| The question we get asked time after time is | | | | and either a boom mike or a stick on mike for |
| "what is the best motorcycle communication | | | | full-face helmets. Interphone is a well-established |
| systems for bikers?" We always follow this up | | | | Bluetooth intercom system which enables you |
| immediately with another question - "what exactly | | | | both to connect to another Interphone, i.e. your |
| are you looking for?" | | | | pillion or another rider, and also to a mobile phone |
| This is because the options are many; from a | | | | GPS/MP3 player. It was initially unique in that it |
| single rider who just wants to be able to answer | | | | allowed the user to connect to more than one |
| his phone whilst riding and perhaps use a Sat Nav, | | | | other Bluetooth device. |
| to a group of riders who want to be able to keep | | | | Bluetooth intercoms have now moved on to |
| in touch with each other whilst on a ride-out. | | | | provide stereo sound and Interphone have |
| Throw in there the fact that some riders may | | | | brought out their new F4 system which |
| want to listen to music and some want all of this, | | | | incorporates this feature. Midland also do a range |
| without any wires, and you start to appreciate | | | | of Bluetooth Intercoms in their BT range and |
| how complex bike communications can be. There | | | | Starcom have their BTGO. The only disadvantage |
| is, therefore, no quick answer to this question. | | | | of Bluetooth is the range. For rider to pillion it is |
| One of the problems we are very much aware | | | | ideal, but if you want to use it for rider to rider, |
| of is that it is easy to overload the customer with | | | | you must bear in mind that the range is going to |
| too much information which can be | | | | be around 200m, which is fine if you are intending |
| counter-productive. | | | | to stay close together. |
| Let's start with some basics. Rider and Pillion would | | | | However, if you are looking for motorcycle |
| like to be able to communicate with each other | | | | communication between a group of riders who |
| on a basic level, such as "Can we stop, I need the | | | | may not stay this close together, you perhaps |
| loo". There are plenty of reasonably priced | | | | should think about using radios. Again, the options |
| systems available which will do just this, such as | | | | are many; you can each buy a radio, headset and |
| the Albrecht Basic Rider to Pillion Intercom which | | | | PTT (press to talk) cable and as long as you are |
| is available with either full-face or open-face | | | | all on the same wavelength (usually PMR446), you |
| headsets. This is a battery operated wired | | | | will be able to communicate with each other. |
| intercom system. However, if you are likely to be | | | | The range varies depending upon the radio you |
| travelling at high speed and have to contend with | | | | have (typically the more you can afford to spend |
| wind noise, this will not be up to the job. | | | | the better it will be) but you should usually be able |
| The Starcom Advance System is not only an | | | | to count on a range of between mile to 2 miles, |
| intercom but a whole entertainment system. Rider | | | | depending upon conditions. Midland do a great |
| and pillion can listen to music, which will mute | | | | bike-to-bike kit which contains everything one |
| when they speak to each other. Communication is | | | | rider needs, if there are 2 of you, you need 2 and |
| clear, even at high speeds. The unit, which is the | | | | if there are 10, you need 10. Nice and simple and |
| size of a credit card, is wired to the bike's | | | | affordable. |
| battery, so no need to worry about batteries | | | | If you are also looking for other features, such as |
| running out. Headsets are provided for either full | | | | ability to use mobile phone and listen to music, |
| or open face helmets. The digital system allows | | | | then you will need to go back to a system such |
| both rider and pillion to listen to their own music. | | | | as Starcom. With the Starcom unit wired onto |
| Mobile phones and GPS devices can be connected | | | | your bike, you will have these features available. |
| either by cable or Bluetooth. | | | | You can then add a radio kit to this unit and away |
| Perhaps you want all of this but do not want any | | | | you go. |
| cables coming from your helmet or attaching you | | | | So, to go back to where we started from, you |
| to your bike. Bluetooth may then be the option | | | | can see that the solution will differ depending upon |
| you are looking for. There are numerous | | | | the requirements. This is very much an area in |
| Bluetooth devices available now which in the main | | | | which you get what you pay for, we get lots of |
| comprise of a small unit which attaches to the | | | | customers telling us about the unit they bought |
| outside of your helmet with either a clip or sticky | | | | for 20 and it worked fine when they were both |
| pad. | | | | stood by their bike testing it but once on the |
| Inside the helmet you typically have an earpiece | | | | road, they couldn't hear each other. |