Motorcycle intercom?

**kusaj** · 14th February 2012, 05:57

Hey guys,
I am planning on investing into the intercom for me and my partner as we travel on the bike a lot,
would you have any suggestions what gear to look at and what is good and not?
thanks ahead
mario

**jimichelle** · 14th February 2012, 07:56

happily married and enjoyed motorcyle riding together 23 years and then decided on an intercom they were split in 6 months

theres a time for riding and a time for talking
enough said

**Gremlin** · 14th February 2012, 09:44

If you only want something for the two of you and the rides will only be a few hours, then you have the wireless options like scala rider plus it's competitors.

For wired you have Baehr (cream of the crop, price tag to match), and Starcom1 and Autocom. They're communications boxes, so for example, I have a GPS, Radar Detector and CB Radio plugged into my Baehr. For any mates using CB, we can then talk via CB, which is much less proprietary. Those boxes will also handle rider-pillion comms.

**Blackbird** · 14th February 2012, 16:57

+1 re the Scala. You can either get boom mics or a thin pad mic which sits in front of the mouth on the inside of the helmet. Clarity is extraordinary. Don't buy it in NZ - if you have American friends you can get one delivered to them and then forwarded on as the price difference is huge. Check the Scala G4 out at Amazon, together with reviews: http://www.amazon.com/Scala-Cardo-Mo...9195198&sr=8-2

BTW, my wife wanted me to get a comms set for years but I resisted. The only reason for the Scala is that I'm a member of the IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists) and it's perfect for training new Associates. Still wouldn't use one with my wife on the back

**Flip** · 14th February 2012, 17:05

I use a Blueant F4, bluetooth set up.

It works fine, both the music and voice quality is very good. Folks don't believe they are talking to me on the cell phone while I am on the road.

I tried out a wired system and did not like it.

**SPman** · 14th February 2012, 17:18

Me and the missus are thinking of a comms system as well - mainly so I can yell "it's not a speed camera", everytime she hits the brakes when she sees a flash of light...sun off tin can, etc......

Originally Posted by Geoff

if you have American friends you can get one delivered to them and then forwarded on as the price difference is huge

just buy direct...Amazon use paypal and the dollars up around $1.07 US..........

**Gremlin** · 14th February 2012, 18:07

Originally Posted by Blackbird

Don't buy it in NZ - if you have American friends you can get one delivered to them and then forwarded on as the price difference is huge.

One problem though (if I have the right equipment), the warranty is not International, so it has to be returned there, if there are issues. While I was on a trip in the USA a couple fancied it, and I explained out all the details, they reckoned it was too hard, easier to buy in NZ.

Anyway, all personal choice.

**Blackbird** · 14th February 2012, 18:35

Originally Posted by SPman

just buy direct...Amazon use paypal and the dollars up around $1.07 US..........

The problem is that Amazon won't sell direct because of price point differences between the two countries. I've run into this with other items.

Originally Posted by Gremlin

One problem though (if I have the right equipment), the warranty is not International, so it has to be returned there, if there are issues. While I was on a trip in the USA a couple fancied it, and I explained out all the details, they reckoned it was too hard, easier to buy in NZ.

Anyway, all personal choice.

Yep, there's inevitably a downside. However, I'm prepared to take the risk when there's a $300-$400 price difference involved!

**Hitcher** · 14th February 2012, 19:05

The biggest problem with the Baehr gear, apart from the expense, is that there is only one dealer/installer located in Auckland.

I haven't seen Pinfolds advertising for a while. Not surprising. The kit they sold was utter crap. And it's a real pain having to connect and unconnect cabling when mounting and dismounting. That's one of the major advantages for helmet-based bluetooth devices.

Mrs H and I used Blueants for a couple of years for bike-to-bike and when Her Good Self was my pillion on tour in the USA and Canada. Battery life was our issue with these, until such time as microphone failure eventually kicked in.

Offput I have been by other offerings, largely due to the microphone encumberances most seem to have in what is already limited helmet interior space, exacerbated by these mikes getting snagged when helmets are taken on and off. Microphones don't like mechanical interference.

**Gremlin** · 14th February 2012, 20:42

Originally Posted by Hitcher

The biggest problem with the Baehr gear, apart from the expense, is that there is only one dealer/installer located in Auckland.
...
Offput I have been by other offerings, largely due to the microphone encumberances most seem to have in what is already limited helmet interior space, exacerbated by these mikes getting snagged when helmets are taken on and off. Microphones don't like mechanical interference.

There is a Baehr installer in Auckland? Tony has moved to Napier, but I also heard rumours he might have moved to Oz... must flick him an email and double check. Afaik, there is no installer in Auckland?

The key with the speakers is to have them properly installed in the helmet, basically recessed far enough into the helmet to give your ears some room... Richard at Botany Honda has been good enough to do that to my Shoei Multitecs. The installation of the comms box itself is relatively straight forward, depending on what stuff you're plugging into it, as there are specialised cables Tony used to make (and did for me).

**mazz1972** · 15th February 2012, 09:20

Originally Posted by Hitcher

The biggest problem with the Baehr gear, apart from the expense, is that there is only one dealer/installer located in Auckland.

I haven't seen Pinfolds advertising for a while. Not surprising. The kit they sold was utter crap. And it's a real pain having to connect and unconnect cabling when mounting and dismounting. That's one of the major advantages for helmet-based bluetooth devices.

We've had our Pinfolds stuff for years now. Yes you get what you pay for, and we have had to replace the PTT buttons a few times, but overall it has been great for bike to bike coms. We've stuck with it because we often ride in a group and we all have the same system, and the range with 2-way radios is way better than the bluetooth systems.

Pinfolds seem to have rider-pillion systems as well, and some bluetooth. Worth a look anyway http://www.amalgamate2000.com/sales/index.htm

**Gremlin** · 15th February 2012, 10:11

Originally Posted by mazz1972

We've stuck with it because we often ride in a group and we all have the same system, and the range with 2-way radios is way better than the bluetooth systems.

If you're using UHF CB Radios, then other systems will allow you to connect them up...

Emailed Tony, he's still in Napier.

**Maha** · 15th February 2012, 10:31

Originally Posted by jimichelle

happily married and enjoyed motorcyle riding together 23 years and then decided on an intercom they were split in 6 months

theres a time for riding and a time for talking
enough said

Yip I can hear it now...

''Honey I need a piss''
''Fuck you just had one 20 minutes ago after that coffee''
''No, that was a shit''
''Well, cant you just hold it in for another 20-30 minutes''?
''Do you want a blow job later or not''?
''Fucking alright then, fuck fuck it''
''I can hear you''
.................................................. .... (silence)