calimoto motorcycle routes

What it does

calimoto is a navigation app built from the ground up for motorcyclists. Instead of finding the fastest route, its core purpose is to find the most exciting one. The app allows users to plan multi-stop trips, discover routes from the community, and use a special algorithm to generate scenic, winding roads for spontaneous rides.

Where it shines

calimoto excels at creating a ride planning experience that feels tailored to its niche. The "Calimeter" at 02:03 is a standout moment, quantifying the "twisty factor" of a route. This turns a subjective desire for a fun ride into a measurable goal. Another highlight is the round trip generator at 03:42. It lets users plan a ride based on duration or distance rather than a destination, which is perfect for a casual weekend spin. The app also shows practical awareness of its users' needs with quick-access in-ride options, such as finding the nearest gas station (09:21).

UX highlights

Branded Metrics: The "Calimeter" provides a unique, gamified way for users to assess route quality based on how winding it is.
Flexible Route Planning: Users can add multiple via points (01:17) and easily re-order or remove them, offering robust control over their journey.
Spontaneous Discovery: The round trip feature (03:42) cleverly caters to riders who want to explore without a fixed plan.
Community Content: The "Discover Rides" section (12:01) leverages user-generated routes, adding a rich layer of social discovery.
Contextual Filters: The app includes powerful filters like "Mountain passes" (01:54) that are highly relevant to motorcyclists.
Detailed Garage: The "My Garage" feature (13:14) allows users to add their specific motorcycle, which can be used to personalize the experience further.

Monetization & growth

Monetization is primarily driven by a premium subscription, which unlocks core features like navigation and offline maps. The app uses a soft paywall, allowing users to plan routes for free but requiring a subscription to start turn-by-turn navigation (02:49). The paywall (02:52) clearly lists the benefits of upgrading, such as worldwide maps and file export. It offers a 2-week free trial, a common strategy to lower the barrier to entry and let users experience the full value before committing.

Who it’s for

This app is clearly for motorcycle enthusiasts. It caters to both the meticulous planner who wants to craft a perfect multi-day tour and the weekend rider looking for a quick, scenic escape. The language, features, and overall design are all aimed at someone who sees riding as a passion and a form of recreation, not just a mode of transport.

Notes & opportunities

While the route planning is powerful, the app does show some occasional errors, such as the "unknown error" pop-up at 01:04 and the ride length error at 04:01. These could create moments of frustration for users. The onboarding process is also very direct, forcing a sign-up before the user can see the map or any features. While this secures registered users, it might increase the drop-off rate for those who want to explore the app's capabilities first.