[tzerfoll]

I just put my new (for me) 2005 LT on the road. With all the amazing electronics on the bike I'm wondering just what I need to get in order to be able to talk to my partner behind me. Are the electronics for this built in so that all I need is the right cables/helmet accessories etc., or is that just wishful thinking?

Thanks for any help as I navigate this new adventure.

Tzerfoll

 

[katnapinn]

Some LT's came with intercoms. If your has the intercom you will need head sets & connector wires from the head sets to the bike. If your bike does not have an intercom there are plenty aftermarket ones to choose from. Both Bluetooth & hard wired are available.

 

[rowie]

Look inside the oddments box right in front of you when sitting on the bike. If there's a controller in there with a black selector wheel, you have an intercom. If there's just a CD player, you don't.

I am in the process of putting in a Starcom1 wired intercom system in my '05 coz it did not come with an intercom (booo), after I remove it from my other bike, because the Stacom1 is full duplex/on all the time so you can talk naturally. In particular I like the fact that if my wife sees a deer and shouts "DEER!" I hear her versus on my bluetooth headsets you have to make a noise to open up the conversation, then when it fires up you can talk, by which time I might have hit said deer....!! I believe the '05 BMW system does this too.

If you don't have an intercom, maybe newer bluetooth solutions are full duplex now anyway, but the Stacom1 wired is terrific. I understand Autocoms are also good (and also wired), as are the Baehr systems (also wired, but they're super expensive). I'm curious about the newer bluetooth headsets as there is a great level of convenience with no wires, so if they're full duplex now that might be a great option. Hope this helps!

 

[smahon]

My '05 came with the Baehr made specifically for the LT. It's plug-and-play and connects into the rear speaker connectors. If you happen to have this one, it sits on top of the battery and you're gonna find it difficult to get headsets, cables, etc as their not sold in the US anymore. As good as this $1k intercom is, I'm still considering cutting the cables and going bluetooth with the Sena SMH10. Full duplex, does phone hands-free (HFP), stereo audio (A2DP), and pairs with 3 other Senas for 4-way conferencing, bike-to-bike up to 900 meters. The big take away, and selling point to my wife, is that she can pair her phone to her headset and listen to her own music (and I don't have to listen to Abba ). Latest firmware update even allows one rider to conference in another on a phone call. If you are a member over at ADVRider, they have a group buy on the dual packaged version for $260+$15 shipping.

 

[tzerfoll]

Thanks for the many useful responses folks. Looking forward to figuring it out.
Tzer

 

[davebullock]

For a few years we tried the cables and system that came with the bike. the cables were a nuisance.

we bought Interphone Blueant units-now the new F4 is what we use. There are some on sale on ebay for $289-for two units. simple, gives us 6-7 talk time, plays music, phone, or gps. We love them.

dave

 

[FuzzyWuzHe]

I just Love the Scala Rider G4's ... way cool ... even can listen to my audio books off my cell phone ... or music ... and after Saturday when my new sirius radio comes (lynx) I'll be able to listen to sirius too ... all without cables. Oh yea ... I can talk to my co rider too ... and I ride with the Band of Brothers and several of them have them too ... we just pair them together and we can talk to each other. You'll probably find two of these are just about the same price on flea bay as two headsets (J&M) for example, and you won't have any cords.

 

[taylorjn]

Had an Autocom in my 02. 07 came with BMW's Voice II. The 07 just got an Autocom - much better for bike-to-bike. No conversion issues.

 

[blueknightga6]

If the bike is already equipped with an intercom you may want to check J&M Corp. for your headsets and lower cords. They made the BMW ones. Ordering from J&M directly will save $$$ over getting them from BMW. Ordering J&M parts from other retailers (Sierra Electronics) will save even more $$. If there is no intercom, a Bluetooth system would likely be the easiest install. Scala and Sena seem to be most popular ones.

 

[ebear695]

Tim, having been wired for years on my RT-P, I had a very hard time without. The Autocom system was good and pricey, and i still use it. However, you did not metion what you riding partners ride or what to use for comms. Most systems are pricey, bluetooth is cool but the run time can be short, even shorter the more you use them.

I resorted to budget minded, low investment, high return with an unlimited number of users, unlike some systems only allow 2-4 users on a link. IMCmoto.com out of Costa Mesa, Ca. offers a headset system for around $70. This unit plugs into a simple FRS/GMRR type two-way radio's that can be had for as low at $30 per PAIR with rechargable batteries. Most of the time bike to bike comms are short distance (half mile, line of sight).

I've had as many as six riders on multi day trips comm linked via this system. We've been very pleased with the results. Even the stock BMW systems will support a FRS radio. The system comes with earphones, boom mike and PTT with related wiring. Lowest cost that I have found and will fit everyones budget and equiptment. PTT operation is best, VOX is problematic at best on a motor, can be workable but wind noise is a chanlange.

 

[ebear695]

Oops, forgot to mention that the IMC system is bike to bike only, very basic. It will not do music, gps, phone and make coffee at the same time. For that a logic box is required which adds about $250 to the system and still wont make coffee.

 

[KJN]

I have a complete J&M set up for two. Included is the ear bud adaptors. Just pull them out last week. Very good condition.

Check out the price for a new set-up and if interested...PM me.

Kimble
Phoenix