Designed specifically for BMW motorcycles and setup to integrate with the factory controller, the Carpuride W702BS stereo/infotainment system is perfect for those who want access to their phone, maps and music.
As a rider who enjoys day trips as well as long-distance touring, and as a non-tech guy who also appreciates a good twisty road, I’m always on the hunt for gear that adds value, without breaking the bank.
So when I stumbled across the Carpuride W702BS as a plug and play wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto solution, I was skeptical. Surely something this cheap wouldn’t integrate cleanly into a premium bike like the BMW S 1000 XR, right? Wrong.
This thing is an absolute gem. The biggest win right out of the box is how ridiculously easy it is to install. It’s a plug-and-play dream that you quite literally just click into the existing navigation mount.
No fiddling with wires, no splicing or hacking things apart, and definitely no trips to the dealership to “code it in”. We’re talking less than five minutes from the packaging to powering on.
It uses the factory GPS cradle, which most BMWs with the TFT dash and Wonder Wheel already come with. I didn’t need to go hunting for brackets or fiddle around with cable routing either.
The unit draws power from the cradle just like the OEM Navigator would. From a clean installation perspective, it’s exactly how it should be, neat, integrated and functional. Then there’s the initial setup process.
As someone who would be described as tech illiterate and hates scrolling through endless menus just to connect a device, I was pleasantly surprised. Syncing my phone via Bluetooth took seconds.
I turned the unit on, opened the Bluetooth settings on my phone, and boom, paired. Apple CarPlay fired up instantly. Better yet, it also linked into my Cardo Packtalk headset without any fuss.
And I mean properly, no audio lag and clear as day sound, even voice prompts came through just like they should. That kind of connectivity, especially across different brands, can often be a nightmare, but the Carpuride handled it like a dream.
Of course, the honeymoon phase didn’t last forever. On my first ride, I did have a few hiccups. The unit dropped out a fair few times, mostly when transitioning between areas with patchy mobile reception or as the headset and unit juggled their Bluetooth handshake.
It didn’t connect to the headset at all on that first attempt, either. But here’s the kicker, since then it’s been flawless. Seriously. Whatever bugs or hiccups happened on day one, they’ve ironed themselves out with every subsequent ride.
Now, it connects to the phone, the headset, and boots into CarPlay before I’ve even finished putting my gloves on. I’ve done everything from navigating mountain twisties to skipping tracks on Spotify and answering calls mid-ride, and it’s been rock solid.
One of the biggest surprises with the W702BS is the screen quality. At 7.0-inches, it’s a touch bigger than BMW’s TFT dash, and it’s bright, sharp, and legible even in direct sunlight – which, let’s be honest, is more than I can say for some OEM screens.
The menu system is intuitive, too. I never once had to read a manual to figure out how to change settings, tweak volume, or swap display modes. Everything just makes sense. It’s clearly designed with riders in mind, with big touch targets, fast scrolling and no lag.
And here’s the part that got me grinning: it works with my BMW’s Wonder Wheel. That’s right. A screen that seamlessly integrates with the bike’s factory control system. All you have to do is hold the Menu button up for a few seconds and the system switches.
Want to go back to the stock dash? Hold the Menu button down, and boom you’re back. It’s slick, it’s fast, and it’s a perfect example of this unit being designed with BMW riders in mind. But let’s talk about the numbers, because they’re important too.
A genuine BMW Navigator setup can run you well over $1,200, running outdated software, and with a UI that looks like it’s from a 2009 Garmin. It doesn’t play nice with modern phone ecosystems either.
By contrast, the Carpuride W702BS comes in at a fraction of that price and gives you full Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality. That means live traffic via Google Maps or Waze, Spotify, text-to-voice, podcasts, and even WhatsApp messaging.
It’s all in real-time, updated over your phone’s data, with your choice of apps and layout. And the best part, it feels native. Not like an aftermarket bolt-on. It just works, and that’s the best thing about it.
If you’re running a modern BMW with the nav prep mount – especially something like the S 1000 XR, R 1250 or 1300 GS, or even an F-series with the TFT dash – the Carpuride W702BS is hands down one of the best bang-for-buck upgrades you can make.
It’s cheap (at $647 – or even less with promo code ENA_DISCOUNT), easy to install, and it adds proper smartphone integration without compromising the factory aesthetic. Yes, it had a few teething issues. No, it’s probably not IP-rated to go cliff diving in a monsoon.
But for the kind of real world, everyday riding that 99 per cent of us do, commuting, weekend blasts, touring – it absolutely hits the mark. We’d go so far as to say it’s what the BMW navigation system should have been.
It’s a clean, simple, fully-integrated solution that uses the bike’s native controls and lets your phone do the heavy lifting. So, if you’ve been debating to pull the trigger, here’s your sign. Just do it. To find out more, visit the Carpuride website.
Pros – easy to install; seamless integration; Wonder Wheel compatibility; bright, clear screen; wireless connectivity; value for money.
Cons – dropouts on first use; not 100 per cent weatherproof; needs a bit of common sense in heavy rain.
Our test unit was supplied by Carpuride for independent review purposes. Exhaust Notes Australia has not been paid to review this product.
