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14 Jan 2008
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Bike to Bike Comms - Are these any good?
I am looking at ways in which I can keep in touch with my mate when out on the road. We both ride BIG trailees (XT600E and XR650) and it's nice to keep in touch when on the move. I found these things on the web - Motorcycle Handsfree Communication Kit --- muuk - The New Technology Store which uses this throat mic - CoolTalk VoiceBox Sport --- muuk - The New Technology Store
Has anyone any advice regarding these gadgets????
Thanks
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21 Jan 2008
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I'm surprised no one can help me with this one, surely there must be someone else who has a need for bike to bike comms? 
Neil
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21 Jan 2008
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Curates Egg!
like a Curates egg that one!
theres good......& bad.......
The Good
VOX voice activated so no need to push buttons and get distracted, but also every sneeze. whimper, etc will be transmitted to your buddy! so he WILL know how scared you were coming down that shale hillside!
Long Range
lightweight
useable off bikes as walkie talkies. great for Rallies/ shops/ fairs/ etc
THE BAD
rechargeable.... what happens when they go flat? do they take batteries too?
exspensive for what they are, I got a pair of walkie Talkies similar for 25 quid, 3 KM range. OK, without the headsets & the VOX capability.
Headphones & Mikes look uncomfortable.
martyn
Last edited by Martynbiker; 22 Jan 2008 at 12:03.
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21 Jan 2008
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I've never been a fan of throat mikes personally, but that probably comes from experience of Army one's which were either too loose and didn't pick anything up or too tight and stuck in.
But perhaps things have moved on?
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21 Jan 2008
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Never met a throat mic I liked they all suck, on the 351's (radios) we used to use we modded them it work with hand held mics, always better to let the squad leader do the yacking whilst you watch for the bad guys, I was always the better shot.
Now considering that I passed my DAS last year and the instructor had STATE OF THE ART KIT again it sucked at anything past 50mph.
If you must talk do it at petrol stations, make up some foot signals so you know what’s what, and get the guy in the rear to flash lights when he wants to grab your attention, then he can move up to the front and do his foot stuff.
See Easy, not rocket science is it?
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22 Jan 2008
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.
Before I start - I should say that, I don't have personal experience of that exact system so feel free to disregard everything that I say!
But, I will reinforce Alex and Judadredd's opinions, that throat mikes are not the way forward, especially VOX activated. For all the reasons already stated, too tight, too loose, too receptive, too ignorant, too good at picking up whimpers or tears etc.
Does anyone know if you can buy PRRs? That would be a perfect bike to bike system, pressel operated, hardy, comfortable and works on batteries for hours..
Joel
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29 Jan 2008
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another site
Hi Neil,
I've just found this site;
Motorcycle Communications Headsets
Worth a look.
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29 Jan 2008
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What a good find!
Steve,
Your right, that is an excellent site for getting hold of a PTT mic system. In fact it looks better value than Maplins own effort! Thanks for that helpful post, thats the first time I've seen that site too.
All the very best.
Neil
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2 May 2011
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Howiezowie
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We use the older version of the Interphone, the newer version is the F4. IMO it is excellent and everything it advertises it does and it does it all very well. 
BlueAnt Interphone BlueTooth Motorcycle Intercom
We've been using it for 3 years and the battery holds just as well as when it was new. On recharge and we are still able to travel for 5-7 days without recharging them.
Here is the updated link.
F4 Interphone Motorcycle Kit - BlueAnt Wireless
we recommed it above and beyond any wired device, also integrates with phone, GPS and music (as long as they use bluetooth ie for a smartphone).
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31 Jan 2008
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I use an old autocom system on my road bike. It was expensive but the range is pretty good.
It is PTT which I like.
Clear speech up to 100mph easily and understandable at speeds over that.(sorry officer)
Uses a Kenwood radio that is rechargable or can be powered off the bike.
Very good for keeping a group together in traffic without having to stop and wait.
Also good for the "which bloody exit should we be taking of this roundabout" kinda situations.
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24 Apr 2008
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road + speed + conversation = accident bike to bike systems are exactly the same as a car driver on a mobile, attention should be on road / traffic / surface conditions. pre-plan routes and organise stop-off points.
Use your mobiles on vibrate if needs be. these B-2-B systems should fall under the same legal guidelines for mobiles.
And allmost all the fun of riding a bike is the feeling of freedom, you at one with the machine and the road, not some mate chattering in your ear!!
Thats my opinion anyway. I dont want to start a flame war. so sorry if you do not agree.
Thanks
Password
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24 Apr 2008
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Point taken but how are riders under instruction for example, supposed to receive this instruction without them. Is the instructor supposed to signal them to pull in every time they forget to cancel an indicator, just to tell them that?
I disable the ringing tone while riding and use my mobile for satnav only. Although it's possible, I will make no attempt to make or receive calls while riding.
The reason I'm trying to set up a bike to bike system is that I'm travelling to Assen for the Moto GP in June but I'm also taking one of my mates with me. He's never driven a car abroad before, let alone ridden a bike. The comms are just to help him if we get separated and to help with giving him directions, not to chatter on about what we having for tea, etc.
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24 Apr 2008
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Cheers Craig
I take your point about Instructors, also police and paramedic riders use com systems. The differance is that most instructors employ a one-way system so the student does not have to respond and can maintain concerntration. essentialy they are passive receivers of information.
Police and paramedic riders use open com systems however they are advanced motorists and undergo levels of testing and evaluation the far exceeds the majority of bikers.
If you feel comfortable with using a com system then investigate them further by all means, i can see that they could be useful in certain situations however i am still of the opinion that they are more of a hazard than people realise and are open to misuse.
good luck and enjoy the trip 
Greg
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25 Apr 2008
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Bike Cops can be Tossers Too...
Don't be too in awe of bike cops! I'm a former MoD Police bike Cop (13 years Special Escort Group) escorting Nuclear Weapons from Faslane to Aldermaston and other places (I'll have to kill you if I say more)! Before that I was Met (7 years).
The point I'm trying to make is that I have come across many bike cops who ride like real amateurs and take ridiculous risks. I once knew a Met bike cop who had so many accidents that the force's insurance company refused to provide cover. I have seen some bloody idiots riding police bikes over the years and thats a fact. Some of these have even gone onto being ROSPA/IAM Riding Instructors in their spare-time!
The Police bike training course I took and passed (class 1) was conducted at Chalk Farm, London in 1980. It was apparently the best bike course anywhere in the UK at that time. In my class of 6 candidates only 4 passed the other 2 returned to their normal duties. One of those that failed the course is still a very good friend of mine. I can honestly say that he is the BEST rider I have ever known or seen. Some people are just natural born motorcyclists. I couldn't understand how he came to fail the course.
A good motorcyclist is above all a SAFE rider (safe to himself and all other road users). It has nothing to do with speed at all it's all about DEFENSIVE RIDING.
The point I'm trying to say is that don't be too over-awed by people who tell you they are ex this or ex that, it means nothing...
Sonic Communications (International) Limited - Tel: +44 (0)121 781 4400
I understand that SONIC have supplied most forces with their bike communications equipment. The actual Radios are now supplied by Airwave (Tetra) which is an o2 company. This digital radio system has improved bike comms immensely compared to the old days when it was common to find radio blackspots all over the UK. The new Tetra system is very expensive though. Police motorcyclists use VOX mics which means they can easily talk to Force Radio whilst still controlling the bike. Apparently SONIC does sell to the general public too but I think their prices are expensive.
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