Recently, I have hear voices. They tell me all sorts of useful information, such as where to go and how to get there. Don’t worry, all of this will stop exactly when I take off my motorcycle helmet. That’s because it’s Bluetooth connected and I love that I can keep my smartphone in my pocket while riding and get all the directions right to my ear.
It’s the best upgrade I’ve ever made to my riding experience. You should forget about attaching your smartphone to the steering wheel and do the upgrade. Your sanity will thank you.
Eyes Looking Forward, Ears Up
Since reading that smartphone camera being shaken due to vibration when attached to the handlebars of motorcycles, I am afraid of damaging the handlebars. I also don’t usually like looking down at the screen for directions while riding. People can do a lot of stupid things behind the wheel of a car in just a second.
Call it defensive driving or whatever you like, I always like to keep my eyes on the road, especially when i was on a motorbike. There’s an unwritten law of the universe that says the smaller the vehicle you’re driving, the less likely it is that other drivers will notice you (or assume you’re taking up part of the road). It’s bad enough in a small car. Multiply that number when you’re riding a motorbike.
I want to get all my directions through a Bluetooth headset, powered from Apple Maps or Google Maps on my phone, and stream it straight to my ears without having to take my eyes off the road. It’s safer and makes driving a lot less stressful.
Yes, you can just use wireless headphones, but I will recommend you a better product: Cardo Freecom 2X. It’s my favorite Bluetooth headset. The controls — a large, sturdy scroll wheel — are easier to operate while wearing motorcycle gloves than the touch controls found on most wireless headphones, and the JBL 40mm speaker sounds decent. great. That’s useful for clearer directions, listening to music, and taking phone calls (though I rarely do the latter two while driving).
At highway speeds, the JBL is loud enough to hear clearly through wind noise, though you won’t be able to get deaf exactly with excess volume. You can hear the music good enough to hear, but it’s not loud enough to hear a real blue headbutt.
The Freecom 2X can be used on its own or linked to another Freecom device if you prefer to go with a partner, and its half-mile range will let you talk to each other without worries. If you go in a larger group, you can upgrade to Freecom 4X ($216). It’s the same device, but it lets you link up to four headphones within a 0.75-mile range.
The details are better
The Cardo Connect app pairing your smartphone with the headset works seamlessly and I haven’t had any issues with it when it’s turned on My iPhone. The Freecom 2X recharges via the USB-C connector, which is a nice, modern touch. No more Micro USB!
It comes with hardware to attach it to either full face or open face helmet. For full face helmets, you stick a microphone with an adhesive layer (to pick up your voice) to the inside of the chin guard. For open-face helmets, there is a flexible stem that attaches near the ears and hangs in front of the mouth. Routing the wires and speakers underneath the helmet padding takes a bit of DIY work, but nothing a little determination can’t solve, even if the instructions aren’t great.
Cardo gives you the option to attach the headset to the side of your helmet. There is a clip if you are using a helmet with thin edges and an adhesive holder if your helmet is too thick for a clip. I attached the Freecom 2X Shoei RF-1200 full face helmet with a sticky clamp, and it survived the sweltering East Coast summer and cold last year’s rain without any sign of it weakening and flaking off.
If you use GPS apps while driving—who doesn’t these days?—consider connecting your favorite helmet (or helmet) with a Bluetooth headset such as this one. Phone calls and the ability to listen to Spotify while you’re on the train are perks, but the real sweet is keeping you safe enough for another day’s ride.
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