New to biking. Comms question.

[DTBK]

Alright people.

Soon to be 43 years old and after 10-15 years of being gently encouraged (read: harassed in almost every single phone call and chat) by a biker pal of mine I've given in and decided to join him.

Started early December 2020... did my CBT, theory and then planned to hit DAS but, the New Year lockdown put paid to that with all lessons and tests currently suspended.

Even *if* we're released from lockdown mid-Feb, work commitments in late Feb through to April mean I'm unlikely to now make any progress through to a full licence until May at the earliest.

However, I'm wanting to keep up with practice etc between now and then so, for the interim at least (I may or may not keep hold of it long term for any one of my four sons to use if they decide they want to get in to biking too) I've bought a brand new 2021MY Honda CB125R and I'm hoping to receive it March 1st/2nd.

Turning my attention to comms equipment... my pal uses (along with a mate of his who uses the same too) a Freedconn something or other. Apparently it only allows them to talk to each other so, if I was to be joining them (in time) for rides, they'd have to update their equipment too. They're considering a Freedconn device for circa £50-£60.

My question is... Before I'd heard of Freedconn devices I'd been browsing and landed at either Sena or Cardo devices which are obviously a lot more expensive and the price difference has me curious and concerned in equal measure. I'm quite the gadget whore and tend to gravitate towards 'bigger' brands but, whilst I'm not considering any specific device right now to assist with decision making I'm curious as to whether I *have* to have the same make and/or model of device as the riders I wish to chat to or, can I buy any device I want - will different brand devices 'talk' to each other etc?

Following on from this... I'm clearly wanting an intercom facility along with the ability to interact with my phone for sat nav etc but just as I have a dashcam in my car, I'm wanting the ability to capture video of my rides too for evidence in the case of incidents etc. Any recommendations for devices (or combinations thereof) would be greatly received.

Thanks in advance.

DTBK

[Kawasaki Jimbo]

Off-topic straight away (welcome to BCF!) but what on earth do people chat about while riding? I'd be too busy... riding. I wonder about the volume required to break through wind noise too.

[DTBK]

[stinkwheel]

Again, not answering your question.

I personally think you're better not chatting away. You can talk and dissect the ride when you have a stop, concentrate on riding while you're riding, you don't need a back-seat driver. It's just something else to fiddle with and distract you.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[DTBK]

[Freddyfruitba...]

[Nobby the Bastard]

Why not just rely on the age old methoid of hand signals that other drivers have traditionally used to provide feedback on driving style?
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trevor saxe-coburg-gotha:"Remember this simple rule - scooters are for men who like to feel the breeze on their huge, flapping cunt lips."
Sprint ST 1050

[Arfa__]

Been using the Freedconn headsets for a few years now. They're cheap and cheerful but work fairly well. A big review of these Bluetooth headsets here on my blog.

They do support up to 3-way voice comms. How big is your riding group?
We use them a lot for solo riding for satnav directions, music etc too. either from Garmin Zumo or from mobiles.

My wife and I use them a lot when riding together, batteries happily last all day with voice channel open permanently. We generally jabber on about random stuff, interspersed with cursing at other road users and arguing over directions or me leaving her behind...

Range is good for about half a mile or so, depending on buildings, land elevations etc. Though, it's difficult to make one another out, once you're doing more than around 50-60mph - this is where the more expensive comms win. Had them 4 years, reliability has been reasonable, one stopped recording audio after a year or so (just bought another - they were only ~£30 each back then). Battery life is starting to be noticeable reduced these days, but still not bad for 4 years. The sticky Velcro failed a few times, but that's cheap to replace.

So at the price, the Freedconn are decent enough. Spend more and you get better audio quality, larger group chat features (maybe even grid networking). But the posh brands are a huge jump up in quality. When the batteries on our pair of TCOMs finally die, I can see us just buying another pair the same.
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Beginner Biker Adventures Blog
Yamaha FZ6 S2 2007

[MCN]

So long as you don't do long-winded conversations or join in on continuous babble then having comms on the bike can be useful.
I managed quite well when I assumed I could ride and blabber.
Fact is statistically any distractions whilst driving can reduce your concentration and lead to mistakes.
Less forgiving if balancing two wheels without a protective shell around you.

Something that lets you pump your moozak into your helmet is fine. So long as you know to watch the road and the other idiots using the road.
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Disclaimer: The comments above may be predicted text and not necessarily the opinion of MCN.

[Keithy]

[Ayrton]

I was looking into this a few months ago and decided a walkie talkie is the best method if you can get everyone you ride with to buy one. Seems to be what all the training centers use too. Fortnine has a few videos on it https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uevmJCDXlME

I dont see a problem with being able to talk to people as a new rider as long as you dont natter away and lose focus on the riding. I've had a few instances when out practicing with my brother where being able to talk would have been really helpful. Once he stalled at a roundabout and took the wrong exit onto a motorway which meant we had to stop for 10 minutes trying to get hold of him.

[TbirdX]

The Mrs and myself use one, find it really handy to be honest, and the bonus is above 60 she can't hear me anyway so can't tell me to slow down
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VFR800X - TTR250

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

How do riders use comms AND ear-plugs? I use the latter and haven't used comms since lessons, a few years ago now. I didn't wear ear plugs for several years but last few years I use olive oil on those in-ear silicon ones and they kill 90% of sound (seemingly). Comms as well seems like it'd mean less ear plug.
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"Life is a sexually transmitted disease and the mortality rate is one hundred percent."

Mobylette Type 50 ---> Raleigh Grifter ---> Neval Minsk 125

[A100man]

[A100man]

Does your pal (and his mate) ride BMW GSs by the way? Just curious..
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Now: A100, GT250A, XJ598, FZ750

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[Arfa__]

[ThunderGuts]

So I use a Cardo Freecom 4+ - they're about £180 but worth it as they are effective, have decent voice activation (change volume, mute music etc.) and allow 4-way pairing. Cheaper models reduce the number of companions you can have in a conversation group (although more than 4 would probably be too many anyway).

In terms of use, they're handy for satnav (you can reduce your attention to the satnav screen and focus on the road/junction if you're being told the directions) and very handy for group rides if used correctly. We use them for things like advising of dangers on the road, deciding when to stop as well as for chatting on longer stretches of boring roads on tour. If you're behind a fairing it's not too bad hearing the conversation, bigger issue is correct mic placement as they're incredibly sensitive to not being located correctly.

I think to a degree, different systems will talk to each other but not sure how far the compatibility goes.

Distraction side; down to the individual. Fellow riders will be aware of where you're riding; if it's a twisty section of road they'll know and if even moderately sensible aren't going to be babbling on about something. Very different to having a phone conversation with someone who has no idea of the circumstances you're in. If used correctly, I think they probably can offer a net advantage given the ability of the lead rider to alert following riders of things, e.g. oil in centre of road, car spotted in blind junction, or even things like pulling out of a difficult junction and letting following riders know the way is clear.
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TG.

[CorriganJ]

Sorry to derail this conversation again but... OP, are you aware you need ear plugs for hearing protection?

And, to everyone else, how do you hear comms when you have ear plugs in?
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1991 RD04

[Nobby the Bastard]

[DTBK]

[ThunderGuts]

On your last point, there are I believe companies who will make custom earplugs - perhaps an option? Not going to be the same price point as a box of foam plugs from Screwfix, but if it gives you good hearing protection and works for you then probably worth it. You will also be able to discuss your specific concerns/issues and they may be able to work around these for you.
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TG.

[Freddyfruitba...]

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

A decent bit of olive oil on £4 silicon ear plugs creates a really effective seal and you can barely hear anything.
____________________
"Life is a sexually transmitted disease and the mortality rate is one hundred percent."

Mobylette Type 50 ---> Raleigh Grifter ---> Neval Minsk 125

[A100man]

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

yeah for biking you absolutely don't need to spend on custom fit bespoke earplugs if you know about how much olive oil can help
____________________
"Life is a sexually transmitted disease and the mortality rate is one hundred percent."

Mobylette Type 50 ---> Raleigh Grifter ---> Neval Minsk 125