Votronic's BlueBike setup brings Bluetooth to the helmet
By Darren Murph 
posted Aug 9th 2007 6:14PM
posted Aug 9th 2007 6:14PM
Votronic's BlueBike system won't be noted as the first to bring Bluetooth into the motorcycle helmet, but the expandable nature and respectable feature set are certainly commendable. Dubbed a "modular communication system," this technology can be integrated into essentially any helmet, and the trio of options enable you to stick with basic handset communication, tune into music via Bluetooth or a hardwired adapter, or even chat sans wires with your passenger. Of course, the fanicier you get, the more you'll be shelling out, but it looks like you can get started (and upgrade later) right now for €350 ($481).[Via MotorBiker]
I've never ridden a motorcycle before, so this view is probably naive. But I can't help but wonder what listening to music in your helmet while riding a bike would do to your situational awareness. Intercom to your passenger or nearby riders, fine. Constant music, might as well get the coffin ready. But again, that's just me.
Think of it this way, currently motorcycle riders listen to music using traditional headphones under their helmet. This means that while riding they are fussing around with cords, iPod controls, and even trying to wedge their fingers inside their helmet to adjust the placement in their ears. There are a number of Bluetooth Headsets for phone communication that work with helmets, however none support A2DP for music. Although listening to music may not be the safest, it is definitely safer to have Bluetooth helmet mounted controls to do so. Now if it were only half the price....
The same argument was made about having radios in cars a long time ago. Listening to music in my helmet does not detract from my riding at all. Trying to change the song on my Garmin Zumo 550 does (never ridden a bike with a built in stereo so I won't speak to those), but just listening doesn't interfere at all.
Considering most riders are either deaf due to wind noise or were smart enough to wear ear plugs to prevent going deaf due to wind noise - situational awareness doesn't change a whole lot adding music to the mix.
Have you ever had a conversation with a passenger in your car? Have you ever listened to music loud in your car? I've been riding for over 25 years. Music is not a distraction while riding. It make the best experience even more enjoyable. Since you've never ridden, perhaps you should ride before commenting on something you know nothing about. P.S. I've been riding motorcycles for over 25 years.
Way to be an ass. Look at his first sentence, biker boy
"I've never ridden a motorcycle before, so this view is probably naive."
He was asking a question to try and learn something, acknowledging that he didn't have any experience in that area.
P.S. I don't drive a car with the speakers next to my ears.
Yo PDubNYC, the person asked about the impact on situational awareness, then pronounced their judgement as "Constant music, might as well get the coffin ready. But again, that's just me."
Hmmm. I want to learn something, so I ask a question, then immediately follow up with my opinion. Why ask in the first place, if you've already got the answer? We all know about opinions.
Momo makes a helmet that rocks Bluetooth as well.
http://www.motorola.com/motoinfo/product/details.jsp?globalObjectId=75
You're supposed to wear earplugs on motorcycles anyways, may as well have some tunes to go with that.
(oh and I love my Zumo 550 with autocom pro 7 and v1 radar with etyomic er-6 canalphones...)
Now this is smart. Cars are now equipped with bluetooth, and if not, addons are easily available. This is just natural progression of things.
I ride my bike to work almost every day, rain or shine and I'm usually listening to music with an in ear headphone just to block the wind noise. As for situational awareness - the people I know that ride almost every day ( non weekend Harley riders )- their situational awareness is about 4X that of the average driver in a car. They know that Mommy Minivan really isn't paying attention to the road and the vehicle with the most lug nuts always wins ( that's not the bike ).
The bad thing about riding in North America is that it is not a big enough market share to ever drop the price on an item like this. I would easily pay $100 even $150 for this, but until you see motorcycles go more mainstream due to higher fuel prices or whatever these will remain a niche' product.
What?
No backlink to the original article ???? Naughty !!!!
I have been following blue tooth on motorcycle helmets for awhile now and it is good to see this progression.
There is always so much anger against motorcyclists. Let it go. I don't know if it is fear or intimidation but its rather unbecoming. You can see right through this anger as either fear or jealousy. If you want to enjoy the same benefits as a motorcyclist, learn how to ride. Don't constantly flame us.
Anyone looking for a solution for stereo music in the US check out this article
http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/13/benchmark-helmets-intros-bluetooth-headsets-for-bikers/
It is available in the US as of now!