Bonneville America Forums Forums Rider Safety Forums Helmets and Gear Bike to Bike communication

Hello, I hope I put this in the right forum.

I am looking for comments on bike to bike communications. Most of the time I ride my wife is on her own bike and it would be nice to be able to communicate. Don't need to hold a long conversation or anything, just the important stuff like "I gotta go pee" or something.

I am looking at the Motocomm units:

https://www.rflimited.com/Site.asp?CID=3

or the Clearcom units with the throat mic

http://www.clearercom.com/motorcycle_headset.htm

I like the fact that the Motocomm unit is supposed to be all contained in the helmet. But the throat mic of the Clearcom not picking up noise is also a bonus if it really works.

I am also up for other suggestions. I don't need MP3 input, cell phone input, or intercomm. Just bike to bike.

Anyone used any of these units or have other suggestions? I'm not really too concerned about the price, more about the functionality.

Thanks
Joe

Hey Joe

Quote:

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I am looking for comments on bike to bike communications. Most of the time I ride my wife is on her own bike and it would be nice to be able to communicate

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What do you mean, talk on the bikes?
Isn't that the only time we guys get time to ourself?

These systems are often a bit hit-and-miss and you should try and test a system before parting with your hard earned.

Good luck with your choice.

Ade

It is much better for her to be able to tell me to pull over, than ignore her and have to listen to the longer version later :-)

Joe

Check out this thread at RAT and scroll down to redbird's post. He has mentioned this system before and swears by it. You might wanna PM him and ask him to review it for ya.

http://www.triumphrat.net/modules.php?op...18&forum=21

If you only want voice input and no mp3/cellphone etc I'd recommend the same system as the military pilots used, throat mics with a single headphone in the helmet and some uhf radios. Like you mentioned there's no road noise and tho the voice comes through a bit tinny it's clearer than the full voice plus engine noise, wind etc. Get a radio that will take a push-to-talk putton and get weather-proof buttons on the handlebars - the VOX systems aren't that reliable and if you start mumbling or singing in the helmet it can be embarrassing - specially if you're mumbling about that cute girl that's on the sidewalk and your wife's listening.

Matt

Joe,

I have the ClearCom sytem with the throat mic and helmet speakers. I'm using Motorola SX700 radios that have a VOX option. We have had mixed results with it, we tried to use the VOX function to begin with but had to go with the PTT switchs. The problem being that there is a delay when speaking in the VOX mode and we were stepping on each other when trying to talk. The PTT switches solved this problem so we stayed with this setup. I think the biggest problem we have encountered is getting the transmission to be a clear one it tends to sound garbled and difficult to understand what the person is saying.

There are days when everything is working well and then the next time out I can't tell what my buddy is trying to say so it's been hit or miss. Well we are still ironing things out. Have you looked at ChatterBox yet, that might be something to investigate?

KT1

Have you tried hand signals? The last thing I want when riding is coversation.

That was going to be my suggestion... A few agreed-upon hand signals would cost a lot less. Even just one hand signal could mean "Pull off, I'll explain when we stop".....

KT1, I did look at the chatterbox soulution but I didn't really want something hanging from my helmet which is what I think they requrie. That is too bad about the Clearcom unit, I was pretty sold on the throat mic. But it sounds like it has some issues as well.

We have tried hand signals, and that does work if I'm paying attention and watching in my mirror and if she is close enough. We tend to give each other a fair amount of room. We ride a lot of twisties so sometimes she might be around the corner or behind a hill.

The other day I came around a real tight corner and there was a deer sitting right around the corner where you couldn't see him until you were right there. Hand signals wouldn't work in this case.

Thanks for all the suggestions, keep em coming.

Joe,

I just wanted to add that when the radio is working it worked pretty well but we've had problems getting consistent results. A lot depends on where the throat mic is around your neck, however you don't pick up any wind or engine noise which is good.

It is nice being able to talk with the person your riding with though so I think we'll keep experimenting and maybe will be able solve the clear transmission problem.

KT1

KT1
I guess I am still leaning that way. One of the reviews from Clearcomm's web page talks about the speakers not having much volume. Have you seen that as an issue?

Also is the mic slipping or something that it isn't picking up correctly? I see they have a "throat mic strap" that is supposed to hold it securely in place. Wonder if that would make a difference.

Thanks
Joe

Joe,

Money equates to quality re your product search. The Chatterbox units don't require wires but their lower end units for bike to passenger do. (that you would not want anyway.) Here are some links I have ---->>>>>>

Motorcyles Accessories - Nady page

Naddy Systems - Motorsickle product page

J&M Corporation products

Collett Electronics products

Thanks Moe, I'll take a look at those as well.

Thanks
Joe

Joe,
I feel that the speakers have enough volume in fact I found that if the volume is turned up too much it increases the distortion. I have the throat mic strap also, which is just a cover that goes over the neck piece and velcros together. I have also tried a set of earbud type speakers like you would use with a MP3 player with the more or less same results.

We hav'nt been able to use the radios lately, the guy I ride with has one radio and I have the other, we bought a set and each took one. For all I know it could be a problem with matching radios with speakers or even some interference from the engine although I don't think that was a factor.

Well I think we'll be able to make things work if we keep working on it. I understand your hesitation in buying the clearcom setup, it's fairly expensive at about $100. but I went into this as an experiment, knowing that maybe it would work or maybe it would'nt. So far we're about 60% successful.

KT