Motorcycle comms

[Cheese]

I’ve had a couple questions asked about my comm equipment so I thought I’d put up a post. I’ve been riding with Comms for 2 years and absolutely love it. I use hand and leg signals too, but trust me comms take it one step further. I’ll just list a couple safety, comfort and miscellaneous announcements that I can remember.

Safety:
Sand in the corner.
Single file, twisties ahead.
Your tail bag or tail bag rain cover is coming off.
It’s clear to pass, no one coming.


Comfort:
I need gas.
I need bathroom.
Screw lunch, let’s keep riding?
We missed our turn.

Misc.
Your wheelies suck
Hot jogger on the right.
Where are we riding tomorrow?

Alright, you know what they’re for and why they’d be great to have. What you wanted to know is where to get them.

I use a NADY full face headset that was purchased from Ron Ayers. The headset cost is $35 and the shipping from Ron Ayers is $7. I don’t think they offer group purchase discounts but you can group order and save on shipping.

The headset comes with two speakers (mono), microphone and a push-to-talk switch that mounts on the left handlebar (hook & loop strap). I’ve also seen people that didn’t want it on the hand grip strap in around their thumb and use it that way.

Once you have this kit all you need is an FRS/GMRS 2-way radio. They’re available at any electronics store, Wallyword or e-bay for various prices below $50/pair. I know the headsets work with Motorola and Cobra. Probably others, I just haven’t tried them.

One last note, I heard that the waterproof push-to-talk switch that is sold on the same page is not compatible with this headset. I guess it’s only compatible with the NADY radios. I’ve had the included switch on my bike through multiple wet rides and it still works just fine.

The link that follows is for FRS/GMRS radios. There are other headsets on the site for NADY radio headsets and cell phone headsets. These are not compatible with FRS/GMRS radios so be cautious when surfing for other products.

Ron
Ayers - NADY Headsets

Oh yeah, if someone is placing an order let me know. I need another one and want in on the combined shipping.

[breakdirt916]

awesome write-up...I'll def. be looking into this later

how do the speakers go in?

[Cheese]

Originally posted by Bhavesh
awesome write-up...I'll def. be looking into this later

how do the speakers go in?

Speakers are about 2" in diameter with adhesive backed hook & loop fasteners just like the microphone. Most helmets either have a space for them or pads that can be removed to add them. Shouldn't require any cutting but you can inspect your helmet before ordering. The wiring has a din connector that unplugs right at the helmet so you don't need to remove them if you're riding without comms.

[capt1014]

Do you have any idea if that set up can communicate with chatterbox units?

[Cheese]

Originally posted by capt1014
Do you have any idea if that set up can communicate with chatterbox units?

I've never used a Chatterbox but I believe they have 1 channel for public FRS/GMRS. Hopefully someone else can chime in and answer your question.

[LiononaLeash]

Great find Cheese-Dude!!!

I use some cobra 2-way radios currently but I would like to have a better mic/speaker setup than I currently do since I can only use it to about 50mph(windnoise gets too much to understand people).

Do the mics and speakers work well enough to hear your bud at highway speeds?

I'm real interested in these.

[Cheese]

Originally posted by LiononaLeash
Great find Cheese-Dude!!!

I use some cobra 2-way radios currently but I would like to have a better mic/speaker setup than I currently do since I can only use it to about 50mph(windnoise gets too much to understand people).

Do the mics and speakers work well enough to hear your bud at highway speeds?

I'm real interested in these.

The speakers work fine and you can crank them up as high as your radio will go. The mic at highway speeds really depends on the helmet and windscreen. Sportbikes don't really offer much windscreen so it really depends on how well your helmet keeps the wind out. Most of us open up the front vents so I'd say at the posted speed limit you'd be okay, but much over that you're going have a tough time talking to anyone. If you're only using the radio's stock handsfree kit this works better, but if you have something better than that with foam/wind protection this is going to be about the same. Sorry, might have to slow down to 55 now and then to chat.

I guess the bottom line is if you've already got the radios is it worth $42 to give it a try? That's a lot easier on the wallet than trying a Chatterbox for $250+

[ssg]

Good timing and thanks for the writeup, RA should send you a commission check

[Doc]

Originally posted by Cheese-GSXR
I've never used a Chatterbox but I believe they have 1 channel for public FRS/GMRS. Hopefully someone else can chime in and answer your question.

I have a Chatterbox and a Motorola, I will check and see if I can chat between them. (I don't think I can though)

[Cheese]

*bump*

For those who were wondering whether or not they're compatible with Chatterbox, the answer is "yes" if the Chatterbox has FRS/GMRS capability.

I was able to chat with Eugene on his Chatterbox on the Sept. 10th ride.

[Mr Bread]

What about a throat mic??

Ive been using a 2 way for a little while now and i want a throat mic.. i think less wind noise... able to use a higher speeds n whatnot.

[Cheese]

Originally posted by Mr Bread
What about a throat mic??

Ive been using a 2 way for a little while now and i want a throat mic.. i think less wind noise... able to use a higher speeds n whatnot.

Yeah ... right ... good luck w/that.

[Cheese]

*bump*

Just cause every time I ride with you guys you ask ...

[Geebo]

Please, don't waste your money. Cheese, me, and a few others took a ride down to Deal's Gap and neighboring roads a couple years back and there was one guy that had a throat mic and those of us with comm had absolutely no idea what he was saying. We all just told him to shut up and listen and not to talk at all as it was just pissing us off. I have a similar unit as Cheese's that is made by Motocomm, but his is less expensive and has the adapters for different radios - so definitely get the one that he got.

What about a throat mic??

Ive been using a 2 way for a little while now and i want a throat mic.. i think less wind noise... able to use a higher speeds n whatnot.

[ku996r]

cheese, I'm ready to order the headset.

this is the one ($35) right
" 4403-0005 All Manufacturers Headset w/ helmet-mount mic for use w/ full-face helmets"

Let me know where you want it to ship

[Cheese]

Yeah, that's the one but I don't need another one right now. Remember, that post is a year or more old and I've already got a spare.

[ku996r]

alright then. fine prints get me. thanks

[Kham]

this thing is great! im all radio up now. anyone else got one?

instead of tapping on helmet you could say "asshole 12oclock"

on our last stop there wasn't time to do anything. all we saw was the hand out of the window coming towards us telling us to pull over.

so now they don't have to hide behind the billboard? they just drive around and knows exactly how fast you're doing? we're doom!

[ku996r]

this thing is great! im all radio up now. anyone else got one?

instead of tapping on helmet you could say "asshole 12oclock"

on our last stop there wasn't time to do anything. all we saw was the hand out of the window coming towards us telling us to pull over.

so now they don't have to hide behind the billboard? they just drive around and knows exactly how fast you're doing? we're doom!

damn it kham, you didn't tap your helmet, Kurt and I would have slow down from 47 to 39.

whats faster? tapping helmet or push-to-talk, over.

[DucDave]

alright then. fine prints get me. thanks

"The large print giveth and the small print taketh away."

Tom Waits -- Step Right Up (Used Songs)

[Kham]

damn it kham, you didn't tap your helmet, Kurt and I would have slow down from 47 to 39.

whats faster? tapping helmet or push-to-talk, over.

didn't mean which is faster but if you're 10 bikes back you know what's going down. how comfortable are you giving tap signal when you know y ou're being spotted? i don't feel comfortable doing that.

[ku996r]

wonder if they know the signal. but you have a point there.

[Kham]

they're usually pretty smart cocksucker. probly take the signal to mean "they're gonna run!"

[breakdirt916]

which FRS/GMRS 2-way radio are you using? and can you plug in your own earbuds/headphones into this headset so you don't have to use the speaker?

I might want to get this for the big long thing.

[Kham]

this one