Introduction
Whether you're commuting to work, heading out on a Sunday ride, or tackling a week-long tour across the UK, your smartphone can be one of the most valuable tools you carry. Modern motorcycle apps do far more than provide directions. They help riders discover scenic routes, monitor weather conditions, track fuel costs, stay safe in emergencies, and connect with the wider biking community.
The best part is that many of these apps are either free or available at a low cost. A few taps on your phone can transform the way you plan and enjoy your rides.
In this guide, we'll explore seven must-have apps for bikers that deserve a place on every rider's device.
Why Every Biker Should Use Motorcycle Apps
Motorcycling has always involved a sense of freedom and independence, but modern technology can make every journey safer, smoother and more enjoyable. Today's motorcycle apps do much more than simply provide directions. They help riders discover hidden roads, avoid bad weather, manage running costs and even get help quickly when things go wrong.
For many bikers, route planning is one of the biggest benefits. Standard sat-nav systems are designed to get drivers from one location to another as efficiently as possible. Riders often have different priorities. A winding B-road through the countryside is usually far more appealing than a busy dual carriageway. Motorcycle-specific apps recognise this and can help uncover roads that might otherwise be missed.
Safety is another major advantage. Whether it's checking weather conditions before leaving home, sharing your location with friends or providing accurate coordinates during an emergency, apps can offer valuable peace of mind. For riders travelling alone or exploring unfamiliar areas, these features can be particularly useful.
Apps can also help you get more from your motorcycle. By tracking fuel economy, monitoring maintenance schedules and recording ride statistics, they provide insights that can help reduce costs and keep your bike in excellent condition. Simply put, the right apps can enhance almost every aspect of motorcycling.
1. REVER - Best App for Motorcycle Route Planning
One of the biggest challenges for riders is finding roads that are genuinely enjoyable to ride. REVER was created specifically to solve that problem. Rather than focusing solely on navigation, the app helps riders discover routes that maximise enjoyment and adventure.
The route discovery feature is particularly impressive. Riders can browse routes uploaded by thousands of other motorcyclists, making it easy to find recommended roads and scenic journeys. This is especially useful when visiting unfamiliar areas or planning trips further afield.
The ride tracking tools also add value. Every journey can be recorded automatically, allowing riders to review routes, analyse ride data and keep a record of memorable adventures. Many users enjoy looking back at previous rides and sharing them with friends or fellow bikers.
REVER's community features help set it apart from traditional navigation apps. Riders can connect with others, follow experienced tourers and discover routes that may never appear in standard navigation software. For bikers who enjoy exploring new roads and becoming part of a wider riding community, REVER is one of the strongest options available.
2. Calimoto - Designed Specifically for Motorcycle Adventures
Many navigation apps prioritise speed and efficiency, but that's rarely what riders are looking for. Calimoto takes a different approach by focusing on the journey itself rather than simply the destination.
The app is particularly well known for its route generation capabilities. Riders can select a destination, and Calimoto will automatically create a route featuring winding roads, scenic landscapes and enjoyable riding conditions. This can turn an ordinary ride into a memorable day out.
For those who enjoy exploring without a fixed plan, the round-trip feature is especially useful. Simply choose a starting point and preferred distance, and the app will generate a circular route that brings you back to where you started while maximising riding enjoyment.
Offline maps are another significant advantage. Mobile signal can be unreliable in rural parts of Scotland, Wales and northern England. By downloading maps in advance, riders can continue navigating even when signal strength disappears completely.
Calimoto has become particularly popular among weekend riders who want to escape busy roads and discover routes they may never have found on their own.
3. Google Maps - The Everyday Essential
Although it isn't specifically designed for motorcyclists, Google Maps remains one of the most useful apps a rider can have on their phone. Its reliability, extensive mapping database and real-time traffic information make it an essential tool for everyday journeys.
One of Google Maps' greatest strengths is its accuracy. Businesses, fuel stations, hotels, cafés and restaurants are all easily searchable, making it ideal when travelling through unfamiliar locations. If you need to find fuel quickly or locate a nearby mechanic, Google Maps can usually provide an answer within seconds.
The traffic monitoring features are particularly valuable for commuters. Real-time updates can help riders avoid congestion, roadworks and accidents, saving both time and frustration. Alternative routes are often suggested automatically, helping riders reach their destination more efficiently.
Google Maps also integrates well with other apps and devices, making it a convenient companion even when using motorcycle-specific route planners. Many riders use a dedicated motorcycle app to create a route and then rely on Google Maps for local searches, fuel stops and practical navigation needs during the journey.
4. What3words - A Potential Lifesaver for Emergencies
Few apps have the potential to make such a significant difference in an emergency as What3words. While it may not be used every day, it is one of the most important apps every rider should install.
The concept is simple. Every three-metre square on the planet has been assigned a unique combination of three words. This means users can identify and share an exact location without needing complicated coordinates or detailed descriptions.
For motorcyclists, this can be invaluable. Many popular riding routes pass through remote countryside, mountain roads and rural areas where landmarks are limited. In the event of a breakdown or accident, describing your location accurately can be difficult. What3words removes that uncertainty.
Emergency services throughout the UK increasingly use the system to locate callers more quickly. Recovery operators, breakdown services and riding companions can also use the app to pinpoint your exact location.
Even outside emergencies, What3words can be useful for arranging meet-ups, identifying scenic viewpoints and sharing locations that may not have a traditional address.
5. MyRoute-app - Advanced Planning for Touring Riders
For riders who enjoy longer adventures, MyRoute-app offers a level of planning detail that most navigation apps simply cannot match. It has become particularly popular among touring enthusiasts and motorcycle clubs that organise group rides.
One of the platform's greatest strengths is its route creation system. Riders can carefully plan every stage of a journey, selecting specific roads, attractions and overnight stops. This level of control is ideal for multi-day tours where careful planning can make the difference between a good trip and a great one.
The platform also supports GPX files, allowing routes to be shared easily between riders and imported into compatible navigation devices. This is especially useful for organised ride-outs and motorcycle touring groups.
Many experienced riders prefer to plan routes on a larger screen before transferring them to their navigation system. MyRoute-app excels in this area, offering detailed planning tools that are difficult to replicate on a smartphone alone.
For anyone planning a motorcycle tour across the UK or Europe, MyRoute-app can become an indispensable part of the preparation process.
6. Rain Alarm - Avoid Getting Caught in Bad Weather
British riders know better than anyone that weather conditions can change rapidly. A bright morning can quickly turn into a wet and uncomfortable afternoon. That's why a reliable weather app deserves a place on every biker's phone.
Rain Alarm focuses specifically on precipitation tracking. Rather than providing general forecasts, it uses live weather radar data to show approaching rain in real time. This allows riders to make informed decisions before setting off.
The notification system is particularly useful. Riders can receive alerts when rain is approaching their current location, giving them time to adjust plans, put on waterproof gear or seek shelter if necessary.
For touring riders covering large distances, weather awareness can significantly improve comfort and safety. Heavy rain affects visibility, braking distances and road grip, particularly on unfamiliar roads.
While no app can control the weather, Rain Alarm can help riders avoid unnecessary surprises and plan journeys more effectively.
7. Fuelio - Track Fuel Costs and Motorcycle Running Expenses
Motorcycling can be a cost-effective way to travel, but expenses still add up over time. Fuel, servicing, tyres, insurance and repairs all contribute to the overall cost of ownership. Fuelio helps riders keep track of those costs in one convenient place.
The fuel tracking features are particularly useful. By recording each fill-up, riders can monitor fuel consumption and identify changes that may indicate mechanical issues or riding habit changes.
Service reminders provide additional value. Keeping track of oil changes, tyre replacements and scheduled maintenance becomes much easier when everything is stored in a single app.
Touring riders often find Fuelio especially helpful because it provides a realistic picture of travel costs. Recording expenses during longer trips makes budgeting easier and can help when planning future adventures.
Over time, the app builds a detailed picture of ownership costs, allowing riders to understand exactly what their motorcycle costs to run throughout the year.
Stay Connected on Every Ride With Biker Mobile
The right apps can make every ride easier, safer and more enjoyable, but they all depend on one thing: a reliable mobile connection.
Whether you are checking the weather, following a route, sharing your location or finding fuel on the go, staying connected matters. That is where Biker Mobile comes in.
Biker Mobile offers flexible SIM and eSIM plans designed for riders who want straightforward mobile service with a purpose. Our plans run on the Vodafone UK network, helping you stay connected whether you are commuting, touring or heading out for a weekend ride.
Better still, 10% of monthly revenue goes towards biker causes and communities. That means every plan helps support the wider biking world while keeping you connected on the road.
Ready to ride smarter and stay connected?
Explore Biker Mobile SIM and eSIM plans today and choose a mobile provider built with bikers in mind.