Technology can be both a blessing and a curse, like the time you pocket-dialed your mom while at a strip club. But let’s do our best to highlight its better side with a pile of cool motorcycle applications for on and off the bike. There are hundreds of two-wheeled apps, but we’ve distilled it down to a few of our favorites. Some are fun and virtually useless while others are rather bland, but completely helpful. Have a look, there just might be one you can’t live without.
MotoGP Live Experience Full
By: Dorna Sports S.L
Price: $6.99
For the MotoGP fans in the house, this bad boy gives you live timing updates during the practices, qualifying and races with real-time tracking and lap timers. There’s even live text and voice commentary, which means with an earpiece you can follow the racing even during those pointless meetings at work.
Ride Yamaha
By: Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd.
Price: Free
It’s simple, but it’s cool enough to kill time or annoy your significant other when they’re talking some nonsense you just don’t want to hear. Instead of stopping them by saying “zip it,” just twist your virtual grip and hear a new cross-plane crank R1 or a YZ450F rev with the turn of your hand.
Flashlight
By: John Haney Software
Price: Free
Modern sportbikes have plenty of nooks and crannies and if an errant key were to fall inside your fairing during a bike night you’re screwed unless you have a flashlight. It’s not as bright as an actual flashlight but it’ll get the job done.
Greatest Road Motorcycle Rider GPS Road Finder
By: Greatest Road Software
Price: Free
Choose from over 17,000 user-reviewed roads the next time you want to cover some new ground. The live database allows you to search by region. Chances are good someone’s already reviewed the road and has some advice on what turns to watch out for and what areas are free of cops. You can also share your own route reviews with the push of a button.
MotoMinder–Bike Maintenance and Gas Log (MPG)
By: Josh Monroe
Price: $2.99
Here’s a handy app to keep track of scheduled maintenance logs and MPG achievements. It’s not the most exciting but you wouldn’t want to forget your last valve adjustment only to overshoot the figure and burnout an exhaust. From heavy maintenance reminders to simple oil and lube intervals, this app will remind you of scheduled bike maintenance.
Trapster 5.0
By: Reach Unlimited Corporation
Price: Free
Cops can be a shifty bunch that’ll hide in the sneakiest of spots just to bust a rider for a few MPH over the speed limit. Trapster 5.0 can help you keep an eye on speed traps, accidents and red-light cameras. It’ll display your current speed against the posted speed limit and even has features like audio alerts and route planning to avoid the black-and-whites.
PocketDyno
By: InMotion Software, LLC
Price: Free
Many a gearhead lives and dies by their 0-60, 1/8th mile and ¼ mile times. Not long ago the only way of accurately achieving proper results was with expensive timing equipment or a trip to the drag strip. Admittedly both of the conventional methods are the most accurate, but the PocketDyno app is surprisingly on-point and helps give you an idea of the gains each of your mods is worth.
Decibel Meter Pro
By: Performance Audio
Price: $0.99
It’s the cruel truth but many drag strips and road courses have a sound limit on how loud your exhaust can be. But now you can push the envelope to within a decibel or two with the Decibel Meter reader for your phone. True it’s pegged-out over 110 dB, but if your pipe is louder than that, well, it’s loud! Don’t leave it to guesswork; throw a mic on it.
Ducati Challenge
By: Digital Tales
Price: $2.99
In what could be one of the best time-wasting apps on the planet, Ducati’s video game is damn cool. The graphics are acceptable and the bikes aren’t some fake, generalized motorcycles that barely resemble real rides. Instead, throw your virtual leg (or thumbs) over a long list of real Ducs and take it to the streets. You can drag knee, back it in and hang serious digital wheelies.
Pocket First Aid & CPR
By: Jive Media LLC
Price: $1.99
What if you’re involved in a crash that leaves you unconscious and without your ID? If your phone survives the tip-over, this app provides vitals like your name, age, blood type, drug allergies, medical insurance info, etc. so roadside help can immediately have a better idea of how to assist.