Radio choice for Leader and Sweep - wireless

[FB1]

Our riding club has had some rides where we have as many as 20-30 bikes. The Leader and Sweep get spaced out pretty far, perhaps 2 miles or so (maybe more). We are trying to figure out what radio to get them to stay in contact during the ride. From what I've read on the forum, the GMRS radios seem to be the best option for the longer distances. Must be wireless - no wires tethered to their helmets

Requirements:

Range - minimum 2 actual miles

Wireless - the leader does not want a tethered option.

Mounting - both 3/4 helmets as well as half-helmets.

Desired - can connect via bluetooth to cellphones, GPS, etc.

Options of which I'm aware:

Chatterbox X1 Slim - GMRS + Bluetooth - Approx $600/set, plus $35 for their half helmet mounting kit. The reviews on this seem mixed.

Collett - Bluetooth plus 900 mhz, around same price as Chatterbox. Claimed max range rating of 2 miles, in ideal conditions. Not sure about helmet mounting options

AutoCom - $1,000 plus - not sure about helmet mounting - esp for half helmet

I would appreciate any feedback on these, as well as if you have other ideas that might make sense for leader/sweep.

Lee

 

[CAJW]

I have experience with all the above. Hands down, go Autocom with a FRS/GMRS such as a Kenwood will meet all your requirements, except the wireless wish. Good luck with that, I've been searching for that with no luck as have many others.

 

[Aasland]

Do any have cell capability? With that many bikes you'll get strung out far enough that radio won't be sufficient, and if there is an issue which requires urgency, then the cell phone becomes the best option.

 

[Mihalis fjr]

Maybe can help you this link..

https://www.bykebitz.co.uk/acatalog/Interphone.html

https://www.bykebitz.co.uk/acatalog/Interphone_Tribe_Bluetooth_Radio.html

 

[Mihalis fjr]

 

[FJRay]

When a large group shows up, I like to break it up into much smaller groups for safety and as long as people know the destination all is good. Large groups tend to make slower riders go faster than they are safe and the results aren't good.

Don't know s@#t about radios.

 

[Mihalis fjr]

 

[Mihalis fjr]

 

[someguy]

Thats interesting stuff. The F5 model seems to have the longest range. And seems to use additional units like repeaters.

 

[Mihalis fjr]

Thats interesting stuff. The F5 model seems to have the longest range. And seems to use additional units like repeaters.

And with the Tribe Radio the range is up to 2 miles...

 

[Mihalis fjr]

Revzilla is an Interphone dealer there in US..

 

[Patriot]

call J&M customer service...they can provide all that, but it will cost

range is all about the antenna system

my J&M is wired and I like it that way...I see little advantage to wireless and the lower fidelity even these days on the bleeding edge

no grounded long firestik would be my recommendation on antenna

CB's are the most common communication...Harleys and Goldwings all use them as OEM on their big bikes

I've led PGR escorts of 300 bikes with me in lead, a mid man, and sweep with our CB's with no issues

5 miles of bikes with mine doing 2.5 mile range

Granted, these are police escorted.

For personnal, fun rides...15 at most per group...twisty rides like at FJR Gatherings I lead, total 6 at most.

 

[Fred W]

I'm with FJRay. 20 to 30 riders is far too many. I've done it before (both as a leader and follower), but it's a serious PITA. People have a much better time when in groups of 10 or less. Plus it's not so disruptive to the drivers around you. Having to sit at a stop sign while a parade of 30 riders putts by isn't a pleasant thing for anyone.

Just get two other leader volunteers (who can follow a GPS) and give 'em the route. Another tip is to try to make sure the sweep guy has something HiViz, so you'll know looking back when the group is all there.

No real need for comms if you provide the following instructions to all participants:

Always try to keep the rider behind's headlights in your mirror, at least occasionally. If you don't see them for a while, slow down or stop to make sure nothing bad has happened.

Do not make any turn until the rider behind you arrives. And make sure that it is really him, not some other bike(s) that snuck in.

 

[SLK50]

I've been to too many places where cell service wasn't available

to consider that as a viable option.

I've also used FRS on cross-country group rides with excellent results.

I use a corded headset, after a little use the cord wasn't an issue.

The nice thing about FRS is being able to easily add more riders and

its range keeps it relatively private.

 

[302]

I run the Collett and have had excelent results, range can vary but it covers all othre requested options and mounts on the helmet with velcro. I would not be with out it and my I phone. I use the Tom Tom, Pandora and Tunein radio app every day you can change the setting on the I Phone with my gloves on using the glove tips addition to my gloves. Everything conects seamlessly via Bluetooth.

 

[FB1]

Thanks for the many video posts. However, bluetooth radios such as Interphone do not have the required range for direct communication between the leader and sweep. To cover longer distances each we'd need to have many riders each buying the same headset. That's simply not going to happen.

 

[Mihalis fjr]

Have a look to the Tribe system..if it is not good for you..then you can try with CB's like Patriot says...

 

[FB1]

I'm with FJRay. 20 to 30 riders is far too many. I've done it before (both as a leader and follower), but it's a serious PITA. People have a much better time when in groups of 10 or less. Plus it's not so disruptive to the drivers around you. Having to sit at a stop sign while a parade of 30 riders putts by isn't a pleasant thing for anyone.

Just get two other leader volunteers (who can follow a GPS) and give 'em the route. Another tip is to try to make sure the sweep guy has something HiViz, so you'll know looking back when the group is all there.

No real need for comms if you provide the following instructions to all participants:

Always try to keep the rider behind's headlights in your mirror, at least occasionally. If you don't see them for a while, slow down or stop to make sure nothing bad has happened.

Do not make any turn until the rider behind you arrives. And make sure that it is really him, not some other bike(s) that snuck in.

Last item first - yes, we do all that and watch out for one another. But invariably we can get separated by other vehicles, traffic lights, etc.

Agree that 20-30 riders can be too many and yes, it seems like a PITA for the lead and sweep for all that you and others have mentioned. It's also true that, while not intended, such a large group can push less experienced riders past their abilities, especially on the beautiful, curvy winding roads we enjoy in central and western North Carolina. Our leader generally posts links to Google routes on our Meetup page before the ride, but I've had less than great success sucking Google Routes into my Zumo 550, otherwise I would be happy to be a leader/volunteer for a sub-group of riders. The needless pain/complexity of exporting Google Maps-->Garmin is a whole 'nother thread!

Cellphone thoughts - yes, that is our backup, but where we ride, cellphone signal can be unreliable.

 

[FB1]

Alrighty...I just figured out how to use the MultiQuote buttons..... My apologies in advance for all of these questions. I've used a number of integrated bluetooth headsets (Cardo, Sena, etc), but have no familiarity with the other radios, and what is needed to stitch it all together.

I have experience with all the above. Hands down, go Autocom with a FRS/GMRS such as a Kenwood will meet all your requirements, except the wireless wish. Good luck with that, I've been searching for that with no luck as have many others.

Can you spec out what components would be used to build an Autocom and Kenwood FRS/GMRS setup for each bike? Bear in mind, some of the bikes are smaller..the person who most often is sweep rides a Triumph Bonny.

call J&M customer service...they can provide all that, but it will cost

range is all about the antenna system

my J&M is wired and I like it that way...I see little advantage to wireless and the lower fidelity even these days on the bleeding edge

no grounded long firestik would be my recommendation on antenna

CB's are the most common communication...Harleys and Goldwings all use them as OEM on their big bikes

I've led PGR escorts of 300 bikes with me in lead, a mid man, and sweep with our CB's with no issues

5 miles of bikes with mine doing 2.5 mile range

Granted, these are police escorted.

For personnal, fun rides...15 at most per group...twisty rides like at FJR Gatherings I lead, total 6 at most.

I'm not familiar with GMRS, FRS and how they differ from CB. I've not used CB since the early 80's, so no doubt things have changed. Can you possibly spec out what I'd need to buy for each bike, in terms of radio, antenna, including the J&M headsets?

I've been to too many places where cell service wasn't available

to consider that as a viable option.

I've also used FRS on cross-country group rides with excellent results.

I use a corded headset, after a little use the cord wasn't an issue.

The nice thing about FRS is being able to easily add more riders and

its range keeps it relatively private.

I thought FRS had shorter range...how is it better or different than GMRS?