Garmin zūmo XT2 Review: Still Worth It vs the New XT3?
At a Glance
The XT2 is a 6-inch, IPX7 motorcycle navigator with Tread app integration, group-ride tracking and subscription-free satellite imagery. The XT3 keeps that foundation, adds a lean-angle gauge and preloaded street and topo maps, and now comes in two sizes. At full price, the 6-inch XT3 is the better deal. With a meaningful discount, the XT2 still covers what most riders use.
- Pick the XT2 if you find it discounted and don't need lean angles.
- Pick the XT3 6-inch if you are paying full price anyway.
- Pick the XT3 4.7-inch for small cockpits or the lowest price with XT3 features.
XT2 vs XT3 Side by Side
| XT2 | XT3 6-inch | XT3 4.7-inch | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screen | 6-inch | 6-inch | 4.7-inch HD |
| Water rating | IPX7 | IPX7 | IPX7 |
| Lean-angle gauge | No | Yes | Yes |
| Track timing (optional plan) | No | Yes | Yes |
| Group ride tracking | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Mount included | Handlebar | Handlebar, U-bolt | Post mount |
| Launch price | ~US$600 | ~US$600 | ~US$500 |
| Buy | Amazon | Amazon | Amazon |
Specs from Garmin's announcements and product listings. Street prices change often and the XT2 is frequently discounted.
Each Navigator, and Who It Is For
Garmin zūmo XT2
The proven 6-inch navigator
- Screen
- 6-inch, ultrabright
- Water rating
- IPX7
- Group rides
- Group Ride Mobile via Tread app; optional Group Ride Radio
- Satellite imagery
- Birdseye Direct, no subscription
- Launch price
- About US$600
Best for: Riders who want a big, glove-friendly screen and all the core navigation, especially if they can find it discounted.
Who it's NOT for: Riders who want lean-angle data or track-day timing. Those arrived with the XT3.
Check price on Amazon
Garmin zūmo XT3 (6-inch)
Same screen size, newer features
- Screen
- 6-inch
- Durability
- IPX7, MIL-STD-810
- New
- Lean-angle gauge, preloaded street and topo maps
- Optional plan
- Performance Package (lap, 0–60, quarter-mile)
- Mount
- Handlebar kit with U-bolt base
- Launch price
- About US$600
Best for: Riders buying new at full price, who get lean angles and the newer maps for the same launch price as the XT2.
Who it's NOT for: Anyone who finds a deep XT2 discount and doesn't care about lean angles or track timing.
Check price on Amazon
Garmin zūmo XT3 (4.7-inch)
Smaller and cheaper
- Screen
- 4.7-inch HD, 1280 × 720
- Durability
- IPX7, IP6X dust
- New
- Lean-angle gauge, same XT3 software
- Mount
- Post mount for smaller bikes
- Launch price
- About US$500
Best for: Riders with small cockpits or naked bikes, or anyone who wants XT3 features at the lowest price.
Who it's NOT for: Touring riders who want the larger map view of a 6-inch screen.
Check price on AmazonWhat the XT3 Actually Adds
The headline addition is a real-time lean-angle gauge, which the XT2 never had. Garmin also offers an optional Performance Package plan with lap timing, 0–60 mph and quarter-mile measurements, aimed at track days and drag strips. Street and topo maps come preloaded, and the XT3 supports satellite-imagery downloads and Garmin's Outdoor Maps+ subscription. Durability moves up on paper too: IPX7 plus MIL-STD-810.
What doesn't change is the core: a glove-friendly touchscreen, motorcycle routing, Tread app sync and group-ride tracking. If you never look at lean angles and don't do track days, most of the XT3's new features won't change your ride.
The Price Question
The XT2 launched at about US$600, and the 6-inch XT3 launched at the same price. That makes the decision simple: at equal prices, the XT3 is the better buy. The XT2 wins only when it is discounted, and retailers are currently listing it below its launch price. Treat the gap as your answer: a small discount isn't worth giving up the newer model; a large one is.
The 4.7-inch XT3 changes the math for riders who don't need a big screen. It launched at about US$500 with the same XT3 software, and in current listings it sells for about the same as a discounted XT2.
Upgrading From an XT2
According to Ultimate Motorcycling's XT3 review, the XT3 works in an XT2 cradle and vice versa. If your bike already has a powered XT2 mount, upgrading doesn't mean new wiring. That also makes the XT2 a reasonable second unit for another bike.
Which Subscriptions You Need
For navigation, none. Garmin's Birdseye Direct satellite imagery is subscription-free on the XT2. Paid plans apply only to extras: an inReach satellite communicator needs its own service plan, Outdoor Maps+ adds off-road map layers, and on the XT3 the Performance Package unlocks track timing. Real-time traffic and weather come through the Tread app on your phone.
Pairing a GPS With Your Intercom
Both navigators send turn-by-turn prompts over Bluetooth to a helmet headset. If you haven't picked one yet, see our Cardo Packtalk Edge Duo review or, for Shoei owners, our guide to the best intercom for the RF-1400.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Garmin zūmo XT2 worth it?
It is still a capable 6-inch motorcycle navigator with IPX7 weather resistance, Tread app integration and group-ride tracking. Since the XT3 launched at the same US$600 price, the XT2 makes the most sense when you find it discounted.
Does the Garmin zūmo XT2 require a subscription?
Not for navigation. Birdseye Direct satellite imagery is subscription-free. Subscriptions apply only to optional extras, such as an inReach satellite communicator or Garmin's Outdoor Maps+ layers.
What is the difference between the Garmin zūmo XT and XT2?
The biggest change is the screen: the original XT uses a 5.5-inch display and the XT2 a brighter 6-inch one. The XT2 also added Tread app features such as ride summaries and group-ride tracking.
Do XT2 and XT3 use the same mount?
According to Ultimate Motorcycling's XT3 review, the XT3 works in an XT2 cradle and vice versa, so upgrading does not mean rewiring your bike.
Bottom Line
The XT2 is still a good motorcycle navigator, but it is no longer the default. At full price, buy the 6-inch XT3, which adds lean angles and preloaded maps for the same launch price. Buy the XT2 when the discount is large enough to matter, and consider the 4.7-inch XT3 if a smaller screen suits your bike.
Prices change often.