My answer would be yes.
You might think that an intercom is so that you can pair your device up with another rider(s) so you can communicate whilst riding but intercoms are so much more than that now, you can connect them to your phone so you can answer calls whilst riding, connect to your sat nav and have spoken instructions come through your earpiece so you do not have to keep looking down at your sat nav and you can listen to music whilst riding too.
Now my other half and I have intercom that we pair to each other when riding. Some say that it is not a good idea to be paired to your other half whilst riding and there are many a time when I would agree with those people. I have been known to switch the intercom off whilst riding when my other half has been annoying me so much but most of the time it is a godsend especially when riding to new places and the sat nav is involved.
Now when we are paired up we generally do not chit chat, as when riding you tend to use a lot of concentration and it is nice to be in your own thoughts without someone giving you a running commentary of what is happening around you, but if you’re on a group ride out or touring, we find them invaluable.
If we have a look at some of the intercoms available, you can make your own mind up as to whether you feel it a necessity when riding.
If we look at the Sena 10S Bluetooth Headset which comes as a single pack or dual pack, this is a Bluetooth 4.1 stereo headset with Bluetooth intercom designed specifically for motorcycles. With the advance digital signal processing technology, you can call handsfree on your mobile phone or listen to stereo music or voice instructions from your sat nav by Bluetooth and you can also have a two-way intercom conversation in full duplex with a passenger or other motorcycle riders.
The Sena SRL2 Intercom for Shoei GT-Air 2 has been designed jointly by Sena and Shoei, tailored specifically to the Shoei GT Air II helmet. This has been designed so you cannot see it from the outside so as not to upset the aesthetics of your helmet. You can pair it your smartphone so you can listen to music, hear GPS directions and talk on the phone. It has a brilliant range of 1 mile in open terrain and works with up to 8 riders and with the advance noise control this makes it a perfect addition on a ride out with your mates or touring.
Similarly, the Sena S10U Bluetooth Headset for Shoei GT-Air delivers great audio performance for your music and conversations in a setup that fits completely within the interior recesses of the helmet. It comes with a remote control so you do not have to move your hands off the bars to use it, and has advance noise control which and a music sharing option which, when paired with up to four riders could make your journey rather interesting if one does not like the other’s music!
Sena and Shoei have jointly designed this Sena SRL Intercom for the Shoei Neotec 2 helmet and is virtually undetectable from the outside of the helmet and has a simple 3 button control. This unit has less wind noise and better aerodynamics and is fully compatible with all Sena systems. With a Bluetooth range of up to a mile in open terrain this makes a good group ride out accessory as it can pair with up to 8 riders at the same time.
The Sena S10U Bluetooth Headset has been designed for Arai full face helmets and fits completely within the interior recesses of the helmets. It is Bluetooth with a mile range between up to four riders and comes with advanced noise control making talking to each other whilst riding easy. It has a remote control and you can listen to your sat nav and share music with the other riders too. I can see that function not working well between myself and my other half!
If you have a Schuberth helmet, the Schuberth RC4 Remote Control for SC1 Comms (C4/R2) offers you complete control of your headset at the tip of your fingers, so no need to remove your hands from the handlebars with its glove friendly, 4-button design allowing for easy operation, and less distraction while riding. The device is placed directly onto your bike’s handlebars and you’re ready to ride. Its compact design means that it fits perfectly on many types and sizes of handlebars and you can answer calls or change a song from your handlebars. With a battery life of about 5 months, this makes it a must accessory for Schuberth helmet.
Now if you prefer your intercom on your helmet, then the Schuberth SC1 SRC Bluetooth for C4/R2 – Advanced is for you. This device is small, lightweight and fully integrated in the outer shell of the helmet. It has a talk time of up to 14 hours and you can pair up with four other riders and has a range of about 1000m. You can take calls, listen to instructions from your sat nav and listen to music. It is easy to install by plug & play - remove the cover at the back of the helmet, insert the communication unit and battery in the slots and you’re ready to go.
So, in answer to our earlier question, do you need an intercom? Yes, because it is so much more than just an intercom.
Happy safe riding.
Biker Kaz
