GEAR REVIEW
BUTLER MOTORCYCLE MAPS today ’ s age , when you want
IN to go somewhere , you tell your phone which route you want based on how you set the phone ’ s navigation . The newest GPS units connect to a phone for the more advanced , so they have up-to-date traffic and road closures . Using that information , they adjust the route on the fly , making sure you get to the destination in the quickest time . With all this technology , what more do you need ? That is the question I want to answer . We are bikers , and being there as soon as possible is not always the goal . Sometimes we want to get lost and find the road less traveled . What are the most scenic roads along my route ? How do I find that road less traveled when I have limited time to make a trip ? Sure , you can spend hours and even days scouring the web looking for clues on what may make a good route , but what if there was a better way ? What if we could look in one place and have all the information we needed to make a long , boring trip fun and adventurous ?
There is such a place , and you may not be aware of it in this age of gizmos . It is a paper map , a fantastic piece of paper that you can unfold , view a whole state , and see the small roads simultaneously . A Butler Motorcycle Map takes it to a whole other level . They color-code the roads based on the views , curves , and elevation . On the back of the map , you can read about the roads they have highlighted in different colors , with gold being the best . There are maps for a street rider and a BDR ( Backcountry Discovery Route ) map for the more adventurous , where the road is dirt and explores the backcountry that few choose to see . I have been using these maps for the last few years and enjoy them for planning a trip to unknown parts and even a few areas I know well .
Butler has coated the maps to be waterproof and resilient for use while on a motorcycle trip . While they beat a phone or GPS for a big picture , they can also aid in programming your device to take the worthy roads . I consult the maps before planning a trip , so I have a good idea of my route options . Then I start working with the GPS to get the best plan possible to my destination . When riding , I keep the maps with me because I never know when I may get an urge to take a different route than originally planned . While I love helpful technology , sometimes the tried and true method works best . My batteries never die on the Butler Motorcycle Maps , nor has the screen left me with just a black square to look at . Go to butlermaps . com to see if they produce a map for the area you ’ re interested in riding . CMA