As for GPS, I was quoted something like $1500 to add the factory's Garmin unit to my 2017 RT. No thanks. I needed a new cell phone anyway so I bought a big iPhone XR with a RAM mount. The phone comes with Google Maps and will give verbal directions to your Bluetooth headset (see below). The screen is nearly as big as the Garmin and is clearly visible as mounted. There is no "tech" to mounting it, all you need is to mount the phone to the Spyder and use it. The battery life is so long, I didn't even bother with connecting it to the Spyder's electrical system (remember, you only use the battery when you are actually needing the GPS, so the phone display can be "off" most of the time, thus preserving the battery). Mounting it is easy, the RAM mount is just a piece with a ball on it that mounts to your handlebars, then there is a 3" extension. To hold the phone securely I bought a MOB Armor mount that holds the phone top, bottom and sides (unlike the X-style mounts) and screws down tight. If you have the factory Garmin, you have to remove it anyway when you park, so why not just get a phone and take it with you? As for keeping thieves from taking the RAM mount and MOB Armor, you can buy a RAM lock for that as well. This setup cost half as much as the factory Garmin would have cost, plus I have a brand new latest-model useful phone at the same time.
As for talking to your passenger, there are a number of Bluetooth-based communications devices available. Many use SENA products. We personally use SENA 5SMH units, which are the "bottom of the line" that basically do nothing but intercom (you can also play music through them if you want - I just never do). The battery life may not be as good with the 5SMH's as with other SENA units but they are very small and easy to use. If your wife talks a lot like mine does, you can get about 4 hours out of the 5SMHs ... I found it cheaper to buy a second pair of 5SMH's and just stick them in my pocket on long rides. Changing over takes about a minute. Of course you can get higher model communicators if you think they're better, and many here have the SENA SMH10's. And there are many other brands to choose from other than SENA.
