Best Motorcycle Intercom For Group Rides: A Comprehensive Guide

Group bike rides are emerging to be one of the most popular adventure trips. The mountains of Himachal and Ladakh are the favorite destinations for these trips. These trips not only bring you close to the breathtaking landscapes, but the joy of riding with fellow riders who share the passion for bikes is what makes group rides so amazing. The thought of having other bikers around gives some peace of mind in every situation, but communicating with them can be challenging sometimes. Rarely people stop their motorbikes to check their phones, and usually they stop altogether at pre-decided stops to check on everyone. To deal with the challenge of restricted communication, these groups take motorcycle intercoms which have revolutionised the riding experience. Intercoms are wireless way of communicating with each other without using a mobile phone.

This article will give you an in-depth idea about motorcycle intercoms, their types and benefits, top intercoms in the market and their key features. By the end of this article you will have all the necessary information to guide your group while purchasing an intercom for your next trip.

Benefits of Using Intercoms in Group Rides

Integrating intercoms to your bike rides bring plenty of advantages and enhance your riding experience while improving your security. Here are the key benefits of using Intercom during group bike rides:

1. Enhanced Safety: Bikers warn each other of risks on the road so others can be prepared and are not caught in surprise. These risks can be potential hazards, road debris, traffic, or challenging weather conditions. 
2. Improved Navigation: Intercom enables riders to easily share directions, discuss changes in their route, and alert fellow riders about the possible damaged condition of the road ahead. By doing so the chances of someone getting lost or separated are low.
3. Seamless Coordination: Intercoms help in making it more convenient to plan rest breaks and make meal plans without having to stop repeatedly and waiting for everyone. 
4. Upgraded Social Experience: Being able to talk to your fellow riders can put on some joy during the long rides. You can make some jokes and share some laughs or you can discuss some things you saw on the road. It makes the journey more memorable.
5. Reduced Fatigue: The mental exhaustion of driving continuously does not strike as hard as it would if one is riding all alone without talking to anyone. Having people to communicate with avoids boredom and keeps you alert all along.
6. Music Sharing: Some of the latest intercoms allow you to share music and to  create a playlist for the journey.
7. Passenger Communication: Intercom microphones are very efficient as they remove the noise around including the sound of high speed air passing by. Hence it is a much easier way of communicating with the passenger sitting behind the rider. 
8. Emergency Assistance: In an unfortunate incident where someone might need immediate assistance, the intercom is the most suitable channel of communication to inform other riders quickly and call for assistance.

Types of Motorcycle Intercoms

Here are the 3 types of Motorcycle Intercoms which can help you in your next bike trip:

1. Bluetooth Intercoms: These intercoms use bluetooth to connect each other. These are the most popular as they have a high range of 1-2 Kms and offer convenience as they can connect with your mobile phones. They offer the music streaming feature and can also integrate GPS navigation.
2. Mesh Intercoms: Mesh Intercoms are designed using advanced technology where each unit acts as a node thus expanding the range of connectivity. These intercoms are much more expensive but offer higher ranges with more stable connections suitable for larger groups.
3. Wired Intercoms: This intercom is only for rider-passenger communication as it uses a wire to establish connection. This system can not be used for groups. It offers reliable connections but limits the movement of rider and passenger.

Key Features to Consider When Choosing an Intercom

Wondering what makes an intercom standout from the rest ? If you are planning to buy an intercom, here are the key features to look for:

1. Range: Look for an intercom system that offers sufficient range for your group size and riding style. Mesh systems generally offer better range for larger groups.
2. Number of Riders: While picking an Intercom, ensure that it can accommodate the number of riders in your group. Some of the Intercoms in the market can connect as many as 24 people, while some are restricted to less number of riders. 
3. Audio Quality: Bike riders generally have the problem of too much background noise during calls as the speed of wind is very disruptive. Quality of audio must be top notch. It should have the latest noise cancellation features which makes it easier to communicate. 
4. Battery Life: Life of battery is another very crucial parameter to consider while purchasing an intercom. Your device should not shut down in the middle of the journey. Look for intercoms that offer at least 8-10 hours of talk time.
5. Ease of Use: For the sake of easily operating the device, purchase a system with voice commands or the one which has glove-friendly buttons.
6. Durability and Weather Resistance: The device must be built from good quality and should have weather resistant features like waterproofing to ensure it keeps on working in tough situations as well. 
7. Compatibility: Check if the device is compatible with your phone in order to access some features like GPS. 
8. Additional Features: It is an optional thing to weigh the extra features like FM radio, music sharing and integration of apps with smart phone. 
9. Comfort and Fit: The device should be comfortable while wearing it with helmet. There should be no discomfort as you may need to wear it for long hours.
10. Price: The diverse nature of market offers intercoms at varying prices. While your safety is the utmost priority, you should find the one which fits your budget and does not compromise on the safety.

Top Motorcycle Intercoms for Group Rides 2024

Here are our suggestions based on their popularity and reviews, these are some of the best motorcycle intercoms for group rides in 2024:

1. Cardo PackTalk Edge: This is a mesh intercom system. It brings amazing sound quality and a range of up to 1.6 kms. This system can accommodate 15 riders. It has additional features such as voice operation, dynamic mesh communication, and is waterproof.
2. Sena 50S: The Sena 50S is a bluetooth and mesh - hybrid based intercom system, it uses bluetooth 5.0. It offers crystal clear HD audio and a range of up to 2 kms. As much as 24 riders can get inter connected with this system and it is also equipped with voice commands and a quick-charge function.
3. Lexin B4FM: If you have a small group of people and are looking for a budget friendly intercom system, then the Lexin B4FM is the right pick for you. This system features bluetooth 5.0 and has a range of 2 kms. It can only accommodate 4 riders hence it is not suitable for larger groups. This system is waterproof and has a long lasting battery life.
4. UClear Motion Infinity: Its one of the premium intercom systems which is known for its excellent  noise-cancellation technology. The UClear Motion Infinity is a mesh based intercom that can connect up to 10 riders and has a range of 1.2 kms.
5. Fodsports M1S Pro: The Fodsports M1S Pro is a budget friendly intercom system which uses bluetooth 5.0 to establish connection. It offers a range of 2 kms and can connect up to 8 riders. It comes with waterproof features and proves to be a good value for money product.

How to Choose the Right Intercom for Your Group?

To get the intercom system that enhances your riding experience, you need to have a clear idea of your requirements. Here are some things to think about before picking your intercom system.

1. Assess Your Needs: Think about the main requirements you have, consider the size of your group, the nature of your group which suggests the distance you will cover. You should have an idea how much range you would need in the device to keep every rider connected.
2. Evaluate Your Riding Environment: Urban roads usually are extra noisy and if you are covering parts of it in your journey, you should pick a device that has great noise cancellation features.
3. Check Compatibility: It is important to have a hands on check to see if the device is comfortably going along with your and other rides helmet. 
4. Read Reviews: Go through the product reviews on e-commerce websites and see if it suits your requirements. Try to find reviews from customers who have a similar use of the intercom.
5. Consider Your Budget: The market is diverse and the scale of pricing of intercom is diverse. While a top quality product might be on the expensive side of the scale, you can find affordable systems that fulfil the purpose and is a value for money. Have a clear idea of what is non negotiable for you and on which factors you can compromise.

Conclusion

So by now you must have adequate information regarding intercoms to make an informed decision while going to purchase one. Intercoms provide a channel of communication which is convenient for bike riders as it does not require the use of hands. To pick an intercom that best suits your needs, you have to analyse your riding habits, group size and the road conditions till your destination. While this article suggested some of the best intercom systems, it is important to address that the best intercom for you is the one you are comfortable buying. Intercom systems help you to navigate the group in an efficient manner and ensures that everyone is connected throughout the journey. Also in unfortunate situations where a rider might find itself alone, intercom helps them to contact other riders and ask for help. 

Intercoms enhance the overall riding experience but keep in mind that it should not distract you as your main focus should be on the road. Stay safe, keep riding and all the best for your upcoming journey.

FAQs

Q: Can I use different brands of intercoms within the same group?

Ans: It depends on the model of your intercom, few allow you to connect with other intercoms of different brands as well, while some don't allow. However, to get the best experience it is recommended to use the same brand by the whole group.

Q: How do I maintain my motorcycle intercom?

Ans: You must keep the unit clean and keep it charged before using it. Keep it in a cool and dry place when it is not in use. Last but not the least, having the latest update on your system enhances the experience.

Q: Can I use my intercom to make phone calls?

Ans: The latest bluetooth intercoms have calling functions enabled as they connect with your mobile phones. You can also listen to music and get GPS navigation from your mobile phones.

Q: Are motorcycle intercoms legal to use while riding?

Ans: Yes, motorcycle intercoms are legal to use. However it is always good to check with the local rules and regulations regarding headphones and communicating devices while riding.

Q: How long does it take to charge a typical motorcycle intercom?

Ans: Typically it takes 2-4 hours to completely charge an intercom. Some new models get completely charged even faster. 

Q: Can I use my intercom in the rain?

Ans: It depends on your IP rating, how much water resistant your intercom is. The quality systems are usually waterproof.

Q: How do I pair my intercom with my helmet?

Ans: You have to hold down the connecting button to enter pairing mode and connect it with peripheral devices. The process can vary model to model and it is best to go through the user manual for accurate information.