Radios / intercoms yesor no?

[kingbee]

Just curious since KAW is now offering a radio/com package as an option on this years bikes, how many people have them installed(radios,c.b.'s,com units,xm) and are they worth it?
Those with full face helmets do you use the com headsets when riding 2-up? If not how do you communicate with your partner?

Not really thinking about the XM satellite radio but talking with the OL over a headset instead of her screaming she's gotta pee would be better I think..Maybe not solo though..
What do you think would it be worth the $700.00 +/- option?

I installed a stereo in the left saddlebag and mounted the remote on the gastank.I mounted 2 speakers on the handlebars behind the windshield .Sounds good and does not block other vehicle noise like helmet speakers.I just turn my head to talk to my passenger.The radio is good for long rided and I spent no where near $700 for it.

[racinchef]

Just my 2 cents worth; my Valkyrie had an intercom/CB unit mounted at the factory and all I had to get were the helmet set ups and cords to plug into the system. While convenient when out riding it is a PITA to plug and unplug all the time at each stop. I never really got to use the CB much at all and because I could never get an instruction manual on the unit I never learned how to fully use it. Unless you are on the bike for hours without stopping it is super, but otherwise a lot of money for much of nothing. Work out a set of signals with your lady and save the money on an intercom.

[mikesth]

I have no need for a CB and I have personal issues with paying a monthly fee for radio, but I really like having tunes while I ride - I can always turn them off if I care to.

I installed the cycle sounds system (http://www.cyclesounds.com//index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1) after catching it on sale for $100 off. You will need to add a Boostaroo (http://www.boostaroo.com/store_detail.php4?id=14) for speeds over 50mph. It's not symphony quality, but it's a great add-on IMHO

BTW, talking to my passenger works fine without cords

[pick187]

I blew my ear drum out years ago while water skiing and my ear can't stand long trips with wind blowing into it. SO I use to wear ear plugs on long trips. Now I have a Sirius radio hooked up and use ear buds. I love it. I didn't spend anywhere near $700. I bought a $10 chrome mount off ebay, a booster from radio shack, and hard wired it. I would never go on trips without it. For me the radio is worth it.

[watchman]

I guess I am old school but I don't very often even listen to a radio in my truck when driving. We have tried 3 different sets of FRS radios on the bikes, bought different VOX mikes, etc and have never liked them. I have a walkman I take on long trips but rerely use it.

I also noticed that some states only allow one ear bud on radios/etc. on motorcycles.

[flightdoc]

I would love to have a setup that was completely wireless to include, cell, cb, fm/am, intercom. I think that kind of setup is getting close.
wife and I take several trips a year and soon will be doing some very long trips. would be nice to stay in touch with the world, if need be, where every we are.

[dogdoc]

personally i dont have anything on my Nomad, Im old school and like all the outside sounds not music. if I want music i stay home and listen to my Bose. :-)

I was a radio broadcaster for 20 years. I was so burned out when I finally got out of the business that I never even turn on the radio now. We never listen to music when we drive or ride, so it would be a waste of money for us. We have no problem communicating without an intercom, while on the bike.
Having said that, I know there are many folks who really love music while riding. More power to ya!

[cactusjack]

I installed a stereo in the left saddlebag and mounted the remote on the gastank.I mounted 2 speakers on the handlebars behind the windshield .Sounds good and does not block other vehicle noise like helmet speakers.I just turn my head to talk to my passenger.The radio is good for long rided and I spent no where near $700 for it.

I'd like to see some pictures of the installation, if you have some.

[Top Cat]

I'm with watchman and Doc on this one as far as music goes. I don't listen to the radio in my truck at all.
I ride the bike for the experience of the sights and sounds of riding.
The intercom on the other hand is a different story. I don't like turning my head to talk to Cindy. I want my eyes on the road ahead. I just bought a Scala Rider Team Set and installed it in the new G-Max 68 helmets I bought over the winter. Don't know how they are going to work as it is not riding season here. The only draw back I can see is the battery's only last 4 hours before needing to be recharged.

[quote:9f245gt0]I installed a stereo in the left saddlebag and mounted the remote on the gastank.I mounted 2 speakers on the handlebars behind the windshield .Sounds good and does not block other vehicle noise like helmet speakers.I just turn my head to talk to my passenger.The radio is good for long rided and I spent no where near $700 for it.

I'd like to see some pictures of the installation, if you have some.[/quote:9f245gt0]

Reply to cactus jack .I bought an AM/FM cd player made for a boat with a wired remote and mounted the main unit in the saddle bag wrapped in foam.The remote I mounted on the gastank below the speedometer.I ran speaker wiresup to the handlebars and mounted speakers.The cd skipped some so the unit had an input for an mp3 player so I use it most of the time.Sorry I have no pictures.

[cactusjack]

I think CB radios are not as useful these days as they were 20-30 years ago. I do listen to music when I ride. I have speakers inside my Nolan helmet and a 30GB Zune, which I use to listen to talk radio for the traffic reports when I'm in the city and 6000+ mp3s when I'm outside metro PHX. However, I would prefer having an AM/FM tuner with an aux input for my Zune or SD memory card capabilities. It would be nice to have Bluetooth for cellphone use. I do have a Bluetooth earpiece, but have yet to test it on the bike. I ride solo, so pilot-passenger comm isn't a big selling point for me, and neither is bike-bike comm because I doubt any of my riding buddies would buy a setup just to BS with me.

However, it is a pain to deal with the Zune unless I am pulled off on the side of the road. Having a bar mounted volume/channel/mode switch would be very nice.

I know Nolan makes their own headsets, etc for my helmet and haven't looked at them too closely, yet.

[cactusjack]

Reply to cactus jack .I bought an AM/FM cd player made for a boat with a wired remote and mounted the main unit in the saddle bag wrapped in foam.The remote I mounted on the gastank below the speedometer.I ran speaker wiresup to the handlebars and mounted speakers.The cd skipped some so the unit had an input for an mp3 player so I use it most of the time.Sorry I have no pictures.

Thank you. Aren't you worried that a foam-wrapped receiver will get a little hot and fry some components? That would be a concern for me, living where I live. I could probably bake bread in my saddlebags in the summer.

Sorry, but if it isn't too much trouble, would you have the make/model of the receiver?

The stereo is made by BOSS audio but other brands are made.The stereo comes with a wired remote with a 15ft cable that I ran up to the gastank.You can control radio stations ,volume .input radio or mp3 and cd tracks with it and has an LCD readout.The speakers were homemade with some spotlight housings and 4" speakers.I mounted an antenna on the backrest mount.

[amcgarity]

I mounted an autocom sport 7 under the left side cover. It provides intercom that is voice activated so there are no buttons to push (or mount) and it turns down the music while either you, or the passenger speaks. The autocomm product allows plug-ins for GPS, I pod, telephone, and CB. I then mounted a Garmin 2820 GPS. It handles both the bluetooth phone and xm radio. I have the speakers and microphone mounted into both half helmets and full face. I often escape early from work and I can take calls without anyone knowing I am not in my office. You cannot tell that anything is even mounted on the bike except for the xm antenna mounted on the brake fluid reservoir on the handlebar. I have been using this system for 3 years now, and it works flawlessly. The system is not cheap, but I am now self-contained for the week-end rides out of town.

Stump

[dhelfritz]

I dont listen to rhe radio or music often while riding generally. On long rides I use my i-pod with the radio addition and listen to radio or ipod as I desire. I like the clean look of the bike.

[racinchef]

Reply to cactus jack .I bought an AM/FM cd player made for a boat with a wired remote and mounted the main unit in the saddle bag wrapped in foam.The remote I mounted on the gastank below the speedometer.I ran speaker wiresup to the handlebars and mounted speakers.The cd skipped some so the unit had an input for an mp3 player so I use it most of the time.Sorry I have no pictures.
I'd read in another forum that only the Harley Davidson CD player won't skip when you're riding.

Get you a J@&M CB (jmcorp.com). It's the best out their. Full intercom with passenger, CB,weather band and plug and play mp3 player. I love it and use a 3/4 shorty helmet also from J&M corp. Ran the wire for my mp3 in the windshield bag, works just like the system on large touring bikes!!

[kingcruiser]

We have a chatterbox we connect our MP3 player to. My wife keeps the unit in her pocket and when she needs to talk to me she switches to intercom from auxillary. Works really well. We use it with the full face helmet. Not much wind noise.

[Idaho]

We have a chatterbox we connect our MP3 player to. My wife keeps the unit in her pocket and when she needs to talk to me she switches to intercom from auxillary. Works really well. We use it with the full face helmet. Not much wind noise.

KC, where do you have the Chatterbox mounted? I have one on the handlebars. Been using the VOX function but may decide to install PTT.

[kingbee]

Well I was going to paste a picture here but guess i'm dumber than dirt cause I just couldn't figure it out. Any way if you go to the Kaw web site it shows the installation of the radio on the left handle bar.XM radio and all.
I don't really want a radio and all but would love to be able to talk with my wife while out riding.
Thanks for all your help making my mind up..lol

[ringadingh]

I have a stereo mounted in my fairing with 2 speakers, Its great when you want some tunes on a long ride. Now I have an IPOD that I play through the stereo by using an FM modulator, It holds a 1000 songs and saves me trying to change CD's at 70mph. Best thing about it is its there when I want it, and I can just shut it off when I don't.

[vroc13091]

Since last summer I've had a Garmin Zumo 550 with XM Radio/Traffic and a SD Card with a couple hundred tunes. I use the audio less than half the time when touring. I have the audio on mostly when I'm droning down the interstate.

I actually prefer the sound of just the pipes when I want to veg out and take in the roadside scenery or mentally work out the worlds problems.

When I do day rides with my www.mset-tx.org (http://www.mset-tx.org) members we talk a lot between ourselves using our ham radios.

[kingcruiser]

I didn't mount the chatterbox. My wife keeps it in her jacket pocket along with the MP3 player. We just charge it up before the trip and charge it up when we stop.

[Idaho]

I thought that she kept the MP3 player in her pocket. Sorry I missunderstood.

Old school here too. The only gadget I take with is my cell phone and paper maps.

[skyhookman]

I have a autocom active plus, accasionally plug in a cd player, but mostly for communications with rider.