Rushmore comms options
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,927
Likes: 966
From: Texas
Rushmore comms options
Posting here because it's touring specific. If not appropriate, feel free to move. My wife is riding now and we are needing to communicate better. So looking into Bluetooth options. A couple specifics. I'm on a 17 RGS and she's on a Softail deluxe.
1. We both have half helmets with no interest in changing to full face. Actually my wife doesn't want to even change her helmet at all.
2. I listen to music on my speakers and have no need to play music on headphones. My phone plugs into the USB port and is accessed that way. These will strictly be for comms. She also doesn't want to listen to my music. #notatoolfan
3. Don't have a whim or freewire. But I have a ptt button when I upgraded to the lighted buttons. I also don't have a wired port that typically come with Ultras.
4. I'm not a fan of having a boom style mic, but if there are problems at highway speed (note the Sena Calvary helmet), then I'm more willing to tolerate it. I do have a 14" windshield and my wife has a full sized windshield if that makes any difference.
Thoughts about options are appreciated.
1. We both have half helmets with no interest in changing to full face. Actually my wife doesn't want to even change her helmet at all.
2. I listen to music on my speakers and have no need to play music on headphones. My phone plugs into the USB port and is accessed that way. These will strictly be for comms. She also doesn't want to listen to my music. #notatoolfan
3. Don't have a whim or freewire. But I have a ptt button when I upgraded to the lighted buttons. I also don't have a wired port that typically come with Ultras.
4. I'm not a fan of having a boom style mic, but if there are problems at highway speed (note the Sena Calvary helmet), then I'm more willing to tolerate it. I do have a 14" windshield and my wife has a full sized windshield if that makes any difference.
Thoughts about options are appreciated.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 7,709
Likes: 7,850
From: New York
Scream loudly...or, if you are at least willing to go 3/4, try this: https://www.cyclegear.com/gear/bilt-...uetooth-helmet
My son and I had the FF version and the comms worked surprisingly well and had a better-then-expected range.
My son and I had the FF version and the comms worked surprisingly well and had a better-then-expected range.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 4,607
Likes: 3,312
From: Virginia
Sena or Scala would do what you need. One of the lower end models like the Sena 10S would be my recommendation. With a half helmet you will need the ear pad things that go in the straps or some ear buds that plug into the 10S base. (I use Plug Phones in my full face helmet with a Sena 10S)
Or with the half helmet you could use the behind the head things Sena makes like the Expand or SPH10
Or with the half helmet you could use the behind the head things Sena makes like the Expand or SPH10
Last edited by VAFish; Aug 12, 2019 at 03:37 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 11,477
Likes: 3,006
From: Charleston, SC
If you're going to continue doing any serious riding think hard about a 3/4 helmet with a face shield. Something like the HJK IS-33. There is even a Harley branded one just like it. Looks pretty good in Harley form...
I can't tell you how much better it is riding with these things over the half helmets I rode with for 15 years. I can actually hear stuff, and it makes using a bluetooth headset easy to use.
Best thing is rain and sand/debris protection. I usually ride with the face shield up, but as soon as it starts raining or you get behind a semi or whatever kicking sand, it goes down. Life (face) saver...
I presently use the Sena 20K and it's ok. Like the others stated, there are better and/or cheaper options.
I can't tell you how much better it is riding with these things over the half helmets I rode with for 15 years. I can actually hear stuff, and it makes using a bluetooth headset easy to use.
Best thing is rain and sand/debris protection. I usually ride with the face shield up, but as soon as it starts raining or you get behind a semi or whatever kicking sand, it goes down. Life (face) saver...
I presently use the Sena 20K and it's ok. Like the others stated, there are better and/or cheaper options.
Last edited by lp; Aug 12, 2019 at 03:51 PM.
Club Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 4,564
Likes: 5,945
From: Syracuse NY
We have the Sena10S with half helmets and ride two up. With the VOX on, the wind noise above 45 is a bit annoying. Ive also been less than impressed with Sena customer support. Our units work great if were 2 or more apart. A reverb or echo when we are a foot or less apart on the bike. The customer care folks at Sena gave me the distinct impression that they were guessing at how to resolve my issue.
Again, wind noise on my 16 FLHTK with the high shield is annoying.
Again, wind noise on my 16 FLHTK with the high shield is annoying.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,912
Likes: 392
From: NJ
packtalk is the way to go. The only problem we encountered is that the Vox mics pick up the music coming out of your fairing speakers. so the other rider will hear it and it becomes annoying when youre communicating. So if youre not willing to listen to music through your headphones then no communication system is going to work well for you.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 11,477
Likes: 3,006
From: Charleston, SC
packtalk is the way to go. The only problem we encountered is that the Vox mics pick up the music coming out of your fairing speakers. so the other rider will hear it and it becomes annoying when youre communicating. So if youre not willing to listen to music through your headphones then no communication system is going to work well for you.
At any time either rider can push the dial again and turn it back on again. We got in the habit of operating this way when we want to talk. Pretty easy.
Now the wind/radio noise is gone and the batteries last days instead of hours.
Something you can try if you have a Sena10S, 20S, or 30K) anyway.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
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From: Texas
Had the same problem with the 20S (not K, my bad) until we figured out how to simply press the radial dial once to shut off intercom.
At any time either rider can push the dial again and turn it back on again. We got in the habit of operating this way when we want to talk. Pretty easy.
Now the wind/radio noise is gone and the batteries last days instead of hours.
Something you can try if you have a Sena10S, 20S, or 30K) anyway.
At any time either rider can push the dial again and turn it back on again. We got in the habit of operating this way when we want to talk. Pretty easy.
Now the wind/radio noise is gone and the batteries last days instead of hours.
Something you can try if you have a Sena10S, 20S, or 30K) anyway.
Also appreciate everyone's feedback.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,912
Likes: 392
From: NJ
Had the same problem with the 20S (not K, my bad) until we figured out how to simply press the radial dial once to shut off intercom.
At any time either rider can push the dial again and turn it back on again. We got in the habit of operating this way when we want to talk. Pretty easy.
Now the wind/radio noise is gone and the batteries last days instead of hours.
Something you can try if you have a Sena10S, 20S, or 30K) anyway.
At any time either rider can push the dial again and turn it back on again. We got in the habit of operating this way when we want to talk. Pretty easy.
Now the wind/radio noise is gone and the batteries last days instead of hours.
Something you can try if you have a Sena10S, 20S, or 30K) anyway.
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 47
Likes: 14
From: Kentucky
i run a packtalk with a half helmet, the larger mic sponge that is on the boom mic for that system has very little wind noise associated with it and wind will not activate vox with that on. My wife and i as well as the 3 other members of our riding group have all replaced their foam on thier boom mics with this and it makes a huge difference. we can ride at over 80 mph and have clear coms no problem. if your riding with a half helmet i dont think you will be able to get away with anything other than a boom mic. if you are riding with a half helmet you have 2 choices for audio either noise canceling ear buds with wires running everywhere(best audio, but no situational awareness) or ear flaps with the speakers(good audio and mantian situational awareness) we now run the ear flaps simply for cable managment and awareness of the bike and the world around us. we never use the radio on the bike anymore as the helmet speakers are much better and allow us to each listen to our own music on the bike. they also decrease the sounds levels whenever you have coms coming in. i was going to do a deck/amp upgrade, but with packtalk i wouldnt even think about using the bike system anymore. it really is that much better. I have used the senna as wel as other cheaper bluetooth systems and they do not compare with how awesome the packtalk is in its abilities. this system is hands down the best upgrade i have made to my bike and that includes engine mods and suspension. well worth the cost(but make sure you get the larger mic foam)
