Harley-Davidson is going high tech with a new gadget for the upcoming riding season. The Road Tech Bluetooth 2.0 Helmet Headset system allows riders to listen to music or talk on their cell phone, handsfree yes, while riding your motorcycle if thats what you choose to do.
This Bluetooth system attaches to any half, 3/4, modular, or full face helmet. There are high-tech helmets on the market that have built-in speakers and Bluetooth technology. This system allows the rider all the perks of having a high-tech helmet without the price tag. Its portable and can be used be used with any helmet.
The Bluetooth module is compatible with most Bluetooth devices including, MP3 players, cell phones, and the Harley-Davidson Road Tech zumo GPS Navigation System.
The Road Tech system includes one Bluetooth 2.0 module, one clip-on attachment bracket, and two sets of earphones and microphones so you switch helmets quickly and easily. The product also includes one DC charger and an instruction booklet.
The Road Tech Bluetooth 2.0 Helmet Headset retails for $200. For information visit Harley-Davidson.com, or call 800.LUV.2RIDE.
This unit is a Bluetooth unit only It does NOT have Intercom/Vox functions. Three HD Dealers that I have talked with, in person, have no idea how to operate this unit. You also have to buy the Bluetooth adapter to make your HK Radio system Bluetooth compatable. I worked with one HD eealer and tried to get it to work however we could not get it to work. M-Sonic, maker of this unit advised they are coming out with a new unit in Jan 2011 that will also be Intercom/Vox capable. Until then, I would not recommend buying this unit. Just my 2 cents worth.
How does this work with an MP3 player that does not have Bluetooth capabilities? Does it work with Blackberry phones as far as radio and Verizon GPS?
Please contact the manufacturer for those details.
I wonder if this is compatible with a Tom Tom Rider2 GPS?
I just purchased this system from my local Harley dealer and had it installed on my full face helmet in no time. It's very easy to operate, even with gloves on. There is only three buttons on the unit. I easily paired the unit with my Nokia e71 cell phone and was listening to my favorite music. An incoming cell phone call will interrupt the music playback and you can answer by pushing one of the buttons or set it to auto answer. In a cell call test, the audio was very clear, I could hear perfectly. The caller stated that they could hear me clearly, but there was a lot of background noise which I expected.
I didn't buy it to talk on the phone for hours, that's not why I ride. I bought it so I wouldn't miss important calls. I would always tell the caller I was on the bike, hang on until I pull off the road and then talk. And yes, Guns and Roses can be distracting while riding, so I would only use it under certain riding conditions and definitely not when I was in traffic. Overall, I would rate it very highly. It's small and simple to install. It's not an intercom, its a Bluetooth adaptor only, but you can buy an accessory kit from Harley which will allow attachment to other Bluetooth 2.0 items.
Thanks for your value feedback on this product.
It says nothing about “intercom” capabilities. Does this mean you have to make a cell call to your passenger?
It is not an intercom system. It is a bluetooth for cell phone, music players and GPS.
I have a Garmin Zumo on my Honda Gold Wing that has all the options functioning — audio directions, weather and traffic alerts, XM, MP3, and cell phone. I also have a CB radio. I have more than 10 years riding/touring experience with an average of 10,000 miles per year. I do not recommend that new/inexperienced riders or the “low mileage” rider get any of these options until they have many miles of experience. Even then, a rider needs to know that communication devices are a distraction and use them only briefly in low risk areas.
I would just worry about the biker not being alert enough having this type of technology; there are so many accidents without being on a cell phone that this would create the biker being too involved in a phone conversation resulting in a fatality by not paying attention to the road.
This is exciting. My husband and I have been waiting for something like this to come out. We love riding together and want to communicate with each other. Helmets with the bluetooth capability are expensive and we already own several helmets. This is definitely something worth investing in.
I would like to ask the Harley-Davidson Company how well you can hear with this set up. My husband and I bought the Chatterbox system last year in order for us to be able to chat bike to bike, but with his loud pipes he can't hear me.
I wonder if they have tested this with loud pipes on other bikes?