Waze just announced a new Motorcycle Mode, teased in a Google blog post, and it’s using AI to build routes made for two wheels. Sounds nice on paper. It’s supposed to route riders through narrower streets, dodge slippery surfaces, and flag hazards like potholes, speed bumps, and shoulder endings. Problem is, it hasn’t launched in the US yet. It’s currently rolling out in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, and the Philippines.
Even if it does show up stateside, don’t expect it to replace BaseCamp for real trip planning. Waze is built for reroute on the fly convenience, not the kind of locked in, planned to the mile routes riders want for longer trips.
Good news though. There’s a browser plugin called Google Maps Extended Routes that lets you build and export a proper .gpx file straight from Google Maps. Written by a rider, for riders. Just remember to match your route settings (fastest route, no tolls, no ferries, whatever you use) in both Google Maps and your GPS unit, or things get messy fast.
Thanks to Ed Conde for the BaseCamp tutorial many riders swear by, and to Mark Bergman for the plugin tip.
My two cents…
Waze rolled out Motorcycle Mode, AI powered routing that dodges potholes and skinny streets. Cute idea. Except it's not even in the US yet, just Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, Philippines. Cool cool cool. And no, it won't replace BaseCamp for real trip nerds. Waze does spontaneity, not mile perfect planning. Silver lining: a plugin called Google Maps Extended Routes exports proper .gpx files. Built by a rider. Match your settings everywhere or enjoy chaos. Thanks Ed Conde, Mark Bergman.
Click on the link below for the full article:
https://www.advrider.com/route-planning-waze-vs-google-maps/
