Radio Opinions

I currently use the Chatterbox radio for communications between my wife (on her own bike) and me. I have some friends that use a CB radio for the same purpose.

Does anyone have any opinions for or against either one?

Thank you.

[Top Cat]

Good topic. I am looking for an intercom for me to talk to my wife. She is the passenger on my bike. Yeah I know just talk over my shoulder :-/ Don't like that. Do you like the Chatterbox?

[Idaho]

I also have a Chatterbox and love it. Plumbed in the extra cord and bought stereo headsets for Annie. The Chatterbox has an aux input that I feed with an output from an MP3 player. I can set the volume on the two and the squelch on the voice activated mikes so that we can go down the road listening to tunes and still talk. When we start to talk the tunes are squelched out and we can hear each other. As soon as we stop talking the music comes back. Nice. I have not had a chance to use the 2-way radio yet because no one else has one that I ride with. Someday, but until then, I'm happy. Idaho

[Top Cat]

IDaho , What is the model of chatterBox you are using?

[Idaho]

IDaho , What is the model of chatterBox you are using?
It is the HJC-FRS Multi-Sport

[flightdoc]

anyone figured out what the intercom/radio set up is shown on the kawasaki website in the new Nomad pic's??

[socwkbiker]

Umm, my wife and I ride two-up, so I don't need a chatterbox, got one sitting behind me. lol

[Todd]

Umm, my wife and I ride two-up, so I don't need a chatterbox, got one sitting behind me. lol

<marquee>http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en/thumb/1/19/250px-D_oh.jpg</marquee>

[dogdoc]

Isn't that part of riding with loud pipes so you don't have to listen to your wife.? :-)

Umm, my wife and I ride two-up, so I don't need a chatterbox, got one sitting behind me. lol

Umm...does she read this? lol...hope she has a good sense of humor!!!

[beezer]

[quote:9e90dmsq]Umm, my wife and I ride two-up, so I don't need a chatterbox, got one sitting behind me. lol

Umm...does she read this? lol...hope she has a good sense of humor!!!
http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14815/14815-h/images/228.png[/quote:9e90dmsq]

She must have a good sense of humor. Look who she married http://s2.images.proboards.com/tongue.gif

[Top Cat]

I am STILL researching intercom systems. It dosen't seem like there is a reasonably priced unit out there. Most of the reviews I have read on the more inexpensive units say they are crap.
Has anyone ever used or know anyone who has used the FireFox units? They have a collar that uses a throat mic to talk. It seems this would eliminate wind noise altogether. Info would be appreciated.

[flightdoc]

look what I found>>>>>>>.

http://www.ridermagazine.com/output.cfm?id=1297351

[bobzinger]

I have one of those throat mikes, unfortunately I have a meaty (translate-fat) throat. The sound is very muffled.

[bobzinger]

must be the xm radio. I wonder if they had the fore thought to put in an intercom and/or input for 2-way?

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd60/bobzinger/ScreenHunter_001.jpg

[flightdoc]

I think they may have because the pic's on the kawa website show the bike with antennas and the passengers with microphones on their helmets.

[dip]

I have chatterbox FRS-2, didn't care for it much, too much background noise. Distance apart is an issue. Spent alot of money on it and accessories and now it's just sitting in a drawer with the rest of the discarded parts, equipment that we don't use. Going to CB, most everyone I ride with has one and it seems more appropriate for the type of riding I do.

Looking for a good stereo system with speakers. don't like wearing earphones or in-helmet speakers; any suggestions? Friend of mine has this box looking contraption sitting on topof handlebars up next to windshield, but it looks bulky and so not cool. any suggestions

PS. bobzinger - what is that gadget on the 1600?

[cheeseyrider]

Hey dip - You interested in selling your chatterbox FRS-2

???

[bobzinger]

Dip...I'm not shure which gadget you're talking about. I have a large windshield bag with drink holder attached? It's a River Road Classic Tool Bag 12” W x 5" H x 3" D, about $30.
I've actually been thinking about a radio as well. I bough the bag with thoughts of adding amp and speakers. The issue for me is bass response. Those little spaekers just don't have much thump. I've been researching adding several 4" subwoofers together, and then adding horns for mid & highs.

[bobzinger]

Dip...is this the thing on the Nomad 1600 you were asking about? It's the XM radio controller on new Nomad.

[dogdoc]

Wow, I bought my nad a couple yrs too soon, shucks.

[bobzinger]

Be interesting to see if the XM radio controller monted on the bar is retrofit. That's a pretty nice set up.

[Todd]

Everything I read seems to indicate no big changes to the 08 so I dont see why it couldn't be retro fitted.

[dip]

bobzinger - yes that's what I was refering too - the XM radio. Personally would prefer a cb, hope Kaw gets around to that soon too. Definitely need some good speakers. Found a cb to purchase J&M looks good. Anybody have any experiences with it? Met a lady who had one and she says it is really good. She was able to hook up her MP3 player to it and she has a little windshield bag of some sort where she holds her MP3.

cheesy - wouldn't mind selling chatterbox, but the parts are scatterd around and before I offered it for sell - would want to insure all the pieces can be accounted for. I'll probably won't really know until I get my cb, because some of the cords etc purchased for the Chatterbox may be needed for the cb - which I won't be able to get until around February, considering the cost. If you haven't got anything by then, let me know.

[40shooter]

I have two HJC-FRS multi-sport units I will sell. I have two ac chargers, the 12 volt hard wire to the bike, two extension cords, one open face mic unit and one full or convertable mic unit, all the mounting hardware and the instruction books. $175.00 for all plus UPS charges

[flightdoc]

Hey Dip,

Trip has a nice J&M set up on his bike. He wrote about it awhile ago in another thread.

[rewindgy]

Vulcan 1600 Nomad Premium Audio System 2008
Prt# K10400-024 Premium Audio System $710.95
Prt# K10400-025 CB Radio Kit $576.95
Prt# K10400-026 XM Radio Kit $442.95
Prt# K10400-027 Rider Comm Kit $69.95
Prt# K10400-028 Pass. Comm Kit $159.95
Prt# K10400-029 IPOD Cable $29.95
Prt# K10400-030 Radio Aux Cable $25.95
Prt# K10400-031 Radio Splitter Cable $65.95
Everything sits in left side saddle bag - some assembly requried!

[dogdoc]

Sounds kinda pricey for my blood. Whatever happened to riding for the sheer enjoyment of hearing the bike, wind, etc instead of music?

[flightdoc]

Woe...it's about time. I will wait to see how it works before investing any $$$ into it though. Possible down side is , from the pics, it may take up alot of space in that bag. I'd love to see one all mounted. Good move from Kawasaki.

[klink]

topcat, I bought the fire fox route 66 for a trip to St. George. Packed it back up after about 30 mi. and got a refund when I got back. There junk, dont waste your money.