Breaker.. Breaker.. Got a copy good buddy

[MotorcopBBQ]

Hey guys I was riding with a friend of mine and came to the conclusion that after 6-hour ride, we need a communication system.
I just want to know if anyone out there has a system that they use and have put it through its paces and would recommend it.
I'm looking at a bluetooth system; Sena, Cardo Scala Rider G4, chatter box, etc. I don't want any system that I would have to wire to the bike. Because, I want to sell it once S10 hits the shores.

 

[fredz43]

Re: Breaker.. Breaker.. Got a copy good buyddy

My son and I bought the Scala Rider Q2's a couple years ago and have since upgraded to the G4's. We bought them first so that we could talk to each other on our semi annual week long excursions. Since he lives 700+ miles from me, that is all we can manage for our riding together. Anyway, we like them a lot and have found that the bluetooth feature is also very handy. I connect my cell phone to it and also my Garmin 2820 gives me voice prompts via bluetooth. I have a Sirius satellite radio on the bike and it has a FM transmitter built in. The G4 has a FM receiver, so I tune it to the output of the sat radio and am set. When we are not riding together, I still use it for phone, GPS and sat radio.

With the Scala G4, whenever they come up with a software upgrade, you can go to their web site and download it for free. They are excellent for customer service and welcome feedback, which has lead to some upgrades in the software. Easy to install in the helmet and you don't have to wire it to your bike. Of course, I have quick connects for my GPS and sat radio.

 

[colorider]

Re: Breaker.. Breaker.. Got a copy good buyddy

Hmmm, I had been thinking about going with a J&M setup, but like the idea that the scala system is "portable" in that it is mounted on the helmet. Besides bike-to-bike, I assume it can be paired to use as an intercom between rider and pillion?

 

[eemsreno]

Re: Breaker.. Breaker.. Got a copy good buyddy

I'm new at this but for our upcoming trip to Alaska we all got Chatter Box , There is 4 of us going and them Scala riders can only work with 3 bikes, Or so we were told.

 

[Mellow]

Re: Breaker.. Breaker.. Got a copy good buyddy

I'll be going with the J&M setup myself, works very well on the ST1300.

I tried the G4 and it was 'okay' without ear plugs but with them in I couldn't hear the music or anything much beyond about 20mph.. on the S10, there's going to be more wind noise than the ST1300. Some w/ST1300 like this setup so it could be my hearing is not as good as theirs.

The wireless options seem nice at first but for me, the wired options give you more power and better reliability. Yes, I've had cords with issues but only about 3-4 times in 10 years of riding and using these options.

 

[colorider]

Re: Breaker.. Breaker.. Got a copy good buyddy

Thanks Joe for the info! Since I wear ear plugs all the time, perhaps the scala is not for me after all. 8)

 

[Venture]

Re: Breaker.. Breaker.. Got a copy good buyddy

Thanks Joe for the info! Since I wear ear plugs all the time, perhaps the scala is not for me after all. 8)

I wear ear plugs and the Scala Rider Q2 unit works just fine for me. The trick is to make sure you get the speaker placement correct inside the helmet. It took some extra velcro for me but I got it figured out and I can hear the other guy just fine.

 

[colorider]

Re: Breaker.. Breaker.. Got a copy good buyddy

I wear ear plugs and the Scala Rider Q2 unit works just fine for me. The trick is to make sure you get the speaker placement correct inside the helmet. It took some extra velcro for me but I got it figured out and I can hear the other guy just fine.

Hmmmm, decisions - decisions!!! I need to do some more research............

Thanks for the added info Chris.

 

[fredz43]

Re: Breaker.. Breaker.. Got a copy good buyddy

I always wear earplugs and a full face helmet and could hear intercom well with the Scala Q2, but it is better with the G4. One of the software updates for the G4 had to do with making it easier for the VOX to pickup, as the earlier sensitivity was a bit too low. I have used this on trips with my son when we both were on 08 KLR's, when he was on a 09 VStrom and I was on a KLR, and again when he was on his Strom and I was on my ST1300.

I had a wired autocom setup on the ST1300 and removed it altogether when I went with the Scala rider. I ride three street bikes and since the G4 is attached to my helmet, it works on all 3 bikes.

 

[Spider]

Re: Breaker.. Breaker.. Got a copy good buyddy

Based on reviews on webbikeworld.com, I tried the Interphone F4s. They work well, except the volume isn't terrific. So I picked up the Sena SMH10s, which are very easy to use and have plenty of volume. I haven't had any problem with them, but recently read a review on advrider by a couple that found them to be unreliable when used heavily. I will stick with the SMH10s until they break, then probably back to the F4s which are still sitting on my shelf.

 

[Buckeye56]

Re: Breaker.. Breaker.. Got a copy good buyddy

I'll be going with the J&M setup myself, works very well on the ST1300.

+1 on the J&M. My wife and I have been using them since 2004. We both managed to break the sound input cable through carelessness. But the cords between the unit and helmets are all original. One note of caution, DO NOT turn the volume up if you aren't using ear plugs. It'll darn near blow yer brains out! DAMHIKT.

 

[toompine]

Re: Breaker.. Breaker.. Got a copy good buyddy

I went with an Autocom a few years ago beacuse some if the folks I ride with had them connected to a Kenwood 3101 for bike to bike communication. The first time my wife rode with me (hooked up to the intercom) it was so weird to be talking with her on the bike. It had always been hand signals or slaps to the back of the helmet. It was weird actually just having an intial conversation like we were sitting in the car and I thought wow, how did we ride without this! Autocom had been difficlut to purchase as it is all componants and it was hard to know if you were assembling the right pieces but now they have really good customer service that wil walk you through to a final product. I really like the product for bike to bike and rider to passenger. Clear at any speed, 5 mile range with the Kenwood 3101. Really high quality product, zero problems with it

 

[martinh]

Re: Breaker.. Breaker.. Got a copy good buyddy

I have a J&M and love it. Bike to bike it works great up to about 3/4 of a mile. I had it hooked up to my Zumo for music and GPS, Phone. When on the phone the other person could hardly tell they would tell me I was on a bike and going 65 mph. As for volume it will blow your ear drums out. I had it mounted to my Vstrom and took it off when I sold the bike. I plan on putting it on my Super Tenere when it comes in but now since I have two bikes I am thinking about something wireless so I can go between 2 bikes. The G4 has gotten some good reports with the new software upgrade. It is pricey and with the J&M that has never really failed me it is had to change but I might have to now. I've had the J&M for 5 years and only had one problem with it and sent it back and they fixed it no charge out of warranty. They told me it doesn't matter you pay alot for it it is the least we can do. Great customer service.

 

[fredz43]

Re: Breaker.. Breaker.. Got a copy good buyddy

. The G4 has gotten some good reports with the new software upgrade. It is pricey

As far as price, if you do some shopping, there are bargains. Several vendors on ebay at reasonable prices. The G4 powerset includes two complete units, including chargers. This one is $328 delivered for the Powerset.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-Cardo-Scala-Rider-Cardo-G4-PowerSet-Bike-Bike-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem5d2f156657QQitemZ400221890135QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

 

[Checkswrecks]

Re: Breaker.. Breaker.. Got a copy good buyddy

I went with an Autocom a few years ago beacuse some if the folks I ride with had them connected to a Kenwood 3101 for bike to bike communication. The first time my wife rode with me (hooked up to the intercom) it was so weird to be talking with her on the bike. It had always been hand signals or slaps to the back of the helmet. It was weird actually just having an intial conversation like we were sitting in the car and I thought wow, how did we ride without this! Autocom had been difficlut to purchase as it is all componants and it was hard to know if you were assembling the right pieces but now they have really good customer service that wil walk you through to a final product. I really like the product for bike to bike and rider to passenger. Clear at any speed, 5 mile range with the Kenwood 3101. Really high quality product, zero problems with it

+1 to the Autocom. Had a set of the Chatterbox xBi2 units and got tired of sync to this, sync to that, oh the battery died in one on a longer ride again, recharging the batteries at restaurants, etc. Bought a set of Autocom units used and never looked back.


Autocom and Starcom just flat work.


There are usually a number of Autocom units on EBay and Craigslist, so finding them used is easy, quick, and not too expensive. I got the two setups complete with numerous additional cables for $200. Wiring to the bike is a whopping 2 wires, one to a running light for power and the other is to a ground. No sweat to remove for the next bike.


If you want to make it move from bike to bike, the Autocom Logic series can be either powered by the bike or a set of AA batteries. Just be aware that those units have a different headset. (8 ohm speakers vs 32)

 

[AVGeek]

I had an Autocomm system on my FJR, but it eventually wore out. I then used an Ampli-Rider connected to my iPod, with earbuds. Just this year, I upgraded to the Sena Bluetooth system with custom fit earbuds. Here is my write up on everything on the FJRForum: http://www.fjrforum.com/forum//index.php?showtopic=137012&st=0&p=847952&hl=sena&fromsearch=1&#entry847952

I don't have anyone I regularly ride with, so I haven't been able to use the intercom system. I chose the Sena due to reasonable cost, good reviews on webbikeworld, and the ease of use.

 

[toompine]

I think the priciest piece I had to buy for my Autocom setup was the battery eliminator for the Kenwood. It plugs into the Autocom and the radio so there is never any battery recharging on anything. Turn on the ignition and everthing works.

I run the ipod through it also and am just about to run the XM radio through it when I finally get that susbscription arranged for

 

[ptfjjj]

http://www.bluewhaleintercom.com/

I wonder if this one would work good for you. I, too, am thinking of trying something like this, and this one has had some favorable writeups.