Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums Accessories bike to bike communications

Hey all,

I am looking for information on bike to bike communication devices. I would like to hear from those that actually use them or have had experience with them and not the I use hand signal/I don't want to talk/Isn't this the time for not talking/etc. crowd. I will use editing ruthlessly!!

From my searching here and 'out there', I have found the following.
Chatterbox FRS-X2 bike-2-bike (jj_ posted about these)
complete systems
http://www.ridegear.com/rg/item/F-134/Chatterbox/FRS-X2-Communicator-(2-mi.-Range).html

Matt posted about scala-riderâ„¢ Bluetoothâ„¢ headset but that looks like it only does cellphone comm.

Motocomm:
Provides mics/cords/PTTs/etc for two-way radios
https://www.rflimited.com/Site.asp?CID=3

Clearcom:
Provides mics/cords/PTTs/etc for two-way radios
http://www.clearercom.com

Starcom 1 motorcycle communication system:
Complete systems
http://www.starcom1.com

Nady Systems:
driver/passenger only as far as I can tell

J&M Corporation products:
$300 apiece and you still have to provide headset, antenna, mount!

Collett Electronics products:
More at snowmobiles but could probably be adapted

Autocom:
More at other stuff - mp3/stereo/cell

Any pertinent help/input would be greatly appreciated!!

This isn't directly related to what you're after with bike to bike communications, but he's done a lot of work in sorting out an on-board sound system. There might be some tips that you can use. I want to check out some of his ideas this summer myself.

Tankbag 1

Tankbag 2

Earl--Can't address most of these, but the wife and I still have a Chatterbox set we bought several years ago. We tried it a few times, but it was so awkward to use and had such limited range, we quit bothering with it. Not long after purchasing the worthless junk, we came upon a Chatterbox display at the Atlanta IMS. I, of course, took the opportunity to question the rep whether there was anything that could be done to make the units work better. The guy acted like a jerk and clearly didn't have a response for a very dissatisfied customer. Anyway, our units have been collecting dust for several years now. Maybe the new systems are better, but my experience with Chatterbox was so bad, I wouldn't spend another dollar on their products no matter how good they claimed them to be.
Just my .02
Gary

Thanks Gary, its important to know what not to buy. Your observations are appreciated.

Hi Phil

The wife and I use the Collett communicators. They work very well and we like them a lot. It tooks us less than one ride to get them set up and working.

They are a VOX system that actually works. The unit that hooks to the side of the helmet is a little clunky but it it light and I don't notice it catching the wind or anything like that. The battery pack is seperate from the piece that goes on the helmet itself.

I did have a problem in that only one of my speakers worked, I called Collett up and they sent me out a new set, they were very helpful.

Thanks Joe. I talked to Collet yesterday. Their primary market was snowmobiles but as they told me, they work well on bikes. Prices are in my range too!!