Intercoms

**geoffm** · 12th August 2004, 21:02

I used to have a Nady passenger to rider intoercom, which was a good thing on a long trip, and made it easier to pursuade the missus to get on the back. A bit of trouble with windnoise above 100kph, but after I had changed the earphones and mikes, it was pretty good.
Unfortuantly, it has gone for a walk, and replacements are unavailble, crap and or expensive.
ANyone have any recomemndations? One of the systems that use little radios would be good, as there would be no wire between rider and passenger.
Are US radios legal to use here (FRS band I think), and would it matter?
Geoff

**Mongoose** · 12th August 2004, 21:44

Originally Posted by geoffm

I used to have a Nady passenger to rider intoercom, which was a good thing on a long trip, and made it easier to pursuade the missus to get on the back. A bit of trouble with windnoise above 100kph, but after I had changed the earphones and mikes, it was pretty good.
Unfortuantly, it has gone for a walk, and replacements are unavailble, crap and or expensive.
ANyone have any recomemndations? One of the systems that use little radios would be good, as there would be no wire between rider and passenger.
Are US radios legal to use here (FRS band I think), and would it matter?
Geoff

Depends of the frequency used, ask at a radio type shop for imformation on that, if you are thinking of the US brands. There are quite a few short range talky walky sort of radios now so you should beable to get one at a reasonable price.

**dangerous** · 12th August 2004, 22:02

Geoff, Did you notice the systen that Glen on the Hayabusa was using when we went for a ride a couple of months ago? It is the Baehr he can talk to his pasanger or the wife on her bike, it also can be conected to your cell phone and any other accesarys like a radar detecter. P/M his wife 'SuzyQ' for any more info but be warned its not cheap.

**Hitcher** · 13th August 2004, 09:15

The set-up that Pinfolds in Rotorua advertise is an outstanding and cost-effective bike-to-bike intercom. Have a squiz at www.amalgamate2000.com. You may have to fight your way past the dentist equipment!

**Pickle** · 13th August 2004, 14:50

Agree with hitcher, check out there web site. We have a bike to bike system from this crowd, Pinfold health or something, push button to talk. Cost approx $250 per bike incl radio, range will depend on terrain traveling and where you have the radio mounted, type of radio etc etc

**Paul in NZ** · 13th August 2004, 15:57

I've got a NADY and a local Dick Smith one I paid $25 for...

Not much chop above 100kph due to vox and Vicki inability to manage complicated technology while riding pillion... Note... Issuing instructions on how to use the intercom should be done BEFORE getting on the bike and attempting to USE the intercom....

(sigh)

**Lou Girardin** · 15th August 2004, 15:57

Baehr is sopposed to be the best, but it's expensive. Oxford do a reasonably priced system, I've heard it works well, but I haven't tried it yet.

**Suzi Q** · 16th August 2004, 20:28

Glen & I have the Baehr system - very expensive about $2000 to kit out both bikes. We have absolutly no wind noise at any speeds. We use uniden hand helds with it. Glen has the radar detector added in to it and we can put a walkman in and the cellphones - though I haven't got mine to work yet. Very good between bikes as Glen can check up on me if he can't see me and I can tell him if I need a comfort or petrol stop. Push button to talk between bikes - very handy as I sing out loud so Glen would hate the voice activation. Rider to Pillion is voice activated.
The guy at Challenger motors in Auckland has been great to deal with - I sent my helmet away to get the speakers and microphone installed - I didn't trust Glen but he managed to his own successfully!

**geoffm** · 16th August 2004, 22:15

Originally Posted by Suzi Q

Glen & I have the Baehr system - very expensive about $2000 to kit out both bikes.

EEk, 2 kilodollars is outside my range. More like $200 or maybe a bit more.
I would love one, but not being able to talk to my pillion would actually be an advantage if she found the bill..
Anyone used one of these speaking tube type intercoms?
Geoff

**dangerous** · 16th August 2004, 22:22

Originally Posted by geoffm

Anyone used one of these speaking tube type intercoms?
Geoff

No but I have used a couple of baked bean cans joined up by a length of string

It was a very, very, long time ago.

**Mongoose** · 16th August 2004, 22:23

Originally Posted by geoffm

EEk, 2 kilodollars is outside my range. More like $200 or maybe a bit more.
I would love one, but not being able to talk to my pillion would actually be an advantage if she found the bill..
Anyone used one of these speaking tube type intercoms?
Geoff

Funny you should mention that, I was just going to say that i thought that was half the idea of a bike, you dont have to listen.Thats what cars are for and why most males are deaf in the left ear more so than the right.

**Jabez** · 19th August 2004, 14:38

Have used cheap intercom with no VOX (until it hit the road!). This was good up to about 80kph, usable up to 110kph, but the wind noise feed back got very annoying!

Now have the Bike-to-bike headset with Uniden 042 radios. Initially used to communicate with Family in Car. But my wife has is in the process of getting her bike licence, so will have to get another headset. The two-way radio has the advantage of no wind noise & a range of at least 3km.
You can get a Cell phone interface cable as well.

Try this link.

http://www.amalgamate2000.com/sales

**geoffm** · 19th August 2004, 23:22

Originally Posted by Jabez

Have used cheap intercom with no VOX (until it hit the road!). This was good up to about 80kph, usable up to 110kph, but the wind noise feed back got very annoying!

Now have the Bike-to-bike headset with Uniden 042 radios. Initially used to communicate with Family in Car. But my wife has is in the process of getting her bike licence, so will have to get another headset. The two-way radio has the advantage of no wind noise & a range of at least 3km.
You can get a Cell phone interface cable as well.

Try this link.

http://www.amalgamate2000.com/sales

I assume you have one of the walkie-talkie based systems? How do you like it? How clear at 100kph (although this will depend on the bike and helmet)
THese look like the go, as it means no wires between pillion and rider, which would be convenient, and $338 for 2 (cheapie) radios and headsets is pretty good.
Geoff

**Jabez** · 2nd September 2004, 13:16

Originally Posted by geoffm

I assume you have one of the walkie-talkie based systems? How do you like it? How clear at 100kph (although this will depend on the bike and helmet)
THese look like the go, as it means no wires between pillion and rider, which would be convenient, and $338 for 2 (cheapie) radios and headsets is pretty good.
Geoff

Yes, it is a 'walkie-talkie' system, can't comment on performance of cheap radios, but for rider to pillion coms, it should be fine. The only thing that I am not fond of, is the 'press to talk' switch mounting on the handlebar. It forces you to move hand to end of bar....can get uncomfortable.

Coms at 100kph is clear, I have a Shoei RF800 helmet and GSX600fv bike.