Guide
Motorcycle compass: handlebar compass or compass app?
A compass on your motorcycle lets you ride by direction instead of following a fixed route. You pick the roads, the compass keeps you heading the right way. There are two ways to do it: a classic handlebar compass, or a compass app on the phone you already mount on your bike.
Why ride with a compass?
Turn-by-turn navigation is built to get you somewhere fast. That is rarely the point of a motorcycle ride. With a compass you choose every junction yourself: the twisty back road, the detour along the river, the village you have never been to. As long as you keep roughly the right direction, you will get there.
Riders use a motorcycle compass for exploring without a planned route, for adventure and gravel rides, and simply to stop staring at a map screen.
The classic handlebar compass
A handlebar compass is a small liquid-filled ball or dial compass that clamps to your bars, mirror stem or tank. It needs no battery and no signal, and it is cheap and weatherproof.
It has two real limitations. First, it points north, not to your destination: you still have to know which direction you need to go and do the maths at every junction. Second, a motorcycle is full of steel, magnets and electrics. Handlebars, the ignition, speakers and phone mounts can all pull the needle off, so placement matters and readings can be degrees off.
A compass app that points to your destination
A compass app like Heading flips the idea around. You set a destination, and a large arrow points straight at it, wherever you are. No north to translate, no route to follow. Next to the arrow you see your speed, your cardinal heading and the distance left.
Take a wrong turn? Nothing happens. There is no rerouting and no voice telling you to make a U-turn. The arrow simply keeps pointing at your destination, so you can choose the next good road.
Handlebar compass vs compass app
A quick comparison to help you choose:
- Points to: handlebar compass shows north, Heading shows your destination
- Distance to go: not on a handlebar compass, always visible in Heading
- Speed and ride recording: only in the app
- Power: a handlebar compass needs none, a phone needs a charged battery or USB power
- Weather: a handlebar compass is fully weatherproof, a phone depends on your mount
- Cost: a handlebar compass is a small purchase, Heading is free to download
Tips for using your phone as a motorcycle compass
Use a solid mount and add a vibration damper to protect your phone camera. For full-day rides, connect USB power. Turn on Keep Screen Awake and dark mode so the screen stays readable without draining your battery, and use OLED protection to prevent burn-in on long rides.
No destination in mind? Free Ride Mode shows a big speed display and your real-time heading, while still recording the full ride.
Motorcycle compass FAQ
Does a handlebar compass work on a motorcycle?
Yes, but the metal and electrics of a motorcycle can deflect the needle. Mount it away from the ignition, speakers, magnets and phone mounts, and check it against a known direction before relying on it.
What is the difference between a compass and a compass app?
A magnetic compass always points north. A compass app like Heading points to the destination you set and shows the distance to go, your speed and your heading. You still choose your own roads.
Does the Heading compass app work without internet?
GPS navigation and ride recording work without internet. Destination search needs a connection, but you can save favorites while online and navigate to them later offline.
Is the Heading motorcycle compass app free?
Yes. Compass navigation, Free Ride Mode and ride recording are free, with no ads. Heading Pro is an optional one-time purchase for advanced ride analytics.
