What's the best helmet speaker/microphone setup?

[capehoorn]

Picked up an Interstate last fall with a CB radio on it, but I don't know if it works because there is no way to test it without a mic. So what do you use or recommend? I don't have a helmet setup with communication capabilities.

[DenverDave]

http://www.jmcorp.com/Static/nolan.htm

I like the way the J&M system mounts to the Nolan N-Com helmets, a cleaner install. J&M other systems clip to the bottom edge of whichever helmet you chose. Kind of pricey if you order a pre installed helmet from J&M but you can save some money buying the helmet on sale and installing the system yourself.  I believe that J&M make the best wired intercom systems. I wish someone would make a wireless system that would interface with the radio/cb systems on motorcycles.

The most important thing is to get a helmet that fits your head.


just my 2 cents
Dave

[salty1]

J&M is the only way to go. +1 Dave.      If you want a less expensive helmet, try a HJC (CL 33) it has nice deep ear pockets for the speakers. Not all helmets adapt well to communication components.

[BonS]

EdSets.com has made quality stuff for years. Well worth considering.

[custom1]

I was lucky enough to get the factory headsets with my I/S. I adapted them to my new helmets. The original windsocks were too large to fit comfortably in the full face helmets. I ended up cutting a couple fingers off an old pair of gloves to make thin windsocks. Maybe you can find some factory headsets??
Here is the thread from last year with the different suggestions I got.

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,25202.0.html

[R J]

Back when J&M was still sucking hind tit, A Company called Cycle Com was kicking their ass.  Then J&M got large enough to sue, and say they had invented this and that.     Poor little Cycle Com didn't have the $$$$ or resources to fight them.

So they sold out to this company after the owner passed away.

I still have and still use Cycle Com helmet wiring, speakers and mouth piece.

Here is a link to them, and they still honor some of the cords and etc on my 3 sets as warranty.

http://www.airrider.com/

I have several pieces of J&M items that have failed and they would never honor their warranty on them.    Sheet happens..........

[Steve K (IA)]

EdSets.com has made quality stuff for years. Well worth considering.

[Chattanooga Mark]

My Edset is over 5 years old and I use it evertime I'm on the Interstate.

Well worth looking at... and buying,

Mark

[Cattman]

EdSets.com has made quality stuff for years. Well worth considering.

[capehoorn]

All good information, thank you. So I need an education. How does the whole system work? If I and a passenger are connected to the bike communication plugs do we booth have to push a button to talk to each other or is it voice activated, also does the stereo system play through the helmet speakers only or will it also play through the bike speakers? Can the passenger talk on the CB also? And MOST important can I turn the passengers communication off without getting bitch slapped up along side the head? 

[custom1]

Well, first off I'd say you need an owners manual! A couple times a year I need to get mine out and refresh on which buttons do what. Basically tho driver and passenger can talk to each other at any time, the mics are always on. There is a push to talk button on the side of the pod for diver to talk on CB. There is a separate button you could purchase for the passenger to talk on CB. You cycle through the options on one of the buttons to get the stereo to play through the helmet or bike or both. You also cycle through another button for AM, FM, AUX, etc.

No way I know of to turn off passenger communication...... Maybe increase speed until communication stops and becomes screams of excitement or terror!!

There may be a link somewhere to the manual online. Not sure where. Maybe someone else knows and can chime in.

[custom1]

I couldn't find the manual online, but here is a thread where a few members have a pdf. file of it. Maybe PM one of them and see if they will e-mail it to you.

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,15354.0.html

Here is a link to purchase it online.

http://www.repairmanual.com/online/official-2000-honda-gl1500cf-valkyrie-interstate-factory-owners-manual-31mby610/

[salty1]

See if the technical documentation on Dag's site helps. 

http://www.valkyrienorway.com/download.html

[MP]

The rider to passenger link is always on.  It is not voice activated.

As mentioned before, push the lever down on the controls for the rider to talk on the CB.  The passenger can always hear the CB, but if you want the passenger to talk on the CB, they you need an additional push to talk switch for them.

MP

[sugerbear]

a few years back i went to nuehaus days in litchfield ill.
j&m was there. had a "conversation" with the owner about the headset i had bought.

he not so politely told me there was nothing wrong with HIS headset, it must be my bike's system.

tried to tell him my friends headset works fine, he just walked away.

bought another set and it worked fine. he wasn't interested in hearing about it.

i'll NEVER buy another thing from j&m.

GREAT customer service.

and i'll tell anyone who ask.

[PhredValk]

I just ordered from Edsets. Looks like a good product, and I like the option of no microphone, as I don't have a CB. My J&M setup was great until the helmet was stolen, but the mic was always in the way, and there was no option to not have it attached. I had to duct tape the mic to cancel the constant wind noise. And I can order a mic later if I get a CB or want to set up the intercom....
Fred.