Hi, total newb here and getting a spyder in the next 2 weeks.
I am interested in the C3 helmet for safety reasons, comfort and communications. I have enjoyed your videos, very informative for a newb. My question is on the communications system, and is it compatible with the spyder or does it not matter what bike your on?? Thanks////will be looking at lots of things including clothing.....no shorts and short sleeve shirts while riding? Are you just a sweaty mess everytime you ride in the heat? Thanks
I have been riding for 30 + years. I have an upcoming 2,000+ mile trip, several hundred miles of which will be on the super slab getting to the mountains. So...
I bought a Chatterbox to pair with my GPS to listen to music, and be able to hear when I got a cell call. I'll share my thoughts on communication gear and you can take from it what you want.
First of all, I bought the Chatterbox XBi because it was on close out, and buying the latest and greatest wasn't where I wanted to spend money, since I won't use it all that much. Chatterbox recommends an open face version for use with a modular helmet, so I bought that set up. I returned it because it came with speakers, and the speakers and microphone were wired in the same harness - they couldn't be separated.
I doubt that speakers would play music too well at 70 mph on the highway, and I wanted the option or using my ear buds.The XBi has only one input/output jack, and in order to do what I wanted to do, the way I wanted to do it, required a $40 add on - when all I needed was a splitter that should have cost about $6, but isn't available unless custom made. These are some of the things you should find out about when buying comms equipment.
BTW, I am not slamming Chatterbox. It paired with a Garmin Zumo easily, and when I used it with ear buds only - no mic - it sounded great, and it was nice not having to remember to un-plug before getting off the bike.
I never had intentions of communicating with other riders - One of the reasons I ride is to get away from all that chatter. The cell phone hook up was only because I am on call at work, otherwise I couldn't care less about cell phones. Compatibility of comm systems is with OTHER comm systems, the bike doesn't matter.
IMHO, I wouldn't worry about communication systems until you get to where riding is second nature and you have a few thousand miles on your butt - you don't need the distractions early on. Also, I would strongly recommend you take a riders course designed for motorcycles. I took one after riding for 20+ years, and learned a few things.
Regarding clothing - I hit a deer on a cruiser I was riding at the time.
First of all, the helmet definitely saved my life as I hit the back of my head. (I was riding in a non-helmet state at the time). It was a full face. During my slide, I wound up sliding on my face, so the full face aspect saved me a lot of facial skin. (It didn't prevent me breaking my leg in 4 places, 3 ribs and my collar bone, but all in all, the helmet did what it was supposed to. BTW, it was modular. Some people frown on modular helmets. This one functioned great. It was a Bombardier snow mobile helmet - no one else was making modulars in those days).
I was wearing a leather jacket (It was August in NY, and Hot). I still got road rash on my elbow, sliding inside the sleeve. That jacket that was not designed the same way riding gear is made, but it definitely helped. There is a lot to be said for armor and being able to tighten sleeves to keep them in place. Most riding gear is vented.
Yes, that stuff is hot when you are in traffic, but remember, we usually don't pick the time and place of the accidents we get into.
2 years, 1 month ago

by
Karl A.
GREAT NECK