One way bike radios for 2 people

Evening all.

As a few of you may have noticed, I am soon to be unleashed upon the roads of Yorkshire I will hopefully be going out on my first ride tomorrow night (which I am greatly looking forward to ) but for the first few rides when YC accompanies me we want a couple of radios so he can talk/advise/curse me while on the move. Similar to what is generally used by CBT instructors.

The instructor I had used Cobra walkie talkies, very similar to these


but obviously with headsets, charger and whatever else is needed.

We don't want to spend a fortune on the things seeing as we are hoping I won't need commentary for too long but we don't want to buy the cheapest available ones as they will no doubt be a wee bit sh1te


Anyone had a go with them? Even better, anyone got a pair kicking about they'd be happy to lend/sell to us?

Cheers,

MYC

[dizzyblonde]

I wouldn't bother. It'll only distract you from what you are doing. Its all fine and good with some one trained to do that job for you.
Time to cut the apron strings and get on with it. His way of helping you could end up as a hinderance. Nowt wrong with accompanying you at all.
I wanted some when I first got going, more so when me and Matt were off to France, but soon came to realise what a bad idea it was,


BTW I took the Freelander tonight for the first time on the road with L plates. I politely asked Peg to refrain from commenting, and just let me get on with it....he isn't my instructor, and although some of his advice is good advice, he also tries to tell me to change what I'm learning....as hes an experienced driver, he thinks hes doing good, but really isn't at times. He tries to give helpful hints at the wrong moments, which distracts me from doing what I need to do, when I'm concentrating the most...bless him.
Think YC would be the same in your ear in the long run too.

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Produc...KIE+TALKIE.htm

If you want to have comms, these are reasonable, in a real life test when i had them for fishing, used them to talk to kids i trained at the other side of a lake they were good on reception for about 400 yards. They are voice activated and have the mike and earpiece, plus you can try them out and if you decide you dont need them or dont like them, get ur money back with argos

I see your point Lou but I think what you think I'm wanting out of the radios is different to what I actually do want. Road sense is basically what I'm wanting reassurance about. Tomorrow's ride will be him watching me and seeing if anything blatantly obvious appears, and then tuesday may be me attempting a longer ride on my own. I do not want to follow him and him to tell me how he takes a corner or whatever, that I know I need to work out for myself and damn it I will be doing! But what I want is the advice about normal road stuff like big roundabouts and lanes in traffic and such. Little things like that that I know I'm going to be a little bit nervous about.

I know how YC rides and a) he's a bloke so way more confident and b) more willing to push his limits. I will be taking my time and he knows that. If I'm going to be making mistakes, which I will, then it's up to me to iron those creases out and improve. I don't want him nattering in my ear telling me I should have done this this and this (doubt he would anyway) just a few things such as "make sure you're in the left lane" or "keep to the inside" etc etc etc.

Hope that makes sense

[L3nny]

Unless you have £200 to spend on an Autocom, don't bother. Once you get above 40mph you wont be able to hear a thing. I expect your instructor had an Autocom connected to his Radio.

[yorkie_chris]

It is the about town <40mph bit will get most use I reckon

[L3nny]

If it's below 40mph then you should be fine with any cheap radio set but if it's only going to be the two of you "connected" then I would really recommend these

http://www.mynewcheap.co.uk/products...in-pack/11630/

Yes they are a lot of money but they work. Everything else you think of buying will have problems and be a pain to set up. I bought a set and found it worked really well. I have spent about a year researching intercoms and spent hundreds on rubbish which has either been chucked or ebayed at a loss. Only problem is that I normally go out in a group of 3 or 4 and these only work for 2 ppl.

Another thing to consider is unless you get a PTT (push to talk) switch you will get loads of unwanted wind noise through from the other mic. Cheap set ups MAY com with a VOX setting, but it will no doubt activate due to the wind noise. autocom gets round this by using intellegent VOX, but cheap stuff won't. It's not a deal breaker but as someone who rides with an intercom plugged in 90% of the time, it can become very annoying. at 80mph plus even my autocom cuts in sometimes when I do a lifesaver.

The lidl bike to bike sets cost £25 and came with a PTT switch. they would be idea for you guys if you can find some on ebay or if lidl are running that offer again. They included stick on mic and ear pads for inside your lid too which is better than in ear buds as you can still sue ear plugs (unless you want to go down the expensive route of in ear monitors).

[yorkie_chris]

I've seen some which have the velcro-on switches for about £70.

(individually £40 for the radios and £20 for each set of mic and PTT switch)

[Luckypants]

Originally Posted by missyorkie_chris

Anyone had a go with them? Even better, anyone got a pair kicking about they'd be happy to lend/sell to us?

Cheers,

MYC

Let me have a bit of a search around, might have enough bits for one way comms.