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Hi all,
Does anyone have any experience/recommendations for a "rider to rider" intercom for motorcycle use?
I'd like to talk to my riding buddy whilst we're out, and there are a whole range of options. As the font of all knowledge, there will be people here who've used such things and can help us decide whether they're even a good idea, and what to look for if they are.
We'd like:
Up to 4 people talking (2 bikes, with pillions
Decent range (say a kilometre or so?
Budget say around £250 max, for all 4 units.
We don't really want or need a phone connection.
These are scooters, not fast, and ridden in a very leisurely fashion - a sudden interruption startling one of us at the wrong moment isn't really a great concern...
Thank you
when i used to ride me and two buddies invested in some Sena 50 intercoms.
They were pretty good, but never delivered to their full claims of distance. And sometimes didnt pair straight away.
And if i was in front the pops and crackles from my exhaust would be picked up by my buddy, then sent through to my ears, which made chatting awkward at times.
But they did have phone connection, so could take calls or listen to music when solo.
This was a good few years ago now, so i would assume they have updated and improved. Price wise i suspect they may be out of budget, but they may do a cheaper range these days.
Otherwise... i cant help 😛
There’s a good fortnine YouTube vid about intercoms, probably worth a look.
I’ve got a cheap freedcon one from Amazon which seems ok but I’m using it for the reverse of what you want. Riding alone connected to my phone for emergencies.
I looked into this when I was riding, oh, fifteen years ago? Based on a hazy out-of-date memory, I'd suggest that your budget is woefully low for something that won't be shit. It's likely on the low side for one unit even, let alone four. My conclusion at the time was "forget it."
I could be wrong, as I said it's been a while and technology moves apace.
From that fortnine vid I mentioned it looks like the Motorola radio system might be in budget and would do what you want but wouldn’t look as slick. It’s what my instructor had when I was learning so I can vouch for them, the only place they’re not great is when you’re near lots of other riding schools
Bluetooth connection, have a good length of signal reach and arnt too expensive.
Sound quality is good for the price
Believe you can pair up to 6 devises
Anything better is large monies
£250 is too low. I had some generic V6 ones at £80 / pair. They were crackly and can only talk to one person at a time.
I now have a £299 Cardo Freecom 4 which while better is frankly dissapointing unless there is clear ine of sight. Don't think that can do 4 way comms, but does pair to 3 other devices. I use Satnav and my Son as two of the 3, but he can't hear my SatNav.
I think you can do rider to rider chaining up to 4 riders through a central rider.
Cardo packtalk bold will do what you want and good sound quality - usable at motorway speeds
Way over budget though
Looks like you could get 4 push to talk radios with 8km range and headsets for £220.
This is the video -
Looks like the cheap option is the same as Chew has.
Ooooo a timely thread after the OH and I ended up finishing a ride alone because he wanted to go more than the advertised speed limit and overtake everyone in sight where i was happy doing the signposted 60mph which then led to him thinking I'd crashed as he had to 'wait so long' that he then doubled back while I rode past our meeting point because he wasn't there. I only need two riders and if budget needs to be higher than the OP I might just bin the idea off!
Well, you'll be screwed for Bluetooth solutions at that sort of range. I can't keep a solid connection between a phone and BT headphones if I'm at the other side of the kitchen and the microwave is on.
Thanks for the help, everyone - seems like it's not a bad idea, but budget might need to go up.
Those videos, btw, were worth watching for the entertainment value as much as the information!
I use a Cardo Packtalk Bold for rider to pillion comms, but it's also capable of group comms with up to 15 people. I've only used it in a group once but it was superb. It uses two types of comms tech. Bluetooth for connecting to phones, satnav or non cardo headsets and a 'Dynamic Mesh Communication' system for groups who are using cardo headsets. This is much more stable than bluetooth.
Once you've set up a group it will connect automatically with someone whenever they are in range. Realistic range is about 5-600m line of sight. I don't think any intercom has better range, whatever they claim, especially the cheap ones, but that is adequate for group riding. Also the range is practically extended because you can relay messages. A rider in the middle of the group can talk to the front and back riders even if they cant talk to each other because of range. You drop seamlessly in and out of the Mesh group when you go in and out of range.
It's got voice control, an FM radio and JBL speakers which give clear, loud sound even with ear plugs. Battery life on a recent tour was about 3 days. Awesome bit of kit. The downside? We paid about £350 for the pair.