There are 2 basic “classes” of Intercom system used on bikes, namely “wired” and “wireless”
A “wireless” system is called that because the link to rider and pillion is short range radio, mostly Bluetooth.
The thing to remember is being wireless means charging the headset
.
As a general rule of thumb I say to customers if your on the bike every day you’ll get sick of charging headsets up, get a wired system.
If your only on it once a month you’ll forget to charge it and wont have one that works, so get a wired system
If your on the bike any where in between either a wired or wireless system is fine, its up to you
Amongst wireless or Bluetooth systems there are 2 types
1. Bluetooth headsets
2. Bluetooth headsets paired to a HUB
I can only state the true workings for the BikeComm systems being the importer of these
The GOOD points of pure Bluetooth headsets (as opposed to HUB systems) are :
1. Not being “tethered” to the bike, you can get off and open a gate or garage door.
2. Expandability – usually each headset of a pair can link to a phone and sometimes another Bluetooth device as well .
The disadvantages are that you are have a limited usage time before they need recharging, and each person needs to supply their own phone and music as nothing is shared.
Also a general rule is that Bluetooth headsets are purely a 1 to 1 comms link, some can have a party line but usually limited to 3 bikes max, or 2 couples on 2 bikes.
READ the fine print – those that claim up to 9 headsets paired are still only a 1 to 1 and you “choose” which of one of the others to talk to at a given time (provide they are not talking to one of the others)
OUR BikeComm HOLA F can have 4 pair together up to 900m apart, but each can only talk to 1 other at a time. The HOLA S is purely one to one over about 20m ( rider pillion)
The downfall (as such) is that you can only talk to one (or 2 ) others AND ONLY OF THE SAME BRAND HEADSET.
Then we have the HUB type Bluetooth systems, these will share music/phone/GPS.
On top of that ASLO UHF 2 way radio, so a true community of as many people as you like can talk, regardless of what brand or type of system they have.
Our BK-02 from BikeCom is just such a beast, bike powered hub, wireless headsets with all the inputs going to the hub, then distributed to both headsets.
There is another brand that does similar but I don’t believe it shares to more than one headset, and I know they don’t support many UHF radios.
All the modern systems and headsets now do stereo for the music as well as prioritize intercom/phone etc.
Again still with limited talk time but no wires to the bike.
One stipulation, as with anything, you always get what you pay for .
Pay a decent price get a decent system. Buy a $20 system, expect to throw $20 in the bin before the 1st ride is done
The best advice is to phone and speak to someone, check whether they really know what they are talking about/selling, whether they actually use the product and whether they can support ANY technical or usage questions you have.
BE AWARE there are LOADS of people and motorcycle dealers/shops selling systems, by far the majority will “sell you a box” and if you have any questions the answer will be “the writing on the box said xxxxx” then you are left alone to troll the net or ask mates for assistance.
I get this ALL the time