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Motorcycle Helmets with Bluetooth Roundup |
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File under Bluetooth Helmets
Author: Mike Werner
Location: Normandy, France
Comments:
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Last Update: 18-May-2008 - Added 3 NZI helmets and Nolan 103
We've had two previous Bluetooth Helmet round ups in the last 3 years. Since it's one of the most popular articles on this site, we've decided to make this a permanent article, ie, updated everytime something new comes on the market. So we've produced a database with all the helmets that feature Bluetooth. It's faster this way. Below is the result.
For those of you who don't know what Bluetooth is, it's a wireless communication technology that allows different devices to "talk" to each other over a short distance (typically 10 meters). Click here for more information.
The previous round-up had at the end of the report all 3rd party devices that could be added to allow your helmet to communicate. Since this is the fastest growing segment, that list will be shown on another article. Click here to access it
Use of Bluetooth on Motorcycles
Nowadays, many mobile telephones are equipped with Bluetooth, but you'll also find music players, GPS and other portable devices able to communicate with this popular and growing technology. The use of Bluetooth technology can be advantageous on motorcycles, since they don't involve being wired on to the motorcycle. The best application of Bluetooth on a motorcycle is using it as an intercom, since you can talk to your pillion passenger without the need to be wired together.
The Bluetooth (BT) communications is crystal clear and in full duplex. Additionally, depending on the manufacturer, you will be able to receive other audio sources, such as GPS driving information, music (MP3, iPod, etc), bike-to-bike communications and even for the diehards, mobile telephone.
| Remember, it is dangerous for you and others, to ride and talk on the telephone at the same time. Pull over to talk on your mobile phone!! |
The Survey
To do this survey properly, we've written to all helmet manufacturers which we knew had a Bluetooth offering, and to the larger manufacturers we suspected may be producing one. We asked some simple questions, mostly regarding helmet weight and operating time of the Bluetooth device.
Few of the manufacturers deemed it worthy of their time to help properly (this in sharp contrast with motorcycle manufacturers who usually go out of their way to help). Some replied by referring to their public website, some didn't even reply. One did send some emails until they found out we are a website, and all communciation stopped!
So we had to distill the information from a variety of sources on the web. In other words, if there's an error there somewhere, blame the manufacturer ! It's amazing how little information they publish on the web. A normal thing, like the weight of a helmet, is sadly missing from most of them...how can anyone make an informed choice is beyond us..
Using Bluetooth with Helmets
All Bluetooth enabled helmets listed below can be used as intercom, i.e., you can communicate with your pillion as long as they're equipped with the same system (each BT equipment manufacturer uses different technology that just will not allow you to mix & match different manufacturers). You can not mix & match different helmets manufacturers! To communicate between helmets, you need to "pair" the helmets, a simple procedure involving pressing a button for a few seconds, allowing each unit to identify each other.
Additionally, all listed helmets below can communicate with a Bluetooth enabled telephone. Not all telephones are supported, and usually the manufacturer's website has a list of telephones supported. Only one helmet will be able to communicate with a telephone. That one is designated the "master".
Only a few helmets also offer the possibility to add other devices (Bluetooth or wired), such as iPods, MP3 player or GPS. What you get then is a complete communication and entertainment unit.
We've listed all motorcycle helmets we could find, even if they didn't have a Bluetooth offering. In another article that will appear shortly, you'll find another list of third party Bluetooth add-ons to helmets, ie, from the non-helmet manufacturers.
Helmet Survey Explanation
Clicking on a Bluetooth (BT) helmet name opens new information in a small window. You must have Javascript enabled to see the information.
Explanations: BT = Bluetooth,
Price: Where we've listed prices, they are usually the price found on the web of the lowest possible price. A bit of Googling will get you there. Obviously prices differ from country to country, so they may be different in your country. Some models may also not be available in your country. We've tried where possible to show you the price of the helmet without a BT module (Normal), the price of the helmet with factory/dealer built-in BT and for those that have it available, the price of an add-on BT module.
Other Devices = Supports other devices (iPod, MP3, etc). The connection types are listed (BT Limited = can connect on a limited basis, BT & Wired = you can hook up to a "hub" that will communicate via BT to your helmet allowing you to hook up almost anything)
Weight: The weight of the helmet without the BT module (in grams), and the weight with the BT module.
Battery: Opers= number of hours you can communicate, Stndby = Standby- number of hours you can use the unit while not talking, Charge = number of hours you need to charge the unit.
Both weight and price columns have normally two figures. The first one is without Bluetooth, the 2nd with Bluetooth.
 | Model | BT Name | Other
Devices | Weight:
-No BT
-w/BT
(grams) | Battery:
-Opers
-Stndby
-Charge
(hours) | Price:
-Normal
-w/BT
-Add-on | Comments | |
|---|
![Hide details for [<b>AGV (</b><font face= "Serif" size="1">Italy</font>])](blackdot.gif/$file/blackdot.gif) | AGV (Italy) |
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| | | | | | | AGV have no current intention of supplying a BT solution. | |
| Airoh (Italy) |
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| Jet55-S
Jet
 | AW Conn | BT | 1450
50 | Ops: 10
Sby: ?
Chg: ? | N: 169€
B: €
A: 220€ | Single button operation
Available as add-on | |
| SV55-S
Flip-up
 | AW Conn | BT | 1600
50 | Ops: 10
Sby: ?
Chg: ? | N: 260€
B: 480€
A: 220€ | Single button operation
Available as add-on | |
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| | | | | | | No Reply | |
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| | | | | | | Bell promote Motorola HS830 as a BT solution. | |
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| System 5
Flip-up
 | DCS-1 | BT Limited | 1700
1820 | Ops: 9
Sby: ?
Chg: ? | N: 409€
B: 760€
A: 351€ | BMW have suspended the DCS due to techical problems. When resolved, they will start shipping again. | |
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| Jet
Jet
 | Blue Voice | BT Limited | ?
+80gr | Ops: 12
Sby: 20
Chg: 1 | N: €
B: 336€
A: € | The Bluetooth communications device is a SpyBall Hello-Biker.
The Bye brand belongs to Yamaha Italy.
BT 2 version 1.1 | |
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| Justissimo GT
Flip-up
 | Just Speak | BT Limited | 1806
+110 | Ops: 10
Sby: 18
Chg: ? | N: 149£
B: £
A: 150£ | Caberg's Bluetooth function is produced by Stilo, same as for Airoh, Nolan and Vemar.
Contacted. No Reply. | |
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| | | | | | | Contacted. No Reply. | |
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| Airstream Course Kirishima
Full Face
 | BT | BT Limited | 1400
? | Ops: 12
Sby: ?
Chg: ? | N: 349€
B: 540
A: | Helmet features an earplug and a front microphone housed in a special anti-noise shell. | |
| Airstream Course
Full Face
 | BT | BT Limited | 1400
1400 | Ops: 12
Sby: ?
Chg: ? | N: 369€
B: 518€
A: | Helmet features an earplug and a front microphone housed in a special anti-noise shell.
Buy at Amazon USA:
Soft Titanium - Extra Large
Soft Titanium - Large
Soft Titanium - 2XL
Soft Titanium - Small
Soft Titanium - Extra Small
Soft Titanium - Medium | |
| Airstream
Full Face
 | BT | BT Limited | ?
? | Ops: 12
Sby: ?
Chg: ? | N: 299€
B:
A: | Helmet features an earplug and a front microphone housed in a special anti-noise shell. | |
| D-180
Full Face
 | BT | BT Limited | ?
1450 | Ops: 12
Sby: ?
Chg: ? | N: 130€
B: 315€
A: € | Helmet features an earplug and a front microphone housed in a special anti-noise shell. | |
| D-Jet
Jet
 | BT | BT Limited | ?
1100 | Ops: 12
Sby: ?
Chg: ? | N: 129€
B: 279€
A: € | Helmet features an earplug and a front microphone housed in a special anti-noise shell. | |
| Ergon Jet Evo
Jet
 | BT | BT Limited | ?
1350 | Ops: 12
Sby: ?
Chg: ? | N: 248€
B: 369€
A: | Helmet features an earplug and a front microphone housed in a special anti-noise shell.
Buy at Amazon USA:
Soft Titanium - Medium
Soft Titanium - Large
Soft Titanium - Extra Large
Soft Titanium - Extra Small
Soft Titanium - Small
Soft Titanium - 2XL | |
| Davida (UK) |
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| | | | | | | Contacted. No Reply. | |
| Fulmer (USA) |
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| | | | | | | Fulmer state that there are no BT products this year. | |
| Givi (Italy) |
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| H10.5 Luxe
Jet
 | I300B | BT | 1330
? | Ops: 20
Sby: 400
Chg: 4 | N: 149€
B: 324€
A: 169€ | Bluetooth 1.1. Click here for info on the I300B
The I300B needs to be ordered with the helmet
When switching from phone to intercom, you need to re-pair the devices!!!!
Includes Sunvisor. | |
| H40.1 Air
Jet
 | I300B | BT | 1100
? | Ops: 20
Sby: 400
Chg: 4 | N: 179€
B: €
A: 169€ | Bluetooth 1.1. Click here for info on the I300B
The I300B needs to be ordered with the helmet
When switching from phone to intercom, you need to re-pair the devices!!!!
Includes Sunvisor. | |
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| | | | | | | Nolan owned. Contacted. No Reply. | |
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| | | | | | | No plans for a BT Helmet. | |
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| | | | | | | KBC are working on a future BT Helmet offering. Hopefully next year. | |
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| | | | | | | No email address | |
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| | | | | | | No current plans for a BT Helmet. | |
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| Fighter
Jet
 | Bluetooth | BT Limited | 950
? | Ops: 5
Sby: 100
Chg: ? | N: 170€
B: 595€
A: € | Based on the Momo Fighter helmet, it's the Motorola HS830 added to the helmet. | |
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| | | | | | | Contacted. No Reply. | |
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| | | | | | | Contacted. No Reply. | |
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| | | | | | | Contacted. No Reply. | |
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| N102
Flip-up
 | N-Com | BT & Wired | 1690
+60 | Ops: ?
Sby: ?
Chg: 3 | N: 214€
B:
A: 189€ | N-Com comes in different flavors. The pricing is for the BT version. The N-com can be moved from helmet to helmet. N-Com's own website: http://ncom.nolan.it/ | |
| N103
Flip-up
 | N-Com | BT & Wired |
+60 | Ops: ?
Sby: ?
Chg: 3 | N: 269€
B:
A: 189€ | N-Com comes in different flavors. The pricing is for the BT version. The N-com can be moved from helmet to helmet. N-Com's own website: http://ncom.nolan.it/ | |
| N32
Jet
 | N-Com | BT & Wired | 1140
+60 | Ops: ?
Sby: ?
Chg: ? | N: 119€
B:
A: 189€ | N-Com comes in different flavors. The pricing is for the BT version. The N-com can be moved from helmet to helmet. N-Com's own website: http://ncom.nolan.it/ | |
| N42
Jet
 | N-Com | BT & Wired | ?
+60 | Ops: ?
Sby: ?
Chg: ? | N: 123€
B:
A: 189€ | N-Com comes in different flavors. The pricing is for the BT version. The N-com can be moved from helmet to helmet. N-Com's own website: http://ncom.nolan.it/ | |
| N84
Full Face
 | N-Com | BT & Wired | 1620
1680 | Ops: ?
Sby: ?
Chg: 3 | N: 169€
B:
A: 189€ | N-Com comes in different flavors. The pricing is for the BT version. The N-com can be moved from helmet to helmet. N-Com's own website: http://ncom.nolan.it/ | |
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| Razer II
Full Face
 | Tech-Com | BT Limited | ?
? | Ops: 8
Sby: 100
Chg: ? | N: 161.46€
B: €
A: 169.95€ | The Tech-Com kit are smartly designed. They consists of replacement cheekpads that have the microphone, battery, electronics and loudspeakers integrated, so no messing around. Remove the cheekpad, replace with the kit. | |
| Spyder III
Full Face
 | Tech-Com | BT Limited | ?
? | Ops: 8
Sby: 100
Chg: ? | N: 359.93€
B: €
A: 169.95€ | The Tech-Com kit are smartly designed. They consists of replacement cheekpads that have the microphone, battery, electronics and loudspeakers integrated, so no messing around. Remove the cheekpad, replace with the kit. | |
| Vitesse
Full Face
 | Tech-Com | BT Limited | ?
? | Ops: 8
Sby: 100
Chg: ? | N: 240.78€
B: €
A: 169.95€ | The Tech-Com kit are smartly designed. They consists of replacement cheekpads that have the microphone, battery, electronics and loudspeakers integrated, so no messing around. Remove the cheekpad, replace with the kit. | |
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| | | | | | | Contacted. No Reply. | |
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| | | | | | | OSBE offer a wired intercom solution for their helmets. Contacted | |
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| | | | | | | Contacted. No Reply. | |
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| | | | | | | Roof state that there are no BT products this year. | |
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| C2
Flip-up
 | Bluesonic | BT & Wired | 1710
+95 | Ops: 8
Sby: ?
Chg: 3 | N: 429€
B:
A: 330€ | The Bluesonic module are not pre-installed, that is done at the shop (€30-60). For the C2 you also need a Bluesonic cheak pad (€40).
Schuberth have a separate communication device, Motostation (€520), that receives music, bike-to-bike, radio and GPS data, and sends that via BT to the helmets. | |
| J1
Jet
 | Bluesonic | BT & Wired | 1420
+95 | Ops: 8
Sby: ?
Chg: 3 | N: 429€
B:
A: 330€ | The Bluesonic module are not pre-installed, that is done at the shop (€30-60).
Schuberth have a separate communication device, Motostation (€520), that receives music, bike-to-bike, radio and GPS data, and sends that via BT to the helmets. | |
| R1
Flip-up
 | Bluesonic | BT & Wired | 1480
+95 | Ops: 8
Sby: ?
Chg: 3 | N:
B:
A: 330€ | The Bluesonic module are not pre-installed, that is done at the shop (€30-60).
Schuberth have a separate communication device, Motostation (€520), that receives music, bike-to-bike, radio and GPS data, and sends that via BT to the helmets. | |
| S1
Full Face
 | Bluesonic | BT & Wired | 1525
+95 | Ops: 8
Sby: ?
Chg: 3 | N:
B:
A: 330€ | The Bluesonic module are not pre-installed, that is done at the shop (€30-60). For the S1 you also need a Bluesonic cheak pad (€40)
Schuberth have a separate communication device, Motostation (€520), that receives music, bike-to-bike, radio and GPS data, and sends that via BT to the helmets. | |
| Scorpion (USA) |
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| | | | | | | Contacted. No Reply. | |
| Shark (France) |
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| | | | | | | Shark are currently working on 2 helmets with BT technology which we'll see around 2008. | |
| Shoei (Japan) |
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| | | | | | | Shoei have no plans for BT technology. | |
| Suomy (Italy) |
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| | | | | | | Contacted. No Reply. | |
| UVEX (Germany) |
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| | | | | | | Contacted. No Reply. | |
| Vemar (Italy) |
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| VRTIN
Jet
 | BT | BT Limited | ?
? | Ops: 10
Sby: ?
Chg: 10 | N:
B: 380€
A: | | |
| VTXIN
Full Face
 | BT | BT Limited | ?
? | Ops: 10
Sby: ?
Chg: 10 | N:
B: 450€
A: | | |
| VXDEI
Flip-up
 | BT | BT Limited | ?
? | Ops: 10
Sby: ?
Chg: 10 | N:
B: 420€
A: | | |
| X-Lite (Italy) |
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| | | | | | | Nolan owned. No BT products. | |
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| Old Comments - Use comment system above |
1) DjDATZ said on:
(05/04/2007 17:53:47 GMT)
email:DjDATZ | website:
http://www.rhrides.comIcon?
No questioning Icon if they would put bluetooth in their helmets? Kinda seems like an obvious one to miss, no?
2) Mike Werner said on:
(05/04/2007 18:36:45 GMT)
email:Mike Werner | website:
http://motorbiker.org
Icon is not an international player, nor is a big one, nor do they make their own. I tried to keep it to as international manufacturers as I could.
3) Paul said on:
(06/04/2007 21:53:29 GMT)
email:Paul | website:
Motorcycle Helmets with Bluetooth Roundup
The Nolan Ncom is a good bluetooth solution. It gives excellent sound with Tomtom Rider. BUT And this is a big BUT The helmet itself is awful. Like a lot of Italian bike stuff, it looks good but it's designed for Italian weather. So under about 20C the air that constantly blows onto your eyes, even with the visor down, is just too uncomfortable. I regret buying it.
4) Frank Zedar said on:
(09/04/2007 18:04:33 GMT)
email:Frank Zedar | website:
http://www.TheWaterfrontBroker.comMotorcycle Helmets with Bluetooth Roundup
I'm not sure what Nolan "Paul" was talking about. We have the new (2007) Nolan Bluetooth "flip-up" helmets and they are incredibly near-perfect. I've always had expensive full-face Shoeis' or Arais'... liked them... and these are as good or better... with the obvious bonus of the comm system and the flip-up. Nolan gets an A+ from us.
5) Ricardo Rodrigues said on:
(17/04/2007 18:38:11 GMT)
email:Ricardo Rodrigues | website:
Motorcycle Helmets with Bluetooth Roundup
You could add a column with the compatibility to A2DP. That's the difference between just answering a phone call or also listening to radio... regards.
6) Mike Werner said on:
(17/04/2007 21:33:08 GMT)
email:Mike Werner | website:
http://motorbiker.orgre: Motorcycle Helmets with Bluetooth Roundup
Except none have it...
7) Shawn Pearsall said on:
(25/04/2007 14:43:08 GMT)
email:Shawn Pearsall | website:
Motorcycle Helmets with Bluetooth Roundup
All the bluetooth designs are for the 10 Meter version of BT. I have written to Dainese about using the longer range BT (up to 100 Meters) as this would really be perfect for Bike to Bike communication...future designs are not backward compatible they indicated....so I might skip BT until the next round of purchasing...anyone know if there are plans of longer range BT?
8) Mike Werner said on:
(25/04/2007 21:12:16 GMT)
email:Mike Werner | website:
http://motorbiker.orgre: Motorcycle Helmets with Bluetooth Roundup
No, BT 2 is lower power, still 10 meter range. The only one that has the extended range is CellularLine Interphone (see the above link in this article)
9) George said on:
(26/04/2007 21:01:50 GMT)
email:George | website:
Motorcycle Helmets with Bluetooth Roundup
Still waiting for a true BT solution that will allow rider to use multiple BT devices in an "integrated" fashion. This likely will require a smart box controlling multiple BT devices/connections, allowing override/fade-in preferences and volume control on each input - thus transmitting a single, clear "stereo" signal to the rider. This would also allow for a PTT device for bike to bike. Lastly, how about a headset that can be used for half helmets as well.
10) McGold said on:
(26/04/2007 23:06:33 GMT)
email: | website:
Motorcycle Helmets with Bluetooth Roundup
It would be really nice if the article stated if the helpmets have stereo or mono (one or two) speakers.
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