Communication Devices

[bmccrary]

If there is one thing, other than my center stand that I enjoy more on my bike, it is my intercom system. It is by far one of the best investments put towards the FZ since I have started taking it on longer rides and having my girlfriend ride along as well.

I plan on posting up links to a few communication options for the FZ as well as posting pictures of my intercom and some the pro-cons of it. If any of you have any other set ups or have tried any of these or others please feel free to post what it was how you liked it.




To start, Boneman, took a nice trip the other day and posted this. This seems like a fairly inexpensive and less perminate way to communicate with others. He shares this Pros and Cons in it as well.

http://www.fz6-forum.com/forum/produ...adset-mic.html (Helmet Radios & Comms: MotoComm MC554 Headset/Mic)





About a year ago I was borrowing a friends 1300 VTX when Jordan and I rode with my parents up to Deal's Gap and the surrounding areas. We did something a bit more simple however the results were not as good.

We used a pair of cheap walkie talkies and hooked up some cheap headsets that we wore under the helments. We tried using the auto connect feature, however the wind noise always kept someone transmitting. So we had to push the button to talk. Another issue was that at speeds over about 50mph we were unable to really understand what one another was saying. The wind noise result will vary depending on the amount of wind protection you have.

Another issue was the the ear piece wasn't the most comfortable and after a little while it was really annoying me and was pinching my ear. However, the set up worked and made the trip a little bit more enjoyable. I think we had about 50 bucks total in the system.




Another system available on the market is the Autocom System.
Autocom America | Motorcycle Communication Systems Guaranteed To Perform

Before I got the J&M, I was looking into this system. They offer several different systems and setups, depending on what your needs are. These guys have a great product and it is definatly worth looking into. However I believe you have to purchase one of those radios like Bonemans, and any other bike you want to communicate with must have a similiar radio or be able to get on that same channel. They have a demo video that shows one of the uses of their product.

One of the things I think I remember not liking about this product was that they volume controls were on the control box which is mounted under the seat or where ever you choose to mount it. If that is the way the system truely works, I am not so sure that I would like that as I am always adjusting the volumes on mine.


One of the other popular communication devices is the ChatterBox.
ChatterBox!
I have seen many people using this setup, however I have never talked to anyone that uses it. The only reason I do not use it is because I do not want the added weight to the helment. From browsing over the website just now, it looks as though that have a few new products out that might be even nicer. Definitly worth a look though.

More to come.

Now for the J&M Intercom System.

Welcome to J&M Corporation

I first saw this system when my father purchased it for his Kawasaki Nomad. We installed it in a couple evenings taking our time when pulling everything apart and routing wires carefully and keeping things neat with cable ties.

A little bit about this system.

The J&M is more of a perminate solution. One that you would leave on the bike and not take off between rides. However it can be removed if you ever sell the bike that the system is on.

This unit has the option to be solo, meaning only one headset hook up or can be an intercom, having a passenger hook up as well.

This J&M has a CB radio built into it as well as a multi-channel weather band radio. Another plus is that it has a Aux-imput that has a "Mini-jack" hook up on it. AKA: personal stereo plug. (iPod, MP3 player or what ever you can put those in)

Here is my set up on the FZ.


Here is the unit mounted up on the bar. It is sitting on a mounting bracket for a Vstar I believe however with longer bolt and some spacers and a little machine work I was able to get it to mount through my clutch perch. I have a little issue with contact on the wind screen. However I think I know how to fix that.


Here is a close up on the unit itself. You can see the Aux control knob. The top side knob has multiple functions that adjust the intercom volume as well as the CB volume and squelch. The bottom tab is to "Key-up" the CB.


It also comes with a rain fly that I keep on the bike at all times. The unit is water proof, however when I keep the bike outsid ( over night trips) I cover it up and when I am washing it as well.


Here is the main part of the wiring harness. I have it routed so that it comes down the fork tube and the main connector runs into left side of the inner fairing then down across the top of the radiator hose as you can see.

You must be carefull not to have any of the wires near any of the charging or electrical systems that pulse. (Plug wires, stater, coil) Or you will get feed back through the system. My first attempt was to run it infront of the battery. That does not work.


This is the rider connection. The kit comes with a couple of those holders that have a sticky back side as well as some smaller ones to hold the wires.
I ended up glueing that holder to the tank pad.


Here is the Aux-Input. Now the wire for this is plenty long inorder to plug into something that is mounted on the handlebar. However my iPod kept freezing up due to the impacts so I had to put it in my pocket. I purchased an extension and ran the wire back so that it comes up infront of my seat or I can move it further back so Jordan can have control if she chooses.


Here is the passenger hook up and the small buttom is the passenger key up. That way the passenger has the ability to use the CB as well.

When Jordan is not riding I can easily put the wires under my seat.



Now for the fun part. Mounting the CB antenna.
J&M offers a larger antenna and coax, however I didnt want such a large antenna so we saved some money by going to a local truck stop and picking up a shorter one and some coax.

My first attempt at mounting the antenna did not work to well. I had it mounted to the bottom of the storage peice that runs beside the subframe above the chain. The signal was just not strong enough and I barely could get out or hear anything.

So ended up making a new bracket and mounting it using the holes from part of the FE.




The signal here seems to be working fine. I did a little machine work got this deal to work rather nicely.

Now this system as worked well for me and since my parents have the same unit. We are able to communicate bike to bike using the CB feature. Not only that but we can talk to the truck drivers as well. Which has come in handy many times already...

Also, as a side note, many of the drivers give warning to the other drivers when there are cops sitting on the on ramps up ahead. Not that I have needed this assistance, but it is a little bit of a perk.

When my girlfriend rides along it is very nice to be able to talk to hear as if I was standing next to her. We can turn on some music and have it in the back ground and easily talk over it or just not talk at all and jam out if I turn the music up.

The only downfall, IMO, is the antenna. It is rather difficult to figure out how to mount an antenna that functions and that looks good as well on a sportbike. You have to get the antenna up and out so that it can send and recieve.

J&M offers two different kinds of headsets. A standard set and a nicer high clarity set. My parents have the nicer set in their helments and I must say they are worth the money. The quality of the music and the overall clarity is amazing.

The kit has a couple different mic socks that you can use. The socks along with the mic filter out most of the wind noise, meaning that communication at higher speeds is still possible.





I guess that is about all the info I have. I would offer this bit of advice, most of these units are going to set you back a few coins so take your time and do alot of research and try to contact someone who owns each of the systems you are considering and get their opinions on it.

If any of you are interested in te J&M system, feel free to PM me about it.

-bryan

[Fred]

At the Top of the Rockies Rally this last weekend, I attended a seminar on communications devices. Here's what I can tell you.

Autocom is a very popular system. It works and is recommended. Apparently the connectors are specific to Autocom, so you'll have to buy various cables in addition to the base unit. But it's very customizable.

Cyclecom is another highly ranked system, but I know little about it.

The ChatterBox! is horrible. I have not used it, but many in the seminar said that above 40mph, the microphone picked up so much noise that communication was impossible. Based on their opinions, I would avoid it.

I was thinking about an Autocom for myself. But I spoke to a friend of mine who makes the Mix-It (what I currently use for audio.) He told me,"Wait a year and I'll have something that will blow everybody out of the water." So I'm waiting a year.

Fred

[Doorag]

Wow, that's a very comprehensive write-up. Good work. I've been wondering which system would be best for my wife and I now that we are doing more and more 2-up riding. I'll definitely consider it.

[texasraider]

some friends and I ordered a bluetooth/rider to rider/fm radio setup.

My buddy ordered them who owns the local Yamaha dealership . . . I plan on posting a link and a review once they come in.

[VEGASRIDER]

I was hoping a member would do some type of write up / review on communication devices. Thanks, it was better than I was hoping for, with the pics and all.

[githianki]

I just got in one of these.

SCALA RIDER Teamset | CARDO SYSTEMS INC.

To go along with my Zumo. When I get back from vaca next week will do a write up of it.

[fast blue one]

as we are on seperate bikes we like to use these motorola sets.

[Steph]

Originally Posted by fast blue one

as we are on seperate bikes we like to use these motorola sets.

How do you like them? Is road noise a factor? or engine noise? Hubby and I were looking at them...although I'm not sure I can hear a thing over his Vmax when I am riding behind him on my FZ6, he has a stupid loud HMF exhaust. Since he got that, I've started wearing earplugs...ugh

[fast blue one]

So far so good. The mics are voice operated but dont seem to be activated by anything else yet. All in all -->

[Steph]

Perfect, will look into them more when hubby stops "improving" his Max