Chatterbox ??? - Discuss Chatterbox ??? on CBRXX, the ultimate on-line community for Honda motorcyclists. Read it in Riding Gear / Luggage / Electronics. (Helmets, Boots, Gloves, Leathers, Jackets, Pants, Back Protectors, Earplugs, Tank Bags, Tail Bags, Saddlebags, Motorcycle Related GPS, Audio, Video, Radar Detectors, Lap Timers, Communicators, etc.)

blackbird1100xx · 04-30-2008, 2:51 PM

I have a friend that just got a zx14 as a first bike. Grabbed his temps last week and has been playin around in his neighborhood quite a bit. I was thinking about investing in chatterbox communication radio so when we break out of his neighborhood i could kinda walk him through some stuff without stoppin and signing.

Just wondering if anyone has used the chatterbox system and what they think about it.

DragonXX · 04-30-2008, 6:20 PM

My bike and the toilet is the only 2 places where I can be truly be ALONE !

TWEET · 04-30-2008, 6:25 PM

I have used Collett Communicators that clip onto your helmet, they work well if you are familiar with how a 2-way radio works, but range is very limited.

I now use Autocom Super pro-avi with 40ch UHF portable radio and it is worlds apart, and nothing clipped to helmet, and no battery packs.

SilverBrd · 04-30-2008, 8:17 PM

My buddy has the scala rider 2. I think its a better buy for the money $170.00 and it has a FM radio, talk to fellow riders with Scalas, voice activated phone, and voice GPS and does not look like a brick on your lid.

SilverXXRider · 04-30-2008, 9:37 PM

My buddy and I have the Chatterbox 90 (the old one) we bought it like 10 years ago and love it it has saved our asses a thousand times. We are going to upgrade this season to the new Chatterbox GRMS-X1 this one has a longer range and some upgraded features. Can't say enough about this piece of gear a definate must have when riding with others.

dunedain · 05-01-2008, 10:30 AM

Tried it some years back and I deemed it a POS. They may have upped their game but 8 years ago they were shiite!

I tried the Autocom a couple of years ago and the clown they have listed as the Autocom guru in my area took a month and butchered the wireing on my XX so I blew it off but it seemed like as capable unit.

I'm kinda with Dragon....last thing I want is phone calls and shiite while I'm on a nice ride (My XX clock has not been set right in years and I'd lover to put something more useful in it;s place).

I would like to hear the V1 over the Ipod though. I think I would try these guys if I were to go comm again. $$$$

Baehr Motorcycle Communication Systems

lois · 05-01-2008, 11:40 AM

Me and my posse have been using the GRMS-X1 for a few years now. And yes...they have saved our asses a thousand times as well, would I ride in a regular group with out one.....no bloody way. Are they the best friggin thing since sliced bread, yes and no. Are they junk, nope. Are they water proof, no. Do they work well at speeds above 65mph, not really. Will I always have and use one ,,,,,yup.

Why?
Because once you and your crew gets used to using them, they are hard to be with out, and they are well worth owning.

P.S, if you buy one, get an extra battery right off the bat.

blackbird1100xx · 05-01-2008, 12:49 PM

Great responses guys. I appreaciate all the input, i just went up to the honda shop for lunch and talked to the service guys about them. They suggested another brand, which name escapes me, that is a little smaller and runs bluetooth about 500yards.

its a smaller unit and seems like it is a little more practical for what we will be doing.

Price is around 199.00 for one unit which contains only one headset and the bluetooth transmitter.

Each rider has to get a unit to communicate.

I'll be stopping by the shop again soon and i'll get the details for anyone interested.

11dblex · 05-01-2008, 1:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackbird1100xx

Great responses guys. I appreaciate all the input, i just went up to the honda shop for lunch and talked to the service guys about them. They suggested another brand, which name escapes me, that is a little smaller and runs bluetooth about 500yards.

its a smaller unit and seems like it is a little more practical for what we will be doing.

Price is around 199.00 for one unit which contains only one headset and the bluetooth transmitter.

Each rider has to get a unit to communicate.

I'll be stopping by the shop again soon and i'll get the details for anyone interested.

sure it's not the scala rider 2 (as silverbrd mentioned)?
Cardo scala-rider Q2 - webBikeWorld
seems to have good reviews!

ianross69 · 05-01-2008, 1:46 PM

I tried it and it was total crap..Interference all the time..

TWEET · 05-01-2008, 6:44 PM

For $200 per unit, you are etting close to the midrange of the autocom line....

Wockman · 05-01-2008, 8:14 PM

Never been a big fan of Chatterbox. I have used Collett communicators for years, but a few months ago I switched to the Cardo Scala-Rider Q2. They have Bluetooth (connect to a cell phone and GPS and MP3 player) and they have a built in FM tuner plus they work great bike-to-bike. I am very happy with them and it is soooo nice to not have any cords to get tangled up in...

cbrbear · 05-02-2008, 12:19 AM

I have 2 GRMX-1's for sale as I have upgraded to the Dainese blue tooth helmet, also have 2 suomy helmets for sale if anyone is interested.

blackbird1100xx · 05-02-2008, 7:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 11dblex

sure it's not the scala rider 2 (as silverbrd mentioned)?
Cardo scala-rider Q2 - webBikeWorld
seems to have good reviews!

Thats the one. I talked to the guys at honda and i guess the only model of chatterbox they had in was designed for the goldwing and they said that the cardo was the way to go anyway.

wigo · 06-13-2008, 1:59 PM

Take a look at these. Motorola - HelloMoto USA - SX800R - Homepage

Cheap and can go a ways. There are somethat can work up to 25 miles. Put an earbud in and you are golden.
We use them for hunting and they work real well.
Plus there is not much to setup. LIke an ipod.
I don't think I would want anything permanent. I like riding in solitude but know sometimes you will need to communicate.

fasterspider · 06-18-2008, 3:11 PM

Chatterbox is too much of a distraction and should be illegal.
The only sound a motorcycle rider should hear other than his bike is the wind, or maybe a cage horn from that idiot cager.
A chatterbox is no better than a cager on the cel phone and is really crazy distracting from the road.

SilverXXRider · 06-18-2008, 8:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fasterspider

Chatterbox is too much of a distraction and should be illegal.
The only sound a motorcycle rider should hear other than his bike is the wind, or maybe a cage horn from that idiot cager.
A chatterbox is no better than a cager on the cel phone and is really crazy distracting from the road.

Maybe if you're talking BS on it like getting your nails done or what's for dinner.

I know it is a great tool to have when riding with others in a group whether it is a Chatterbox or any other kind of communicator.

How do you get distracted from the road when it is inside your helmet and there is nothing to do except talk.It is activated by voice so all you do is talk and then listen.

fasterspider · 06-18-2008, 9:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SilverXXRider

Maybe if you're talking BS on it like getting your nails done or what's for dinner.

I know it is a great tool to have when riding with others in a group whether it is a Chatterbox or any other kind of communicator.

How do you get distracted from the road when it is inside your helmet and there is nothing to do except talk. It is activated by voice so all you do is talk and then listen.

I am just a little anal about distractions on a motorcycle or in a car because I have been hit by that driver that had a stereo blasting while talking on the phone, eating Kentucky Fried Chicken with the other hand and driving with her knees as she ran a stop sign in front of me. She had no license or insurance so I got screwed all the way around.

I truely believe the only noise that should be heard is the engine of the vehicle one is operating.

I do not listen to the radio in the car anymore because I have been hit & hurt badly and know it to be distracting. So I am against inter-bike communications too.
One can stop and flip up the visor and ask a question if it is that important which is what I do when the urge to ask a question pops into my anal retentive head.

The last thing I need is someone saying something to me when I am in deep concentration on my bike.

I only hope it never happens to you what has happened to me because two of my bikes have been totalled plus, I am in the titanium insert club now.

Getting my nails done? Come on man, I ride a CBR1100XX Super Blackbird

with a full titanium Akrapovic exhaust system that sounds fantastic, my nails are the last thing in the world I am thinking about.

SilverXXRider · 06-19-2008, 6:33 AM

Sorry to hear that you got hurt my friend that truely sucks.

Some people just flat out should not be driving at all. I see it every day on my 55 mile one way to work. You name it people eating, doing make-up and I have even seen some A**hole with a hardcover book perched on the steering wheel reading in heavy rush hour traffic.

These people need to be taken out and beaten harshly. We see it all the time
needless wrecks on the highway. I was going to say "accidents" but that would be the wrong word to use in most cases cause 99% of them are from human error not some freak mechanical failure.

When I am on my bike I ride with the awareness and caution that EVERYTHING is out to kill me. And this thank GOD has so far done very well for me. Don't get me wrong I shouldn't have to explain how much joy and excitement riding a BIRD is but I never take it for granted that at anypoint something from somewhere can just end it all in a split second.

As for me and my cousin having a way to communicate with each other just gives us the extra edge in keeping each other informed of situations and road conditions whatever the case is.

As for the getting nails done I wasn't reffering to you personally I was talking about most cagers .

fasterspider · 06-19-2008, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SilverXXRider

s for the getting nails done I wasn't reffering to you personally I was talking about most cagers .

I know, I had to put a bit of humor in that post because it got too heavy and a smile always makes me feel better.
Do what you gotta do and ride carefully.

lois · 06-25-2008, 11:18 PM

I bought a chatter box, and for the first 6 months I couldn't hear nothing on it

....then I found the power button.

CanadianBird · 09-12-2008, 7:55 AM

As much as I love my wife, I don't want to talk to her when we're riding. Or anyone else for that matter. I like the voices in my head.

diamondhead · 09-16-2008, 6:10 AM

Try Moto-Comm everything together.........multiple inputs......built in FM.......only drawback is battery powered ......which I am circumventing with a direct wired conversion. Wind noise is a problem if you have a cheap helmet or keep your head in dirty air. Motocomm only rated up to 100mph for clear speech whereas the Autocomm is rated higher but costs twice as much. I think the Moto is more than half as good however I have never owned the Autocomm.

Banshee · 09-18-2008, 8:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CanadianBird

As much as I love my wife, I don't want to talk to her when we're riding. Or anyone else for that matter. I like the voices in my head.

Madness does not always scream. Sometimes it's that quiet little voice in the evening that says, "Hey! Is there room in there for one more?"

back.in.black · 09-23-2008, 11:44 PM

In other news...........
Your friend bought a ZX14 as a FIRST BIKE

RSJ · 10-01-2008, 9:22 PM

A zx14 as a first bike????????? Holy Sh--! I wouldnt be doing any talking on a chatterbox to him

Catenaccio · 10-02-2008, 12:50 AM

Chatterbox or at least a smaller version would be nice when I ride with my kids. That way I could figure out where to wait for them.

heisti · 10-09-2008, 9:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RSJ

A zx14 as a first bike????????? Holy Sh--! I wouldnt be doing any talking on a chatterbox to him

the hard will survive

while riding i only listen to mp3 or my navigation system

deadman · 11-20-2008, 12:23 AM

I lived in Brisbane in the early 70's. quite a number of my riding friends were deaf, So a heap of us hearing riders went to the brisbane deaf institute and learnt sign language so that we could converse with our deaf friends, A month later we could all sign language, fluently, and then we had a secret language only we knew. and we could use this sign language to converse as we rode,
It was top stuff at parties, because you could say what you liked and no one else knew what the group of us were talking about.
If ever you want a scary ride, jump on the back of a bike with some one who has been deaf since birth, they have no fear, and always corner by feel, if it aint scraping, you are not over far enough. AAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRHHHHHHHHHH
My deaf mate. SID, Really scared the crapper out of me, and I dont scare easily on a bike. He could also ride, exceptionally well. 850 Norton.
Brian.

DeathWish01 · 11-26-2008, 1:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by heisti

the hard will survive

while riding i only listen to mp3 or my navigation system

the blackbird was my very first bike... and i find its easier to ride then my other friends dirtbikes.... (except on dirt of course)

View Poll Results: What do you think of the chatterbox system
Used it... wouldnt ride without it	7	5.83%
Used it... not bad i guess	10	8.33%
Used it... awfull way to spend $250.00	11	9.17%
Havnt used it...	92	76.67%
Voters: 120. You may not vote on this poll

04-30-2008, 6:20 PM	#2
DragonXX ... Get A Good Lawyer ! Join Date: Dec 19 2007 Location: Gold Coast, Australia Age: 45 Posts: 2,733	Re: Chatterbox ??? My bike and the toilet is the only 2 places where I can be truly be ALONE ! __________________ " 'Birds of a feather, flock together " Quote of the month: "Make everything as simple as possible, but not simpler." - Albert Einstein

04-30-2008, 6:25 PM	#3
TWEET Moderator Join Date: Oct 31 2006 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 315	Re: Chatterbox ??? I have used Collett Communicators that clip onto your helmet, they work well if you are familiar with how a 2-way radio works, but range is very limited. I now use Autocom Super pro-avi with 40ch UHF portable radio and it is worlds apart, and nothing clipped to helmet, and no battery packs. __________________ "Clear For Takeoff"

04-30-2008, 8:17 PM	#4
SilverBrd TEDZXX Join Date: Jan 22 2008 Location: Lockhart, Texas Age: 45 Posts: 1,742	Re: Chatterbox ??? My buddy has the scala rider 2. I think its a better buy for the money $170.00 and it has a FM radio, talk to fellow riders with Scalas, voice activated phone, and voice GPS and does not look like a brick on your lid. __________________ 02 Silver Bird, Throttlemeister, HID's, D&D Show and Go full system exhaust, Zero Gravity Double Bubble, Power Commander, Speedohealer, Corbin seat, Lowered foot pegs & more Mods to come!!!

04-30-2008, 9:37 PM	#5
SilverXXRider Join Date: Mar 03 2008 Location: Hudson Valley New York Posts: 143	Re: Chatterbox ??? My buddy and I have the Chatterbox 90 (the old one) we bought it like 10 years ago and love it it has saved our asses a thousand times. We are going to upgrade this season to the new Chatterbox GRMS-X1 this one has a longer range and some upgraded features. Can't say enough about this piece of gear a definate must have when riding with others.

05-01-2008, 10:30 AM	#6
dunedain Join Date: Jan 04 2007 Location: Tulsa, OK Age: 46 Posts: 725	Re: Chatterbox ??? Tried it some years back and I deemed it a POS. They may have upped their game but 8 years ago they were shiite! I tried the Autocom a couple of years ago and the clown they have listed as the Autocom guru in my area took a month and butchered the wireing on my XX so I blew it off but it seemed like as capable unit. I'm kinda with Dragon....last thing I want is phone calls and shiite while I'm on a nice ride (My XX clock has not been set right in years and I'd lover to put something more useful in it;s place). I would like to hear the V1 over the Ipod though. I think I would try these guys if I were to go comm again. $$$$ Baehr Motorcycle Communication Systems __________________ Sua Sponte!

05-01-2008, 11:40 AM	#7
lois Join Date: Nov 06 2006 Location: Red Deer Age: 46 Posts: 4,599	Re: Chatterbox ??? Me and my posse have been using the GRMS-X1 for a few years now. And yes...they have saved our asses a thousand times as well, would I ride in a regular group with out one.....no bloody way. Are they the best friggin thing since sliced bread, yes and no. Are they junk, nope. Are they water proof, no. Do they work well at speeds above 65mph, not really. Will I always have and use one ,,,,,yup. Why? Because once you and your crew gets used to using them, they are hard to be with out, and they are well worth owning. P.S, if you buy one, get an extra battery right off the bat. __________________ Call me "Captain Mudbucket".

05-01-2008, 12:49 PM	#8
blackbird1100xx 97"blackbird1100xx Join Date: Apr 24 2008 Location: ohio Age: 26 Posts: 44	Re: Chatterbox ??? Great responses guys. I appreaciate all the input, i just went up to the honda shop for lunch and talked to the service guys about them. They suggested another brand, which name escapes me, that is a little smaller and runs bluetooth about 500yards. its a smaller unit and seems like it is a little more practical for what we will be doing. Price is around 199.00 for one unit which contains only one headset and the bluetooth transmitter. Each rider has to get a unit to communicate. I'll be stopping by the shop again soon and i'll get the details for anyone interested.

05-01-2008, 1:46 PM	#10
ianross69 mad scotsman Join Date: Feb 14 2008 Location: Norway,, Near Gardermoen. Age: 37 Posts: 14	Re: Chatterbox ??? I tried it and it was total crap..Interference all the time..

05-01-2008, 6:44 PM	#11
TWEET Moderator Join Date: Oct 31 2006 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 315	Re: Chatterbox ??? For $200 per unit, you are etting close to the midrange of the autocom line.... __________________ "Clear For Takeoff"

05-01-2008, 8:14 PM	#12
Wockman Join Date: Dec 05 2006 Location: Montgomery AL Age: 38 Posts: 171	Re: Chatterbox ??? Never been a big fan of Chatterbox. I have used Collett communicators for years, but a few months ago I switched to the Cardo Scala-Rider Q2. They have Bluetooth (connect to a cell phone and GPS and MP3 player) and they have a built in FM tuner plus they work great bike-to-bike. I am very happy with them and it is soooo nice to not have any cords to get tangled up in... __________________ '03 Honda CBR1100XX An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools. - Ernest Hemingway Last edited by Wockman; 05-02-2008 at 9:24 AM.

05-02-2008, 12:19 AM	#13
cbrbear Join Date: Nov 10 2006 Location: San Diego CA Age: 34 Posts: 186	Re: Chatterbox ??? I have 2 GRMX-1's for sale as I have upgraded to the Dainese blue tooth helmet, also have 2 suomy helmets for sale if anyone is interested.

06-13-2008, 1:59 PM	#15
wigo Join Date: Mar 31 2007 Location: Spotsylvania VA Age: 36 Posts: 126	Re: Chatterbox ??? Take a look at these. Motorola - HelloMoto USA - SX800R - Homepage Cheap and can go a ways. There are somethat can work up to 25 miles. Put an earbud in and you are golden. We use them for hunting and they work real well. Plus there is not much to setup. LIke an ipod. I don't think I would want anything permanent. I like riding in solitude but know sometimes you will need to communicate.

06-18-2008, 3:11 PM	#16
fasterspider Join Date: May 16 2008 Location: Studio City, Ca Age: 47 Posts: 839	Re: Chatterbox ??? Chatterbox is too much of a distraction and should be illegal. The only sound a motorcycle rider should hear other than his bike is the wind, or maybe a cage horn from that idiot cager. A chatterbox is no better than a cager on the cel phone and is really crazy distracting from the road. __________________ Ray#1 The fasterspider You must have bumped your head http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d1...birdavatar.jpg

06-19-2008, 6:33 AM	#19
SilverXXRider Join Date: Mar 03 2008 Location: Hudson Valley New York Posts: 143	Re: Chatterbox ??? Sorry to hear that you got hurt my friend that truely sucks. Some people just flat out should not be driving at all. I see it every day on my 55 mile one way to work. You name it people eating, doing make-up and I have even seen some A**hole with a hardcover book perched on the steering wheel reading in heavy rush hour traffic. These people need to be taken out and beaten harshly. We see it all the time needless wrecks on the highway. I was going to say "accidents" but that would be the wrong word to use in most cases cause 99% of them are from human error not some freak mechanical failure. When I am on my bike I ride with the awareness and caution that EVERYTHING is out to kill me. And this thank GOD has so far done very well for me. Don't get me wrong I shouldn't have to explain how much joy and excitement riding a BIRD is but I never take it for granted that at anypoint something from somewhere can just end it all in a split second. As for me and my cousin having a way to communicate with each other just gives us the extra edge in keeping each other informed of situations and road conditions whatever the case is. As for the getting nails done I wasn't reffering to you personally I was talking about most cagers .

06-25-2008, 11:18 PM	#21
lois Join Date: Nov 06 2006 Location: Red Deer Age: 46 Posts: 4,599	Re: Chatterbox ??? I bought a chatter box, and for the first 6 months I couldn't hear nothing on it ....then I found the power button. __________________ Call me "Captain Mudbucket".

09-12-2008, 7:55 AM	#22
CanadianBird Join Date: Nov 25 2006 Location: BC Canada Posts: 4,433	Re: Chatterbox ??? As much as I love my wife, I don't want to talk to her when we're riding. Or anyone else for that matter. I like the voices in my head.

09-16-2008, 6:10 AM	#23
diamondhead Join Date: Sep 08 2008 Location: Knoxvegas, TN Age: 43 Posts: 90	Re: Chatterbox ??? Try Moto-Comm everything together.........multiple inputs......built in FM.......only drawback is battery powered ......which I am circumventing with a direct wired conversion. Wind noise is a problem if you have a cheap helmet or keep your head in dirty air. Motocomm only rated up to 100mph for clear speech whereas the Autocomm is rated higher but costs twice as much. I think the Moto is more than half as good however I have never owned the Autocomm.

09-23-2008, 11:44 PM	#25
back.in.black Got any blacker??? Join Date: Jan 09 2008 Location: Eagle Heights, QLD, Australia Age: 37 Posts: 98	Re: Chatterbox ??? In other news........... Your friend bought a ZX14 as a FIRST BIKE

10-01-2008, 9:22 PM	#26
RSJ Join Date: Jul 11 2008 Location: Woodstock, IL Posts: 30	Re: Chatterbox ??? A zx14 as a first bike????????? Holy Sh--! I wouldnt be doing any talking on a chatterbox to him

10-02-2008, 12:50 AM	#27
Catenaccio Join Date: Aug 06 2008 Location: Southeast Nevada Posts: 1,098	Re: Chatterbox ??? Chatterbox or at least a smaller version would be nice when I ride with my kids. That way I could figure out where to wait for them.

11-20-2008, 12:23 AM	#29
deadman Join Date: Aug 16 2008 Location: Lilydale Melb Australia Age: 61 Posts: 2,344	Re: Chatterbox ??? I lived in Brisbane in the early 70's. quite a number of my riding friends were deaf, So a heap of us hearing riders went to the brisbane deaf institute and learnt sign language so that we could converse with our deaf friends, A month later we could all sign language, fluently, and then we had a secret language only we knew. and we could use this sign language to converse as we rode, It was top stuff at parties, because you could say what you liked and no one else knew what the group of us were talking about. If ever you want a scary ride, jump on the back of a bike with some one who has been deaf since birth, they have no fear, and always corner by feel, if it aint scraping, you are not over far enough. AAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRHHHHHHHHHH My deaf mate. SID, Really scared the crapper out of me, and I dont scare easily on a bike. He could also ride, exceptionally well. 850 Norton. Brian. __________________ If ya not boppin, Ya in ya coffin. Rock and roll will soothe your soul. Mods, 6mm Shim, 12 inch risers, Double bubble Windsceen, Homemade Ventura type packrack, Expandable to 82 litre, Rjays rack bag, Lowered rear end frame by 3 inches. Suspension is still stock, home made Cans, awesome.