You Can Add Android Auto To Your Motorcycle - Here's How

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Android Auto makes it easier to access your phone's apps and features directly on your car's infotainment display. While it has many pros and cons, it's increasingly a common feature on modern cars. However, if you want to enjoy the same on your motorcycle, only select models from the likes of Harley-Davidson, Indian Motorcycle, Honda, and BMW Motorrad come with native Android Auto support on the factory-installed head units. That said, even if your motorcycle doesn't support Android Auto or has a proper infotainment screen, you aren't out of luck.

Just as you can add an aftermarket head unit with Android Auto support to your old car, you can do the same with your motorcycle. There are two primary ways to achieve it. You can either replace your motorcycle's existing head unit with an aftermarket option that supports Android Auto, or you can opt for a handlebar-mounted display featuring Android Auto. If you don't want to mess around with installing a head unit, you can simply mount the phone on your motorcycle and run Android Auto on your phone itself.

If your motorcycle doesn't come with an Android Auto-compatible head unit from the factory, one of the easiest ways to integrate Android Auto is to get a third-party display that you'll mount on your motorcycle's handlebar. Because they typically don't require you to mess with your motorcycle's existing systems beyond getting power to the display, they are relatively easy to install. Moreover, you have plenty of choices on the market, with Android Auto head units available from multiple manufacturers and in different screen sizes. Some of the more popular and well-rated options include units from Carpuride, Chigee, Ottocast, and RiderNav.

When you're looking for a handlebar-mounted head unit, it's a good idea to check for weatherproofing to ensure it can handle dust, rain, and other elements; an anti-glare coating for better visibility under the sun; vibration resistance in the mounting hardware for adequate support against riding vibrations; and glove support for touchscreen input. You may also want features like wireless Android Auto support instead of wired for convenience and a quick-release design in the mounting for easy removal when you're parking your bike in a theft-prone area. More importantly, opt for a screen size suited for the space available on your motorcycle.

For select motorcycle models, you have the choice to swap the existing head unit with an aftermarket one that features Android Auto. This integrates seamlessly into your motorcycle. For example, Power Acoustik's HD-14KIT and Soundstream Reserve HDHU.14 are two notable replacement head units for Harley-Davidson touring motorcycles manufactured since 2014. Soundstream also sells its HDHU.9813RG replacement head unit for 1993 to 2013 Harley-Davidson Road Glide motorcycles. However, such drop-in head unit replacements are not available for all motorcycle models. Additionally, they can be expensive and sometimes require professional installation based on your skill level.

Beyond these, there are some other options that are more integrated into the motorcycle system than handlebar units but not as much as an aftermarket replacement head unit. These typically fit into official motorcycle parts, like the Carpuride W602BSPRO and RiderNav R7M for BMW motorcycles. Chigee and Alien Rider also offer similar products. These plug into a BMW navigation cradle, also referred to as navigation preparation, and get access to the motorcycle's CAN Bus data. In some newer BMW models, you can even use the factory-included 'Wonder Wheel' to control Android Auto menus. However, these are also only available for specific motorcycle brands and models, leaving you with handlebar-mounted displays as the only other suitable choice.