bike to bike communication/gps audio

[boss hoss bill]

Whenever I go riding with my friends, usually they're on HD dressers, it sure would be nice to be able to communicate with them.
One of my friends has the Ultra Classic with a CB installed. I have a standard with no communications, just my old Garmin 2720 GPS hardwired.
Question is: Is there any product  that works well, such as a Scala Rider, J and M etc. I don't want to answer my cell when I'm riding, I just want to be able to talk to my friends if we miss a light etc, and I would like to be able to hear my GPS' directions.

I usually wear a 1/2 helmet (Scorpion 100) or a modular HJC occasionally.
Thanks
Bill

[ChromeDome]

I know J&M sell a handle bar mounted CB unit so I would suggest checking them out.

[grizs50]

The Scala is not a CB and wont talk to a CB, J&M sells a Handle Bar mounted CB or you can get a CB from an Interstate and put it on your Standard!

[boss hoss bill]

I realize that the Scala is not a CB.
Maybe my original post is not clear,
I'm not married to any one type of communications. I realize that CB is such an old technology, but if it works well  , it is a fairly inexpensive way to go, I could go that route. I know I can't hear a GPS with Bluetooth thru a CB.

I was curious what people are using these days for their communications, especially when on group rides,what seems to work well, and is compatible with the bulk of riders these days. Is it the newer devices like a Scala rider and do they work well? Or are people unhappy with them and wish they had saved their money and stuck with a CB?

[grizs50]

If my freinds that I want to talk to have CB's that is what I am getting, it is "OLD" technology but there are millions still on the road and is the most widely available.

The other systems require that everyone be on that system and it's often unpractical to expect that. So I stick with my trusty "OLD" Cb radio, I still have one in my truck and in my house!

[roboto65]

Love the CB on my IS greatest radar detector yet ...

[Razkal]

J&M's handle mount CB works great and they come with an aux. plug that you may be able to hook your gps up with

Razkal

[scoot]

I have the J&M CB on my standard and absolutely love it. The CB works good up to 3 or 4 miles. It has an aux. jack that I use for both satelite radio and my GPS. They have 2 models to choose from. One for driver only, and a second choice if you want an intercom feature between rider and passenger. I have had it for several years now, and it has been flawless.
 I know the CB in kind of old school, however it is proven and there are thousands in use. It doesn't limit you to communication between just you and the people you are with.

[Gear Jammer]

I have the J&M CB on my standard and absolutely love it. The CB works good up to 3 or 4 miles. It has an aux. jack that I use for both satelite radio and my GPS. They have 2 models to choose from. One for driver only, and a second choice if you want an intercom feature between rider and passenger. I have had it for several years now, and it has been flawless.
 I know the CB in kind of old school, however it is proven and there are thousands in use. It doesn't limit you to communication between just you and the people you are with.

I'm with Scoot !  J&M CB2003 system

[boss hoss bill]

Thanks for the opinions and recommendations; I think that a CB will be the way for me to go.
Some very good points you all raised that I hadn't thought about,  damn I like this forum!

Thanks
Bill

[alph]

bill, i feel your pain!!!

i almost bought a Midland CB with a "push to talk" button that you would mount on your left handle bar.  you would also have it hooked up to head phones and a mic.  you'd be looking at spending about $150.  instead i found someone selling their hondaline CB radio that i got for my interstate.  it works great because it also hooks into the intercom, and radio.  but that's only for the interstate....  J&M sells a bluetooth headset unit that is supose to work with the honda line system, but is wireless.  you can also set up your cell phone to work with it.  it's WAYY exspensive!!

http://www.midlandradio.com/CB-Radio-Accessories.KD4/22-540
http://www.midlandradio.com/CB-Radio.WYQ/75-822

here's the J & M blue tooth system.

http://www.helmetshop.com/cgi/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=19820

[fudgie]

I was curious what people are using these days for their communications, especially when on group rides,what seems to work well, and is compatible with the bulk of riders these days.

No body talks to me anyways. 

Kidding aside we just roll up to one another if we want to talk.

[Valkpilot]

bill, i feel your pain!!!

i almost bought a Midland CB with a "push to talk" button that you would mount on your left handle bar.  you would also have it hooked up to head phones and a mic.  you'd be looking at spending about $150.  instead i found someone selling their hondaline CB radio that i got for my interstate.  it works great because it also hooks into the intercom, and radio.  but that's only for the interstate....  J&M sells a bluetooth headset unit that is supose to work with the honda line system, but is wireless.  you can also set up your cell phone to work with it.  it's WAYY exspensive!!

http://www.midlandradio.com/CB-Radio-Accessories.KD4/22-540
http://www.midlandradio.com/CB-Radio.WYQ/75-822

here's the J & M blue tooth system.

http://www.helmetshop.com/cgi/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=19820

I went the Midland hand-held/mobile route, connected to an Edsets headset setup.  I used a generic Ram Mount that bolts to the master cylinder clamp.  It was about $200 less expensive than the J&M setup and I can have it on and off the bike in 60 seconds.

It works great.  The only problem I had was with some water intrusion during a pouring rain.  Water got in through one of the jacks and I couldn't transmit until it dried out.  A little silicone sealant around the base of the plug will fix that.

[grizs50]

I was curious what people are using these days for their communications, especially when on group rides,what seems to work well, and is compatible with the bulk of riders these days.

No body talks to me anyways. 

Kidding aside we just roll up to one another if we want to talk.

That works fine when you are next to each other! Not so good over the next hilL!!!

[fudgie]

I was curious what people are using these days for their communications, especially when on group rides,what seems to work well, and is compatible with the bulk of riders these days.

No body talks to me anyways. 

Kidding aside we just roll up to one another if we want to talk.

That works fine when you are next to each other! Not so good over the next hilL!!!

Here in Indiana, we can see over the next hill. 

[scoot]

I was curious what people are using these days for their communications, especially when on group rides,what seems to work well, and is compatible with the bulk of riders these days.

No body talks to me anyways. 

Kidding aside we just roll up to one another if we want to talk.

Are there hills in Indiana?
That works fine when you are next to each other! Not so good over the next hilL!!!

Here in Indiana, we can see over the next hill. 

[YardBoy]

I have the J&M CB with a Zumo 550 w/xm radio and radar all connected and piped into the helmet.  Even lets you use the bluetooth phone while on the roll. 

[alph]

I have the J&M CB with a Zumo 550 w/xm radio and radar all connected and piped into the helmet.  Even lets you use the bluetooth phone while on the roll. 

that sounds like a nice setup.