a one-stop-shop for motorcycle riders and features mapping, ride-out locations, competitions, and a kind of social media element to it.
Probably the most useful feature though is the CRASHLIGHT system, which can notify an emergency contact should you appear to have fallen off you motorcycle.
What3Words
Price – free
In-app purchases – no
The premise of What3Words is that each three-metre squared area of planet earth is given each own three-word phrase – Silverstone circuit for instance is joints.muddle.cyber. While google maps and traditional mobile phone mapping is great if the place you are heading to has an address and postcode, What3Words is better for pinpointing an exact position.
It’s especially good if you are travelling off the beaten track, and could be a lifesaver if you were stranded off-road. This is one of the best motorcycle apps for those riding off-grid.
Waze
Price – free
In-app purchases – no
I’ve sometimes found that Google Maps can be a little – how do I say this – flaky. It's at times like this that I call on Waze. It’s a mobile mapping app that is not only super reliable, it also includes a few handy features that keep an eye out on the road ahead.
You can track your mates as they ride, find petrol stations and other attractions and, handily, get notified of a police presence in the area – potentially warming you of a hazard ahead.
2021 Motorcycle Theory Test UK
Price – free
In-app purchases – yes
For those not yet on the road, the officially licenced Motorcycle Theory Test App is a must-have that allows you to spend time answering real theory test questions in preparation for taking your full test.
It even includes a personal trainer to help you track your knowledge and improve your chances.
Diablo Super Biker
Price – free
In-app purchases – yes
Diablo Super Bikers is a widely used app for road and track riders. It includes all the normal on-road mapping you’d expect from a motorcycle app, with the added bonus of logging things like lean angle, top speed, and overall lap time.
This is one of the best motorcycle apps for road and track riding.
Calimoto
Price – free
In-app purchases – yes
For those rides when you don’t want to find the quickest or shortest route, Calimoto will help show you the more interesting route to ride.
The app features ‘twisty road algorithms’ which can you help you to step off the beaten track and onto a more fulfilling and interesting route.
Motolog
Price – free
In-app purchases – yes
Link - Android
Motolog is a handy app that tracks and logs your vehicles mileage and service history for you. Touted as an all-in-one vehicle management solution, Motolog could be handy when selling, trading in, or making an insurance claim against your bike.
BikerSOS
Price – free
In-app purchases – yes
BikerSOS is an ideal app for those that generally ride alone and want a safety net should they have an accident on the road.
The app can detect a crash, contact an emergency contact, and even track your ride, sharing your location with loved ones for peace of mind.
This is one of the best motorcycle apps for those that ride alone.
