Bluetooth helmets, who has one and what do you think of it?

[PinHead]

Just like the title says. I want a Bluetooth helmet but I'm not sure what to get, the reviews are all over the place. Anyone gots one they likey?

[jasnmar]

Will not buy.

I want to separate my choice of helmet manufacturer (and shape) from my choice of technology provider. If I want a new helmet I don't want to be required to upgrade my tech. If I want to upgrade my tech I don't want to be forced to upgrade my helmet.

[PinHead]

Fair enough, but I also noticed that some helmets are, SENA bluetooth ready, they have a little cutout on the side of the helmet and space for speakers inside. And frankly I don't know much about these units either. Motorcycling & Powersports - Sena

[ilikenapalm]

What jasnmar said.

Buy the bluetooth separate and slide it into the helmet. I'ved used a sena smh10 with a variety of helmets with great performance.

[NPDCPA]

I have a Sena 20S which I bought against the advice of other riding buddies who own the Sena HMS-10. I have been against these for years, concerned about the distraction but I finally caved. It adds immensely to the quality of a group ride.

Fitting it to my AGV GP-Tech was a bit of work and the ear buds touch my ears, but a more forgiving helmet shape would eliminate all of that.

[golden chicken]

My Bell has pockets built into the cheekpads for speakers. They fit my Chatterbox X1 Slim speakers just fine.

[PinHead]

That Sena 20S looks really nice.

[motoarch]

Nexx XR2 Carbon Pure Helmet - RevZilla

I have this helmet and it has areas specifically for the speakers. Installing the Sena was easy.

[Spooler]

My wife and both my parents and I all have sena smh 10s and we love them. It really improves a group ride. The 20 looks like it might be a nice upgrade, but the 10 is perfectly adequate for us.

[DroFiveOh]

I agree with previous posters re: keeping helmet and coms separate so they can be upgraded or transferred from helmet to helmet with ease.

I love my SHOEI RF-1200 and it does have cutouts in the ears to fit speakers but you'd have to check youtube/forums/etc for exact sizing and fitment on the cutouts.

I think I watched a youtube vid where it shows the Sena 20s not fitting completely. Don't take my word for it though, I may be mistaken.

[Rambunctous]

I got them in my ski helmet and love em.

[MattR302]

The shoei gt air also has pockets for Sena speakers.

[jasnmar]

I owe the forum a review of the 20S... I'm still waiting to try one specific thing with the 20S, but maybe I'll just save that until later and go ahead and put together the information I know (as it doesn't look like I'm going to be experimenting anytime soon).

[nhbubba]

I've had a variety of helmets from Shoei, Bell, HJC and Scorpion over the years. No problems fitting either the Sena I have now or the Scala I had before it.
Methinks this is marketing. I would not buy a helmet because it was or was not BT "ready". I definitely wouldn't buy one that was BT equipped.

[Billy]

Just recently entered a new role at work which comes with on call responsibilities. I need to come up with a solution to know that I got called while riding. I don't care about picking up the call, I just want to know I got called.

I can't hear my phone ringing while riding and I can't feel my phone vibrating while I'm riding. I was thinking about buying a Bluetooth headset and wearing it inside my helmet while riding. That way if I get a call, I know I got called and can pull over to return the call. The iPhone earbud falls out since it's just rests in your ear. I need something that wraps around my ear.

My only concern with this approach is the Bluetooth headset may not fit inside of a helmet (shoei rf 1100)..... Anyone on here in a similar situation? I also agree with keeping the two separate..

[MattR302]

A Bluetooth headset would work for what you want. Another option would be to get some kind of phone mount and put it near your gauges or windscreen so you can at least see if your phone is ringing. I don't like the option of mounting the phone on the bike though for safety reasons.

[Punjistick]

I got a chance to borrow a Sena on the deals gap trip. The speakers are pretty thin and I think you could fit them into just about any helmet.

[Chippertheripper]

If you need to know wassup, any Bluetooth comm unit and a ram x grip are your best solution.
That way you can hear the alerts and ringtones and look down quickly and see if it's something you need to answer right away or not. They also come in handy for using the google maps on your phone, the audio is the same: turns down music, gives directions, turns music back up automatically.

[aldend123]

Another vote for Sena. I've got an SMH-5FM. I believe all newer Sena's come standard with their previously offered "upgraded" speakers? So that might be worth keeping in mind if testing someone's older system. Despite being a comm system, I don't use it for that at all. All the features have been easy to use with few-to-none situations of me wishing they did something differently. The speakers were pretty thin, and seemed like they'd fit in most helmets. It could be 10% louder in a perfect world, but most of the time it's fine. Tunes everywhere, I know I've got a call, Siri can read txt msgs to me, and google maps tells me where to go.

I've been told using it for a phone at <40mph is surprisingly pleasant and hard to tell I'm on a bike. But at 70, they have trouble unless I tuck tight behind the fairing. I don't consider it a reliable option for calls, but it'll get the job done if you need a quick call.

[nhbubba]

With my Sena, I can answer a phone call, talk for 5 minutes with someone and then explain "I can't do that right now as I'm out on the bike, but..". They respond in shock and awe. "You are on the bike, like riding, like now?!"

Yes, everyone I talk to acts like a 90's "valley girl".

These things are tits. I won't street ride without one anymore.

[jasnmar]

With my Sena, I can answer a phone call, talk for 5 minutes with someone and then explain "I can't do that right now as I'm out on the bike, but..". They respond in shock and awe. "You are on the bike, like riding, like now?!"

Yes, everyone I talk to acts like a 90's "valley girl".

These things are tits. I won't street ride without one anymore.

Yeah. I've attended conference calls from mine. Someone asked me to send them something via email. I said I was on my way home and it would have to wait... They asked if I was in the car... Uhhh, well, not exactly, I'm kindof on a motorcycle.

[TheIglu]

My wife can't tell I'm on it when she calls.

I just answered a call today from a friend about lunch plans while I was out and about on the Vmax.

Phone is in pocket, phone rings, hear it through headset, push button on Sena, boom. Talking.


Something I DIDN'T do until recently?

Tuck the speakers behind the liner in the little ear pockets against the foam. Man what a difference in comfort. Now my helmet doesn't rub against my ears.



I wouldn't buy a Bluetooth helmet. I'd rather own a good helmet that fits me properly and add Bluetooth to it. Then you can upgrade/swap the BT unit without having to shell out big $$$ for a new helmet.

[jwm2k3]

With my Sena, I can answer a phone call, talk for 5 minutes with someone and then explain "I can't do that right now as I'm out on the bike, but..". They respond in shock and awe. "You are on the bike, like riding, like now?!"

Yes, everyone I talk to acts like a 90's "valley girl".

These things are tits. I won't street ride without one anymore.

I'd like to see some 90's valley girl tits....

[BMMCBR]

My wife can't tell I'm on it when she calls.

I've answered a few calls from different people and they were none the wiser. I don't make it a habit because I'm out on the bike and don't want to be bothered, but the few times I've done it have been hilarious.

[nhbubba]

I'd like to see some 90's valley girl tits....

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