Let’s Talk headsets

[Tracy37]

Hi everyone, so because of this forum I have changed my helmet style from a 1/2 helmet to a full face HJC CL-17, its arriving tomorrow, and I convinced my husband to do the same. And now that we have them coming we want to get headsets. I have no clue about whats best for those helmets or really whats out there so I am asking you guys for help. What headset is good for that helmet and easy to set up? We dont do big trips just drive around town locally for now, have 2 young kids at home so its whenever we can get a quick ride in. Thanks for the help

[h100250]

If your wanting something in inexpensive for just two up riding both cardo and sena have good options, for group riding well the cost starts getting in the ~$485 and up range for two units and to further confuse the matter you have to decide which manufacturer because the technology is proprietary and only communicate by default to each other. You can usually have one non native type connection per headset connection but I found that to be unreliable and time consuming to enable.

Take your time on this one because the moment you open the package and install you own it. If you group ride get the same kind already being used that way you can just sync right up without complications and better reliability.

[Tracy37]

We do not group ride its always only us

[Wahrsuul]

I JUST picked up a set of Cardo Freecom 2. Got them from Amazon for a decen't price. Running the wires is the hardest part, set up was easy. Since I bought the pair together, they're already paired to each other. We don' ride with a group either, so all we wanted was music/phone and intercom.

[WisconsinDavid]

My wife and I have the older Sena SMH 10 units. They work great for talking along the way. Also, I can turn her off (and she me)! The Sena's allow us to stream bluetooth music if wanted and take phone calls. The price point on these is good, since they are not the latest greatest tech. I also use mine with 3 other buddies on our early summer tour each year. (They have decent range and are nice when riding with another bike/bikes... up to 3 other units can connect). I bought mine for that purpose a few years back and it is still working great. I bought hers from someone upgrading and selling on Ebay (around $100 used or $160 single / $250 dual pack new). Installing them is easy. Rubber side down and enjoy the wind together!!

[ARtraveler]

with post #5. Our Sena SM10 are the go to helmet set ups for us. We also have a pair of Nolan (40') with built in Nolan N com.

Sena is preferred by us because they will run all day on a charge. Up to two blocks line of site communication. Can be left in the on position for instant communication to the other unit. Very little to none, background noise.

[HayRog]

with post #5. Our Sena SM10 are the go to helmet set ups for us. We also have a pair of Nolan (40') with built in Nolan N com.

Sena is preferred by us because they will run all day on a charge. Up to two blocks line of site communication. Can be left in the on position for instant communication to the other unit. Very little to none, background noise.

Add us to the SENA users list.

[Raprider]

Same here...we use the Sena Evo 20S, paid under $400 for the pair back in May from Revzilla.

You'd probably be fine with their older SMH 10 units, and I just saw a dual set on Amazon for $245.
https://www.amazon.com/Sena-SMH10D-1...%2C173&sr=8-23

There are posts from others here who have purchased "off brand", i.e. not Sena or Cardo, and substantially less $, so maybe you want to search the forums a bit further for "bluetooth headset", if you want inexpensive and basic comms.

[UtahPete]

To answer your question, the HJC CL-17 will accept pretty much any of the brand name headsets, so get a paired set with the features you want at a price you're willing to pay.

In other words your choice of headsets has little to do with your choice of helmets.

[LeftCoast]

Motorcycle Dave, who is in for foot surgery right now but is a site sponsor has the Sena units and usually a bit of a better price than you can find retail.

[pegasus1300]

+1 on the post from Leftcoast. I bought smh10's from Dave when we first go our RT 3 years ago and they are still going strong. If you have audio in your spyder you can also get the Blootooth Dongle and connecting wires from him for less then BRP wants for the dongle by its self. Enjoy your ride.

[JimH]

Utah Pete - I have HJC CL-17 and the Freecom did not fit into it because there are no ear holes or side depressions for the speakers. I tried putting it nearer to the top of the helmet and it was painful when I put it on. My HJC 3/4 helmet worked fine.
Jim

[Navydad]

We have the Sena's and like them. One nice thing about the HJC helmets is the removable padding, makes headset installation a lot easier.

[RNBOB]

Hi everyone, so because of this forum I have changed my helmet style from a 1/2 helmet to a full face HJC CL-17, its arriving tomorrow, and I convinced my husband to do the same. And now that we have them coming we want to get headsets. I have no clue about whats best for those helmets or really whats out there so I am asking you guys for help. What headset is good for that helmet and easy to set up? We dont do big trips just drive around town locally for now, have 2 young kids at home so its whenever we can get a quick ride in. Thanks for the help

I have the Sena SMH5-FM works great and less expensive.

[dklehman]

i have the cardo pack talk bold and i have had zero issues with it and do not regret spending the extra money. My son and i went in on a duo pack and got it for 415 off amazon. I have a ryker which means no radio so the radio feature on the pack talk is really nice.

[UtahPete]

Utah Pete - I have HJC CL-17 and the Freecom did not fit into it because there are no ear holes or side depressions for the speakers. I tried putting it nearer to the top of the helmet and it was painful when I put it on. My HJC 3/4 helmet worked fine.
Jim

Yes, I understand. But that will be true of any headset in that helmet. She will have to use the old heated soup spoon trick to create the necessary depression in the foam.

[SuperG]

Although my BiLT helmets have the depressions for the speakers, I use earbuds with my Sena 20S EVO on long trips. The sound quality and wind-isolation with earbuds are too good to pass up.

[pegasus1300]

what brand of ear buds do you use? I have never had a set that didn't hurt my ears when used inside a helmet.

[jlc41]

Good question on the ear buds. I have the Freecom 2 and they work well once you understand how to set them up.

[SuperG]

what brand of ear buds do you use? I have never had a set that didn't hurt my ears when used inside a helmet.

Right now, I'm liking the Skull Candy Ink'd Classics, as the sound quality is decent. They're intended for smart phones as they have a mic, but Sena will use them fine and ignore the mic input.
https://www.amazon.com/Skullcandy-Or...dp_ob_title_ce

I also tried some $4.95 generics from WallyWorld because they came with different sized earpieces but the sound was marginal. At present, earbuds are falling out of favor so there isn't as much selection as there used to be. There are (online) super high quality ones available - but they tend to be too bulky.

[JimH]

Pete:

It is possible to depress the foam in the helmet and not risk the safety integrity of the helmet? May I ask what to do - I love the full face helmet , but without the headset do not use it as much.

Thanks in advance,
Jim

[johnsimion]

We do not group ride its always only us

My wife and I are in the same situation. We use Sena SMH-5s, the simplest Sena you can get. Sound quality is fine, battery life is fine for several hours although I have noticed that they go dead after about 5 hours (we talk a lot), so I bought a second identical pair that can just clip right into the same mounts (cheap as they are, two pairs cost less than one pair of some of the higher models). IMO simple is better, I can receive calls, I can talk to my wife, and I think music is a distraction while riding.

[UtahPete]

Pete:

It is possible to depress the foam in the helmet and not risk the safety integrity of the helmet? May I ask what to do - I love the full face helmet , but without the headset do not use it as much.

Thanks in advance,
Jim

Jim, I'm no expert, but from what I have read and experienced over the years creating a depression in the foam at the ears to accommodate the headset speakers is a fairly common helmet mod and doesn't affect the overall integrity of the helmet.

[Uticat]

what brand of ear buds do you use? I have never had a set that didn't hurt my ears when used inside a helmet.

These MEE Audio M6 earbuds are low profile and sound great!

https://www.ebay.com/itm/MEE-Audio-M...72.m2749.l2649

[Motorcycledave]

Hi Dave here
Give me a call, I will be happy to walk you through the maze to the right one for you
I am your friendly neighborhood SENA dealer.
209-887-3283
email motorcycledave@mac.com[COLOR="#FF0000"][SIZE=5][B]
Ride Safe
Dave
PS I CAN SAVE YOU $$$ MONEY $$$

Hi everyone, so because of this forum I have changed my helmet style from a 1/2 helmet to a full face HJC CL-17, its arriving tomorrow, and I convinced my husband to do the same. And now that we have them coming we want to get headsets. I have no clue about whats best for those helmets or really whats out there so I am asking you guys for help. What headset is good for that helmet and easy to set up? We dont do big trips just drive around town locally for now, have 2 young kids at home so its whenever we can get a quick ride in. Thanks for the help