Intercoms

[podpeeze]

A mate of mine called me today and asked if I wanted to buy his Bike intercom system for a tenner!
15 minutes later I arrived at his door and took away an acoustic (didn't know they existed) Backchat intercom made by Vixen about five miles from where I live!
Me and the Wife looked like right idiots trying this kit out in the kitchen but this thing actually works! :lol:
It works on the paper cup and string idea with a box that mounts on the side of the lid and connects via a series of tubes to the mic which goes back to the pillion who has the same setup. Frequency technology means that wind noise is not picked up (unless you're in hyperspace) and the guy I bought it off said it worked fine up to 90 mph on his Blackbird.
When you get off the bike you just unplug the two connecting tubes and remove the box (velcro) from the side of the lid.

This system retails in the UK between £50-60.
Have a look for yourself on this <a href="http://www.intercoms.co.uk" target="top">link</a>
Jon

PS Is anyone in the UK currently selling ladies bike wear?
Looking for trousers size 10 and waterproof boots size 3!! She's only diddy! ;)

[BossBob2]

Are you sure its no Scottish??? Thats the sort of "budget" design we would come up with :rolleyes: :D
They do work, and well. I met a couple last year touring on a Pan and that was what they were using. Nice price, not much good bike to bike tho :lol: :lol: :lol: :cool:

A mate has a dainty pillion and she got her gear from HG, I think it was off the voyager range which is good stuff. For boots, if you are going to manage to get to one of the shows then try having a word with
www.altberg.co.uk/ (http://www.altberg.co.uk/)
They do top boots made to measure, warm, waterproof, seriously comfy and last forever :D well you know what I mean :rolleyes:
The downside is the 9-10 week wait <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/embarassed.gif ALT=":o">

But I'm a patient man .....

Rab

[bengy1]

Hi Jon,

Just considering getting an intercom, when you put up your post.

have you had a trial run, are they easy to undo with your lid on.

my concern is short trips and removing the connector.
<img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/ohwell.gif ALT=":\">
is your one where you can talk to each other.
<img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/ohwell.gif ALT=":\">
is it voice activated, or do you have to press a switch.
<img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/ohwell.gif ALT=":\">
how compfy is the ear plug with a lid on.
:D
sorry about all the questions.

Paul.:cool:

[wanna futura]

I used to have a set of these non-electronic acoustic intercoms (though a different make) and they worked really really well. Far better than the electronic ones.

EXCEPT that with the ones I had, one had effectively plug the tube ends into your ears. OK for short journeys, but for anything over 2 hours it would give me a headache. Possiblily because the plastic on the ends were too hard. Had to go back to pointing and taps on the leg (has it's advantages!).

I can also second Rab's recommendation of Alt Berg's boots. I have a pair of Hoggs, which are an excellent compromise between hikking and motorcycling boots. Great if you do any walking when you get to where you're going (how far can you hobble on a pair of Spidis?). Very comfortable, totally waterproof (but have a breathable inner that stops you getting too sweaty) and fantastic build quality. Expect them to last a decade.They do take a while to get on though. When the rubber sole wears out, you have to send them back to the factory in Yorkshire. I got mine at the BMF show in Peterbro' as they take some limited stocks with them (they had a small show discount too from what I can remember).

[podpeeze]

Thanks for the advice chaps.
Paul,
Have not tried them on the bike yet but have it on good authority that they work well. :D
You got an aerodynamic junction box that affixes to the side of your lid with five pipes leading off it. You attach an oval shaped self adhesive patch to the side of the lid which is a bit like velcro but tougher. (you actually hear the box connect)
Two of the pipes go to your ears, plugs are very soft and unobtrusive. Pipe number three is your mike that is wired so you can bend into position. The other two pipes are the main artery pipes that are connected to the pillion's identical setup.
If riding solo, the whole caboodle can be unclipped and removed in nano-seconds. All you need to leave on the lid is the velcro pad. This can also be removed by gently heating and peeling off. You get spares too.
You can talk to each other and there is no switch to press as there is no power. Mind you, I must remember not to pass comments of a sexist nature everytime we pass an attractive Female...... <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/embarassed.gif ALT=":o">
All that connects you and your pillion are two rubber tubes approx 7mm in diameter with twist and pull clips in the centre.
Am off to Belgium to see Speedy & co in a couple of weeks so I will let you know how they perform. 8o

BTW Thanks for the advise on the midget wife! :p
Jon

[wanna futura]

Jon,

If you're getting leathers for the wife, and can stretch the budget far enough, go for Dianese.

We went on several shopping trips last year for new kit for the wife (sooo much better than regular clothes shopping!) and the cut on their stuff for the petite female (size 8/10) is far and away better than any other make we could find (and we know how important the look is to them....they have a good range of colours too).

We ended up buying Triumph ladies kit at a third of the price at the BMF show. Good quality, but didn't fit so well, hoping that once "broken in" it would be OK.

With the benefit of hindsight though, rather wished we went for the Dianese.

You get what you pay for, and all that.

[podpeeze]

<blockquote><strong><em>Quote:</em></strong><hr>We went on several shopping trips last year for new kit for the wife (sooo much better than regular clothes shopping!) [/quote]
You got that right! :rollin:

I've gotta be careful what I say here as some of you are going to meet the wife soon. ;)
We are looking at Textiles. Already got the Jacket and gloves but although there are textile trousers in size 10, the legs are way too long. The amount of times she's going to travel on the bike means second hand will do just as good. (she's a car-boot fiend). The boots are not too much of a problem as I can order.
Dianese? wotalotowonga! If I can't have them........ :p
Jon

[PaulZX9R]

Anybody thought of Hien Gericke. My SO got some really neat stuff from them, Comfortable, good fit, good looks, very good armour (they do that Hyprotec stuff) and reasonable price.

www.hein-gericke.com/ (http://www.hein-gericke.com/)

[podpeeze]

Paul, called my nearest dealer today and have ladies and kids textiles in stock, all sizes!
Apparently the kids Voyager pants have adjustable legs which will do the missus just fine! :p Good price too!
Cheers
Jon

[BossBob2]

<blockquote><strong><em>Quote:</em></strong><hr>Apparently the kids Voyager pants have adjustable legs which will do the missus just fine! Good price too![/quote] And great gear, it really is wind and waterproof, light but warm and robust. I have personally tested the armour which I can also vouch for :(
Can't be beaten for value IMHO

Rab

[rdbandkab]

My wife and I use the system by Chatter Box...model Tandem pro HJC-50. It's a rechargable two way system which uses two earpieces per helmet that stick to the ear cavities in your helmet, and a mouthpiece that sticks to the inside of the bottom of our full face helmets. My helmet has the little junction box attached, and she just plugs into it when she gets on. It has lasted for 10 hour day rides, and has a jack for an MP3 player..(never tried that).

[exdukenut]

You could try the Verso Plus system from Baehr (German). It also has a bike to bike facility with the addition of a small CB Radio, as well as connections for either mobile phone or radio/CD. Works exceptionally well for rider to pillion up to 140kph without wind noise, and the bike to bike can do up to 3kms line of site.

Just my 2 cents worth. I use it on my Falco, 20 mins install on the bike, and about that again for install into each helmet (Shoei Z2, and RF700's) :D :D

[mnrstrider]

I'll be sending my hjc-50 back for warranty it stopped playing sound from the right ear. I'll keep you posted on how the warranty coverage goes.

[Gregormel]

I've got an ST1100 that I fitted with a Valkyrie intercom/CB. I take delivery of a Futura in a couple of weeks, and plan to attempt retrofitting the system to it. Right now I have it in the tail of the ST, which obviously won't work with the Futura. The system is actually designed to connect in the front of the bike, so there may be hope. It is absolutely the best system, albeit pricey, I've ever used. My wife and I can chat at 85 mph with no issues. I have an in-line mp3 player for the longer rides. If I get it to work I'll send pix.

Now all we need is less snow.

G