Tomtom Rider Safety Issue

I have posted this on other forums but think it is important and should get the widest possible coverage.

There is a potentially serious safety issue with the Tomtom Rider satnav.

The Tomtom Rider is known to have a poor mounting bracket. One problem is failing power contacts, another is that the satnav is not very secure.

Tomtom clearly recognised the security failing in the summer 0f 2006 as they emailed all users with the offer of a free `safety leash'.

As my wife discovered, using this leash (basically a length of cord and a dog clip) is potentially dangerous. Her Rider was fitted to the left bar of her bike and a pothole on as corner caused it to come off the bracket. Without the safety leash it would have just dropped off (and been a guarantee claim). With the safety leash the result was that it dropped into the gap between top yoke and fairing - and stayed there. The result was that the bike could not be steered and she dropped it.

Fortunately this was a slow speed drop and the only damage was a couple of bruises and a bent lever. At speed the reult could have been far more serious or even fatal.

Complaints to Tomtom have, eventually, resulted in both the Rider and its bracket being replaced. The replacement bracket is marked "Tomtom Rider Holder II' and is made in China. The original was marked "Tomtom Rider Holder" and was made in Taiwan. Visually there is no difference between the two but the Rider is a little tighter in the new version.

We will not be using the safety leash with the replacement as our opinion is that if Tomtom cannot supply a secure bracket any failure is a guarantee claim and the leash is potentially too risky.

I suggest that anyone who has a Rider with a safety leash checks where it will finish up if the bracket fails. I also suggest that users check the marking on their bracket and if it is the early version or they have any doubts about security or electical reliability they contact Tomtom.

Don't worry about guarantee.Mine is 18 months old so I made a fuss and got the Rider, bracket and power cable replaced free of charge (took five weeeks though). Also you can avoid Tomtom's aweful web based complaints system by phoning them on 0845 1610009. It can be hard to get through (presumably due to high level of complaints) but its quicker than using the web system.

I know some of the answers to this, but...

...why would you want a GPSnav on your bike?

I mean, isn't part of the allure the fact that whether you're lost or know where you're going, it's about HOW you get there, not HOW ACCURATELY?

Just wondering...

Why a satnav on a bike? Because I don't ride a bike as a test of my navigation skills, I ride it for fun.

With a satnav I can drive across the Alps enyoying the bends and the scenery without having to stop to check maps, decipher foreign signposts or read scappy bits of paper taped to my tank. I can wonder off across roads that look interesting, drive for miles and with a couple of screen taps get straight back to my hotel (which I found with the satnav). When my wandering resulted in a very low fuel tank, the satnav found the backstreet filling station and I didn't worry about safety (speed) cameras as the satnav gave me warning.

I guess most of the people who are anti-satnav haven't actually tried one.

Incidentally, after getting my Rider replaced I emailed the CEO of Tomtom complaining about the poor service. The response was a phone call from Amsterdam apologising and the gift of a new Rider Mark 2 system complete with car kit and a year's subscription to the traffic and speed camera alerts - plus all the latest maps for both systems.

It's worth complaining!!

I know some of the answers to this, but...

...why would you want a GPSnav on your bike?

I mean, isn't part of the allure the fact that whether you're lost or know where you're going, it's about HOW you get there, not HOW ACCURATELY?

Just wondering...

I am looking at getting a GPS for the wife's MC. We do touring and have gotten separated on the hiway in a strange city. Since she is directionally challenged, could not easily find her way home (RV park). I sat worried for 1 1/2 hrs when she finally showed up near dark.

A second reason is that GPS can list 'points of interest' on your route, like gas stations and accomodations and such. When riding in the West gas stations can be few and far between. Stopping for the night in time to get a room at motels & hotels on the road is easier and predictable if you know how far (time) you are from the next acceptable motel/hotel.

Third, if you have ever driven as a tourist in someplace INSANE like LA, a GPS makes your commute to local points of interest (museums, Zoo, beach, etc.) somewhat safer and easier on those crazy interchanges and maze of hiways and high density traffic.

If you only ride within your town/area... probably don't need one. But it is one of the few gadgets I will consider to enhance my trips both in stress reduction and safety.

Ride safe & long,
Colorado Fats

Did you complain to Tomtom after the wife had her spill? What was their response? Offer you anything other than profound sympathy?

Was the unit you had MC soecific? I assume so since they had a leash fix for it.

Ride safe & long,
Colorado Fats

I just bought a Garmin Zumo 550. It doesn't have any hangups, like falling off the mount. If it does, I call Garmin, and they send me a new one. TomTom hasn't been on the market as long as Garmin, and that's why I stuck with Garmin. TomTom is a good nav tool, however, but I live only 130 miles from Garmin, and I can visit them any time.

Forgot to mention why I have a GPS on my bike. My wife sits and looks at the map when we're driving the car, but I don't have my navigator with me on the bike. Jeeps (the lady's voice) will prompt me to turn, and I can keep my eye on the road. It's much easier and much safer.

Man, do I ever AGREE!!! A good (read: MAJOR!) reason why I get on a bike and get out of town WHEN I can these days is to get AWAY from all this stuff! My wife loves her GPS - got a Navy bro who swears by it - myself, I'm pretty much on 'technology overload' these days as it is - just don't want any MORE, ya' know?! :o Nuff' said....

LRG


I know some of the answers to this, but...

...why would you want a GPSnav on your bike?

I mean, isn't part of the allure the fact that whether you're lost or know where you're going, it's about HOW you get there, not HOW ACCURATELY?

Just wondering...

I think I'm one of the few folks under 35 that can read a map and get along through life without a cell phone. :D

I don't really "need" one, but it'd be fun to have,....if I had the green to buy one. They're still a little out of reach for me. Maybe some day when they drop the price a little.

I also wish,...(as long as I'm just wishin' ) Wish'd I had XM radio piped into my helmet.