In-Helmet Communication on the Track?

Furious Coder · 08-13-2012, 07:15 PM

Has anyone ever used in-helmet communicators during a track day? I just picked up a Scala Rider G9 so that my wife and I could chat while we're riding together, but I'd actually love to have a real-time coach follow me around (or lead me) and give me advice while I'm riding.

Has anyone done this? Is it helpful, or distracting? Are there any schools that do this?

Grantizzle · 08-13-2012, 07:19 PM

seems like a terrible idear.

i have zero track time under my belt, but i wouldn't want anyone yacking away in my ear. especially my wife.

koorbloh · 08-13-2012, 07:20 PM

this is actually a good idea. I would have learned so much more at the track day I did.

courier11sec · 08-13-2012, 07:21 PM

It would be pretty sweet. Then when doing a track days during the week I could still make conference calls.

dwschultzy · 08-13-2012, 07:50 PM

My long answer: bad idea

Short answer: it might be possible in only the advanced forms of teaching/coaching.

Cyndy · 08-13-2012, 07:57 PM

I thought I read somewhere about one of the big schools using helmet-to-helmet comms... ??? I can't remember who...

Wyckedan · 08-13-2012, 08:36 PM

Originally Posted by Cyndy

I thought I read somewhere about one of the big schools using helmet-to-helmet comms... ??? I can't remember who...

Doug Polen does it

TheSumoBear · 08-13-2012, 08:57 PM

Always wanted this when I raced mx. Thought it would be awesome to have my mechanic telling me when some one is about to come up on me for a pass, and what line to take to block. Or tell me when someone is using a faster line in a section that I'm not seeing.

Wyckedan · 08-13-2012, 09:09 PM

Originally Posted by TheSumoBear

Always wanted this when I raced mx. Thought it would be awesome to have my mechanic telling me when some one is about to come up on me for a pass, and what line to take to block. Or tell me when someone is using a faster line in a section that I'm not seeing.

In a race, that is way too much like cheating. This is a 1 man sport. Once the flag drops, it's you and your machine.

88dx · 08-13-2012, 09:15 PM

It would be nice to tell everyone passing me to fuck off

courier11sec · 08-13-2012, 10:33 PM

Originally Posted by 88dx

It would be nice to tell everyone passing me to fuck off

Wouldn't you end up losing your voice?

Andre 1000 · 08-13-2012, 10:41 PM

Originally Posted by courier11sec

Wouldn't you end up losing your voice?

OOk · 08-13-2012, 11:35 PM

On a typical trackday: No.
In a much more controlled environment like a racing school: Yes.

odin544 · 08-14-2012, 12:13 AM

Originally Posted by dwschultzy

My long answer: bad idea

Short answer: it might be possible in only the advanced forms of teaching/coaching.

Originally Posted by OOk

On a typical trackday: No.
In a much more controlled environment like a racing school: Yes.

thiss

TheSumoBear · 08-14-2012, 12:38 AM

If you ain't cheatin you ain't tryin

Bluuu · 08-14-2012, 01:33 AM

No. Haven't done it. Not sure I want to. At least not a two way. I don't think I want anybody hearing me screaming to myself.

At the end of the straight...'oh crap oh crap oh craaaap'.

After the first turn...'oh thank god'

Going in to the next turn and the rest after that...'omg, holy crap, here we go again'.

After each of those next turns...'oh my freaking god, I'm still alive, whew'.

At the beginning of the straight...'oh hell, I gotta go i gotta go'.

When the flag comes out ending the session...'noooooooo noooo noooooo'.

Stringcheese · 08-14-2012, 07:21 PM

Hmmm. I don't think I'd like that too much. You'd be concentrating on what someone else is saying at 160+ mph. Not a good idea. Your total concentration better be on what's going on to your front.

Cyndy · 08-14-2012, 08:17 PM

Oh, oops. I found where I initially read that - not m/c related. It was in the course description for DirtFish's rally school.

cord4530 · 08-14-2012, 10:04 PM

I agree with what others have said about not having the extra distraction of someone coaching while you are riding at your limits of comfort. I do have chatterboxes for street riding and use them all the time.

But at the track I can't see it working at all. The wind and intake noise from my bike are crazy loud the few times I've raced and had an ear plug slip out. There is no way I could hear anything out of the little speakers installed in the helmet. I suppose if some custom earbuds were used you might be able to hear something, but if the bike behind you is doing the talking you would probably only hear the wind/intake noise from their mic anyway.

Honestly, the best way I've learned to improve is by following faster riders and instructors. Time behind the bars while practicing the right things is what it's all about.
-Dan

Smarmy · 08-16-2012, 04:40 PM

Originally Posted by cord4530

But at the track I can't see it working at all. The wind and intake noise from my bike are crazy loud the few times I've raced and had an ear plug slip out. There is no way I could hear anything out of the little speakers installed in the helmet. I suppose if some custom earbuds were used you might be able to hear something, but if the bike behind you is doing the talking you would probably only hear the wind/intake noise from their mic anyway.

Not disagreeing at all with what has been said about it not being a good idea on an open track day, but on this point -- with earbud headphones and a properly placed mic, it's actually surprisingly effective. Not as noisy as you'd think. But yes, the speaker type is worthless at high speed on a sport bike. I've used a Cardo, Chatterbox, and now a Sena (awesome unit, actually).


08-13-2012, 07:15 PM	#1
Furious Coder Peg Dragger Joined: Apr 2010 From: Seattle, WA I Ride: 2012 Moto Guzzi V7 Racer, 2009 Triumph Daytona 675	In-Helmet Communication on the Track? Has anyone ever used in-helmet communicators during a track day? I just picked up a Scala Rider G9 so that my wife and I could chat while we're riding together, but I'd actually love to have a real-time coach follow me around (or lead me) and give me advice while I'm riding. Has anyone done this? Is it helpful, or distracting? Are there any schools that do this? __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


08-13-2012, 07:19 PM	#2
Grantizzle Joined: Feb 2008 From: Mill Creek, Wa I Ride: slower than you with a bigger grin!	seems like a terrible idear. i have zero track time under my belt, but i wouldn't want anyone yacking away in my ear. especially my wife. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


08-13-2012, 07:20 PM	#3
koorbloh Je Fa Fa Joined: Mar 2007 From: Monroe-mish, WA Blog Entries: 5 I Ride: 07 YZ450F, 74 XL350, 78 CB400	this is actually a good idea. I would have learned so much more at the track day I did. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


08-13-2012, 07:21 PM	#4
courier11sec Moto2 Contender Joined: Sep 2008 From: where they don't have lawns. I Ride: Red bike, Brown truck, various collections of junk held together poorly.	It would be pretty sweet. Then when doing a track days during the week I could still make conference calls. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


08-13-2012, 07:50 PM	#5
dwschultzy Race Qualifier Joined: Nov 2007 From: . Blog Entries: 2	My long answer: bad idea Short answer: it might be possible in only the advanced forms of teaching/coaching. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


08-13-2012, 07:57 PM	#6
Cyndy Superbiker Joined: Aug 2009 From: Chicagoland I Ride: 2010 RC8R; 2009 ZX6R; Percheron/Paint (equine variety)	I thought I read somewhere about one of the big schools using helmet-to-helmet comms... ??? I can't remember who... __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


08-13-2012, 08:57 PM	#8
TheSumoBear Peg Dragger Joined: Jun 2012 From: wa I Ride: in the supermoto lane.	Always wanted this when I raced mx. Thought it would be awesome to have my mechanic telling me when some one is about to come up on me for a pass, and what line to take to block. Or tell me when someone is using a faster line in a section that I'm not seeing. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


08-13-2012, 09:15 PM	#10
88dx Shredder Joined: Jan 2008 From: Bellingham I Ride: On the sidewalk	It would be nice to tell everyone passing me to fuck off __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


08-13-2012, 11:35 PM	#13
OOk beansbaxter is too lazy to come up with something but he will get to it, eventually... Joined: Sep 2005 From: kerklund Blog Entries: 22	On a typical trackday: No. In a much more controlled environment like a racing school: Yes. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


08-14-2012, 12:38 AM	#15
TheSumoBear Peg Dragger Joined: Jun 2012 From: wa I Ride: in the supermoto lane.	If you ain't cheatin you ain't tryin __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


08-14-2012, 01:33 AM	#16
Bluuu Señor verde Joined: Mar 2011 From: Kirkland I Ride: behind the girls.	No. Haven't done it. Not sure I want to. At least not a two way. I don't think I want anybody hearing me screaming to myself. At the end of the straight...'oh crap oh crap oh craaaap'. After the first turn...'oh thank god' Going in to the next turn and the rest after that...'omg, holy crap, here we go again'. After each of those next turns...'oh my freaking god, I'm still alive, whew'. At the beginning of the straight...'oh hell, I gotta go i gotta go'. When the flag comes out ending the session...'noooooooo noooo noooooo'. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


08-14-2012, 07:21 PM	#17
Stringcheese Race Qualifier Joined: May 2008 From: Clarkinsas, WA I Ride: Whatever's next	Hmmm. I don't think I'd like that too much. You'd be concentrating on what someone else is saying at 160+ mph. Not a good idea. Your total concentration better be on what's going on to your front. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


08-14-2012, 08:17 PM	#18
Cyndy Superbiker Joined: Aug 2009 From: Chicagoland I Ride: 2010 RC8R; 2009 ZX6R; Percheron/Paint (equine variety)	Oh, oops. I found where I initially read that - not m/c related. It was in the course description for DirtFish's rally school. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


08-14-2012, 10:04 PM	#19
cord4530 Licensed Joined: Aug 2007 From: Moscow, ID I Ride: slow on fast bikes, and slow on slow bikes.	I agree with what others have said about not having the extra distraction of someone coaching while you are riding at your limits of comfort. I do have chatterboxes for street riding and use them all the time. But at the track I can't see it working at all. The wind and intake noise from my bike are crazy loud the few times I've raced and had an ear plug slip out. There is no way I could hear anything out of the little speakers installed in the helmet. I suppose if some custom earbuds were used you might be able to hear something, but if the bike behind you is doing the talking you would probably only hear the wind/intake noise from their mic anyway. Honestly, the best way I've learned to improve is by following faster riders and instructors. Time behind the bars while practicing the right things is what it's all about. -Dan __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter

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