behind ear telecoms

[wilgartw]

My wife and I are planning a trip round south east Asia later this year, my wife isn't an experienced rider.    We plan on hiring motorbikes/scooters for a few days.   I would like to have an intercom between us (2 bikes), but will be using the helmets that are hired with the bikes.  We dont want to chat away, or listen to music.  Our requirement is to just suggest when one has an issue, wants to speed up slow down etc.   Is there a cheap  round the ear system, ie independent of the helmet, that is voice activated an both can speak? 

[Simon Davey]

Hi @wilgartw try searching for a horse riding intercom. 

Also, consider that a behind the ear system will be uncomfortable with a crash helmet. 

[onesea]

My friend used his wired ear phones with some success in UK but requires phone connection and knowledge of how to start call on buttons. 

 

Other answer is flashing headlights or other visual signal hand signals etc.

 

When riding in a pair you soon learn by how close you are who wants to go quicker etc.

 

In ear or bone conduction?

 

The problem if not constantly chatting is knowing range between units. It's not when you can see each other it tends to be the problem.

[wilgartw]

thank you,   I probably overthinking it.   I think unless they are voice activated,  any. push to talk would be more complicated and probably dangerous.    I think horn/headlights/waving would probably suffice.       the other option is to go pillion,   I think we will see when we get there.

 

 

[Yorky]

2 hours ago, wilgartw said:

 the other option is to go pillion

 

 

Ah yes, the good old fashioned thump in the kidneys, speaks volumes.

 

[Scoot65]

On 25/05/2025 at 22:30, wilgartw said:

My wife and I are planning a trip round south east Asia later this year, my wife isn't an experienced rider.    We plan on hiring motorbikes/scooters for a few days.  

To me, this doesn't seem to be a good combination.  If you're an experienced rider, I'd say it would be better to have your wife ride pillion for safety and peace of mind sake.  Also, if your wife isn't experienced she may feel riding amongst SE Asia road craziness more of an ordeal rather than an enjoyable experience. This won't be good for your peace of mind also as you'd be worrying about your wife most the time.

 

You + wife as pillion may well be a better option.

Edited Monday at 22:04 by Scoot65

[piedcul]

Hey,
My wife and I did something similar in Thailand and had the same concern with rented helmets.
We used a cheap handlebar PTT (push-to-talk) radio set with earhooks — not perfect, but it worked for basic comms.
It wasn’t voice-activated, but reliable enough for “stop here” or “wait up” kind of stuff.
Look into Baofeng or similar with VOX if you really want hands-free, just mind the wind noise.