Beeline Moto2 test: the same old, same old?

We’re testing the Beeline Moto2 : advantages and disadvantages, user experience, ease of use, robustness, etc. In the end, what has it got that version 1 hasn’t? We tell you all about it in our extended field test in all type of situations.

[updated Oct 2024]

Introduction

It’s clear that the Beeline GPS is arousing the curiosity of motorcyclists. In fact, we wrote a detailed test of the 1st version of the Beeline in an article that was much appreciated by our readership.

Click -> here <- to discover it.

After more than 3 years of intensive use, in all kinds of situations, we came to the conclusion that it was of real interest to bikers.

And that it offered a real breakthrough. An ecosystem that included

• A minimalist, non-intrusive navigation,
• A device easy to mount/dismount and to transfer from one vehicle to another.
• A dust/water resistance, so you don’t have to worry about your smartphone. Especially if you use it as your main navigation tool. Bearing in mind your expensive phone doesn’t like water, dust or continuous vibrations.
• And all this for a relatively reasonable price (around $/€/CHF 200).

However, the user experience was hampered by a number of details that could prove prohibitive:

• No re-routing when importing .GPX files
• Handling a little confusing at first
• Lag/delay during urban/suburban navigation

A long-awaited product renewal?

Beeline had launched a new version of its model, designed for cyclists. We were also expecting to see a new revised version of the model caters for bikers.

And so, at the start of 2024, Beeline announced the launch of the Beeline Moto 2. So is the upgrade worth it? And what does it have that its older brother doesn’t?

We take a look at the specs and differences between the two models.

Note that the Beeline Moto1 is still available at many retailers and on Beeline website, and has benefited from a significant price cut.

So, if you’re tempted by the concept but don’t think it’s worth the price difference, now could be the time to grab a bargain 😉 ?

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What does the Beeline Moto 2 have that the Moto 1 doesn’t?

We don’t want to go into the details of what a Beeline is here. Readers can refer to our dedicated article -> here <-

So let’s look at the main differences between the two products. Here’s a comparison that highlights them:

Test Beeline Moto	Beeline Moto 2	Beeline Moto 1
Screen	Ultra-bright IPS TFT screen with anti-reflective and hydrophobic coating 1.45”, 412×412 pixels, 402 PPI	LCD screen with led backlight 1”, 208 x 208 pixels, 287 PPI
Navigation	Mini-Map mode Navigation with arrows Compass mode LED alerts .GPX track compatible Planning of tour via dedicated smartphone app	Navigation with arrows Compass mode LED alerts .GPX track compatible Planning of tour via dedicated smartphone app
Interface	Buttons: RockerTop 2, Glove-friendly buttons (accessible from the front)	4 physical buttons (on the sides)
Battery	600 mAh battery 1h charge -> 14h ride	400 mAh battery 1h charge -> 30h ride
Charging	Via USB-C cable	By proprietary system USB-A charger with pogo pin interface
Case	Plastic or brushed metal IP67 certified	Plastic or brushed metal IP67 certified
Weight	42 gr, plastic 60 gr, metal	30 gr, plastic 80 gr, metal
Connexion	Via Bluetooth 4.0 low energy Pairing with smartphone required otherwise does not work	Via Bluetooth 4.0 low energy Pairing with smartphone required otherwise does not work
Price at the time of the launch	Approx. CHF/$ 230 for the plastic version	Approx. CHF/$ 200 for the plastic version
Availability	On the manufacturer’s website and at many e-retailers	On the manufacturer’s website and at many e-retailers
Accessories	Transportation bag Various handlebar/retro mounts, including one with connection to charge it via the motorbike battery	Transportation bag Various handlebar/retro mounts, including one with connection to charge it via the motorbike battery
Included	Beeline Moto II USB-C charging cable Universal elastic support Quick start guide	Beeline Moto device USB charging cable Self-adhesive modular mount Universal elastic support Quick start guide

Beeline Moto2 Review

Is the Beeline Moto 2 compatible with the old accessories?

Per se, the mounting system differs between the two versions.

So on their own – you will not be able to use the original Moto device or mounts with the Moto II product range.

However, Beeline has created mount adapters that you can use to either:

1. use your current original Beeline I with new Moto II mounts. To do that, you’ll need the Original Moto Device > Moto II Mount Insert Adapter in this case
2. use a Beeline Moto II on a Beeline I mount. For that, you’ll need the Moto II Device > Original Moto Mount Insert Adapter in this case

Convenient, as these adapters cost roughly 6.- $/CHF/€.

So you won’t need to buy the whole mount again, which costs around 40.- CHF/$/€

Why did they change the mount? Admittedly, Beeline’s argument is that the new mount is more secure than the old one.

We can now move forward and see if this iteration will be enough to make us forget the shortcomings of version 1!

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Let’s get started with our in-depth Beeline Moto2 test

That’s it! We’ve now been able to test it for around a thousand km or so. It’s time to wrap up our thoughts and give an honest initial opinion, which we hope will be unbiased, as usual.

And we hope this test will ultimately help you form an educated purchase decision.

Note for the reader: we’ll be sure to update this test if anything new comes to light that might alter our overall impression.

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Unboxing

Here’s what’s in the box. Basically, it contains the bare essentials

• The Beeline (shown here in grey metal)
• A USB-C cable
• A universal mount with elastic bands of different sizes (depending on the diameter of the handlebar)
• A quick start guide

Test Beeline Moto2

However, we decided to complete our order with

• A power insert to connect the Beeline to the motorbike battery
• A carry case
• A bar clamp mount

Test Beeline Moto2

Is this really necessary?

We’d definitely recommend the carry case, as the screen isn’t made of scratch-resistant glass like Gorilla Glass or Sapphire, so one touch with a key in your pocket and bim, it’s scratched.

And now, the new case is smaller than its predecessor and fits the beeline and a cable. Nothing more, nothing less.

And, of course, the clap bar mount, which allows you to mount it more securely on your bike. Not that the supplied universal mount doesn’t work.

But plastic wears out in the sun. And you’re never safe from a malicious act or someone who just wants to annoy you and walks away with it when your bike is parked on the street.

As far as the power insert is concerned, its usefulness is limited. The Beeline Moto 2 now connects via a simple USB-C cable.

So 14 hours of use will be enough for the vast majority of bikers.

In practical terms, how many times have you spent 14 hours non-stop on your bike?

And if you find that the battery life isn’t enough for the whole day, there’s nothing to stop you from charging it up with a powerbank during your lunch/coffee break.

An hour of charge give you 14h of ride. That sounds reasonable doesn’t it?

Beeline Moto2 test

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Build quality and handling

As mentioned in the introduction, we had the plastic version for the Beeline V1, and here we have the metal version. So it’s hard to compare apples and pears.

But as you can see from the photo, the device is certainly a little bigger, due to the larger screen size.

And it’s clear that the metal version ‘feels more solid’. However, they share the same hardware (CPU).

And with our old plastic Beeline 1, we didn’t have any problems in more than 3 years of use. Yet not in the toughest riding conditions we admit (water, dust, etc.).

Thus, as for the durability, we’ll see how the Beeline Moto 2 ages. But it is hard to give you an honest opinion after testing the product only for a few months.

But ultimately, metal or plastic, they all have the same IP67 certification. So it’s more a question of aesthetic choice.

In terms of usability, it’s a clear step up compared to the Moto 1.

The presence of buttons on the front of the device makes it much safer and more natural to use, even when riding.

Basically, there are 4 physical buttons, positioned like cardinal points.

All you have to do is press down on the device, whose screen is mounted on a sort of “pivoting axis”. And you get the same feeling as with a touch screen, although it’s just the top of the device that ‘pivots’ and not the pressure of your fingers on the screen that triggers the action.

On the old version, with the buttons on the sides, and with gloves on, you sometimes had to really turn away from the road to press the button, which could be dangerous at times.

Once again, the beauty of the Beeline is its minimalist, non-intrusive UX. So much so that once you’ve set it up, you’re not supposed to touch it whilst riding.

However, it’s sometimes handy to switch quickly to another screen to see the distance covered or remaining, for example.

And now, with a simple touch, you can navigate between the different screens, without taking your eyes off the road. Practical and safe!

Verdict: Beeline Moto 2 wins hands down

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Usability

And this is the part that I think will interest most readers. So we’re going to bring it to the point. Or at least we’ll try 🙂

Interface

As far as the interface and design are concerned, Beeline has clearly revised its copy. Not least because the screen is now in color, not just B&W like the v1.

The result is an interface with a more polished, more professional touch, with a zest of fun, compared to the very/too minimalist design of the Beeline 1.

And personally, we liked it!!

And that’s reflected in the whole user experience, for example the design of the boxes and accessories. It’s not quite as polished as the Apple giant, but there’s a real brand identity now.

It may be a detail! But as the Japanese say so well, you first taste a dish with your eyes.

And we think the same applies to a purchase of this type. Especially when you’re selling an innovative product aimed at a specific target, i.e. bikers.

Test Beeline Moto2

You still need to use the proprietary Beeline app to create/import a .GPX route and export it to the device.

We won’t go into too much detail here, because it’s exactly the same app as for version 1 of the Beeline. See our dedicated test -> here <- for more info.

Note that there are now also two small LEDs on the top of the Beeline, which beep and flash when a change of direction is imminent.

Is this really a plus for the navigation? Not really, in our humble opinion, but it doesn’t hurt the experience either.

Verdict: Beeline 2 wins

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Navigation

And now for the most important point: the user experience when it comes to navigation itself.

First, let’s get down to the shortcomings 

Unfortunately, that hasn’t changed. But when you import a .GPX file from your TomTom route planer, for example. And this is to take advantage of the platform’s tools to customise the curviness and hilliness, for example.

Well, if you deviate from the track, the Beeline app won’t automatically reroute and will try to take you back to the last waypoint.

And that’s totally redhibitory for use as it is!

So the only work-around is as follows:

1. Plan your route in the TomTom planer.
2. Then manually enter the waypoints in the Beeline App.
3. If you do it that way, the application will automatically reroute if needed.

Secondly, and this is inherent in the design of the product. But the absence of a GPS chip in the Beeline means that a connection with a smartphone is required to use it normally.

In addition, as the connection is via Bluetooth, and the smartphone must first pick up the GPS signal and then transmit it to the Beeline, there may be a slight lag between the actual position and the position given by the Beeline.

There’s nothing prohibitive about this when you’re cruising on a secondary road or in the countryside.

But when you’re navigating in town, with frequent changes of direction and/or low signal reception, you can quickly miss a turn.

Note that this problem will be compensated for to a large extent by the mini-map mode. More below.

Verdict: it’s a tie between the two

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 Mini-Map Mode

First of all, it is still possible to use the Beeline Moto 2 in ‘arrow’ mode, like in version 1.

And for those of you who fear that the very essence of the Beeline will be lost and that we’ll lose the minimalist aspect, rest assured.

However, the big new feature of this Beeline Moto 2 is the new ‘Mini-Map’ interface, which offers a ‘minimalist’ version of a road map with markers.

So you can keep an eye on your itinerary, with indications of the next change of direction (distance, direction, etc.).

Test Beeline Moto2

Is it really a plus or just a gimmick?

The answer here is undeniable: a plus, especially for urban and suburban navigation.

When you change direction frequently, it’s much easier to stick to the route as it is highlighted.

Existing streets that you don’t want to take are still indicated, but in a ‘transparent’ way.

It makes navigation smoother and more intuitive. Admittedly, there can still be some confusion, notably due to the lag. But much less so than with V1.

There’s also a speed limit indicator, which changes color if you’re going too fast. And remains white if you’re within the speed limit.

Just as practical. Especially in urban traffic, when speed limits change almost every block.

Verdict: clear advantage for the Beeline Moto 2

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Quid of Beeline Plus?

And for those of you who are interested, Beeline offers a subscription service called Beeline Plus.

For around 4.5 CHF/€/$ per month, you’ll get:

• Audio instructions: step-by-step navigation (in English only, for the moment)
• Round trip generator: you define the distance and Beeline suggests an itinerary
• Live traffic: automatic route updates based on traffic conditions

However, the appeal of this subscription model is still too limited at the moment.

Beeline still doesn’t offer the option of setting the curviness/hilliness of the route as TomTom does.

As far as traffic is concerned, we also have a Quadlock mounted on the bike, and for urban navigation, especially during rush hour, we use Waze.

See our article on the best navigation systems for bikers.

However, depending on the city you’re passing through, and aware of the upsurge in smartphone thefts, a Beeline might be a better way of keeping a low profile.

There are plenty of Youtube videos of smartphones being snatched at red light. So better safe than sorry?

Test Beeline Moto2

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Final verdict

That’s it, we’ve come to the end of this in-depth field test. Our feeling is as follows.

Beeline Moto 1 vs Beeline Moto 2

The innovative nature of the approach is still there, even if Beeline is starting to become better known in the motorcycling community. The surprise effect has certainly diminished.

Is this just a cosmetic update? Clearly not!

With a new interface, and in particular the ‘mini-map’ mode, clearly adds to the user experience.

Navigation is even smoother and more intuitive. And handling the Beeline is even easier thanks to the new buttons.

As for the interface, the new design adds an extra ‘je ne sais quoi’ and makes the experience more pleasant.

Now, the Beeline Moto 2 still suffers from two shortcomings inherent in the system itself: lag and auto-routing or better said the absence thereof.

So we still can’t give it the top mark. But it’s a clear improvement compared to the version 1.

And to do that, we’re going to have to lower the Beeline Moto 1’s score to 3*/5.

Can the Beeline completely replace a traditional GPS?

Clearly not, especially if you plan to travel in areas with limited cellular network coverage.

What’s more, the ability to plan your route on your home computer, with a road map alongside. And then export it to your GPS will be difficult because of this rerouting problem.

Beeline is currently developing a web-based platform to plan route online.

But this is currently in Beta/test version. And at the time of the writing, it was still not possible to set curviness/hilliness parameters. So, depending on your needs, that could be an obstacle…

Can Beeline Moto 2 replace a smartphone?

Not 100% yet, though…

In fact, the mini-map mode makes up for a major shortcoming that the V1 suffered from when compared with a smartphone. Even so, if you’re a motorcyclist who uses your bike a lot to get around town, you won’t have all the features of an app like Waze, especially live traffic information.

Now, it has the same big advantage that a smartphone has over a TomTom Rider, for example, namely that it can be easily transferred from one vehicle to another.

Are you going on a trip and planning to hire a bike from Cruizador 🙂 ?

No problem, just pack your Beeline in your rucksack and with a flick of the Allen key, the Beeline is ready to go.

Now, where the Beeline clearly excels over the smartphone, in our opinion, is in the fact that you don’t/no longer have to expose a high-tech phone costing often more than 1’000 CHF/€ to the mercy of the elements and covetousness.

Given the amount of sensitive data stored on a smartphone and its almost indisputable importance in our lives, a cracked screen or a smartphone that breaks down after a heavy downpour on the motorway is a real problem.

A theft on the sly at a red light? We’re not even talking about it.

In short, it can quickly spoil a roadtrip, especially if you have no replacement device with you to quickly book an accommodation last minute, snap a few pics, contact someone, etc.

And that’s where the Beeline comes into its own!

That’s what we had to say about it for now.

We hope you enjoyed our test and that it will help you to take an educated purchase decision.

Personally, we can recommend it to you if it meets your specific needs, i.e. a minimalist navigation in an easily transportable device at a contained price.

And don’t hesitate to check out our BLOG for other product reviews.

Test Beeline Moto2