Has anyone tried the bluetooth motorcycle headsets?

[dread_au]

Just wondering if anyone has tried them and if they are any good. Some claim ranges anything from 10m to 1000m. Thanks

[Cal Price]

I have a helmet with built-in Bluetooth, it can be used for all sorts, satnav, music, phone and bike-to-bike. (Max two uses) I use it for my satnav only, simply a matter of personal preference. I used to use it for Satnav and Phone but poor quality tx on phone and I found I did not want the distraction.

A couple of friends in the local Suzuki owners club have tried bike-to-bike Bluetooth and have now bought themselves a voice activated radiocom system like the instructors and examiners use. I think the big issues were range and "dropping out" problems with the associated reconection problems afterwards, there were forever pratting about with them. I suppose these things will get better but seem to have a way to go yet.

[tt_four]

I wouldn't mind a helmet-to-helmet headset for me and my wife when we're out together, but I would just buy a normal setup for that.

Anything more than that, such as hooking up music or your cell phone is just increasing your already high chances of dying on a motorcycle. I spend way too much time complaining about car drivers on their cell phones to go back on it and put one in my helmet. If I was taking a long trip on the highway for a couple hours I could see putting some kid of music on, but it's much easier to leave your phone in your map pocket so you can see it light up, and just pull over and call the person back.

[simon79]

...
Anything more than that, such as hooking up music or your cell phone is just increasing your already high chances of dying on a motorcycle. I spend way too much time complaining about car drivers on their cell phones to go back on it and put one in my helmet.

I totally agree.
I miss music when I ride, but putting headphones in my ears when on my bike kinda scares me, my helmet is a bit noisy and music would impair hearing road sounds (sirens, horns, other vehicles etc); plus, you can't properly set the volume, it's either too high at low speed or inaudible when on the motorway. Too complicated for me, better listen to music when I drive my car.
Besides all that, headphones + driving/riding is a big no-no according to our highway code.

it's much easier to leave your phone in your map pocket so you can see it light up, and just pull over and call the person back.

Can I politely disagree on this?
I want my cellphone in my jacket pocket all the time, so I can have it handy (knock on wood) if I happen to lose control and fall over, and my tankbag flies away for some reason and I can't reach it. (Even though I always use the tankbag safety cord around the steering stem)

[BaltimoreGS]

...
Anything more than that, such as hooking up music or your cell phone is just increasing your already high chances of dying on a motorcycle. I spend way too much time complaining about car drivers on their cell phones to go back on it and put one in my helmet.

I totally agree.
I miss music when I ride, but putting headphones in my ears when on my bike kinda scares me, my helmet is a bit noisy and music would impair hearing road sounds (sirens, horns, other vehicles etc); plus, you can't properly set the volume, it's either too high at low speed or inaudible when on the motorway. Too complicated for me, better listen to music when I drive my car.
Besides all that, headphones + driving/riding is a big no-no according to our highway code.

On long highway trips a MP3 payer with ear buds can be a good way to keep your mind alert and avoid being hypnotized by the monotony.  I wear ear plugs when I ride so I don't notice much difference with the ear buds (provided you keep it at a reasonable volume).  My 2 cents...

-Jessie

[tt_four]

Can I politely disagree on this?
I want my cellphone in my jacket pocket all the time, so I can have it handy (knock on wood) if I happen to lose control and fall over, and my tankbag flies away for some reason and I can't reach it. (Even though I always use the tankbag safety cord around the steering stem)

I understand that. I always kept it in my pocket but I'm one of the few left that isn't emotionally attached to my phone. I have no problem ignoring phone calls and calling you back later when I feel like talking. I was just trying to think of other options for someone who needs to see it. I don't even have a cell phone any more, and I'm probably going to get another one around spring, but I'm a little apprehensive about riding again without one. I've only had one really bad crash where I needed one, and I was lucky that someone was traveling down the same lonely twisty back road at 230am close enough to see me crash, but not so close that they ran over me. They let me use their phone, otherwise I could've been sitting on the side of that road for who knows how long.

I know people say to use ear plugs when you ride for the sake of your hearing, but I have a hard time even doing that. Any distraction to being able to hear my bike/exhaust note seriously impairs my ability to ride smoothly. I think I put a lot more emphasis on hearing my engine than I do looking at the tach. I think long highway trips aren't an issue if you're just cruising. Years ago I did try listening to music on easy trips and on the highway for a short distance, but it just wasn't working out for me. I'm perfectly fine driving a car without music as well. Everyone says that they need music to focus or rhythm or whatever else, and I can drive ok with music, but from my experiences if you're falling asleep from driving without music on, it just means you're not really paying attention.

[Toogoofy317]

I wanted this helmet so while I'm broke my roommate bought one I guess to just rub it in I dunno. But, it is an awesome helmet and a reasonable price not to heavy.
http://motorcycle.motorcycle-superstore.com/motorcycle/Element%20Bluetooth%20Helmet

When I get up the money I am so getting one!

Mary

[yamahonkawazuki]

Ehh cool helmets and all, BUT if im riding, last thing ill do is either make a phone call, or listen to music. BUT thats just my own opinion tho

[annguyen1981]

I've got the Scala Rider and it's a decent unit.  I can't hear anything while on the highway, and the fact that it needs to "clamp" onto the helmet is a nono.  I can't find a helmet that doesn't have a cushion around the rim. 

[Cal Price]

I started with a Scala rider and the clamping is problematical, it is fairly easy to break the clip ( I did ) I found that it was good for Satnav and next to useless for phone but a freind swears by his. When I last upgraded my helmet i bought a built-in bluetooth type and find it a better sound quality, also mini-speaker in both ears instead of Scala's single one. I did not take me long to realise that I did not want to use phones, music etc anyway so the basic single-channel built-in is perfect for my need which is Sat-Nav only.

[annguyen1981]

I started with a Scala rider and the clamping is problematical, it is fairly easy to break the clip ( I did ) I found that it was good for Satnav and next to useless for phone but a freind swears by his. When I last upgraded my helmet i bought a built-in bluetooth type and find it a better sound quality, also mini-speaker in both ears instead of Scala's single one. I did not take me long to realise that I did not want to use phones, music etc anyway so the basic single-channel built-in is perfect for my need which is Sat-Nav only.

I ALWAYS listen to my MP3 player when riding, so a dual speaker system would be beneficial for me.

Got the brand and model of that unit?  how would I tap into my MP3 player?

[Cal Price]

Annguyen1981, Here is a link to the UK importer's site - you can probably find them for less from dealers etc or at the big bike events.

http://www.sounddistribution.co.uk/products.asp?category=Motorcycle%20Helmets&subcategory=Viper%20Bluetooth&gclid=CLjhy_W1vZ8CFSBk4wodpy1v0Q

I don't know whereabouts you are, I don't think this is available in U.S. at least not under this name but I believe something very similar is marketed there.

All the helmets have dual speakers and those with a code ending with 1 will support only one bluetooth connection and those suffixed with a 2 support two. I have emailed them for support over a couple of issues with Satnav and getting a second lining for the helmet on both occasions they were very helpful. The sound is good, the helmet itself is a reasonable quality item made (I think) in Czech republic - I use the flip-up version and found that a dob of engineering Loc-Tite on the two brass bolts in the mechanism cured the only problem I had. Hope this helps.