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  • Bluetooth Helmet

    I am looking to get a bluetooth helmet for playing audio podcasts and music. I am curious if anyone has a bluetooth helmet and what their thoughts are on certain brands and models. I searched the forums and all the discussions around this topic are 2-3 years old. The helmets available have changed a lot since then. Any recommendations? Thanks.
    '82 XJ1100

    Jason

  • #2
    Hi Jason,
    I have looked at a couple of Blue tooth ready helmets. HJC and another brand I forget it's name. I emphasize the READY part. They have a small compartment in the side where the blue tooth goes and then you need a kit of speakers wires and microphone to hook it all up. It is not plug & play as one might think from the Ads. Other than the cavity to hold the bluetooth not much else is provided. To listen to music I would just install the speakers and plug into your Ipod.
    Phil

    Originally posted by gringojason View Post
    I am looking to get a bluetooth helmet for playing audio podcasts and music. I am curious if anyone has a bluetooth helmet and what their thoughts are on certain brands and models. I searched the forums and all the discussions around this topic are 2-3 years old. The helmets available have changed a lot since then. Any recommendations? Thanks.
    1981 XS1100 H Venturer ( Addie)
    1983 XJ 650 Maxim
    2004 Kawasaki Concours. ( Black Bear)

    Comment


    • #3
      I have seen one in WallyMart that has a blue tooth in it . You sync it to your phone and away you go. I just wasn't impressed with the helmet I still have a problem with wearing a helmet that is made in Asia.
      BDF Special
      80SG Vetter bagger 1196 Wiseco big bore kit, Mega Cycle Cams, slotted cam gears, ported and flowed head, bronze intake seats, Dyno Jet kit, Dyno coils and Mikes XS air pods, Venture cam chain adjuster,Geezer's regulator, Clutch mod, Mac 4 into 1 with custom built and tuned baffle, Oil cooler,MikesXS emulators mod.
      Dyno tuned to 98 hp at the rear wheel.

      Comment


      • #4
        I'm thinkin' of going w/ a Scala Rider when I can.

        What's really nice is a Zumo 550 GPS as the hub, you can then integrate a radar detector, cell, has it's own mp3 built in, or is Sirius sat. radio ready. Add a Scala to your helmet... best of all worlds.... if ya got the dough.

        I've read they're about to release the new G4 series Scala Rider teamsets... range up to 1 mile, and can interconnect you & your passenger w/ another team.

        Cell, detector, whatever interrupts tunes...

        The problem I have is justifying $2000 worth of electronic equipment for a 30 yr. old $2000 bike! Something just doesn't seem right about that...

        And something else that's come to mind... I kinda like not talking when I ride... or being talked to for that matter...

        Guess it's all about perspective...

        But if your looking at bluetooth helmets, this might be another alternative. JAT.
        '82 XJ1100J Maxim (has been sold.)

        '79 F "Time Machine"... oh yeah, Baby.... (Sold back to Maximan)

        2011 Kaw Concours 14 ABS

        In the warden's words from Cool Hand Luke;
        "What we have here is a failure to communicate."

        Comment


        • #5
          I agree, I wouldnt care to talk to anyone while riding. On the other hand, I would love to jam out to Godsmack while riding. I saw one on CL and the guy said it didnt have good music quality and was only good for radar detector (no bluetooth)...
          '79 XS11 F
          Stock except K&N

          '79 XS11 SF
          Stock, no title.

          '84 Chevy K-10 "Big Blue"
          GM 350, Muncie SM465, NP208, GM 10 Bolt with 3.42gears turnin 31x10.5 Baja Claws

          "What they do have is an implacable, unrelenting presence and movement that bespeaks massive power lurking behind paint and chrome. They don't wail like a screeching ninja, the don't rumble like a harley. They just growl like a spactic, stressed out badger waiting to rip your face off and eat your soul." Trainzz~RIP~

          Comment


          • #6
            Originally posted by WMarshy View Post
            I agree, I wouldnt care to talk to anyone while riding. On the other hand, I would love to jam out to Godsmack while riding. I saw one on CL and the guy said it didnt have good music quality and was only good for radar detector (no bluetooth)...
            Ya know, for the $$$, I've been very pleased so far w/ my little Sansa MP3 player I bought last year @ WallyWorld for $50.

            Plenty of file space, I've got enough songs loaded to play it for 8 hrs. straight w/o a repeat... it's very small, strapped it to my handlebar. Just use a set of earbuds... works great. Battery life has been impressive as well.

            I would eventually like to move to the setup I mentioned earlier though... just to be able to keep going and still be able to recieve / make phone calls.

            As it is now, I bought all the special bracket setup for my cell phone and the setup for a future GPS, so I can see my phone and can tell when I get a call, but have to pull over and take off the helmet to be able to use it right now, which is a drag.

            Buddy of mine has all this setup, and I've talked w/ him while he was riding at 75 mph on his Scala Rider. With the exception of his voice sounding a little thin... I couldn't tell he was even on the bike! No wind or background noise whatsoever. If he hadn't told me he was moving, I wouldn't have known it.

            He has a Zumo 550, bluetooth cell, radar detector... the works. One thing they're handy for is on trips. Zumo 550 is made especially for motorcycles, waterproof, vibration resistant, and is glove ready... so if he's riding, on a long trip, end of the day... coming into a town, wants a motel and find out where the restraunts are, gas stations...he doesn't even have to stop to find this out. Can make all the reservations, know exactly where to go... all while still riding. Pretty convenient. Pulls up to the motel, gets the key & signs, goes straight to the room. Fast & easy.

            Only hitch? A Zumo 550 is around $700. Motorcycle radar detector & brackets: $700. Scala Rider Q teamset: $350...add the phone, you got around $2000 invested. But it is the way to fly if ya got the cash, and it's wireless.

            Now, there are lots of cheaper alternatives... you can get a standard car type GPS and a suction cup mount, attach it to your gas tank... but they are not waterproof, shock proof, glove friendly, bluetooth...

            A little MP3 player like mine works great and is cheap... but wired.
            And... cannot be interrupted if your cell starts ringing, etc.

            Guess the old saying's pretty true... if ya wanna play, you gotta pay...

            Ohhh well, maybe one day.... guess it doesn't hurt to dream a little...
            '82 XJ1100J Maxim (has been sold.)

            '79 F "Time Machine"... oh yeah, Baby.... (Sold back to Maximan)

            2011 Kaw Concours 14 ABS

            In the warden's words from Cool Hand Luke;
            "What we have here is a failure to communicate."

            Comment


            • #7
              I think it was Motorcycle Superstore, but I saw an add for a new model a few weeks ago that had the BT and the speakers and maybe even the mic for like $270.
              '81 XS1100 SH

              Melted to the ground during The Valley Fire

              Sep. 12th 2015

              RIP

              Comment


              • #8
                I use a Jabra BT3030, which is a bluetooth headset that looks like a dog tag. I put ear buds inside my helmet and listen away. Its hooked up with my phone so I can hear music and GPS directions. It has a mic on it but that doesn't do any good when its tucked inside my helmet. Total cost was less than 30$ from eBay.

                Another option I have been considering is deconstructing one of those bluetooth earphones that wrap around the back of the head. A little soldering to mount the buttons on the outside of the helmet and some glue to stick the speakers inside the helmet and the mic in the front of the helmet and it would be the full setup with the exception of the intercom function.

                There is no reason a bluetooth setup should cost an extra $300. The only reason they do is because people will buy $3.50 worth of electronics for $300. Its just stupid how the masses are at times.
                Ich habe dich nicht gefragt.

                Comment


                • #9
                  Bluetooth Helmet

                  http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...id-Helmet.aspx

                  This is the one I got for me and SWMBO. They run on the small side. I got the XXL and it is to tight for me to wear, even with no hair. I wear a size 7 3/4 hat. If your head is that big, don't by this one. If your head is smaller go a size bigger.
                  "I'd rather be fishin'"
                  1980sg "Cruise Missle"
                  2002A Goldwing

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    I have a Motorola S9 stereo bluetooth headset that I plan to use on my ride down to MOTM tonight. It's profile is such that it hugs my head, and the "guts" hang below the back of the helmet on my neck. The only downside is that I can't manually answer the phone with it on, because you have to hit a button on the earpiece to pick up a call on it. I can set my phone to automatically answer after a certain number of rings, and that works with the headset. The microphone is actually in the earpiece, and gets the voice through my ear.

                    I have tried using earbuds (on wires), but every time I slide my helmet on, it pulls them out of my ears. There again, if I want to talk on the phone, I can't unless I put the microphone inside the helmet too.
                    1980 XS850SG - Sold
                    1981 XS1100LH Midnight Special (Sold) - purchased 9/29/08
                    Fully Vetterized and Dynojet Kit added, Heated Grips, Truck-Lite LED headlight, Accel Coils, Irridium plugs, TKAT Fork Brace, XS850LH Final Drive & Black SS Brake lines from Chacal.
                    Here's my web page devoted to my bike! XS/XJ User's Manuals there, and the XJ1100 Service Manual and both XS1100 Service manuals (free download!).

                    Whether you think you can, or you think you cannot - You're right.
                    -H. Ford

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Originally posted by RODS454 View Post
                      http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...id-Helmet.aspx

                      This is the one I got for me and SWMBO. They run on the small side. I got the XXL and it is to tight for me to wear, even with no hair. I wear a size 7 3/4 hat. If your head is that big, don't by this one. If your head is smaller go a size bigger.
                      Rod...besides being too small, how is the quality of the bluetooth? Sounds clear? Also, are the speakers near the ears or in the chinstrap? Thanks...
                      '82 XJ1100

                      Jason

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        I'm agin' it

                        the whole in-helmet sound thing.
                        Keep your eye on the road, your ears listening for vehicle horns and your mind on what you are doing.
                        Anything else is less safe.
                        Fred Hill, S'toon
                        XS11SG with Spirit of America sidecar
                        "The Flying Pumpkin"

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Originally posted by fredintoon View Post
                          the whole in-helmet sound thing.
                          Keep your eye on the road, your ears listening for vehicle horns and your mind on what you are doing.
                          Anything else is less safe.
                          Hi Fred,
                          Once again I am with you. I tried the MP3 with earbuds once but found I prefer the sounds of wind and the clatter of the gear train to hum along to
                          The smell of the cow poop reminds me I am alive
                          Seriously though I too use my ears to stay alive.
                          Phil
                          1981 XS1100 H Venturer ( Addie)
                          1983 XJ 650 Maxim
                          2004 Kawasaki Concours. ( Black Bear)

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Here's the one I was referring to

                            http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...id-Helmet.aspx
                            '81 XS1100 SH

                            Melted to the ground during The Valley Fire

                            Sep. 12th 2015

                            RIP

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Originally posted by fredintoon View Post
                              the whole in-helmet sound thing.
                              Keep your eye on the road, your ears listening for vehicle horns and your mind on what you are doing.
                              Anything else is less safe.
                              To me, it's something to keep me alert. The constant drone of the engine and wind while travelling several hundred miles tends to lull me to sleep. The music keeps my mind alert, and my toes tapping on the highway pegs, and just seems to make the trip more enjoyable.

                              I used my bluetooth headset on my 700+ mile trip to TX this last Thursday, and it really did help to wake me up. I didn't use it the whole time, but only for a few segments between gas stops.
                              1980 XS850SG - Sold
                              1981 XS1100LH Midnight Special (Sold) - purchased 9/29/08
                              Fully Vetterized and Dynojet Kit added, Heated Grips, Truck-Lite LED headlight, Accel Coils, Irridium plugs, TKAT Fork Brace, XS850LH Final Drive & Black SS Brake lines from Chacal.
                              Here's my web page devoted to my bike! XS/XJ User's Manuals there, and the XJ1100 Service Manual and both XS1100 Service manuals (free download!).

                              Whether you think you can, or you think you cannot - You're right.
                              -H. Ford

                              Comment

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