Garmin has announced the release of its newest navigator, the Zumo 550 made exclusively for motorcycles. The unit is designed by bikers with motorcycle friendly features making it easy to operate while riding down the road. It comes preloaded with maps of North America to help you find your way and includes motels, restaurants and gas stations. Similar to the car models, the Zumo 550 will prompt you with turn by turn voice directions.

The special adaptations made for your motorcycle include features such as a glove friendly touch screen with left handed controls, bright sunlight readable UV resistant display, universal mounting hardware for your bike (plus one for your car too) and custom colored caps in many colors so they can match your bike. The unit allows you to program in your fuel information so it will warn you when your tank is getting low. Its even blue tooth friendly, so if you have blue tooth enable helmet you can make phone calls when going down the road. (I am not sure if I like this idea or not since we have enough issues with the cagers on cell phones.)

The Zumo 550 is scheduled for release in October and retails around $1100.00. I checked it out online and you can pre-order the unit from various electronic stores with prices a couple hundred dollars lower than retail.

For more information visit the Garmin web site. Photo courtesy of Garmin.