Communicating between two bikes

[Toledo Mark]

Other than hand signals, I am looking for a simple way to communicate between two bikes on a 5000 mile trip.

I wear a half helmet and the other wears a full face.  What electronic gadgets are available?

Thanks

[Oss]

I have a cb

was nice to be able to speak or not on the trip from Cody to Portland with Bear and Alan

pothole/wildlife avoidance  or a really memorable person in a car we are passing   

[MacDragon]

A Scala Q2

Here is an example. http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/4/62/30372/ITEM/Cardo-Systems-Scala-Rider-G4-Multi-Communicator-System.aspx

[Moonshot_1]

Wife and I went with this set up

http://www.senabluetooth.com/products/smh10.php?tab_menu=overview

Approx. $300 for pair. Give or take a few bucks.

Will do bike to bike, bluetooth phone, mp3/fm player, and connects with GPS systems

Haven't used the GPS function.

System works fairly well. Over 30 mph the wind noise makes the use of the intercom difficult but it is still usable at highway speeds. Much over 20 makes the bluetooth phone worthless trying to call out. Incoming calls are problematic too due to wind noise. Usually I'll find a place to stop and then call out.

Outstanding in urban areas.

Little less than 1/2 mile range out in open. Typical urban range maybe a couple blocks

Went with the Sena because of a local authorized dealer.

Cardo-scala has a new version out too.

Comes in at about $500

http://cyclebots.com/bluetooth-helmet-headsets/cardo-systems/cardo-scala-rider-g9-bluetooth-helmet-intercom-powerset.html?gclid=CP6u26ST17QCFeZDMgodk3MAbQ

I think all of these systems have issues with wind noise.

If you do a lot of riding with someone, these systems are indispensable. It's good to know when your partner needs a break, if there is a problem, to let them know that you are changing plans for some reason.

You don't really use it that much, but it more than comes in handy at important or critical times of the trip.

[alph]

i wear a 1/2 helmet as well.  i have a J&M head set hooked up with the cycle CB system.  now, if you don't have a built in CB unit, you can get a hand held unit that you can tuck into your jacket pocket with a push to talk button on your handle bar.  or, mount your unit on your handlebar with velcro or something (duct tape!! mans best friend)  check out this system, will set you back $100, but sure does make communicating much easier!!

here's a cheap simple hand held unit;

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16872008021&nm_mc=KNC-GoogleAdwords&cm_mmc=KNC-GoogleAdwords-_-pla-_-NA-_-NA&gclid=CMvr84ae17QCFXCmPAodYUIAzA

and a nice PTT (push to talk) head set;

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16872008041&nm_mc=KNC-GoogleAdwords&cm_mmc=KNC-GoogleAdwords-_-pla-_-NA-_-NA&gclid=CJWmh7Oe17QCFbKiPAodX1oAcg

you might have to do some jerry rigging to the head set a bit.

[wiggydotcom]

Wife and I both have the Chatterbox XBI units for driver to passenger communication. They work well for us. Not saying their any better or worse than the other brands. I think it would make a difference as to what type of helmets one wears. We both have flip helmets so we went with the mike set up that an open face helmet would use.
Although you can hear wind noise if the volume is turned up, we don't have a problem communicating, even at highway speeds. Battery time would be about 6 hours, give or take a little, if used pretty regularly on a trip.

[Jabba]

I have Scala G4's.  Both hooked to my wife and Squealy and his wife.  We have quad way conversations, and they are open, not VOX, so you can talk and listen at the same time.  well... you know what I mean.  It's not like you key a mike, and the speaker goes dead like with the VOX systems.

Wind noise is a non issue, even with the modular helmet open.  I guess they make 1/2 helmet conversions too.  And the cell phone thing works great too.  I can talk on the cell phone at speed and people don't even know I am on the bike.  Sometimes I have a hard time hearing... but they can hear me just fine.  The A2DP (bluetooth with the iPod) is awesome.  I do not have a GPS.  Well I do.  It's my riding partner Squealy. 

Jabba

I am a fan.

Jabba

[f-Stop]

I also have the Scala Rider G4 and use it every time I ride.  The phone noise canceling system works great and folks on the other end cannot tell that I'm on the Valk.  I've even taken business calls while playing hooky during week days! 

The blue tooth system works great.  I have GPS on my iPhone so I can listen to directions while listening to music.  The G4 has a priority system and a phone call will override the other stuff, but once the phone call is over the music and/or GPS comes back on.

I have not used the quad-way capabilities,  but I have paired up with a Q2 system. 

The battery is amazing.  I have never run it down!  And, the system weighs next to nothing.

The FM radio does not work very well and the speakers are not very good.  I think that Scala Rider has a new model with better speakers, though.

Also, you need a PC computer to get firmware upgrades.  I'm on Mac and Scala Rider does not have compatible software. 

All in all a good system that is easy to use...

[MP]

The problem with all these systems, is that they are limited to the very few other riders who have the same system.

The only system out there, that is universal, is the CB.  Has longer range than the above systems, and is fully compatable with other CB's.

MP

[old grouch]

Probably not the ideal solution, but surely the cheapest:  FRS Radios??  FWIW  Stan

[wiggydotcom]

The problem with all these systems, is that they are limited to the very few other riders who have the same system.

The only system out there, that is universal, is the CB.  Has longer range than the above systems, and is fully compatable with other CB's.

Good point.. And it might not be completely what the original poster was asking, but in my case, the headsets are for driver to rider communication.

MP

[G-Man]

OSS and I have good communication signals when we ride long distance. 


This means he's cold and needs to put on more gear:

[Gryphon]

It is limited to up to 4 headsets, but I understood you to only wanted to communicate between 2 bikes on a trip.  This is what I have.  The battery charge last a decent amount of time.  My wife and I use it to talk both when whe is on the bike with me and when she's on her own.  Range is 500M; stated.  I know it works well at a reasonable distance.  It's bluetooth and syncs up with my cell also.  It also has the big advantage of being the cheapest communication headset I've seen, that works.  I've had mine for 1 1/2 years and did have to replace the foam cover on one of the mics.  I managed to lose it  somewhere, but replacements are cheap.  For less than $100, you can't beat it.  I got mine from a cycle website, but here is a current link to Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Shark-SHKMBT88I-Motorcycle-snowmobile-Interphone/dp/B001SUZNGW/ref=pd_sbs_e_1

[robin]

OSS and I have good communication signals when we ride long distance. 


This means he's cold and needs to put on more gear:

[Oss]

i feel a chill 

its gettin nippy

[lifguardct]

It is limited to up to 4 headsets, but I understood you to only wanted to communicate between 2 bikes on a trip.  This is what I have.  The battery charge last a decent amount of time.  My wife and I use it to talk both when whe is on the bike with me and when she's on her own.  Range is 500M; stated.  I know it works well at a reasonable distance.  It's bluetooth and syncs up with my cell also.  It also has the big advantage of being the cheapest communication headset I've seen, that works.  I've had mine for 1 1/2 years and did have to replace the foam cover on one of the mics.  I managed to lose it  somewhere, but replacements are cheap.  For less than $100, you can't beat it.  I got mine from a cycle website, but here is a current link to Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Shark-SHKMBT88I-Motorcycle-snowmobile-Interphone/dp/B001SUZNGW/ref=pd_sbs_e_1

I bought the same ones a while back. Mine didn't ever work very well as an intercom. The Bluetooth to my phone worked pretty good though.

[Denny47]

Cardo Scala G9 here, supposed to be a 1 mile range in good terrain, will work well with a half helmet with the ear covers which came w/ my helmet. Bought a few months back fro Wingstuff, $450 a pair at that time

[YoungPUP]

I use FRS radio with a throat mic setup reasonably cheap (I've got less than $100 in my set of 2 radios and mic sets.) and seems pretty durable.  Heres a link for the mic i;m talking about.  I've got the same company, just can't find the model number on mine. http://www.amazon.com/Fire-Fox-Technologies-Paintball-Edition/dp/B00070JOQ4/ref=pd_sim_sbs_e_14

[fudgie]

I just roll up next and say 'hey!' 

[hotglue #43]

For talking 'bike to bike' it's hard to beat a CB....
Extended range over others mentioned.
Not limited to how many can be on channel with you.
Universal.... you can talk to anyone that has a CB
Can check ch 19 for trucker road condition info
Push to talk..... no one has to listen to ya sing with the music!!!!!!