Garmin zūmo® R1 Motorcycle Rearview & Blind Spot Radar
The Garmin zūmo R1 Radar is Garmin's first purpose-built rearview and blind spot radar system for motorcycles. Discreetly mounted above or below your license plate, it detects approaching vehicles up to 197 feet behind you across a 170° field, alerting you with handlebar-mounted indicator lights, optional audio alerts through your headset, and a full-screen radar display on your phone or zūmo XT2. Side-facing amber lights and a rear-facing red light increase your motorcycle's visibility to other drivers. IP67 dust/water rated, hard-wired to your 12V system — powers on and off with your ignition.
Our Take: The zūmo R1 is Garmin's first motorcycle-specific radar — and it fills a gap that's been there since radar became a thing on premium bikes. Until now, you needed a $25,000+ Ducati Multistrada V4 or BMW R 1250 RT to get blind spot and rearview radar on a motorcycle. The R1 brings that same awareness to any bike with a 12V battery for $599.99 MSRP. The radar sensor is about the size of your thumb and mounts discreetly at the license plate. Two indicator lights on your handlebars light up when someone's in your blind spot or closing fast from behind — you don't have to take your eyes off the road. If you mount your phone on the handlebars, you get a full-screen radar view of every vehicle behind you. The external amber and red lights make you more visible to drivers too. IP67 rated, hard-wired, powers on with the ignition. Installation takes 1-2 hours with basic tools. If you ride in traffic, this is the single best safety upgrade you can make.
Why you'd choose the zūmo R1
- The radar sensor covers a 170-degree horizontal field behind you, detecting approaching vehicles up to 197 feet (60 meters) away. It identifies vehicles in your blind spots and those closing from behind — covering the zones you can't easily check with mirrors alone.
- Two heads-up indicator lights mount to your handlebars (via mirror post brackets, zip ties, or adhesive). They illuminate when vehicles enter your blind spot or approach from behind — you see the warning without turning your head or looking down at a screen.
- Two side-facing amber lights increase your lateral visibility to other vehicles. An optional rear-facing red light adds high-visibility to the rear. Settings for enabling or disabling the external lights are accessible through the zūmo Radar app. An automatic brightness sensor dims the lights in low light.
- Pair with the free zūmo Radar smartphone app or your zūmo XT2 navigator to see a real-time full-screen radar display showing the position and approach speed of nearby vehicles. The app also lets you customize indicator light distance thresholds and alert settings.
- When paired with a compatible Bluetooth headset via the zūmo Radar smartphone app, you hear audio alerts when vehicles approach from behind or enter your blind spot. Keep your eyes on the road and hands on the grips while staying aware.
- IP67 dust and water resistance with black powder-coated hardware. Designed to withstand harsh weather, road spray, dust, vibration, and temperature extremes. Note: adverse weather and wet roads may affect radar detection performance.
- Wires directly into your motorcycle's 12V electrical system. No batteries, no charging, no button presses. Powers on when you start the bike, auto-shuts down 10 minutes after you park. Clean, set-it-and-forget-it installation.
- The compact radar sensor (78.75 × 26.95 × 30 mm) mounts discreetly above or below your license plate using the included bracket or a versatile panel mount. Designed to blend into the bike without compromising its aesthetics.
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Who this radar is perfect for
- Any motorcycle rider who wants blind spot and rearview awareness without buying a new bike with factory radar.
- Commuters and touring riders who share the road with cars, trucks, and distracted drivers daily.
- Riders on older or adventure bikes who want modern safety tech retrofitted to their existing machine.
- Safety-conscious riders who already use Garmin zūmo XT2 or Tread navigators and want an integrated radar display.
You may prefer a different product if…
- You ride a bicycle, not a motorcycle — the Garmin Varia RVR315 is a cycling-specific rearview radar at $129.99.
- You want a motorcycle GPS navigator to pair with the R1 — the Garmin Tread 2 offers rugged off-road and street navigation.
- You want glove-friendly handlebar map control — the Garmin Handlebar Controller pairs with the zūmo XT2 and Tread navigators.
- Your motorcycle already has factory-installed blind spot radar from BMW, Ducati, or Indian — the R1 would be redundant.
zūmo® R1 Radar — Full Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Product name | Garmin zūmo R1 Motorcycle Rearview & Blind Spot Radar |
| Brand | Garmin |
| MPN / SKU | 010-02964-00 |
| MSRP | $599.99 USD |
| Type | Motorcycle rearview and blind spot radar with external lights |
| Radar detection distance | Up to 197 ft (60 m) |
| Radar detection angle | 170° horizontal |
| Minimum operational speed | 15 mph (24 km/h) |
| Vehicle detection speed | Up to 34 mph (55 km/h) relative to rider speed |
| Sensor dimensions (L×W×D) | 78.75 × 26.95 × 30.00 mm |
| Light dimensions (L×W×D) | 42.56 × 17.31 × 14.00 mm |
| Sensor weight (with cable) | 142.8 g (5.0 oz) |
| Lights weight (with cable) | 97.4 g (3.4 oz) |
| Power source | Wired 12V (hard-wired to motorcycle electrical system) |
| Auto shutdown | Yes — 10 minutes after parking |
| Water / dust rating | IP67 |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) |
| External lights — side | Amber (left and right facing) |
| External lights — rear | Red (optional, rear-facing) |
| Auto brightness dimming | Yes — built-in light sensor |
| Handlebar indicator lights | Yes — left and right blind spot alerts |
| Audio alerts | Yes — via compatible headset paired through zūmo Radar app |
| Radar display | Full-screen on compatible smartphone or zūmo XT2 |
| Radar sensor mount | License plate bracket or versatile panel mount |
| Indicator light mounts | Mirror post bracket, zip ties, or adhesive mounts |
| Compatible with | zūmo Radar smartphone app, zūmo XT2, Tread 2 |
| Warranty | Garmin 1-year limited warranty |
How the zūmo® R1 Compares
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Core Capability
| Feature |
zūmo R1Motorcycle Radar
|
Varia RVR315Cycling Radar
|
HB ControllerMoto Accessory
|
Tread 2Moto Navigator
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Product type?Primary function of the device. | Rearview / blind spot radar | Cycling rearview radar + tail light | Handlebar remote control | Off-road / moto GPS navigator |
| Vehicle type?Which vehicle type the product is designed for. | Motorcycle | Bicycle | Motorcycle / ATV | Motorcycle / ATV / UTV |
| Radar detection?Detects approaching vehicles behind or beside you. | Yes (170° / 197 ft) | Yes (140 m) | No | No |
| Blind spot alerts?Alerts you to vehicles in your blind spot zones. | Yes | No | No | No |
| External visibility lights?Lights that make your vehicle more visible to other drivers. | Yes (amber + red) | Yes (tail light) | No | No |
Connectivity & Build
| Feature |
zūmo R1Motorcycle Radar
|
Varia RVR315Cycling Radar
|
HB ControllerMoto Accessory
|
Tread 2Moto Navigator
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pairs with zūmo R1 Radar?Can display or enhance the zūmo R1 Radar data. | N/A — is the radar | No | No | No |
| Smartphone app?Has a companion smartphone app for setup or display. | Yes (zūmo Radar) | Yes (Varia) | No | Yes (Tread) |
| Audio alerts?Sends audio notifications through a paired headset. | Yes (via headset) | No | No | Yes |
| Power source?How the device gets its power. | Wired 12V | Rechargeable battery | Wired 12V | Wired 12V |
| Water rating?Dust and water resistance rating. | IP67 | IPX7 | IP67 | IP67 |
| Bluetooth LE?Bluetooth Low Energy for smartphone pairing. | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Garmin Motorcycle Products at a Glance
★ You Are Here
- From $499.99
- zūmo R1 Radar — motorcycle blind spot + rearview radar with indicator lights, external visibility lights, IP67.
- View on heartratemonitorsusa.com →
Cycling Radar
- From $129.99
- Varia RVR315 — cycling rearview radar + tail light. Detects vehicles 140m away. For bicycles, not motorcycles.
- View on heartratemonitorsusa.com →
Companion Accessory
- From $99.99
- Handlebar Controller — glove-friendly remote for zūmo XT2 and Tread navigators. Control maps without removing hands from grips.
- View on heartratemonitorsusa.com →
Step Up — Navigator
- From $799.99
- Tread 2 Navigator — 6" or 8" rugged off-road GPS with topo maps, trail navigation, group ride radio support.
- View on heartratemonitorsusa.com →
Important: Adverse weather conditions and wet roads may interfere with operation of the radar. Always maintain awareness of your surroundings while using this device, especially in these conditions.
CA Residents: Prop 65 Warning
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zūmo® R1 Radar — Frequently Asked Questions
What vehicles does the zūmo R1 Radar detect?
The zūmo R1 detects approaching vehicles behind and beside you within a 170-degree horizontal field at distances up to 197 feet (60 meters). It can detect vehicles approaching at relative speeds up to 34 mph (55 km/h) faster than your current speed. The minimum operational speed for radar is 15 mph (24 km/h).
How does the zūmo R1 alert you to vehicles?
The system provides three types of alerts. Handlebar-mounted indicator lights illuminate when vehicles enter your blind spot or approach from behind. Audio alerts are available when paired with a compatible headset via the zūmo Radar smartphone app. A full-screen radar display shows nearby vehicle positions when paired with your smartphone or zūmo XT2 navigator.
Does the zūmo R1 require batteries or charging?
No. The zūmo R1 hard-wires directly into your motorcycle's 12V electrical system. It powers on and off automatically with your ignition — no batteries, no charging, no separate power button needed. The system auto-shuts down after 10 minutes when parked.
Is the zūmo R1 waterproof?
The zūmo R1 carries an IP67 dust and water resistance rating, meaning it is completely dust-tight and can withstand temporary submersion in water up to 1 meter for 30 minutes. The black powder-coated hardware is built to withstand harsh weather and road conditions. Note that adverse weather conditions and wet roads may interfere with radar operation.
What motorcycles does the zūmo R1 fit?
The zūmo R1 is designed to fit virtually any motorcycle with a 12V battery. It mounts discreetly above or below your license plate using the included license plate bracket or versatile panel mount. Handlebar indicator lights mount using mirror post brackets, zip ties, or adhesive mounts. Installation typically takes 1 to 2 hours with basic tools.
Do I need a zūmo XT2 navigator to use the R1 Radar?
No. The zūmo R1 works as a standalone system using only the handlebar indicator lights for visual alerts. For the full experience including radar display and audio alerts, you can pair it with either the free zūmo Radar smartphone app on your compatible phone, or a zūmo XT2 motorcycle navigator (sold separately). The smartphone app also lets you customize radar and alert settings.
What is in the box?
The box includes the zūmo R1 Radar sensor unit, two handlebar indicator lights (left and right), a motorcycle mounting kit with license plate bracket and panel mount option, wiring harness with 12V connector, mirror post brackets, zip ties, adhesive mounts, and documentation.
Support
If you have questions about this product, please contact sales at 215-259-2700 or 800-403-8285.