Old school or new school?
Are you tired of fumbling with your phone while cruising down the open road? Want to stay connected to your riding crew without risking your safety? A Bluetooth motorcycle helmet or add-on device may be what you are looking for. Here are some advantages to this tech-savvy headgear
Hands-free communication
Let’s face it, trying to handle your phone while wearing riding gloves is a recipe for disaster. With a Bluetooth helmet, you can make and receive calls hands-free, without ever taking your hands off the handlebars. Plus, if you’re out on a group ride, you can easily chat with your fellow riders without risking losing grip on the road.
Music on the go
Music is the soundtrack to any good ride, and with a Bluetooth helmet, you can jam out to your favorite tunes while still hearing important road noise. No need for earbuds that block out crucial sounds – just sync up your helmet with your music app and hit the road!
Navigation made easy
If you’re riding in an unfamiliar area, it can be difficult to navigate while also keeping your eyes on the road. But with a Bluetooth helmet, you can sync up your GPS and get turn-by-turn directions right in your ear. No more missed turns or getting lost on the backroads!
Increased safety
Safety is always a top priority when it comes to riding, and a Bluetooth helmet can help increase your awareness on the road. By allowing you to stay connected to your fellow riders , you can quickly communicate any potential hazards or emergencies that may arise to the rest of your group.
We’ve already covered the advantages of a Bluetooth motorcycle helmet, but let’s take a look at the other side of the coin. While these helmets definitely have some cool features, they also come with some potential drawbacks. Here are a few disadvantages to consider:
Battery Life
As with any tech device, the battery life on a Bluetooth helmet can vary. If you’re planning a long ride, you’ll need to make sure your helmet is fully charged or bring along a backup power source. Otherwise, you could find yourself disconnected and without music or communication options or lost when your GPS communication stops working.
Sound quality
While the idea of listening to music or talking to your friends on the go is great, the actual sound quality on a Bluetooth helmet can sometimes leave something to be desired. Wind noise can interfere with sound quality, and some helmets may not have the best speakers. You may need to experiment with different helmet and speaker setups to find the perfect combination for you.
Clunkiness
Most Bluetooth devices are made for full face helmets in mind. Due to this fact half helmets such as the smallest HamrHead DOT helmet need a boom style mic attached to communicate. This does not work as well as a mic on the inside of a full-face helmet but if you get a quality setup with a good noise cancelling mic, they work surprisingly well. We favor Sena Headsets, as they are always on the cutting edge of communications technology and fairly priced.
Price
Bluetooth helmets tend to be more expensive than their non-Bluetooth counterparts. If you’re on a tight budget, you may need to weigh the benefits of a Bluetooth helmet against the added cost. However, if you consider the value of safety, convenience, and technology, it may be worth the extra investment.
We actually think that the best plan is to get the helmet that you like the best first, and then purchase an add-on headset device such as Sena and add it to your helmet. They are very easy to install. You end up with the best helmet for you and the best headset investment overall. Plus, you can easily move the headset to another helmet if you replace the helmet. Sena has the best customer service and will actually answer the phone to help you with your install.
Compatibility issues
Not all Bluetooth helmets or headsets are created equal, and some may not be compatible with certain devices or apps. Make sure to do your research and ensure that your helmet will work with your phone, music app, or GPS device before making a purchase.
Weight
Bluetooth helmets tend to be heavier than non-Bluetooth helmets due to the additional components. This may not be an issue for short rides, but for longer trips or off-road adventures, a heavy helmet can become uncomfortable and cause fatigue. If weight is an issue, consider getting one of our HamrHead Helmets and adding your favorite Sena device to it with a boom mike. You will be connected and comfortable.
Distractions
While it’s great to be able to chat with your friends or listen to your favorite tunes while you ride, it’s important to remember that distractions can be dangerous on the road. Make sure you’re still paying attention to your surroundings and not getting too caught up in the tech features of your helmet.
As always, make sure to weigh the pros and cons and choose the helmet that’s best for your needs and riding style. Happy trails!
