Using a Radio Earpiece to Increase Safety and Enjoyment on the Open Road

Riding a motorcycle is about the freedom of the open road and sharing that freedom with the aid of a radio earpiece is a great way to increase the enjoyment of your experience on the road. Conversation on a motorcycle is pretty much impossible over the roar of the motor and the hiss of the wind. Riding for hours on end can be a great experience but it can be a lot more fun if you are able to talk or listen to your favorite tunes. Aside from increasing the enjoyment of the road a radio headset can also increase the safety of being on a motor cycle.

There are a large variety of earpieces available for the biker. As well as a load of different features. There are wireless varieties as well as wired options. The benefit of the wired options is a lack of battery necessity and a good clean sound. Wireless is always convenient but sound quality is not always as good and dead batteries are always annoying. Using a radio headset without a helmet is basically impossible. Radio mics and speakers are very susceptible to wind noise and even at high speeds with a helmet it can be hard to hear. Noise canceling technology is offering some solutions to this problem but wind does remain a significant factor.

A wired system that connects two people on a bike is by far the clearest form of communication. It is simple, each headset plugs into a central outlet that allows the two people to communicate. This is the same scenario used by airplanes. It can be modified to communicate with other bikes on the same frequency, but of course clarity may diminish because of the lack of wiring between bikes.

Many of these wired units are starting to employ more advanced forms of noise canceling technology but wind noise still does remain a factor for those wishing to ride without helmets.

As I have previously mentioned wireless options continue to flood the market and there are many new options and great improvements over older models. Prices are all over the board but you should expect to pay a little more for a wireless version of a communication system.

Most bikers looking to communicate between other bikers in the pack a short range radio should be adequate. These will usually work within a few miles allowing for easy communication while on the road. There are many short range radios at great prices that offer top quality durability and many features. Those of you looking to stay in touch over longer distances will require long range frequency radios. There are of course still limitations on how far you can communicate but anything within 100 miles should be expected. If you need more you will have to contact the FCC for a radio operators license.

User experience is highly variable with different radio ear pieces and it is suggested that you try out a couple before you purchase one. People have very differently shaped ears and ear canals and different brands fit differently, similar to shoes. Many companies offer fitting services where they will actually make a mold of your ear and build a radio earpiece that fits your ear precisely. This can greatly eliminate background noise and wind noise.

Voice activation is a common feature that allows the radio headset to be fully hands free. This is a very important safety concern and should be taken into consideration. When on a bike you need all the safety you can get.

Most motorcycle headsets will also have an auxiliary jack that will allow you to plug in an ipod or satellite radio and listen to whatever tunes you like. If you are like most and want to really enjoy your time on the road a radio earpiece can go a long way towards making your experience more fun and enjoyable, not to mention safer.