Headsets

My girlfriend wants to get headsets. We each have our own bike and I guess she wants to be able to yell at me while riding.
Does anyone have any suggestions or experience as to what I should buy?
Steve

Try it before you buy it

Steve,
My advice, before buying the headset communication stuff see if you can find someone with the gear that will let you try it. I didn't like it, very distracting. Like Chuck mentioned the I-POD is great for music. The nano is very small and can be used for other actitivies. I don't like dealing with it for short rides around town but, out on the road for long rides it's nice to have. We're riding two-up and the only thing I want to hear from back seat sweetie is "I need to take a break". We chat about what we've seen and everything else when we stop.

TW

I appreciate the replies and the joke .

She's right though, there have been a few occasions when I decided to turn off abruptly and she had to make a quick maneuver (my fault I guess, for not signalling the turn). But, I can see where it would me most beneficial on longer trips.

I've seen one online that mounts to the side of a helmet and don't think I would like that too much. Another one has to be permanently mounted inside a helmet which I also don't really want.

A friend with a Heritage bought the Autocom headsets and intercom setup. It allows him to hook into cellphone, sat radio, cd player, etc. It has active noise cancelling I believe. He says he and his wife love it and it works very well. My wife has her own bike and she wants us to get 2-way radio capability. To get the headsets, and 2 good radios will run about $800-900. The autocom dealers haven't been much help on performance other than the intercom, entertainment setup. I don't think I need to talk to her that muvh on the road. Like AZ05FXST said, (other than the I've got to stop now calls)we get to talk about the ride over beers at the end of the day anyway.

Steve,
Do you guy's have a helmet law in New Hampshire? In AZ. we don't and I end up wearing mine about 50% of the time (I know I should put it on every time). Without the helmet the earbuds for the nano don't work for me that great.

Head/ear gear

I had one of those head rigs one time, it had an intercom. Everthing was great till i met my wife and she discovered the intercom. There was so much distraction coming from the trainer seat, yells, nags, crying, singing and other static I had to remove it. She never knew I removed it since she only knew how to talk and never listened!! Head gear is great but not with someone in the training seat!!!

Peace

No helmet laws here either. I think I wear mine about 50% of the time too.
The more I read from you guys, the less I am needing these

Steve,
Not trying to talk you out of something that might work for you, who knows you may really enjoy them. Alot of Goldwing riders have these systems try to hook up with someone that has a system and do a bike swap on a afternoon ride and check it out. I enjoy riding different bikes, most of the people I ride with are open to swapping bikes now and then. I know some guy's that would not even consider letting someone else ride their bike. Look around you'll find someone who will let you play with their toys for a little while. Good luck and keep me posted.

Hand signals for sure. Tried an IC system once....not for us.

Tish and I have hand signals worked out for about anything. Coming up on an exit I would point to the like "XYZ road exit 1/4 mile blah blah" and then point my hand forward. All I do is look at Tish' hand signal to indicate what she wants to do.

Some very common signals we use.
Pull up beside or drop back to where she can see your left arm and hand.
We point to the gas tank for gas, use a drinking motion for thirsty, point at your belly to indicate bathroom break or hungry. It works great for us and is very safe. I always have Tish in my right mirror so she can signal or ride up beside me and signal. It doesn't cover it all but it does cover the basics.

If for some reason we have to get on an exit or miss a turn etc, I will point to the exit and rock my arm and make the exit as shallow as I can.

Okay guys. Thanks for the opinions. Hand signals it is. The money would be better spent on an engine guard I want anyway. I like the flat footrest on my softail, but I need to stretch my legs more because I'm old and they cramp up on occasion. How do I get these through Direct Parts? Is it easier just to call?

You can't go wrong either way

Steve,
I've ordered both ways. If you know exactly what you want and it says it will fit your bike order it online, it's painless. Go to Direct Parts home page, click on online store and it will walk you through the process, very easy to order. If your not sure about fitment give them a call, Sam helped me with some fitment questions and made several suggestions about footpegs, brake pedal, and shifter. He took the order and I'm looking for them anyday now, can't wait to get em on the bike.