Forums > Parts, Accessories & Gear > rider to rider communication

Check out the Cardo Scala Rider Teamset. I haven't had a chance to try it riding yet, but it hooked right up via Bluetooth to the phone or my Nav III and has wireless intercom.

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It's not an "other", it's an ST. BMW's best kept secret. ;)

I've had two different Chatterbox systems and have not been overly impressed with either. They are OK but the Voice activated feature is not easy to get adjusted. If you leave it sensative enough to activate when speaking, wind noise will also trigger it. It does have a push to talk button option, but then you have a chord running from helmet to handlebar.

Another issue is the speakers which may require modifying some helmets to fit and if not fit properly will rub on ears. Also sound quality is just OK. I ran an iPod through it for music. Rider-to-passenger or rider-to-rider conversation did interupt music, which is a nice feature. But if you use ear plugs, you have to have the volume very loud and without ear plugs, you battle wind noise to hear.

It was handy that the chatter box has the same frequencies as inexpensive handheld radios. Family traveling on four wheels and I could communicate on trips.

 My first unit, one of the originals, quit working after about two years (and one rain shower). The second unit still funtions, but the display quit working so I have to guess which channel I'm on.

 All that said, I plan on going with an AutoCom system. Everything I've read says that is the best. Pricey, but worth it. And I can rig it to use my SURE Noise reducing in-ear speakers which block wind noise and deliver crystal clear sound.

 My two cents worth,

 Dave

Hi Jean,

Before starting to look for a system you have to find out if you want CB radio like the trucckers have or a UHF/VHF system . Many longdistance riders have CB radios becuse they can get info of the road from the communications from the trucks. I belive this is a fixed system on the bike.

In our family we have not many bikes as you, but we wanted to have the flexibility to move the system from one bike to the other (our son could also use it when needed) (my husband an I ride normally together on long trips)

We went along with the 'StarCom 1' system www.starcom1.com They have the same quality as 'Autocom' in fact  someone told me, that people who worked for Autocom set up their own business but selling at much lower prices. (I do not know today if that still is the case priceways).

Starcom1 has worked great for us. Sound quality is really good. We purchased 2 communication kits and separately 2 Kenwood VHF/UHF radios. We have put them in a small tankbag and can disconnect them very easy. Power supply we installed ourselfs relative easy.

I also connected my GPS to it. I do not want the phone connected but you can if you want. We have riden many miles with it and is really nice to stay in touch.

 

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The world is a book, and those who do not travel, read only one page - 'Saint Augustin'

Thanks for the input, I think the chatterbox is probably out of therunning due to the comments here and from what I've heard, there isa great deal of added wind noise with those.  Thanks for the site,Nboon, I'll check that.  I looked at the J&M CB set up online last nite, but it's hard to figure this all out without everhaving seen it in person.  Thanks again.

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jean

Jean, I've also heard bad things about the Chatterbox systems.

I've got the autocomm and will get the kenwood radio soon.

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I have used Chatterbox.  I thought it was of poor quality.  I upgraded to a Starcom system about a year ago and experienced a huge improvement in sound quality and adaptivity.  I like it!

I have a rider/passenger set up from collett, a canadian company that makes systems for snowmobilers and motorcyclist.  The system works really well, has voice activation, you can hook up a cell phone and a musical device, and isn't too heavy.  The only thing that I don't like about it is all the wires.  It is a little old school now that blue tooth/wireless systems are becoming so popular.  My model is the platnium 9000 and i believe the riders system was $200 and the passeneger was $60 or $70 (I bought them a few years agao).

And I like everyone else has never heard anything good about chatterbox.  Seems odd that so many folks have problems with them, but that they are still the biggest seller????

I swear by the Starcom 1 Advanced, it is simply amazing.  The intecom quality is almost like talking to a passenger in a car while you're drinving.  The VOX is adjustable and very good, and the noise reduction is second to none.  You can add as many or as few accesories as you want.  I persannly have it all except for the cell phone adapter.  The bike to bike radio system is fabulous, I installed the same set up pn my sons 65 gs and a friend bought the same thing.  Now, not only can I talk to the wife and listen to music and the navi, I can let the other riders in the group know whats up or talk to them too.

 I am sure you will be very happy with the system.

 Enjoy,

Dan

Take a look at the Motocomm units at www.rflimited.com I just bought two refurbed Audio Boss units for my wife and I for $99 each. They have the full gamut of inputs (GPS, radar, two-way, music) plus on-bike intercom and built in FM receiver. They work quite well, but you do need to supply your own FRS/GMRS radios. Our Motorola Talkabouts had some problems with the supplied plugs, but our Garmin Rino GPS/radio units work superbly.

Motocomm also has just a simple combination headset/mic combo with a push to talk switch you strap onto your bars. It plugs into an FRS radio and gives you bike-to-bike comms without the other options. Those are about $60 each - I figured for $30 more I'd get a lot more options with the refurbed units.

Motocomm has been great to work with. They are local, and I've dropped in and their technicians worked with me to solve one issue I had that wasn't really even their problem.

A very interesting thread!

Has anybody tried the Cellular Line : Interphone Headset?  WebBike had a very positive review of this system.

Thanks,

Mike

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Enjoy, Mike

Hey Jean... come ride with me and I'll show you how to communicate - with some good ol' hand signals!!

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 I checked out the link.  This product would be so perfect for my wife and I..... and it's not too expensive.

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

SideKick Brochure

Thanks for the link Defens!

JB,

The use of hand singnals works the best for me. I actually saw someone on a cell phone once, an HD or cuiser rider with no helmet. My first reaction was how in the world could he hear anything (he was in motion). Now my only passenger is my better half. She will tolerate 70 - 80 miles per hour. When I hit the "ton" she will wack in on my helmet to slow down. If she needs to stop, she will pat me on the helmet before an exit or rest arera. This seems to work well (except when she wacks on the helmet). Love her to death, but when I'm in a car with her I have a talking GPS (honey, go left, honey, go right, honey your going to .... So my last bastion of hope is on my bike, were all I hear is the wind and an ocassional wack on the helmet.
So, no chatter box for me...I have one in the car

Think before you spend!!!

Emiliano

      

  

 

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Ride Safe, Ride Hard & Stay On Your Side Of The Yellow Line!

Pat and Emiliano: hand signals are what The Fat Man and I have used B4.  Frankly when I saw how expensive this communication thing would be, I was pretty taken aback.  That squeaking noise others hear when I walk is not always arthritis!  I got to thinking about the fact that I usually ride alone and it is getting hard to justify $300 or more EACH.  I'm still investigating and the posts on this thread have been great; but I'm gonna look at what other people have used and move slowly.  Hells bells, I still don't use a cell phone and GPS is just unthinkable.  Neither of us is the least bit intrigued by gadgets.  BTW, neither of us has ever carried a passenger so a smack on the helmet is not going to work!  Perhaps a pocket full of rocks?

Thanks

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jean